10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Office Furniture

Buying furniture is never an easy job, be it for the house or the office. There are so many factors that have to be considered across the board for things to fit; these factors range from the budget available, the space, the needs and the number of people who will be using the furniture. This is not a decision that you make overnight, and it is easy to make mistakes even with all things thought out thoroughly. But that shouldn’t be the case.

We will be looking at the most common mistakes that people make when purchasing furniture for their offices and provide some solutions and recommendations that should help you make the right choices. If you are planning to open an office anytime in the future, then this is for you.

Going for Looks over Comfort

Having an office that looks like a palace is all good, but that shouldn’t be the priority because looks don’t get the job done, but comfortable furniture will get you further. A good looking office chair will mean nothing if it inflicts back and neck pains on your employees. Consider going for a comfortable and ergonomic chair with a headrest that will make things easier for the people who use the office and the visitors who may drop by.

Consider going for a friendly and comfortable chair like the Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair that is built with all the features that provide comfort in the form of a reliable, ergonomic chair with lumbar support system, armrests, padded seats and the best part; it comes with an amazing design that will make your office look classy and refined.

Ignoring Budgeting

Having the funds to get any furniture you may want is not an excuse to go in blindly when purchasing furniture for the office because you may end up buying what you don’t need. Budgeting helps you go through several options, measuring the pros and cons of each potential buy to come with an exhaustive list that grants you the best value for money.

You have to understand that expensive does not always correspond with quality and vice versa. When you create a budget, you are able to make a mental evaluation of a piece of furniture even before the price is spelt out for you. A budget is simply a way for you to reign in on your spending so that you don't go overboard or end up with furniture that doesn't fit your needs.

Buying Furniture Without Warranty

When making big purchases that will affect the health of your business, it is only sensible that you go for products that come with warranties. You must have the freedom to return the products and get your refund without any issue coming up if they don’t align with your needs.

You must also get the full information on the after-sales care that the company handling the furniture sale plans to offer you. Do they cover repairs and maintenance in the first 12 months? Can they provide spare parts when the need for them arises? Office furniture is a lifetime investment, and you have to do everything in your power to ensure that you get the best deal out of the buy.

Ignoring Space Limitations

The office space available is a foremost factor that people consider first before deciding on the furniture they need. The bottom line is that you can only fit what the space allows, so you can’t go around buying furniture that is twice as big as the office space available. Before walking into any furniture dealership, make sure you have the measurement details of your office space.

Going in blindly without that information will only lead to you spending money on the wrong furniture, and if they don’t come with warranties, you will be forced to resize them, which is another added cost. Save yourself the headache by getting furniture that can fit. Consider empty space, too as that is also part of the office setting.

Mismatching Furniture

When it comes to buying furniture, the common practice is to source everything from one dealer; this, way; you ensure that uniformity is adhered to and you get the same quality of furniture for the entire office. But there are moments when someone ends up getting furniture from more than one place leading to imbalances in the office.

Picking different furniture pieces from different suppliers will only end with your office looking like a jumbled mess of different products, and that would not be a good look. You need to get all your furniture from a single source to enjoy the full benefits of warranties, repairs and maintenance services, among many other after-sale perks.

Buying Without Physical Checks

We live in an area where purchases can be made online and the items shipped to the buyer without both parties even coming into contact with each other. That has brought a level of convenience never seen before, but it has also opened a Pandora's box as far as delivering what was bought is concerned. 

Many furniture shops have online stores and websites where they display beautiful photos of their products. Buying the furniture based on the images you see is not recommended. A serious office furniture buyer visits the dealership physically to inspect what they want to ensure they are getting value for their money. Therefore, when furnishing your office, go to the shops personally to check everything out first.

Buying Fixed Furniture

Fixed furniture is the type that cannot be adjusted; you use it the way it arrived. This has its perks; for starters, you have the benefit of using solid furniture that is constructed to last without any moveable parts. On the other hand, you lack the flexibility to switch positions when working, something that is quickly becoming very important in the modern working space. So what’s the best way forward?

You will be better served by adjustable office furniture. The type that allows you to change the height, adjust the desktop and even switch from sitting to standing. In this regard, the best option for you would be a sit-stand desk, and currently, there is none that comes close to what a Vici Duplex Standing Desk has to offer. It is a two-tier height adjustable standing desk that comes with a control panel for switching between sitting and standing on top of being pressure sensitive when weight is applied to it.

Going for Cheap instead of Good

Setting up an office is hard and costly work. You have to handle the rent and pay the goodwill months in advance, and you have to splurge on computers, printers and other machines necessary for work to be done. By the time you sit down to budget for the furniture, you are stretched beyond your limits, forcing you to go for the cheapest furniture you can get. That’s a mistake that will be costly down the road.

The problem with cheap furniture is that it is never designed with any purpose in mind; they are made to simply fulfil the basic need of workers sitting down and doing their work. Very little ergonomics of comfort, style and functionality is incorporated. They don't last long either. It will not be long before you find yourself in the market again shopping for new furniture. 

Don’t compromise on office furniture. Get the best by all means and close that chapter for good to concentrate on other things that may need your attention.

Thinking Short-Term

Anyone who starts a business of any kind always wishes to see it grow at some point down the line, and they do everything in their power to ensure that this comes to pass. When choosing furniture for your new office, you have to think long term with your choices. How soon do you see yourself expanding? Do you have the space for adding more furniture as more workers join the setup? 

You need to operate with the mentality that your business will be growing every six months. With this in mind, you need to go for furniture that will accommodate this growth without any need for extra spending. Think about the space available, where new employees will fit in and use that to make prior arrangements. Thinking short-term will only stunt your progress; self-confidence is everything and that should be reflected in your office furniture choices.

Conclusion

Every accomplishment in life begins with a small step, and the same applies to office furniture. At some point in the future, the business will grow, and you may require a bigger space and more furniture. However, the one thing that remains constant all through is the thought process that goes into selecting and purchasing office furniture. Take your time to avoid ending up with the wrong furniture. Cover all the bases for the best results.

Post-Storm Fix-ups: How to Get Your Home Back to Good

When a storm hits your home and causes damage it can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to seeing to the work that needs to be done. Storm damage can cause everything from cosmetic to structural damage, destroy furniture and belongings as well as damaging both the interior and exterior of the building. In order for you to make an insurance claim and begin repairs, you are going to need to have your home accessed immediately. These are post storm steps to take to get your home back to good.

Immediately Check for Damage

As soon as it is safe to do so, check your home for any obvious signs of damage as soon as the storm has passed. Take any emergency and immediate measures necessary to secure and make your home safe, or to protect your belongings. Water damage, gas or power hazards, cracks, and other dangerous situations should be reported to emergency authorities immediately as they can cause serious harm to you and the neighborhood.

Consult Storm Damage Restoration Specialists

The next step in assessing any storm damage is to contact storm damage restoration specialists so they can thoroughly look over your home and give you a detailed report on what needs to be done to get your home back to good. They will look at exterior and interior areas, can spot roof and water damage, and recognize everything from wind damage to leaks. This inspection is vital because it will determine the amount of help your insurance will provide to you for repairs.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Contacting your insurance is the next step in getting your home back to normal and will rely heavily on the damage reports you have secured. Make sure to provide all photos, reports, documentation, and receipts for items you have lost due to the damage done. All of these items will be covered in the same claim and are rarely adjusted once it is made. An insurance agent will provide you with a report of items they are willing to cover and often work directly with anyone that you secure to provide the work on your home in order to cover all necessary expenses.

A capable and thorough contractor is able to coordinate all aspects of your home repair after a storm. With estimates in hand, secure recommendations and review previous work done by a contractor before making the best choice for you and your home.

4 Signs It's Time to Have the Pipes in Your Home Replaced

Homeowners expect their pipes to keep the water flowing. And when it comes to home improvement, replacing old pipes is usually not on the list. But if you’re having plumbing troubles, new pipes might solve the problem. Here are four signs your home might need new pipes.

The Pipes Are Old

Most things wear down over time, including plumbing. Here’s how long you can expect pipes to last:

- PVC: 70 years or more

- Galvanized steel: 20-50 years

- Copper: 50 years or more

- Cast iron: 75-100 years

- Brass: 40-45 years

- Lead: Lasts up to 100 years, but replace lead pipes in your home as soon as possible. Lead is a health hazard. Congress banned the use of lead pipes in 1986.

What type of plumbing pipes are in your home? If you’re unsure, ask a plumber for an inspection. You’ll then have insight into how long you can expect the pipes to last.

Corrosion

Are your pipes clogged more often than not? Someone is possibly pouring bad things down the drains, like grease, oil, or bits of food. Corrosion can also cause clogging. Corrosion happens most often with galvanized steel pipes. Minerals and oxygen in water build up inside the pipes and cause rust or corrosion. As the situation worsens, water runs slower and slower. The only solution is to replace the pipes.

Water Discoloration

You should see clear water flowing from your pipes. Water that is brown, yellow, or has sediment means something is wrong. In some cases, discolored water is a local water supply issue. The city is responsible for solving the problem, but discolored water could indicate a problem with the pipes in your home. Call your local water company to report the discolored water. If repairs are being done in your area, the water company should inform you of the issue. They should also tell you when to expect clear water. If no repairs are being done, then the problem is with your pipes. Call a plumber as soon as possible.

Leaking

Some leaks are simple to repair. You might just need to tighten a loose connection, but if the pipes are cracked or in bad shape, leaks can mean it’s time for new pipes.

Bad plumping can cause all kinds of problems in your home, from structural damage to health issues. Replace or repair bad pipes as soon as you can. Avoiding the problem will only make it worse and cost more money in the long run.

How to Make Better Use of the Space in Your Garage

Garages aren't just for parking your vehicles. Whether you have an attached single car garage or a detached three-car garage, make the most of this usable space by getting it in good shape for activities like a workshop, an art studio, or a woodworking bench.

Organize the Space

Decide the best configuration of the garage area for your hobby or workstation. A workbench, for example, might fit best at the rear of the garage. But if you have just one vehicle parked in a two-car garage, you could partition the unused parking area for your other work. A partition could be a basic concrete block half-wall or even a row of potted plants. You might prefer to have no division of the spaces for an open feel. But it will help to decide where you want to do your new activity and concentrate on organizing that area for the purpose.

Install a Garage Floor

If you plan to spend time in the garage, it might be a good idea to install durable, water-proof garage flooring. Indoor-outdoor linoleum, tiles, or carpet will help to keep the area dry, clean, warm, and stable for foot traffic or moving things around. This is especially true if the garage has a dirt floor or an aging concrete floor that is starting to crumble or crack.

Add Heating or Cooling Equipment

A portable heater should be adequate to heat the garage while working there in cold temperatures. You may also want to get a portable air conditioner to keep the area cool and comfortable on warm days. A fan can help to move around light dust from your garage work so that it doesn't settle everywhere, unless it is substantial. Make sure the electric wiring in the garage is adequate for the appliances and equipment you plan to use.

Make Sure the Garage is Protected

While you probably won't need to insulate the walls, it will help to keep the roof in good shape to prevent leaks. Any windows should be secure and stable. The door should be fitted with a lock if you plan to keep valuable tools or materials stored there. If you don't have a wallboard up, pound down or remove protruding nails, and get rid of insects or rodent nests.

It won't take much to get more usage from your garage. Turn your garage area into extended usable space for other activities in addition to parking your car.