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Maintaining Your Elevator: Answers to Questions You May Be Asking Yourself

Just as with everything else, prevention is better than cure. Investing in the maintenance of elevators will help you in the long run. And while it’s true that repairs are going to cost you a fortune and that regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of lifts, there’s another reason for maintaining your elevator: the safety of the passengers.

If your elevator is in a corporate office skyscraper or an apartment building, it is your responsibility, as the property owner or manager, to ensure that maintenances are scheduled regularly. Regular maintenance is even mandated by the local cities and towns, for good reasons.

Elevator inspection, maintenance, and repair should be done only by a professional. But before you go on the hunt for a perfect professional, below are the answers to questions you may be asking yourself:

1. At what frequency must elevator maintenances be scheduled?

Although regulations vary from one country to another and one state to another, it is generally recommended to get inspections done on elevators at least once a year. Since every lift must have a certificate of operation, which must be posted in the elevator itself, the inspection must be successful. Hence the need for regular maintenance.

Therefore, in addition to ensuring the elevator stays in top-notch condition for a long time and ensuring the passengers remain safe, annual servicing also ensures that the elevator stays in compliance with state and federal regulations.

2. I already ensure that maintenances are conducted on an annual basis. I’m all good then?

Sure, regular servicing is good as it ensures that all regulations are met. However, you don’t want to have maintenances too far apart. Instead, you want to be proactive. In fact, the further apart the maintenances are scheduled, the more likely it is you will have to face costly repair issues.

To avoid being blindsided by heavily damaged parts that may put passengers at risk or inconveniencing tenants due to lifts being out of service, you will have to stay on top of the elevator maintenance. The best way to ensure that is by adopting a preventive attitude rather than a reactive one. This approach entails thinking about getting upgrades done at the right time and modernizing the lifts if necessary.

3. What can I expect from a maintenance task?

You cannot expect the elevator units to be in top working order all the time. With every maintenance, you might have some parts to replace and others to repair.

Maintenance tasks would generally reveal the problems, such as:

  1. A broken pit light
  2. A broken top light
  3. A dirty car top dirty
  4. Water or debris in the elevator pit
  5. A faulty door reversal device
  6.  A fire recall service that is not working properly
  7. Malfunctioning emergency lights
  8. Cable measurements that are not in compliance
  9. Missing door restrictor

4. What about the machine room? Do I need to schedule maintenance for that as well?

The elevator machine room refers to the lift motor room. That room houses the machinery and electrical controls needed to operate a lift. It will typically contain:

  • Counterweight governor
  • Deflector sheaves
  • Drive motor
  • Electrical disconnects
  • Encoder
  • Fire alarm devices
  • Geared, gearless and drum-type machine
  • Hoist beam
  • HVAC equipment
  • Light control switch
  • Light fixtures
  • Machine brake
  • Motor generator set
  • Rope gripper
  • Selector

And just like elevators, lift motor rooms have to be in good working order as well. Maintenance will ensure that the elevator machine room is up to code. Part of the inspection will involve ensuring that:

  1. The motor drives are well aligned.
  2. The machine room is self-closing and locking. (this ensures that only authorized personnel can get in.)
  3. The sheaves don’t get worn down.
  4. The room features adequate lighting.
  5. The bearings don’t get too noisy.
  6. The bearings don’t malfunction.
  7. The room is not being used as a storage room.

5. Is there anything I can do on my own?

Lifts are so complex machines that their servicing is better left to experts. In an inexperienced hand, even a little dabbling can lead to disastrous consequences.

What you can do, instead, is to spot the parts that are the most vulnerable to damage. If you know where you run the highest chances of trouble, it will be easier for you to anticipate these repairs. This leads to better budgeting and, in turn, faster repairs.

An example of a part that often malfunctions are the unit doors. About 70% of elevator maintenance calls are due to this. If you know that you may face the problem with the lifts in your building, you can plan ahead and integrate a solution that will reduce the risks of that happening.

Hopefully, this blog post has answered questions you may be asking yourself! If you are looking for a contractor who can handle the maintenance of your lifts, contact March Elevator Limited. They will be able to help you out.

Getting Approved for a Home Mortgage Loan

Do you think you are finally ready to buy a house? Excited to go home shopping?

Stop.

We hate to rain on your parade but trust us. You do NOT want to rush this. You are not ready to go home shopping unless you’ve seen your lender first.

Potential buyers who consult with their lenders before even going home shopping have the added advantage of obtaining a pre-approval letter. How is that helpful, you ask? Well, sellers would be more willing to negotiate for one. And why do you ask? Well, that letter is proof that you can obtain financing and that you are a serious buyer.

You may read that interest rates are set to lower even more in 2020 and you are ready to start looking so you can make a buy as soon as it drops, but really, don’t rush into homeownership without knowing more about mortgage. Because, here’s the thing: the process of getting a home loan is not the same as getting a car loan or renting an apartment. So, to avoid being disappointed because mortgage loan application has been denied, make a meeting with your lender your number one priority.

Your lender will cover loan options available to you as well as budgeting. Another benefit of talking to your lender from the very beginning is that the possibility of unearthing any potential problems very early on. The lender will check your credit to do that.

At this point, the lender will tell you if you are eligible for a home loan and will communicate to you the maximum amount you can borrow. This will help you set the price range for the house. Here’s one thing you want to remember at this stage: do not go for the top of your spending limit. Instead, determine what monthly repayment amount you are comfortable with, and use that to decide the amount you’ll be borrowing.

5 Documents You Need when Trying to Get Your Mortgage Pre-Approved

What is pre-approval? Is it the same as pre-qualification?

Short answer? No.

A pre-qualification is when your lender gives you an estimate of how much you can afford to spend on a home.

A pre-approval, on the other hand, means the lender your credit has been checked and the documentation to approve a specific loan amount has been verified. A final loan approval will be needed once the appraisal of the property has been done.

Below is a list of documents you will need to assemble for the pre-approval process:

1. Proof of Income

Documents that can serve as proofs of income include wage statements, recent pay stubs, and proof of any additional income such as alimony or bonuses. You may also be required to present your most recent tax returns.

2. Proof of Assets

This proves that you have sufficient funds for down payment and closing costs. You also need to prove that you have some cash reserved. Bank statements and investment account statements should do the job.

3. Good Credit

The lower your score, the larger will the down payment have to be. If your score is high, on the other hand, you may be able to enjoy better interest rates.

Your score is below the accepted range? Fret not. Most lenders will suggest ways on how to improve your score if it’s too low.

4. Employment Verification

For lenders to lend you money, they need to make sure that you will be able to make the monthly payments. So, in addition to pay stubs, they may also call your employer to verify that you indeed have stable employment.

If you are self-employed, you will be expected to produce the two most recent years’ tax returns instead.

5. Other Documentation

These may include proof of your identity, for example. You may be asked for your driver’s license, your Social Security number (SSN) and your signature. This is to help the lender pull your credit report.

5 Tips to Get Your Mortgage Approved

Below are  few tips to ensure your application gets approved:

1. Check Your Credit Score

Make sure you review your credit score and credit history before submitting a home loan application.

Factors such as several missed payments, frequent lateness, low credit score, credit fraud and other derogatory credit information can stop mortgage approvals dead in its tracks.

2. Save

You might have to cough up some cash during the mortgage approval process. So, to avoid any delays in the approval procedure, make sure you have some cash saved up.

3. Do Not Change Jobs

Since lenders take into consideration your jobs during the pre-approval process, leaving your stable job to be self-employed or for a lower salary may throw a wrench in your plans.

4. Pay Down Debt

While banks and lenders won’t require that you have no side debts, the less you owe your creditors, the better. The more debts you have to pay, the less amount you may be able to acquire from your lender.

5. Know What You Can Afford

As mentioned above: do not get a loan that you cannot afford to pay. Remember that you have other expenses, such as insurance, groceries, and fuel.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Security Guard in Australia

Property owners, businesses and governments contract or employ security guards to maintain a high visibility presence on-site to deter and discourage any illegal activity, such as damage to property, theft and other criminal or unsafe activities. To protect property, equipment, personnel and money, security guards are expected to patrol the area to act a visible deterrent to unauthorised and criminal behaviour.

However, their jobs do not consist of only patrolling. Which is why prospective security guards have to ensure they complete the training requirements of the state they wish to work in. In addition to getting training from a registered and accredited training organization, you will also need to get relevant licences.

Before diving into the steps required to become a security guard, this blog will cover the job description of a security guard, what employers look for and skills and attributes that will make you a successful security guard. At the end of the post, we’ll also include additional training you can undertake to have more employment opportunities.

If you think you have what it takes to be a Security Guard, keep reading!

Security Officer: Job Description

While it’s true that the primary responsibility of a security guard is to protect the employer’s property and assets from theft and vandalism, their tasks and duties are not restricted to just that. Below is a list of things that will be expected from you, as a security guard:

  1. Have the ability to work in a variety of settings, including universities, banks, public buildings, private -properties, and retail stores.
  2. Monitor security systems and surveillance equipment, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and computer alarm systems.
  3. Act in a timely manner to prevent hazards or damage to property and/or personnel.
  4. Check gates, doors, and windows for signs of unauthorised entry when patrolling.
  5. Respond to alarms personally or communicate with mobile units by radio to attend alarms.
  6. Prepare reports for:
    • times of inspections
    • presence of authorised persons incidents
    • events, irregularities and problems that may have occurred on sites,
  7. Liaise with emergency services, including police and fire department, if any incident occurred.
  8. Perform first aid if required.
  9. Apprehend and detain trespassers until the arrival of the police.
  10. Issue security passes.
  11. Make security arrangements for authorised visitors.
  12. Report any activity that may seem fraudulent or suspicious, even if these activities have been performed by employees or supervisors.
  13. Provide reception services.

What Are Employers Looking for?

  1. Assertive with good communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
  2. First aid certification
  3. Ability to work under pressure and retain one’s calm under all circumstances
  4. Holder of a security licence
  5. Honest, responsible and trustworthy
  6. Observant and alert, with good common sense
  7. Be able to think on their feet
  8. Ability to make fast, accurate decisions
  9. Be physically fit (a medical examination may be required)
  10. Good hearing and eyesight (may be corrected)

Steps to Becoming a Security Guard

Step 1: Complete basic training

Since security guards are expected to know safety awareness, crowd control, self-defence techniques, staff professionalism, and legal rights and obligations, we would recommend you complete the following courses if you want to become a security officer:

  1. Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
    • VCE
    • QCE
    • HSC
  2. Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20212)
  3. Basic training in first aid
    • You can also choose to complete the additional training, such as cardiopulmonary, basic emergency life support and management of asthma.

Remember to check if the training organisation is a Registered Training Organization (RTO) that is accredited by the state’s police.

Step 2: Get a security guard license

Once you’ve completed the relevant training with an accredited security training course from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you are ready to apply for a security licence.

Since, licencing requirements vary from one state to another, check with the regulator in the state you plan to work and see if you’ll require any additional documentation. If you’ve respected all the guidelines, you should receive your security license and be on patrol in no time!

Step 3: Start applying for work

Since there are lots of employment opportunities for security officers, you can start working right away! Update your resume and consider applying in the following sectors/industries:

  • Schools
  • Government buildings
  • Transport companies
  • Retail stores
  • Office buildings

Step 4: Upskill and specialise for better employment opportunities

As with any other jobs, the more qualifications and licenses you possess, the more employable you will be. There are two ways to go about this: you can sign up for additional courses, or choose to specialise in one area only.

Areas in which you can take additional courses include:

  1. criminal justice
  2. conflict resolution
  3. event management

Or you can specialise in the following:

  1. air security officer
  2. protectives service officer
  3. bodyguard
  4. crowd controller

Buying Wholesale Fabric: The Ultimate Guide

5 Things You Want to Avoid Doing at All Costs

1. Not Ordering on Time

One of the worst mistakes is waiting too long before ordering production yardage, especially if you plan to sell wholesale. After having sourced sample yardage, you can then go back to the supplier to purchase production yardage.

Imagine having included specific materials in your collection, shown your line to retailers, taken orders, only to find out you can’t order more yardage now that production is starting? That would not only be disheartening but can also be catastrophic for your business. You risk losing potential clients over mistakes like this.

It’s even harder for small businesses that usually order small yardage. To ensure you have the exact print you need for production, you need to understand the importance of ordering on time and being rigorous when it comes to sourcing and procurement processes.

2. Buying Fabric Before You Need Them

While it’s true you want to have the right amount of fabric for the production stage we are not telling you to buy it before you even know how you plan to use it.

No matter how billowy, breathable or gorgeous the fabric may be, you can’t order any fabric you love only on the basis that SOMEDAY you’ll use it. If you don’t need it for anything now, don’t buy it.

Purchasing fabric that you won’t use immediately have several drawbacks, such as:

  • It ties up your cash for very long.
  • The fabric will occupy crucial space in your studio.
  • The material can go out of fashion, and you might not be able to use them in the foreseeable future. This will only create unnecessary stress for you.

3. Presume that the Same Dye Lot Will be Used for Production Yardage and Sample Yardage

Pro tip: Do not try to perfectly match fabrics. Just as mentioned above, even if the samples and the fiber contents match, you can still run the risk of getting a production yardage that is not quite the same color as the sample. Instead of a matching ensemble, you’ll get the exact opposite of what you wanted: colors that clash.  

If you are lucky enough, you may have ordered a production yardage that is easy to sell wholesale. If not… Yep, you got that right: business lost. On top of that, you may lose money for ordering the wrong color. Not ideal if you have just kicked off your company or if you are a smaller business.

4. Not Doing a Quality Check

We can already see you scrunching your eyebrows at this. But we are going somewhere with this – checking for quality is not only about taking a swatch from one of the fabric rolls. What you need to do is check the whole fabric rolls. That’s right, open all of them and ensure you check them well. If it’s too much hassle to roll them open and re-rolling them, consider paying your cutting house an extra fee and ask them to do it for you once they receive the production fabric.  

While you may think it’s just an unnecessary additional expense, bear in mind that if too much time passes before you start cutting the rolls for production, you will not be able to return the rolls to your supplier even if there are issues or flaws in the fabric.

5. Looking for the Perfect Fabric

You might be tempted to decide on the ideal type of fabric and then start browsing. The problem with this method is you might waste a lot of time looking for that fabric, pay too much for it or find out the quantity available is just not enough for your particular needs.

What You Must Do Instead

For a reliable fabric sourcing strategy, designers should work backward:

  • Go to fabric vendors and just browse around.
  • See if they have fabrics that will fit your price range.
  • Confirm if they have enough for you.
  • Design your collection around those fabrics and trims.
  • Order samples

Questions to Ask Your Supplier

To make fabric sampling and ordering easier, we’ve come up with a list of questions you can ask the vendor you plan to do business with:

1. Quantity

Ask the vendors if they have minimum quantity imposed on all orders. If your business is a start-up it will be hard for you to estimate the amount of fabric that will be needed for production. Vendors that allow for smaller orders will be helpful in this case.  

2.Lead time

Lead time for production and delivery is key to planning your production schedule.

3. Availability

Remember to check stock availability and continuity in advance. You don’t want to find out that the supplier discontinued the fabric you wanted only when you are about to start production.

4. Price

Whether you are ordering small or large quantities of materials, you want to choose a supplier that offers wholesale and tiered pricing.

Guide to Diamond: Shapes and Cuts

As most experts will tell you, ‘cuts’ and ‘shapes’ do not mean the same thing when comparing diamond types. They cannot be used interchangeably. While the ‘shape’ refers to the outline of the stone, the ‘cut’ refers to the stone’s facets arrangement. Virtually all diamond cuts sold for use in jewelry are one of ten round or fancy diamond shapes. The most common diamond shapes on the market include round, princess, oval, emerald and more.

These diamond ‘shapes’ can be ‘cut’ in a wide range of ways. The most common cut is called a brilliant cut. This brilliant-cut has 57 to 58 facets and consists of a top flat surface, 16 kite‐shaped facets, and 40 triangular-shaped facets.

Knowing the various cuts and shapes used when designing diamonds is the first step to purchasing a piece of jewellery or ordering a custom-made one. Below are more details about the ten most popular cut shapes:

Diamond Shape: Round

  • This cut has been around since the 18th century and is one of the most popular diamond shapes.
  • Round shaped diamonds are usually superior in quality when compared to the other shapes. 
  • It looks good as a solitaire in an engagement ring, a pair of earrings, or in a pendant

Diamond Shape: Princess

  • This cut was first created in 1980 by Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz.
  • The princess diamond shape is a fancy design used mostly in engagement rings.
  • Its square shape design creates the illusion of a larger diamond.
  • This cut is versatile and can suit any style of ring.

Diamond Shape: Oval

  • Although it exists since the 1300s, the oval-shaped diamond became popular only in the 1960s. The most famous oval-shaped diamond is the Koh-I-Noor.
  • Like all round cuts, this shape is a modified brilliant-cut and has a unique brilliance to it.
  • Its elongated shape can make the finger look longer and slimmer as well as create the illusion of greater size.

Diamond Shape: Marquise

  • The marquise cut diamond got its name from the mistress of Louis XV of France, Marquise de Pompadour, in 1745. It is said to have resembled her mouth.
  • Its football, symmetrical shape has a modified brilliant cut.
  • Carat for carat, it has one of the largest surface areas of any diamond shape.
  • Additionally, its long and narrow shape makes it seem like it’s even larger than its real size.  

Diamond Shape: Pear

  • This diamond cut traces its history to the 15th century,
  • It looks like a combination of a round and marquise shape and has a tapered point at one end
  • In addition to having a unique design, it is also very symmetrical.
  • Its teardrop shape is very appealing.
  • Tradition dictates that the point should never be directed inwards, but that it needs to point out towards the fingers of the wearer.

Diamond Shape: Emerald

  • Although the emerald cut was created specifically to highlight the features of emerald stones, it transfers exceptionally well to diamonds.
  • This cut has a cropped octagonal shape with chiseled step cuts and straight linear facets. These facets are usually parallel down the stone.
  • Unlike the previous shapes, it does not have the sparkle of a brilliant cut. Instead, its cut produces a hall-of-mirrors effect.

Diamond Shape: Cushion Cut

  • Also known as old mine cut diamond, this cut has been around since the mid-1700s. Until the 1900s, this cut was the most popular diamond shape.
  • Much like a pillow, the cushion cut diamond has a square cut with rounded corners
  • This cut can retain as much diamond weight as possible.

Diamond Shape: Asscher

  • It was first designed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland
  • Similar to the emerald cut, the Asscher is square in shape. But compared to the emerald cut, its step facets are larger, its crown is higher, and its table is smaller.
  • This cut has more sparkle than the emerald cut.
  • It gained popularity in the early 2000s after modifications were made so it is more brilliant than in the earlier cuts made by the Asscher Brothers.

Diamond Shape: Radiant

  • It is a relatively new cut and is the first rectangular cut to have a complete brilliant-cut facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion.
  • With this design, the right balance was struck between a cushion and a princess cut.
  • This cut looks beautiful with both rounded and square cornered diamonds.

Diamond Shape: Heart

  • This is the perfect shape to buy for your significant other.
  • Its shape symbolizes love and romance and is very popular in solitaire pendants, engagement rings, and promise rings.
  • Symmetry is a fundamental characteristic in this shape as the two halves of the heart have to be identical.

Documentum: The Perfect Tool for Your Company

What Is ECM?

ECM, short for Enterprise Content Management, is a system solution designed to not only eliminate operational inefficiencies but also reduce costs by managing an organization’s documents. While adhering to regulatory compliance mandate, Enterprise Content Management streamlines the lifecycle of information, removes dependence on paper and automates process workflows. Information is, therefore, stored and organized according to business needs. Access to these documents can be prearranged to be on a need-to-know basis. This restructuring of business processes leads to a decrease in organizational risks and increased productivity.  

The components of ECM are as follows: capture, manage, store, preserve and deliver. These five components each have their own purpose:

1. The component ‘Capture’:

  • converts paper documents, such as contracts, invoices, and research reports into electronic formats
  • receives electronic files
  • organizes electronic files into a cohesive structure

2. The component ‘Manage’:

  • Makes use of web content management, records management, document management software and collaborative software to connect and modify information.

3. The component ‘Store’:

  • backs up information in the short term for easy access.

4. The component ‘Preserve’:

  • backs up information in the medium and long term
  • helps in complying to government and other regulations

5. The component ‘Deliver’:

  • provides end-users with requested information.

An example of such an ECM platform is Documentum.

Documentum: What Is It?

An Enterprise Content Management (ECM) platform, Documentum is a system you can use to store information. It is a better alternative to normal filesystems (hard drives) because it has a vault, called a repository, in which you can store important and confidential documents.

In addition to being used to store valuable content in the safe and secure repository, it ensures that the storage meets all compliance rules. Since content is stored in a unified networked environment (like a network file server), information residing on multiple servers and various physical storage devices can be accessed at any time by several people. This means you can access your colleague’s files and vice versa in safely and securely.

Along with the storage units and abiding by governmental guidelines, the way it is set up allows Documentum to provide a wide range of services, such as:

  1. Document management capabilities for several types of content
  2. Collaboration
  3. Search
  4. Content classification
  5. Input management
  6. Business Process Management
  7. Customer communication management
  8. Web content management

Therefore, Documentum not only facilitates the organization of files, but it also simplifies the editing, recovering and retrieving of information from anywhere and at any time.

Benefits of Using Documentum

Using Documentum comes with a long list of advantages, and among those, the below three have to be among our favorite:

1. Secure Environment

Unlike a filesystem, where anybody who can access the hard drive can also edit, read and delete any content residing in it, Documentum can provide enhanced security. It is designed in such a way that the administrator can:

  • give permission to a user or a group of users to read a file but neither edit nor delete it.
  • allow a user or a group of users to access a file and make modifications to it but not delete it.
  • block an individual user or a group of users from even seeing the file.

2. Innumerable integration possibilities

Easily customizable, Documentum allows for seamless integration with other business applications, such as SharePoint, the input management platform Captiva, SAP, Brava Viewer, myInsight and Kofax.

With its straightforward maintenance and smooth-running environment, it is possible to easily input data into and extract data from Documentum. This can even be done when using other business applications. The incredible stability of Documentum allows it to perform exceptionally well even in big complex environments.

3. Grants More Control on Different Versions of a File

In Microsoft Word or Excel, every time you make a change and press save, you automatically overwrite the existing file. If you want to keep the original version, you will have to resort to using the ‘Save As’ option, which can quickly lead to having too many versions of the same document really fast. Most of the time, you do not even know which version holds what information.  

With Documentum, on the other hand, you can check a file back in each time you have to make a change and Documentum will do the rest for you. And by the rest, we mean it will save the new version of the file while also storing all previous versions created. While it may look like you have only one file, you will be able to access all the previous versions of the file, find out who modified it, and when the user modified it. You are also given the option of adding a little description to each version you create, facilitating retrieval of the correct version of the file at any time.

Convinced yet? Contact Synepsis Consulting for more information!

Homeowner’s Insurance: What Is It, What Does It Cover and What Does It NOT Cover?

1. What is a homeowner’s insurance?

A type of property insurance, homeowner’s insurance not only covers losses and damages to your house and the assets in your home but also provides coverage against accidents that occurs in the house or on the property.

Buying or constructing a house is a huge investment. Considering the amount of money you’ve injected in this project and the fact that your residence is probably your largest asset, it is normal to want to protect it. A homeowner’s insurance is ideal if you want to secure your house and all the things that are inside, including furniture, appliances, family heirlooms, and other valuable assets.

2. What does the homeowner’s insurance cover?

This type of insurance policy covers a wide range of things. These can be split into four major categories:
i. Interior damage
ii. Exterior damage
iii. Loss of or damage to personal belongings
iv. Injury on the property

Each insurance company has their own sets of policies. But usually, the following is applicable for most policies:
• The policy will have a liability limit.
• This limit dictates the amount of coverage you will have access to for replacing or repairing damaged property.
• Some institutions offer their clients the possibility of opting for a higher limit.

While homeowner’s policy used to cover only the risk of fire, today it provides protection against various incidents under one policy. It usually provides insurance protection for the following:

i. The house
The homeowner’s insurance, as is self-evident by the name, protects the physical dwelling structure in the event of an accident.

ii. Other structures attached to the house
The type of insurance also provides insurance protection for other structures, such as a detached garage, pool house, and everything in between.

iii. Personal belongings
Personal belongings or personal property refers to the contents of the home. The policy covers items such as furniture and appliances. These contents are also sometimes subject to a liability limit.

iv. Loss-of-use and/or extra living expenses
Depending on the type of damage the house has been subject to, homeowners may qualify for a loss-of-use coverage. It can help you meet the costs of apartment, hotel or rental home bills, and any other living expenses while you wait for repairs to be completed.

Some institutions also offer insurance cover for lost income if a room in the house were rented out. Be sure to look into that if you have tenants living in the same house.

v. Personal liability
The policy provides insurance protection against legal liability for bodily injury in the event that a third party gets hurt accidentally but decides to sue.

vi. Medical payments
Medical payments, or guest-medical payments, provide insurance coverage if a guest is accidentally wounded and needs urgent medical treatment.

3. What is excluded from homeowner insurance?

No matter where you go for a homeowner’s insurance, remember to read your insurance policy carefully before affixing your signature to any legal documents. You need to thoroughly read the documents, so you know:
i. The limits of the coverage.
ii. The policy exclusions (a number of perils, such as acts of war, are often excluded from coverage).
iii. What events that could possibly affect your home the policy will cover.

If necessary, do not hesitate to double-check with your insurance carrier. You can also renegotiate and ask them to update your coverage. In some cases, you might need to pay an additional premium if you want to increase the amount of the events you want protection for.

Typical exclusions might include the following (some of which are called ‘acts of God’:

i. Earth movement
The term ‘earth movement’ refers to landslides, earthquakes, and sinkholes. These types of incidents are usually not included in a standard home insurance policy. But you can still choose to get a separate policy for these types of events.

ii. Water damage
Water damage usually occurs because of water seeping through walls or sewer backups. These are usually not covered in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. This is because water back up from drains or sewers occurs due to incidents, such as main blockages and outdated sewer systems.

iii. Flood damage
Flood damage refers to any damage that your house incurs as a result of rising water, wave action or mudslide. Standard insurance policies typically do not cover this type of damage.

iv. Canine Attacks
This generally impacts personal liability and medical payments in the case that a guest gets bitten by your dog. Some policies will not cover you if you own dogs that belong to (what is considered) an aggressive breed. Insurance carriers usually include German Shepherd and Pit Bull in that category.

v. Lack of maintenance
If you have neglected to maintain your home and as a result have a pest infestation or mold damage, your insurance policy might not cover you. And if you think about it, it is fair. The insurance carrier cannot be expected to cover damage that has occurred only as a consequence of negligence.

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How to Plan a Wedding Reception Decor?

No wedding is complete without the wedding decorations, even if they are simple or extravagant, everyone loves it. Most couple will go for some spin on their wedding venue decor. Depending on your wedding/reception venue, the décor should be similar to your personality, so a bit of yourself should be found in the décor. Along with your attire, the reception décor is one of the best ways to let your guests be mesmerized. The wedding reception should be one thing that everyone will remember. For that, here is a step by step guide for planning your wedding reception!

Step 1

Decide on the location – It is not important that the wedding and the reception should be done all in one day. It can be on two consecutive days to help everyone get the hype of a wedding. The reception location can be a place where you have imagined of having the people you love together. If you want the reception to be a close family affair, then the backyard of your house can be the location, else you can always hire a private venue to organize your reception.

Step 2

Book the caterer and event organizer – The first thing to do is to book the venue, hire the caterer and decide on the basic décor. Be sure to choose a caterer who can adjust to everyone’s taste buds. Nowadays, there is venues that provide their caterer so know well which venue suits your budget. Focus on the smaller details rather than the big ones! If you are in doubt, then do have everything in writing.

Step 3

Designate the seats and tables – Allotting chairs and tables number to your guests should be among one of the priorities that you should include in the planning. Check out the ultimate list of the wedding stationery that is from escort cards/signage, table numbers, and favors tags. Do write all the table and seat cards after all the RSVP are in.

Step 4

Focus on your aesthetics – Choose a reception décor that will remind guests of the wedding, even if they just have been to it. Get ideas from planners or friends who you know are creative. Go for themed reception decors, for example, vintage or floral themes.

Step 5

Do not hesitate to add colors – Add colors as much as you can, yes colors are back, and they are here to stay! Be flexible with mixing warm and deep colors so that it can create the perfect wedding décor.

Get the best wedding decors from the best that is Covers Couture Decor & Floral Design in Toronto, ON. Their stylish and luxurious event furnishings and decors will surely accentuate your wedding or reception or any other event.

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Trendy and Creative Wedding Decors

Ah, weddings, how beautiful and colourful it is and how enthralling all those wedding decors are! You can sit there and admire all the decorations and imagine your wedding. Well, weddings are perfect as long as it’s not you who is getting married! Back to the topic, here is some trendy and creative wedding decors that are totally worth a thought for the next wedding you plan or ‘your own’.

To start with:

Go for minimal decor – Less is more, and in weddings, this should be applicable! Having minimal decor is perfect as it makes everything look clean. There are less fuss and nothing distracting from the elements that do remain important. In a ceremony, the minimal look points the attention right where it should be, that is on the bride and groom. A minimalist wedding decor pops up in different styles, such as organic minimalism featuring a lot of white with accents of other colours accompanied by calligraphy writings.

Taper candles – If you want to create a coziness along with some elegance, then opt for some taper candles. These create the perfect ensemble in wedding decor as it accentuates each decor in its own ideal way. Taper candles elevate your decor in a matter of seconds with minimal effort, and plus point is that it can be found in different colours. It is best paired with vintage candlesticks for a romantic effect.

Accentuates on rattan – In 2019, rattan and wicker accents are given more importance. You can use vintage-inspired statement pieces to bring a hint of hippie chic flair to your wedding arrangement. Decorate it further with peacock chairs,

Pampas grass – As the newest take on boho-chic style is about fewer flower crowns and crop top dresses, it entirely surrounds earthy elements with a heavy focus on neutral colour palettes. This often implies that you can have a wedding anywhere but with the best decor as always. Go for the pampas grass as the feathery texture accentuates the beauty of a bohemian wedding. You can use it for bouquets, centrepieces, and decorative ceremony backdrops.

Create an Escort Card Display – Create a board of seating assignments instead of having an escort card table; it helps guests to find their seat easily. It can be displayed near the entrance of the reception space. It is simple to create and most fun to install. There can be different types of escort card display; they are Boho dreamscapes, style with Terra Cotta tiles, modern banners, and greenery.

Use Table Lamps – Create a sense of togetherness on your table by installing table lamps. It gives height on your reception tables, and you can easily talk to people without a flower or greenery blocking your view.

For all your wedding decor or any other event decor, get in touch with Covers Couture Decor & Floral Design in Toronto, ON. They are specialist in luxury event furnishings, floral designs, and bespoke drapery for weddings, corporate event, and more.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Refrigerated Truck

What is a refrigerated truck?

Refrigerated transports are known under various names, including reefer trailer, reefer truck, refrigerator truck, and refrigerated truck. Regardless of the name used, they are all the same thing. Refrigeration trucks are used for long-range refrigerated transport. Since certain products have to stay at a fixed temperature once they are frozen, the refrigerated truck was a welcome innovation in the industry. After all, Styrofoam can only keep things cold inside for so long!

How does a refrigerated truck work?

Due to its ability to keep valuable goods cold, the refrigerated truck has definitely been an industry game-changer. But how does it manage to keep everything cold while covering such long distances? Despite what you might be expecting, the answer is deceptively simple. Here’s the thing: the reefer truck doesn’t create cold. Rather, as a closed system, it removes the heat energy from the self-contained atmosphere to promote cold conditions and maintain a steady temperature.

Things you need to think through before renting a refrigerated vehicle:

If you are looking to rent a refrigeration truck, you will need to take into account some things such as certain safety considerations. Unless you pay attention to these details, you might wind up with end products that do not reach the destination in the best condition. To safely employ a refrigeration truck, you need to keep the following things in mind:

  1. The temperature range you need
  2. The products you are hauling
  3. The payload will you need
  4. The number of drops that will have to be made

1. Temperature Range

This is probably the first question you need to ask: what temperature range is appropriate for the products we are hauling? Although refrigerated trucks are insulated to improve temperature stability, not all refrigeration is the same. Even the smallest deviance in temperature can impair the quality and shelf-life of your cargo. You want to make sure you know the temperature capability of the truck you plan on buying or renting to transport your goods.

2. Types of Products

The humidity and temperature range your product needs to be kept in will depend on the type and amount of goods you are hauling. You’ll need to check if the reefer truck can accommodate this range and maintain it throughout the journey.

  • Fragile pharmaceuticals products
    Most pharmaceutical products, including those containing blood and plasma, are exceedingly susceptible to hot and cold temperatures. If the temperature were to drop under or rise above the recommended temperature range, then chemical alterations can occur resulting in either ineffective pharmaceutical products or adverse reactions in patients.

    You’ll want to look at a truck that has efficient temperature control and that can maintain a specified temperature range. A dual compartment truck that has a standby facility for the refrigerated system can also protect fragile products in the event of a power shortage. To further mitigate the risks of compromising the products, consider hiring a truck that offers secure compartments with effective ventilation.
  • Food and drinks
    To avoid contamination and damage to perishable goods, ensure that the truck complies with all food and drink regulations. Compromised products pose a serious threat to the food industry because they not only put the lives of consumers at risk but will also affect the reputation of the business. Hence, ensure that the refrigerator truck company you are hiring makes hygiene their top priority at all times. These trucks should be easy to clean and disinfect and be equipped with adequate draining facilities.

    Because it is highly unhygienic and hazardous to transport fresh fruit and veg alongside raw meat, make sure to check with the company to see if they effectively keep produce separately. Bacterial contamination from meat is a serious risk that you should avoid at all costs. You know you have the right vehicle if they have multiple compartments that are properly enclosed.

3. Storage Capacity

The number of products you are hauling will determine the amount of room you will need. While you want to avoid making two trips when just one will do, remember that cramming your truck can lead to poor air circulation and/or abysmal cooling. When looking for a truck that can hold your cargo, ensure that all load recommendations and limits are followed.

Also, if your cargo consists of a large quantity of meat, fish and poultry choose trucks that have robust refrigerated bodies and that have a high payload. These produces have a rather heavy mass and you want to make sure that the truck can legally carry that weight.

4. Number of Drops

When looking for a truck, you need to consider the number of stops that will need to be made for delivery. While reefer trucks are designed to cover both short and long distances, determining how far they’ll need to travel will help calculate the overall costs you will incur.

Additionally, to err on the side of caution, ask for the age of the vehicles you are planning on renting. The newer the truck, the better gas mileage, and insulation will be.

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