Business Reviews in Adelaide, SA

Month: January 2018

Home Construction Guide

An Expert Guide to Home Construction

Buying, building or renovating a house? With years of experience in the construction industry, we know what it takes to create a comfortable home. For us, a dream home is economical to run, easy to modify, friendly to the environment and healthy to live in.

Affordability

In Australia, housing affordability is an issue. One barrier to affordability is high building costs. Savvy citizens use cheap construction materials to reduce prices. Though you want to save some bucks, don’t sacrifice comfort and quality.

Liveable and Adaptable

People who build from scratch live in their homes for decades. Buyers prefer a shorter stay. Whatever the period, adaptable and livable homes are the in thing. Create a space that, at different times, acts as a home office, spare bedroom, family study or teenage retreat. If possible and affordable, build a large family home that’s split-able. As your family grows, consider expanding your existing structure.

Construction Systems

These are the materials used to build your home’s roof, floor and walls. There are many and diverse. Each has its benefits and drawbacks depending on climate, budget, maintenance requirements and desired style. When choosing materials, consider their durability, environmental impact, cost effectiveness, local availability and recycling potential.

Revolutionary Design

Design for climate – not looks alone. The passive design, using natural resources like the sun and wind, heats and cools the house. It’s achieved through orientation and shading. Seal your building against air leaks to reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

Green Roofs and Walls

“Living” structures support real flora. Plants improve a building’s appearance and performance. Live foliage creates a healthy, eco-friendly building and contributes to stormwater management, thermal performance, food production and biodiversity conservation. A green roof is a flat or pitched surface that’s planted completely or partially. Green walls, either internal or external, support plants rooted in growing mats or stacked pots.

Energy Saving

Australian households generate 20% of Australia’s carbon footprint. This could be minimised by:

  • Reducing energy use through energy-efficient technologies and good design.
  • Using renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind.
Heating and Cooling

Install an HVAC system. Gas heaters are better than electric ones as they produce fewer greenhouse gases. Solar heaters and heat shifters lower the amount of heating required. Evaporative coolers and fans are the cheapest cooling options.

Water Conservation

Australia is a dry continent. Besides inadequate rainfall, Australians are water guzzlers. We have to reduce the quantity of water we use and improve water quality through wastewater and stormwater management. Opt for water-efficient toilets, showerheads, taps and appliances. Using rainwater lowers water bills and maintains a green garden. Wastewater, either grey or black, is suitable for irrigation.

Waste Minimisation

Apply the 3R’s of waste management – reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce demand for materials by renovating. Reuse existing materials or components. Recycle materials instead of dumping them.

Hiring Builders

Not all builders are created equal. To find a quality builder, do online searches and ask for recommendations. It’s an added advantage if the builder has built multiple homes like the one you’re eyeing. Check for licensure and insurance.

Planning a new build or renovation? Kookaburra Homes, experts in house construction are amongst the top building companies in Adelaide. To read more about Kookaburra Homes visit their website. Also, keep up to date with news in the Adelaide building industry.

Sell Gift Baskets

Ultimate Guide to Fabricating and Selling a Gift Basket

A gift basket is a customizable and versatile gift idea. It conveys different messages on different occasions. Its components are interchangeable and extremely beautiful. Selling gift baskets is profitable, especially during holidays. If you’re new in the gift industry, or a veteran who wants to increase sales, read our guide to get off to a good start.

Preparing Gift Baskets

Gift baskets are easy and fun to assemble. When it comes to selecting baskets and their contents, you have plenty of leeway.

Research

A gift basket has exquisite themes – holiday gourmet, teen birthday, newborn gift, etc. Choose several gifts and buy suitable gift-wrappers. Focus your marketing efforts on the preferred theme.

Prepare Templates

Before you gather supplies, prepare a list of basket designs. Define each design and use this info to create titles and product descriptions. If you need some ideas, see Bundle & Twine’s gift baskets.

Samples

Arrange the contents neatly to add an artistic touch. Experiment with various patterns. Cello wraps and shrink wraps come in a range of styles, including plastic, printed and tinted. Finish off the arrangement with bows, cords and raffia.

Take Pictures

Photos can sink or sell your merchandise. Use adequate lighting and take photos from different angles. Close-up shots of the unwrapped gift basket and its contents spice things up.

Listing Gift Baskets

Attractive photos and descriptive copies make gift baskets desirable.

Attention-Catching Title

Grab the attention of buyers using catchy titles. Add product-related information and keywords to the title.

Product Specifications

Each basket is unique in size and weight. Other dimensions include height, width and depth. Describe the products inside the basket. Specify sizes, brands, uses and other fascinating details. Exclude offensive items and perishable goods. Include a card with a nice theme and special message.

Selling Format

Auction-style listings fetch better prices. But it’s a slow-selling tactic. Fixed-price listings are non-negotiable but speed up the sale.

Shipping Method

Offer several shipping methods – overnight, standard or next-day delivery. Costs vary depending on the shipment method. Free shipping entices shoppers to purchase your gift baskets.

Post-Sale Tasks

Once you get an order, deliver the gift basket to the buyer or designated recipient. This increases the likelihood of repeat business and positive feedback.

Forms of Payment

PayPal is a convenient and popular way to be paid if you sell online. Consider other forms of payment like cash, credit cards and money transfers.

Packaging for Shipment

Most gift baskets are bulky and oddly shaped. Have a right-size packing box to hold the basket in place during shipping. Use bubble wraps to secure baskets with fragile contents. You want the basket to reach its destination in pristine condition.

Drop-Off the Package

Schedule package pick-ups from your home or drop off the package at mailing centres.

Feedback and Response

Buyers may ask questions about the gift basket once they receive it. Respond promptly and professionally. Ask for a referral and encourage the customer to leave positive feedback. Negative feedback is a sign of poor service or substandard gifts. Raise your game to retain customers.

Now you’re ready to make a quick and big sale of gift baskets.

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