September 2nd, 2010
The Unclutterer blog recently posted a list of organizing activities you should do while there’s still some summer left. Included in the list is a garage cleanout. Summer is a great season to organize your garage because you can move your stuff onto your driveway and work without freezing or watching your stuff get drenched. Here are some tips the blog provides:
- Get everything out of the garage. It’s easier to organize any space if you can clear it of objects.
- Sort items into “Keep,” “Purge,” and “Other” piles.
- Another blog post suggests moving your car into the garage once it’s empty and marking the outline of the car on the floor, so you’ll know how much space you have to work with.
- Group like items in the “Keep” pile and plan out where they’ll reside before moving them back in.
- Recycle, donate, or trash “Purge” items and distribute “Other” items to where they belong.
If you’d like take advantage of the remaining good weather to organize your garage but don’t have the time or ability to do it, contact us. We’ll get your garage set up without a hassle for you.
Tags: garage, garage clean out, garage makeover, garage organization, garages, summer clean out, summer cleaning, TLC Garage Works, Unclutterer
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August 26th, 2010
Garages come in all shapes and sizes, and homeowners use them in many different ways. The one thing they all seem to have in common is unsightly stains on the floors. A lot of time and money goes into cleaning and organizing the garage, the floors should look just as nice as the rest of it.
As this TLC article points out the reason why garage floors are so easily stained, is because they’re subjected to so many damaging elements such as oil, grease, and heat from cars, and because concrete is porous – readily accepting these stains. The solution for this situation, outlined in this Popular Mechanics article, is using a concrete stain or paints specially formulated to seal concrete and resist the damaging effects of heat and moisture vapor common in garages.
However, these methods require your starting out with a clean floor, which few people have unless the garage is new. Kitty litter is useful in absorbing oil and grease, although it will be less useful the older the stain is. The TLC article provides the formula for a heavy-duty cleaner, but going through the cleaning process it outlines involves mixing noxious chemicals, using gloves, keeping the garage ventilated, and messing with multiple brooms and mops.
Another solution is to contact us for our cleaning services. We have the tools and experience to thoroughly remove stains from your garage floors and seal your floors to prevent further stains. Your floor should look just as clean as the rest of your garage.
Tags: cleaning concrete floors, cleaning garage floors, concrete floor paints, concrete floor sealing, concrete floor stains, concrete stains, garage clean out, garage clean up, garage cleaning, garage organization, TLC Garage Works
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August 17th, 2010
When most folks choose to remodel their basements, they usually intend to spend a lot of time in them. If you’re like them, then you really want to make sure the job is done right by a competent contractor. Courtesy of this article from Reliable Remodeler, here are a few things to look at when choosing a remodeler.
Resume
Go ahead and ask the contractor for a resume. On it you’ll find the certifications or licenses the contractor holds (if you don’t ask the contractor for them). If the contractor isn’t certified or licensed, move on. Verify with the issuing bodies that the certifications and licenses are valid and current.
Insurance
Your remodeler needs to be insured. If any problems or damage occur, you’ll be left holding the bag if you’re the only one insured. You can ask the remodeler whether there’s ever been a claim in the past, and read through the insurance policy to be aware of what’s covered.
References
The contractor should provide you with references to prior customers. Contact these references to find out how well the contractor did the job and how any problems were corrected.
Even though our name says “garage” we’re in the business of basements too. If you contact us, we’ll be happy to provide you with our licenses, certifications, insurance info, and references. We’re confident you’ll like what you hear from our customers.
Tags: basement remodeling, choosing a remodeling contractor, contractor references, garage organization, remdodeling contractors, remodeler licenses and certifications, TLC Garage Works
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August 13th, 2010
If you’re tired of a cluttered garage preventing you from parking cars there and finding things quickly despite your best efforts to keep it orderly, it may be time to call a professional organizer. Finding and selecting an organizer can be a task in and of itself, though. Fortunately, as with most industries, professional organizing has its own … well … professional organization – The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). The association has a great site you can use for finding the right organizer for you.
Your first visit should be to NAPO’s Professional Organizer Directory. Here you can search for organizers in your area and by specialty. This last criterion is especially important as there are almost as many specialties for organizers as there are for doctors. Just as you wouldn’t go to a podiatrist when you have a toothache, a organizer that handles events won’t be much help getting your garage in order.
Once your have a list of organizer candidates, contact them to make sure they can do your job and that you’re comfortable working with them. NAPO provides a handy guide on how to hire an organizer. It includes questions you should ask when interviewing the candidates.
Make sure our name and contact information is on your list. We’re confident we’ll have the right answers to the questions on NAPO’s list. Our staff is easy to work with and is well-versed in handling any messy garage or area in your home.
Tags: garage clean up, garage makeover, garage organization, Inc., NAPO, National Association of Professional Organizers, TLC GarageWorks
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August 8th, 2010
Everyone can figure out the most important quality for garage cabinets is durability. What may be harder to put your finger on are the different ways the cabinets need to be durable. It’s more than merely being able to withstand bumps and holding heavy equipment, so we want to pass on some things to keep in mind when choosing durable garage cabinets.
- Ding, Ding, Ding. Okay so the most important thing is the ability to stand up to abuse, whether it’s from bumping cars or bikes into cabinetry or being able to support power equipment on a shelf.
- Warp speed. Garages don’t enjoy all the climate control that home interiors do, so it’s important to select cabinets that handle extreme temperature and humidity changes without warping or cracking.
- Quick revision. You probably have different equipment and supplies going and coming into your garage and the arrangement of space you have now may not work in a year. It’s helpful to have cabinets with adjustable shelves and construction that can handle frequent rearranging.
- Put you best face forward. From engines to chemicals, there will be a lot of fumes in your garage (event though it will be ventilated for the safety of those inside it), so you’ll want material that won’t be subject to discoloration or stains. Along the same lines, surfaces that can be cleaned easily are definitely helpful.
As for which materials best exhibit these characteristics, we’ll be happy to discuss your options and the materials we use with you. Contact us to learn more.
Tags: cabinet durability, durable storage cabinets, garage cabinets, garage makeover, garage organization, garage organizers, garage storage, Inc., TLC Garage Works
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July 28th, 2010
For those who insist on taking a DIY approach to every household project, Real Simple magazine has a handy guide for giving your garage a makeover. In our opinion – and we do do this for a living – the advice is right on target. We’ll summarize the major points here, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
- Purge – most of the article focuses on getting rid of clutter. There are also helpful hints on how to sort your stuff, and where you can dispose of unwanted items.
- Assign space – once you’ve decluttered, take some time to figure out where you’ll store the items you’re keeping. Having a plan will save you from moving things multiple times.
- Repurpose containers – Before you throw out old boxes or chests, consider whether they can be used to store the things your keeping. This way you’ll save money on new containers that will work just as well as what you have already.
If you don’t have the time to tackle such a project or yours is just too big, contact us and we’ll tackle it for you. From helping you dispose of your junk to designing and installing storage solutions, our team has the garage makeover down pat.
Tags: declutter, garage clean out, garage makeover, garage organization, garage storage, Real Simple magazine, reorganization, TLC Garage Works
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July 23rd, 2010
When it comes to adding value to your home, one of the best ways to do so is to make the best of what you already have! If you want to avoid incurring any major renovation costs, then your basement is the best place to start. When a basement is finished properly, it’s certainly a proud moment for the owner when they give the expected tour when guests arrive. After all, isn’t the basement just a breeding ground for an adult’s dreams? Whether it be a gym, home office, or as most of us are thinking, a magnificent entertainment room, the basement can serve to add a lot of value to your home.
Nowadays, most of the potential homebuyers in the market prefer a home that already has a finished basement. Therefore, not only would the finished basement add value to your home, but it would also serve to bump you higher on the buyer’s decision priority.
It is important to remember that just because an owner says that they have a finished basement doesn’t mean a buyer will truly consider it a finished basement. Some buyers want to see the proper permits before taking your word for it. And one thing to note is that appraisers do not generally consider a basement finished unless it is heated.
If you are planning on doing the work on your own, make sure to do the proper research into any permits that you may need before doing the work. Failure to do so could result in you being charged a fine on top of getting the permits after the fact.
As a final note, here are a few tips for those planning on renovating their basement.
- Unless you are a professional yourself, it is best to hire a contractor when it comes to electrical, plumbing, and insulation renovations. This can ensure that the projects are completely properly.
- Make sure you schedule enough time for the basement renovations to be completed before you post your house up for sale. It wouldn’t do you much good if your real estate agent brought over a potential client to only see a half finished basement would it?
- Incorporate the basement flaws into the actual design! Basements generally have low ceilings, miscellaneous duct work, structural posts, pipes, and valves which can be accommodated for in your design as long as you keep it in mind. Forgetting about these flaws will only get in the way and cost you a pretty penny if you try to have them redesigned or removed.
Tags: add value to your home, advice for basement renovations, basement remodeling, basement renovations, tips for basement remodeling
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July 16th, 2010
Clutter and junk can accumulate extremely quickly in the garage due to the fact that we only have to walk past it only once or twice a day. Although the garage is generally used to store our cars, we could probably make better use of our garage space.
Here are some tips to help maximize your garage space.
1. Utilize your vertical space. Install shelves, cabinets, or peg boards to keep everything organized.
2. Although it may seem common sense, make sure that any shelves and cabinets you install do not interfere with parking your car.
4. Wall cabinets are useful in storing away potentially hazardous materials in case you have children.
5. Utilize your “cloud” space. Ceiling storage is an excellent way to store things that you don’t use very frequently.
6. One of the more advanced methods of utilizing space is to install a long platform across the garage ceiling joints for more infrequently used items.
7. Keep your small items (e.g. nails and screws) stored in jars to reduce clutter.
8. Don’t forget the corners. A lot of corners can be utilize to store bins and smaller shelves. this makes it significantly easier for you to store things that you wouldn’t hang or store on the wall.
9. Don’t forget you need durable bins that can deal with the temperature changes in the garage.
10. Remember that maximizing your garage space does not have to be extremely pricey and expensive. As long as they serve their proper function, that’s all you really need.
Good luck with maximizing your garage space!
Tags: declutter garage, garage space, maximize garage space, organize garage
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July 6th, 2010
The idea of decorating your garage my sound strange, but hey, if you’re going through the work of cleaning it up and organizing it, why not make it look as good as it can? Also, we’re not talking accent lighting and throw pillows here. We’re talking about a feature that can give your garage the look of a clean, professional workshop with many practical benefits. We’re talking thermoplastic wall panels.
Many homeowners like the look of protective metal paneling along the walls of workshops. Thermoplastic panels can provide that look and some of the protection at a fraction of the cost of the actual metal. They’re great for wet environments (they’re often used a backsplashes indoors) and resist impacts and stains. You can clean them easily with soap and water. You’ll also have a variety of styles to choose from, and they’re quick and easy to install
At TLC Garage Works, we’ve been working with thermoplastic wall panels for years and can’t say enough good things about them. Whether your garage needs a complete reorganization or you just need some panels put up in a few spots, we’re here to help you. Contact us to learn more.
Tags: backsplashes, garage makeovers, garage organization, protective wall panels, thermoplastic wall panels, TLC Garage Works
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July 1st, 2010
OK, it’s obvious that having more space makes it easier to organize your things. However, most of us are stuck with what we’ve got. But SPACE, as Gayl Monto defines it, can help you do more with what you got, and as a professional organizer, she should know. We stumbled across her web site – The Art of Organization – and Facebook page and wanted to pass on her helpful process her helpful process for organizing. It’s based on SPACE, which stands for Sort, Purge, Assign, Contain, and Equalize.
Sort: Gather all the things your organizing, and group like things together. Garden tools in one group, hardware in another, for example.
Purge: Take a look at what you have and honestly assess whether your really need it. Most duplicates should go as should most broken or rarely used items. (Shameless self-promotion #1: TLC can help you remove those items too difficult or impossible to remove yourself.)
Assign: Everything needs a home, including your stuff. Decide where your various items will live. With items divided into groups, you should easily get an idea of how much space each group will need.
Contain: Find containers that will house your items in the spaces you’ve assigned. A shelf of perilously stacked canned goods won’t stay organized long if you bump into it and the whole thing comes crashing down. (Shameless self-promotion #2: TLC has a wealth of different means at our disposal to contain your items, some of which you may not have even thought about.)
Equalize: This means stick to the set-up you’ve created, don’t vary from extremely organized to extremely cluttered. When you’re finished with something, put it back in the place you assigned. You won’t have to waste time cleaning things up if they’re always where they’re supposed to be.
SPACE can work if you put the effort into it. However, if you need help or the project is just too big, TLC can help. Contact us, and we’ll put our organizational expertise to work on your space.
Tags: basement, declutter, garage, Organization, organize, organizing, organizing system, reorganization, reorganizing, shed, space utilization
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