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People can be rather subjective when forming impressions. One example of this is the notion of "love at first sight." Two strangers meet, and for reasons unknown – yet undeniably strong – become inseparable. In contrast, this same reasoning can cause us to immediately dismiss a well-intended and capable person even before we get to know him or her.
Similar first impressions can take place in your showroom. For instance, a customer might think twice before setting foot in a store with an unflattering typeface on the sign. Another may not notice signage, but might be turned off by an overzealous employee. The reasons for negative first impressions can be vast, as they differ with individual opinions. Nonetheless, the fact that customers might be driven away, whatever the reason, cannot be ignored.
Owners of empty homes in Kent are being targeted by a new initiative which, if taken up by other councils, could help to bring thousands of derelict properties back into use. Kent County Council last week launched a £5m fund which will provide interest-free loans to landlords, developers and owners to cover the cost of renovation and refurbishment of about 9,000 empty properties in the east of the county. One of the main stumbling blocks for owners of empty homes is often a lack of funds with which to renovate a property and bring it back into use. So the county is working with councils in Dover, Shepway, Swale and Thanet to offer any owner of an empty property - or anyone considering buying one - interest-free loans for renovation or refurbishment of to £25,000 per single dwelling.
The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations (AACCSA) announced that it would launch construction work on the Addis-Africa International Trade Centre this year at a cost of 200 million birr. Speaking at a consultative meeting with government representatives at the Addis Ababa Hilton yesterday, AACCSA President Eyesus-Work Zafu said that the construction of the centre would, among others, promote trade and investment, enhance export trade, attract foreign direct investment, create a platform for technology transfer. Eyesus-Work said that the construction of the centre, in the vicinity of CMC Yeka Sub-city will also strengthen the cooperation and trade relations of Ethiopia and other African countries. The African Union has shown interest in assisting the construction with a conviction that it would serve as a platform to link Africa with the rest of the world, he added.
Two monthly housing market indicators have been released so far this week, both relating broadly to home construction and showing a continued slowing of the housing sector and a related loss of builder confidence. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have published their joint report on new residential construction for August 2006. The survey covers the number of building permits, housing starts, and housing completions throughout the country and it reported a further retreat in each category from the previous month and double digit drops in two of the three categories since the same month in 2005.
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Question: I'm tackling two large projects: renovation of an existing home and the building of a new home. Local laws permit me to design my plumbing and install it for both jobs, but I need some help. I have done do-it-yourself plumbing work but never on this scale. I'm up for the challenge. What advice would you offer in this situation?
Answer: I have a boatload of advice for you. Because I have 30-plus years of building and plumbing experience, I think I can give you a high- and low-altitude perspective on what's ahead.
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