Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

For four days in Perth's heatwave over Christmas and New Year's, the temperature in Rosa Hicks's bedroom did not sink below 30 degrees.

Forced to isolate for a day in her smallSouth Fremantle share house, she had only a pedestal fan to use in an attempt to cool herself.

She saidher rented house had not been "liveable or healthy" this summer season.

"When I was isolating in my room for 12 hours waiting for a COVID test result, I felt even more trapped knowing I couldn't escape to the sea or even catch the breeze in my garden," she told Geoff Hutchison on ABC Perth's Drive program.

Ms Hicks has been tracking the temperature in her bedroom with a thermometer provided by tenancy advocacy group Better Renting for a project called Renter Researchers.

"I was struggling to sleep," she said.

"I don't think I realised just how hot it was getting until I had this sort of quantitative data in front of me."

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The situation will come into sharp focus for many tenants as Perthsweltersthrough anotherheatwave which could break a record for the most consecutive days over 40 degrees, prompting health warnings and record power consumption.

Better Rentingexecutive director Joel Digham said the experience of tenants like Ms Hicks had prompted a renewed push for landlords to provide minimum standards of comfortin their properties.

"Renter Researchers aims to bring out into the open what people who rent their homes are experiencing, combining data and people's stories to highlight the challenges of enduring an Australian summer in a poor-quality home," he said.

"Minimum rental standards would make it easier for people who rent to be able to afford to keep their home at a decent temperature in summer."

Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA) president Damian Collins said landlords were not obliged to provide air conditioning for tenants.

"The more things you make mandatory, the higher the cost of rent will be," he said.

"And ultimately, tenants have to make their own choice.

"Some people feel they need it but some people and some properties, perhaps orientated correctly, can cope perfectly fine without it.

"We'd certainly be against any mandating of air conditioning."

While landlordsdo not have to provide a property with suitable heating and cooling units, if a unit is already in a property they are required to maintain it.

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Circle Green Community Legalmanaging solicitor of tenancy Alice Pennycott said minimum standards for heating and cooling rentals were part of the organisation's submission to a review of the WA Residential Tenancies Act.

But she said that even if it cooled or heated the house effectively, inefficient or expensive-to-run air conditioning could also be an issue for tenants.

"Energy efficiency is a big one," Ms Pennycott said.

"There's a significant impact on health and wellbeing if there's issues with mould and damp during the cooler months, but also in having to choose between putting aircon on and being able to afford groceries, particularly for low-income families.

"We put forward in ourquite detailedsubmissions around getting the minimum standards for energy efficiency and health.

"I'm still waiting to hear from the [state] government as to whether that's something that they are putting in.

"I would hope that it's something that they would consider."

A spokesperson from Consumer Protection said several submissions to the review of WA's residential tenancy laws raised the issue of cooling in rental properties.

"Stakeholders suggested that adequate cooling and ceiling fans should be a minimum requirement for homes in warmer parts of WA," the spokesperson said.

"Related issues around adequate home insulation, energy efficient homes and climate change were also raised during consultation."

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Should landlords be responsible for keeping tenants cool as Perth swelters through record heat? - ABC News

Renovations and improvements can drastically improve your home, but they come in many different forms. Certain home upgrades are worth the investment and others won't add value when it's time to sell.

"When renovating, always keep in mind what is going to appeal to a future buyer when the time comes to eventually sell," explains Buyer's Advocate and avid house flipper with 25 years real estate experience, Wendy Chamberlain.

Before you jump into all the things you'd like to fix or renovate in your home, you need to do your due diligence. For anyone upgrading or renovating with an eye on recouping their investment come sale time, don't overdo it.

Avoid improving your home too much? It may sound a little strange, but it could actually price your home outside of your suburb or area. It's always good to do your research before embarking on any updates.

"Firstly, research your local area and the calibre of homes. Look at comparable listings and notice the inclusions of your competition," advises Chamberlain.

"If you're renovating a property with the primary aim to sell it, consider which updates or areas will result in the best return for every dollar spent."

These are the home improvements that are a waste of money, if you're planning to list your property.

Kitchens are tricky they also make our 'home upgrades worth the money' list. Updated kitchens do bring value, but planning a full-scale renovation and 'over renovating' may be dropping cash down the drain.

Kitchens are often the most used area of a home and if a buyer needs to update parts of a kitchen, they're more likely to change the entire area to suit their personal taste and needs. Spending money on a major renovation or adding in things like top-of-the-line appliances could lose buyers who aren't aligned with your designs or simply don't care.

"Some key areas may make the home look more modern, but ultimately, buyers may not care that much. Kitchens come to mind," says Chamberlain. "If the existing kitchen, while dated, is functional, you may get away with leaving it as is and focusing your cash and efforts elsewhere."

She references a project where a client was selling a 25-year-old home that had the original mint walls and green laminate benches in the kitchen.

"The client chose to paint the internal walls a crisp white, but the kitchen was not touched. It was functional, just out of date. As it turned out, the buyer was an investor that planned to rip the kitchen out anyway."

In addition, Chamberlain explains that trying to fix up one or two items in a kitchen can actually work against you by highlighting the problem areas: "when you change one thing, the next looks dated."

Bathrooms follow the same philosophy as kitchens. An updated space adds value, but going OTT with renovating to include marble tiles and other luxury fixtures and fittings might seem like 'wow' factor to you, but often doesn't return the value you'd expect.

"Heating and cooling are areas unlikely to provide an immediate renovation return," says Chamberlain.

A simple split system air conditioning unit will appease buyers and is affordable, but installing full ducting is a waste of money (up to $20,000 depending on the size of your home).

"Ducted heating and refrigerated cooling are expensive to install. For your reno, a cheaper yet effective split system heating/cooling unit may be just as adequate for the job."

Taking away rooms is a big no, no for re-sale value and Chamberlain also warns against trying to move or remove load-bearing walls.

"You may think opening up the space or moving walls is a great idea, but touching load bearing walls and reconfiguring a floor plan can become expensive very quickly," she explains.

"Not to mention the quickly escalating costs as soon as you need to move plumbing. If you can, stick to the existing layout and renovate the rooms and floor plan you already have."

If you're planning on living in your home for years, there are updates and maintenance that need doing in order for you to live comfortably and safely within your home. However, many of these are things you don't see such as plumbing or rewiring.

"Other big ticket items, while important, are often unseen and therefore not necessarily appreciated by buyers. These include rewiring, re-plumbing, re-stumping and needing a new roof," says Chamberlain.

"Consider each area carefully before deciding to tackle it as part of your renovation, as you may not see a return on that investment."

Adding in fancy gold tapware and marble tiles to a bathroom you're updating sounds great, but if you leave that bathroom and the rest of the home has chrome fixtures and laminate flooring, for example, the design is inconsistent and won't add the value you hope.

As Chamberlain explained earlier, changing one element can highlight the spaces that aren't updated. Keep your design consistent to create cohesion throughout a space.

When you have decided on the design elements you'd like to include throughout your home in a consistent way, remember the mantra: don't overdo it.

Installing things like top-of-the-line flooring, the latest tech, important tiles from Spain, fancy light fittings might wow some buyers at first glance, but other may not notice all the details you poured your heart and wallet into. This upper level of detail and quality is often not a return on your investment.

Similarly to bright colours, bespoke or custom high-end inclusions like an infrared sauna are often seen as personal. Buyers want to envision themselves in the space as their own. Adding these in before sale won't increase the value of your property enough to justify the outlay.

An updated outdoor area is one of the seven areas worth investing your money in (when not overdone), but swimming pools are a different and case-by-case story.

Firstly, you should be located in a climate suited to having a pool and there needs to be enough space for one. If you're not ticking these two boxes, it would be a waste of money.

In some postcodes or for properties at the higher end of the market, pools may be an expected inclusion for a home in which case, adding one will support the sale of your property. Other areas might be surrounded by schools and popular with young families, where again, a pool could work in your favour.

However, for many homeowners, pools are a headache because they mean two things: running costs and constant cleaning and maintenance.

If you're in an area with older families or retirees, a pool may act as a deterrent. It's important to go back to your research and work out what's expected and desired in your area. Installing a pool is a major cost and if it can be avoided, will save you loads of cash.

READ MORE: 7 home upgrades that are worth the investment

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8 home improvements that won't add value to your property - nine.com.au - Nine

Zion Home Remodeling is an expert remodeling company serving Prince Georges County, Maryland. The professional and experienced team from the company has the expertise and creative flair to deliver beyond the expectations of their clients, saving them time, space and money.

Prince Georges County, MD, USA Zion Home Remodeling is a full-service, family-owned, Maryland home interior remodeling company. As a local renovation contractor, they serve homeowners throughout Prince Georges County, MD. The company specializes in kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement, damage restoration, and interior home remodeling. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is popular with homeowners in Maryland for its creative designs and quality work. With them, clients can be assured of getting outstanding remodeling solutions that will transform their homes into spaces they love and also meet their budgets.

We are a trusted name for home remodeling services in Maryland, and we stand for our quality work and professionalism, says Antulio Lopez, Founder of Zion Home Remodeling. Our contractors are trained, insured, and licensed with years of experience handling home remodeling projects. We believe in accomplishing the job right the first time and are committed to 100% satisfaction every time.

There are several advantages of a well-designed, well-insulated, and expertly remodeled and renovated home. Not only does it help reduce the maintenance and utility costs, but a custom-designed home can also result in enhanced functionality and productivity for the homeowners. Therefore, it is important to hire the right remodeling company that is willing to work in partnership with clients to deliver a perfect dream house for them.

Our services are customized to meet the requirements of our Clients. We offer consultations with trained professionals so that we can better understand the needs of our Clients, explains Antulio. Our background and decades of experience in the remodeling industry give us an advantage of knowing what works best and customizing specifically for each client.

Zion Home Remodeling follows a tried and proven process to ensure each remodeling projects meets its clients goals. The company has designed comprehensive workflows to ensure that the entire renovation work becomes a seamless procedure and an enjoyable experience for the clients who are excited to see their home transformed before their eyes.

With top-class services, the company has acquired a growing list of customers who all admire their workmanship and have shared positive reviews and testimonials about their experience.

Zion does great work. The redid our bathroom and we couldnt be happier with their work and professionalism. Highly recommended, says Jackson Styron, a happy customer.

One of the many reasons why our customers love us is because we dont treat them as just another number on our list of customers. We get to know them personally because their requirements are as personal as it gets. They can always count on us, remarks Antulio. Theres a need for a budget-friendly service provider in the market that uses the latest technology to offer reliable and creative remodeling services. We have constantly seen a surge in demand for our services ever since we started operations.

The team at Zion deftly handles each project right from initial consultation to final delivery. They pay attention to every small detail specified by the clients. The designers provide ample choice of fixtures, colors, lighting, flooring, etc., to match the clients preferences in terms of design, style, look and feel.

Our clients are always our top priority. Excellence in customer service and quality is what drives our decision and operations, says Antulio. Our Project Quality Manager oversees every step of the remodeling process to ensure its done according to the plans and checks every detail before handover.

Today, Zion Home Remodeling has established itself as a leading remodeling contractor in Prince Georges County, MD. The companys commitment to client satisfaction is unparalleled, which makes for a business that clients are proud to use and recommend to others.

About Zion Home Remodeling

Zion Home Remodeling is a premier interior remodeling company based in Prince Georges County, Maryland. They offer exemplary home renovation services at highly competitive prices. Their team consists of remarkably talented professionals who specialize in bringing a perfect balance of design, style, and function to your space.

For more information about Zion Home Remodeling and other inquiries, send an email or reach out via the website at https://www.zion-homeremodeling.com/l/remodeling-contractors-prince-georges-county-md

Media ContactCompany Name: Zion Home RemodelingContact Person: Antulio LopezEmail: Send EmailPhone: (240) 252-3050City: Prince Georges CountyState: MDCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.zion-homeremodeling.com/

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Maryland based Zion Home Remodeling Offers World Class Renovation Services for Homeowners - Digital Journal

Newtown, PA People tend to create resolutions they plan to achieve every New Year. According to a study conducted by Zillow and Realm, an online home data and insight platform, Philadelphia residents are planning to renovate their properties in 2022. Bathroom remodeling and adding space to their homes are among the top items on their lists, while others such as kitchen, bedroom, and basement remodeling follow closely.

PAINT Philadelphia is one of the painters in Newton that will play a significant role in assisting Philadelphia homeowners to achieve their goals. This is all thanks to their painting services, which are essential in every remodeling service. The painting company offers a wide variety of services, including interior and exterior painting services.

Homeowners are willing to pay more to convert their bathrooms into spa-like spaces and add fixtures, lighting mirrors, and steam showers; thus require a professional painting contractor in Newtown to add value to their cash. Some things that make PAINT Philadelphia unique include their credentials, such as OSHA and contractor certification and their extensive Professional Zota Training, which allows them to safely and adequately handle lead paint.

PAINT Philadelphias interior painting services include interior painting, wallpaper removal, drywall repair, and more. The painters in Newton are also well equipped to offer cabinet painting that covers bathrooms as well as kitchens, closets, garages, and other rooms. These are a cost-effective solution to homeowners compared to replacing the entire cabinets.

The painters have experience in exterior house painting on various home designs and structures, including sheds, garages, decks, and other additional rooms. They paint on a wide range of surfaces, such as wood, brick, stucco, aluminum, and vinyl siding, which protect against damaging elements, such as mold, mildew, water, sun, dry rot, and dirt and dust. PAINT Philadelphias painting services improve Philadelphia homes appeal, making them attractive to visitors and the neighborhood. Additionally, they boost properties value in the areas real estate industry.

The painters in Newtown offer color and design consultation for all their painting services, where they work closely with clients to select their favorite colors and hue that best fit their preferences. Afterward, they offer a thorough inspection to ensure that the client is satisfied with the entire process.

Speaking more about their services, PAINT Philadelphias representative noted, The best part about all of our projects is being able to go above and beyond our customers expectations, knowing that we helped make their house a home, and being able to provide an incredible organization for all of our team members to be part of!

PAINT Philadelphia is located at 28 Hillyer Lane, Newtown, PA 18940, US. Contact them by calling (267) 229-4333 to schedule a service or inquire for an estimate. Visit the companys website to view their portfolios and learn more about the services offered.

Media Contact

Company NamePAINT PhiladelphiaContact NameAndrew TomasettiPhone(267) 229-4333Address28 Hillyer LaneCityNewtownStatePAPostal Code18940CountryUnited StatesWebsitehttps://paintphilly.com/

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PAINT Philadelphia is one of the Painters in Newtown Actively Involved in Philadelphia Homeowners' Top Renovation Plans for 2022 - Digital Journal

Q: Every time it rains, our sliding glass door leaks. Water seeps in at the corners of the threshold, soaking the carpet and rotting the subfloor. We've caulked the threshold repeatedly, but nothing seems to work. Is there anything we can do, such as metal flashing, to solve this problem?

A: Leakage is a common problem with sliding door thresholds. Damages can range from stained carpets to rotted subfloor, baseboards and wall framing. Caulking is the common first approach but is often an insufficient solution. Your idea to add flashing is a good one, but even this is not always successful.

There is, however, a fail-safe method of correction, but it can be labor intensive, which means costly, and is only recommended where all other methods have failed.

This repair involves installation of a sheet metal drain pan beneath the door threshold. The pan must be specially ordered from a sheet metal shop to precisely fit the doorway for which it is intended. Three sides of the pan should have a raised edge, about three-quarters of an inch high, with thoroughly sealed corners. The open side of the pan should face toward the exterior, with a downward sloping flange to promote drainage.

To install the pan, the entire door assembly must be removed. The pan is then set in place with generous applications of high quality exterior sealant. The door assembly is then reinstalled, with the threshold inserted into the pan, again with generous applications of sealant. When done properly, this method has been a foolproof way to prevent water intrusion. If all sliding doors were initially installed in this manner, leakage could be prevented at minimal cost. An ounce of prevention during construction equals gallons of cure for years to come.

Q: My neighbors have a very old home, built before the age of building codes, when there were no proper line setback requirements. Recently, they installed a new laundry, and the dryer exhaust now blows against the side of my house. The noise, lint and steam create a nuisance whenever they dry their clothes. I suspect this laundry was added without a permit and am wondering if I should complain to them or to the building department. What do you suggest?

A: All plumbing and electrical alterations require a building permit. If the laundry was installed without a permit, then the installation is not legal. It may also be illegal to vent a clothes dryer onto a neighbor's property. You can discuss this with your neighbors to see if they are willing to make some reasonable adjustments, such as diverting the dryer vent to another location, possibly above the roof. If their response is less than neighborly, you can file a complaint with the local building department. However, the cost of that action is likely to be permanently frigid relations with your neighbors. You'll need to weigh that discomfort against the perceived advantages of upgrading their laundry.

To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at http://www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.

2022, Action Coast Publishing

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Homeowner frustrated with door leaks - Daily Herald

What makes a great museum?Its about more than just the art inside its wallsits also those walls themselves, which are meant to work in service of whats on view. As many architects have realized over the years, museum buildings can, if anything, function like artworks themselves, as objects for appreciation. In some cases, these buildings have become justas identifiable as the masterpieces in museums collections.

This list collects some of the most important museum buildings of the past 100 years. It includes influential modernist experiments and polarizing postmodern expansions, architectural oddities and beloved additions, circular museums and glassed-in pyramids. These structures proposed strange, new possibilities for how a museum ought to lookand, in some cases, changed the cultural landscape altogether. In the past few decades alone, spurred by Frank Gehrys Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, theres been a museum boom that caused architects to push their practices in new directions, and while the momentum of that boom has died down, its energy lives on.

From a space resembling a hovering spaceship to an institution shaped like an unrolled carpet, these are the 25 best museums since 1922.

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The 25 Best Museum Buildings of the Past 100 Years - ARTnews

SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) Colony Factory Crafted Homes (operating under new ownership), a division of Cavco Industries Inc. headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the largest manufactured home builders in the United States.

Colony Homes, with its Shippenville, Pennsylvania facility, has consistently been a leader and innovator in the systems-built housing market since opening its doors in 1988. Colony Homes prides itself on intertwining day-to-day operations with its core values of Integrity, Trust, Create Teamwork to Win, Relationships Matter, Curious to be Better, and Diversity of Thinking and Debate. These values are used throughout our facility as the foundation for our success.

For the past 34 years, our success has been on the dedicated employees that build our homes, and the retailers that sell them in a 15-state area.

Driven candidates with great work ethics and motivation are encouraged to apply to be a part of our family, and experience the opportunity to learn various skills to become proficient at the following construction trade knowledge:

Welding Plumbing Framing/Carpentry Electrical Siding Roofing Cabinet Construction Cabinet Installation Carpet/Flooring Installation Material Handling Forklift Operation And More

Full-time position: Mon Fri Day Shift, Pay up to an average of $25.50/hour

Benefits:

Paid Vacation Paid Personal Days 401K Life Insurance (Company Paid AD&D Insurance (Company Paid) Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Discount Policy 10 Paid Holidays Safety Incentive Program

Skills & Qualifications:

Dependability Efficiency Attention to Detail Safety Conscious Ability to Follow Directions

An ideal production employee must be willing to learn quickly and enjoy hands-on work alongside peers.

Wages:

We have a NEW STARTING WAGE! New employees start from day one at $20.00/hour.

After a 45-day union probationary period, the hourly rate will be based on the union contract incentive system, with rates up to an average of $25.50/hour.

Job Type: Full-timeSalary: $13.00 $25.50 per hour Schedule:Monday to Friday

Click here and apply today!

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SPONSORED: Colony Factory Crafted Homes Hiring for Several Positions - exploreclarion.com

AMERICUS At its monthly regular meeting at the Sumter County Courthouse on Tuesday, January 18, the Sumter County Board of Commissioners (BOC) discussed several important issues, such as salary increases for Sumter County DAs Office, as well as refurbishing and repairing the DAs Office building. The BOC also approved a proposal by Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant to allow for the installation of cameras and speed detecting devices at all county school zones.

All of the commissioners were present in the courthouse, as was County Attorney Kimberly Reid. The public was not allowed to attend in person due to COVID-19 issues, but the meeting was streamed live on Zoom.

At the BOCs work session the week before, Sheriff Bryant told the BOC that he was contacted by a company that specialized in the installation of these cameras and speed detection devices, as well as mailing out citations to those who were caught violating the speed limit within a school zone. Bryant told the BOC that after looking it over, he thought it would be a good idea to have this technology installed in the school zones to cut down on speeding. He further added that neighboring counties have been using this technology in their school zones.

After some discussion, the BOC agreed to approve the proposal that would allow the Sumter County Sheriffs Office to install the cameras and speed detecting devices in all of the countys school zones. County Attorney Kimberly Reid mentioned that as far as who is responsible for enforcing the citations and fines for violators, that, in her opinion, that responsibility belongs to the state court rather than the magistrate court. Reid added that she is comfortable with approving the ordinance as long as it mentions that the state court would handle citations.

The official ordinance reads like this:

Commissioner Roberson made a motion for approval and Commissioner smith seconded the motion. The BOC voted and the approval passed unanimously.

Bryant, who attended the meeting via Zoom, told the BOC that his office will be working on public education as it relates to the ordinance and before the implementation of the camera system. We want to be sure that we get the word out to everyone how this system will work and how it will effect not only our school employees, but as well as parents and students that will be driving within the school zone, Bryant told the BOC.

In addition to the approval to implement Sheriff Bryants proposal and Sumter County District Attorney Lewis Lambs proposal for salary increases for the DAs Office, the BOC had a short Reorganization Session in which Board Chairman Mark Waddell was re-elected as Board Chairman and Commissioner Scott Roberson was re-elected as Vice Chairman.

Waddell then entertained a motion to appoint Latoya McCants to the position of County Clerk. McCants use to serve as the Deputy Clerk for the county. Commissioner Roberson made a motion for approval and Commissioner Jesse Smith seconded the motion. The BOC voted the approval passed unanimously.

The BOC then voted unanimously to appoint Della Griffin, the countys finance director, to the role of Deputy Clerk. Griffin will step in to fulfill McCantss duties at the BOC meetings when McCants cannot attend. Waddell entertained a motion to approve Griffins appointment. Commissioner Roberson made a motion for approval and Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. The BOC voted and the approval passed unanimously.

The BOC then voted unanimously to re-appoint Kimberly Reid as County Attorney. Commissioner Roberson made a motion for approval and Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. The BOC voted and the approval passed unanimously.

The BOC then turned its attention to Sumter County District Attorney Lewis Lamb, who attempted to make his case as to why there should be salary increases for the DAs Office and that the building in which the DAs Office operates needs upgrading.

Lamb began his presentation by saying that there are two issues with the DAs Office: one involving the state court budget and the other involving the DAs Office building. Lamb told the BOC that he and the commissioners discussed these issues on more than one occasion, but the budget never changed. Lamb, who was in the meeting via Zoom, posted a Power Point screen with pictures of monetary figures, such as the current State Court Budget, which is $93,066. As we discussed before, the Public Defenders Budget for that same court, yall are paying $150,000 to the three public defenders, which is significantly more than what were getting paid and, of course, we have to handle every case that comes up there, Lamb told the BOC. The difference comes out to $56,934.

While he spoke, Lamb posted a picture that stated that the Public Defenders are being paid $150,000 and the District Attorney is being paid $93,066, with the difference being $56,934.

Lamb went on to show the BOC a picture of the Legal Obligation to Fund and stated that he didnt know that there had been a local act that was enacted in 2006 that changed the Solicitor for State Court from what he thought was an elected solicitor to the District Attorneys Office. As part of that act, the legislation specifically says that the District Attorney is authorized to appoint an Assistant DA to be compensating an amount determined in accordance with provisions in Code Section 15-18-20, which provides for essentially state funded or Assistant District Attorneys, Lamb said. In addition, the District Attorney is entitled to at least one administrative or clerical person to provide support for state court.

Lamb went on to say that this code states that the governing authority of Sumter County will determine the compensation for the number of additional court personnel. Originally in 2007, when this went into play, I think the budget was $93,000. The salaries have changed significantly then, Lamb told the BOC.

He went on to explain via Power Point that the lowest pay for an assistant district attorney under state law is $50,000, but added that by the time personnel and administrative costs kick in, such as Workers Comp and Unemployment Compensation, it goes to $81,500. Thats for an Assistant DA that has zero years of experience, Lamb said.

He then showed another slide that stated that the average salary for assistant district attorneys in his office is about $85,000, but with expenses, climbs to $138,550. He further added that a starting secretary in his office is paid a starting salary of $32,000, but added that by the time personnel costs are added, it figures out to be $52,160. Lamb then showed a screen that stated that with the two positions added together (Assistant DA and Secretary), the total current salary in his office is $117,000, but with expenses, rises to $190,710.

Lamb showed another screen that read that the lowest pay grade salary with the two positions combined is $82,000, but after expenses, increases to $133,660. At $93,000, we are basically essentially being underpaid under state law considering what the countys legal obligation to provide those salaries for those two positions, Lamb said to the BOC. The state court budget, as it currently exists, we are being underpaid somewhere between $40,000 and $97,000.

Lamb went on to say that at an earlier meeting with the BOC, he discussed the HR commitment that his office makes to the county, which is about $1 million a year. The personnel commitment to state court alone is easily about $250,000 to $275,000 that we make each year, Lamb said to the BOC. He went on to say that he is asking the BOC for a second time to raise the amount of the salary of the DA from the current rate of $93,000 to something that is much more suitable for the amount of work that is done.

Waddell asked Lamb what exactly is he proposing. Lamb replied that he is proposing that the countys state court budget be raised to about $190,000 for an Assistant DA with mid-range, mid-level experience so that he would have the necessary funds to provide full-time clerical help. To sum it up, Lamb expressed his opinion to the BOC that the county is not reimbursing his office the amount that it should and he is asking the BOC to allow for the proper reimbursement. We are not getting paid the amount that we should be getting paid for the staff that we are providing state court, Lamb told the BOC.

Waddell asked Lamb to give the BOC the amount of increase for state court and stated that the BOC needs to look at revenues, which, according to Waddell, have dramatically decreased. He further asked Lamb to come up with a proposal with a specific amount of money and that the BOC will review the proposal and the budget to see what options are available.

Lamb also addressed the situation with the DAs Office building and showed slides of the flooring, carpet, cracks on the inside walls and other things, such as the storage area for records, that are in need of refurbishing and repair. He added that the building needs to be inspected by an engineering firm to determine whether or not it is structurally sound and he also mentioned that there is not enough adequate parking available and no handicap access.

Lamb further stated that there is not enough space in the building for all of his staff. When Waddell asked him what his proposal would be to solve these issues, Lamb stated that he proposes that the BOC increase its contribution to the DAs Offices operating budget and, in turn, the DAs Office will provide its own space at no expense to the county.

Waddell told Lamb that Sumter County Chief Building Inspector Daryl Dowdell told the BOC that the cost to totally redo the building would be around $120,000 to $130,000 and he asked Lamb what the other proposal is for renting a building somewhere else. Commissioner Roberson then chimed in and asked Lamb how much of an increase would he need. Lamb replied that if the county would raise the operating budget of the DAs Office by $4,000 a month, his department would provide its own space and it would no longer be Sumter Countys issue.

Waddell asked Lamb to come up with an estimated amount of space needed in the building and to present it to the BOC so that it can come up with an amount to be determined if the building is big enough to do that.

There was also further discussion about redistricting in the county based on the 2020 Census. During that discussion, Waddell thanked his fellow commissioners for meeting with GIS Director Beverly Butcher for the purpose of gaining more information on the redistricting. However, he added that when he looked at one of the district maps, there was a section in the district that belonged to the late Commissioner William Reid and a section in his (Waddells) district that was logged together.

Actually, an area separates them where no one lives, Waddell said. And then theres this other section that they pulled in, but theyre not asking for that to be pulled out. Waddell added that he thinks about 10 to 15 houses are in that one little section. It just to me would be easier just to pull it back out, Waddell said. He added that he asked Mrs. Butcher to submit a request to see if this section can be pulled out. I dont know if it can, but I at least want to find out, Waddell said.

There was further discussion on this issue. Stay tuned to the Americus Times-Recorder for further information.

There were other issues at the meeting that were discussed, voted on and approved unanimously. They are as follows:

The BOC then had to approve the resolutions of the reappointments of both Seay and Coley to the Sumter County Board of Tax Assessors, which it did. In both resolutions, Commissioner Roberson made a motion for approval and Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.

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Small apartments have their own advantages - lower rent, proximity to bustling downtown areas, and an irreplaceable cosy charm. That is, assuming you know how to decorate.

No matter how small your space, it can still look stylish whether you own or rent. Whether you're starting out in a studio apartment or prefer a more minimalist lifestyle in your small Indian flat, you don't have to sacrifice style.

Here we've gathered our favourite 5 small-space decorating ideas to help you tackle your own.

1. Get folding pieces

Due to limited space availability, you can opt for foldable furniture as it will take lesser space and can be used smartly, allowing to make the house look more spacious and decent. It comes in a variety of designs and styles that can suit your home dcor. The type of furniture is lighter in weight and is easier to shift from one place to another.

2. Focus on lighting

In small spaces, multiple light sources are preferable to a single central source. The multiple sources can be distributed in such a way that the entire space is illuminated, leaving no dark corners. Consequently, it is best not to obstruct the path of natural light by eliminating unnecessary solid surfaces, like partition walls or screens.

3. Mirrors for illusion

Mirrors can help to make a room appear larger and more open. To create the illusion of depth, use a focal point and angle your mirrors toward it. Installation of a tall mirror will draw the eye upward, instantly making the room feel morespacious. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect the world outside is especially effective.

4. Choose a large rug

One large area rug rather than several small ones makes a room feel larger. While texture in a carpet is visually appealing, it can become overwhelming in a small space. Light-coloured rugs make a room appear larger and brighter. To begin, consider pale pastels, natural-looking neutrals, and off-white. Patterns, like texture, are visually appealing but quickly clutter a space!

5. Get creative with unexpected seating

A small living room can make entertaining difficult, especially if a large couch cannot be accommodated. Consider floor seating instead, which can be easily tucked away when not in use and provides extra seating for your guests when they come over. A lower seating or settee also creates the visual effect of higher ceilings.

With these revamp ideas,decorating a small apartment can definitely become easier.

Also Read:Amp up your home decor with THESE cute planters

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5 Home decor ideas that can give a revamp to your small apartment - PINKVILLA

KNX professionals Andy Ellis and Julio Daz Garca point out the pitfalls of an unsecure system, and how to avoid them by investing in basic IT skills.

If your KNX system isconnected to the outside world, are you sure its secure? If not, what are thepossible consequences? First, we talk to Andy Ellis about his experience of a recentevent where a KNX installation was hacked. We follow this with Julio Diazadvice on how to avoid this situation by employing proper IT mechanisms forcommunication.

What happens if yoursystem is not secure?

Andy Ellis: The first thing you would think of interms of a breach in security is the hackers ability to capture data from theKNX bus. I question what someone would do with this information, but the factis, without a secure KNX system, external sources may have access to thisdata.

Secondly, in an unsecure system, the possibility exists for a third party to send data to the system. With this comes potential for the programming to be corrupted, or worse still, for a particular component or components to be corrupted. Here I think it relevant to relay my experiences of recent events.

We had a call from a site that had lost all lighting control and, as it happens, heating as well. The site was well over ten years old and had been operating just fine before the event. Although a copy of the ETS file was available, there was no other documentation from the previous installer.

Establishing where the problem lies

Our first attempt to diagnose was over the phone and by email, and early indications were that there was a possible power supply or bus issue. A visit was required to take things further. A quick visual inspection showed that there were no mains breakers tripped, room controllers and switches were powered (they had active screens and or LEDs lit). The main distribution boards also had relays and dimmers with LEDs on in various states. Hmmm. So maybe its not a power supply problem. After checking the bus voltage and then powering down the power supply and isolating, it appears that the bus power is fine. Curious.

So what is connected to the bus? Perhaps there is a short, or some form of corruption. Further investigation shows an active IP interface and a third-party logic module (Ethernet-connected) and connection to a third-party automation system which has lighting and heating control available on its displays. Physical disconnection of these devices has no effect on the state of the system.

ETS diagnostics

So are we able to plug a laptop in and use ETS diagnostics? Well yes and aline scan shows quite a number of active components. Upon closer inspection ofthe properties of individual components, we find that certain items the onesthat are not working such as room controllers switches and dimmers have nogroup address table! Well that will be why they dont work then!

Further analysis reveals that these faulty components will not accept a programdownload as they have BCU pass enabled (but its not enabled in the program,and to the best of anybodys knowledge, never has been). The ONLY way tore-program these items is to perform a factory reset. And guess what? Amajority of the individual KNX components cannot be factory reset. The endresult is a site that is totally inoperable and requires many thousands ofpounds worth of new components to fix, plus of course the engineers/programmerslabour.

So what caused this catastrophic failure? I dont know, and in all probabilityI will never know. However, there is a very high probability that as the systemhad an IP interface with remote connection, some form of remote attack tookplace.

Lessons learnt: firstly, does your KNX system need to be connected to theoutside world? If you are considering this then what are the benefits? And ifyou do proceed with an IP connection, my advice would be to research andunderstand the full implications of a secure system. It may be that remoteaccess into your system to retrieve data is not as concerning as malevolent remoteaccess into your system with a view to altering the data in some way.

Howto make your system is secure if you have to connect your KNX system to theoutside world

JulioDaz Garca: First,I must underscore the principle that KNX is an open and secure technology.However, we must ensure that we apply the appropriate criteria and the toolsthat KNX Association and the ETS tool make available to us to guarantee thisprinciple. Being able to access facilities remotely is an advantage that KNXoffers and a necessity in many cases. In homes, for example, it makes life mucheasier for users in many aspects including supervision, remote modification ofsetpoints, reception of alarms and warnings, etc. For buildings, it can allow a24/7 remote maintenance when the manager, the proprietor or the integratorneeds to manage their facilities without traveling unnecessarily.

Ensuring safe access

Before commenting onwhat we can do to achieve a secure and remotely accessible installation, I haveto stress what should NEVER be done: allowing remote access through UDP port3671. This point is known to hackers and is equivalent to a red carpet forthese unwanted guests.

Another toolavailable to the integrator is the BCU Key, available for many years for allKNX devices (except the very old System-1 devices). My advice is that devices shouldalways be programmed with a BCU key since the attacker would have to guess thepassword among 4.29 billion possibilities. Using the BCU key is not a nuisance for theintegrator as the ETS never asks for it, if the original ETS project is beingused.

To allow safe accessto a KNX installation there are several possibilities:

1) Configure a VPNconnection on the installation router. This is the best option but can sometimesbe complex for regular integrators.

2) Use KNX IP gatewaysthat allow the configuration of VPN secure services such as OpenVPN, ZeroTier etc.

3) Use KNX IP accessdevices with encrypted communication.

4) Use KNX TP deviceswith IP (non-KNX standard) cloud connection.

5) For medium and big installations use a BMS platform witha KNX native driver that enables the secure integration and monitoring ofmassive KNX installations.

These methods areaimed at avoiding the scenario described by Andy at the beginning of thisarticle, which in my opinion is the most dangerous and currently the easiestfor hackers if the appropriate measures are not taken. Additionally, the use ofKNX IP Secure and KNX Data Secure devices in the facilities will solve anyadditional threat scenario that may arise.

Open, Secure andConnected

KNX Association offersa variety of information about the security of installations in the form ofbrochures, videos and webinars. In addition, KNX Training Centres offer KNX Partnersand others a range of helpful courses, including KNX Advanced training and thenew KNX Refresher training which include a chapter dedicated to dealing withall of the above topics. All of this is designed to ensure that KNXinstallations continue to be state-of-the-art, all over the world, whilstremaining open, secure and connected.

Andy Ellis isthe founder and managing director of Household Automation Ltd, and its sistercompany Knxion Ltd, providers of building automation consultancy, design,installation and aftercare services to clients who are involved in buildingresidential and commercial properties.

http://www.household-automation.co.uk

http://www.knxion.co.uk

Julio Daz is an Industrial Engineer and the owner of SAPIENX AUTOMATION, a Spanish company dedicated to engineering and consulting and a KNX++ Certified Training Centre with 25 years of experience in home and building automation and BMS solutions.

http://www.sapienx.es

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Security: the pitfalls of being hacked and how to avoid them using basic IT skills KNXtoday - KNXtoday