Restoring a Car at Home

The process of restoring a vehicle is time consuming; however, it is also a great way to escape from your daily life or reconnect with a friend or family member. If you are considering undertaking a restoration project at home in 2014, there are a few things you are going to need before you begin. Since the restoration process is not a short one, you'll have to be organised enough so that you don't neglect any other commitments. You will also need a place to work on the vehicle where you know that it won’t be harmed while you are away. This is when purchasing a garage kit can prove invaluable.

Planning

• Create a timeline- As with any major project, it is important to create a timeline for your restoration. This will not only help you to stay focused, and keep you from slacking off and eventually giving up, but it will also allow you to work time into your normal schedule. Even if you don't have a strict deadline to stick to, take the time to plan out your projected progress and completion date -- it will save you time in the end.

• Set a budget for yourself - It may seem very tempting to go all out to create the car of your dreams. However, set a budget and stick to it so that you are able to enjoy the final product without having to worry about all of those extra bills that somehow ate away your savings.

• See if you need permission- Before you purchase anything for your intended project, check with your local municipality to see if you need any type of permit.

Go Car Shopping

Shopping for your restoration project may take some time, but do not settle for the first vehicle you see! If you have an idea of what model and year you want to work on, look for that vehicle. Do not overspend on the car, though, as this may leave you with a smaller restoration budget than is entirely feasible.

The Work Site

As you are looking for that perfect project car, consider where you are going to be working on it. If you live by yourself and have a two car garage, this question already has an answer. However, if you need to purchase a structure, there are a variety of garage kits available to suit your needs. When looking to purchase one of these kits, consider the amount of space you are going to need for your vehicle, along with your tools and yourself.

Whether you are looking to escape or create lasting memories, restoring cars at home is a process that is well worth undertaking. Before you go shopping, take the time to consider your budget and your final goals. Call us at Fair Dinkum for the perfect place to restore your dream car!

Make Your Backyard the Envy of the Neighbourhood in Late Summer

With summer already in full swing, you've probably been hard at work trimming the grass and planting some flowers, making your patio more appealing by adding new furniture, and doing some landscaping around your pool. While this is a good start, there is a lot more you can do to enhance your backyard. Summer is an especially opportune time to have a barbeque or party, and you'll want your neighbours and friends to be impressed with your end-of-season bash. To help make your backyard the envy of the neighbourhood, here are some creative ideas for you to utilise.

Make a garden path 

Provide guests with an enticing invitation to your backyard with a garden path. The possibilities are endless in terms of how you can outline the path and the types of flowers you can add. Popular pathway materials include gravel, mulch, turf and stone. Popular flowers for garden paths include blanket flowers, veronica blooms, astilbes and poppies, and you can choose any variety of shape, size or colour that suits your fancy.

 
Spruce up your fence  

Ever notice how boring and bland a fence can be? Sure, it may keep your pets protected, keep wild animals out, and give you privacy, but it can look rather plain. Add more style to it and enhance the summer theme by painting it a different, brighter colour or hanging pots along the fence at intervals. Make sure to fill the pots with vibrant, cascading blooms for heightened effect.

Get a carport 

While a carport can serve to keep your vehicle protected from the elements, it also serves as a wonderful place for gatherings. The roof will keep the hot Australian summer sun from beating down on any guests, making it easier to hold a party at your home comfortably. Having a carport around also helps you avoid renting or buying a costly party tent, as well as the effort to put it up. Carports come in a variety of designs, are rather inexpensive, and last for many years, making them a versatile addition to your home.

Build a fire pit 

Fire pits are a summer must-have. You can use them to cook or simply to gather around with friends and family to relax and reminisce. If it's later at night, invite everyone over for a fun night of Australian-style s'mores (unless you've got enviable access to some graham crackers). Building a fire pit is quite easy, too. Simply lay out pavers or stones in a circle, about three to four feet in diameter. Next, dig a 12 inch hole in the centre and fill it with sand. Once you have filled the hole, finish stacking the stones so that they are 12 inches above the ground. Lastly, pour another layer of sand into the ring so that it covers the first layer of stone, about 4 inches deep.

Why Your Catering Business Should Consider Building a Barn for Weddings

The rustic look is the very latest thing on the wedding scene. Many people, from city-dwelling hipsters to rural residents, are opting for bales of hay, distressed wood, hanging lanterns, and barns over the more traditional banquet hall settings and décor. 

If you run a catering business, chances are good that you already work a lot of weddings, but perhaps you want to expand into hosting them, as well. And while you can, of course, set up tents, there is a distinct advantage to having a standing location for these events. 

Here are some of the ways that building a barn will help your wedding business:

They're Less Effort than Tents

Tents are a lot of work. While it may make sense to offer them for offsite events, having a standing structure for your own location is a smart idea. Not only does it save the time and effort it takes to erect and dismantle the tents, but it also saves you payroll hours. 

They're Less Susceptible to Weather

Nobody wants rain on their wedding day, but unfortunately not everyone can luck out. Tents, while they may be secure from actual rain, are not exactly the best in wet weather, as they are often placed in open spaces where people may have to tramp through grass and mud. If your bridesmaids had to dye their shoes, this will be a problem. In addition, tents can be very drafty if there's a wind blowing outside. 

A permanent barn structure will be weather proof and, since it's not going anywhere, you can construct a walk way leading to it that will keep everyone from getting wet or tripping in the field. You can even invest in removable walk way covers to ensure that the bride's perfectly coiffed up do doesn't frizz. 

Cut Costs for Clients

Once you get into the event hosting business, you'll want to offer your clients a reason (aside from the aesthetic appeal of your barn) to choose your site for their big day. One of the best things that you can provide is a package deal for choosing to use your location and catering together. The one-stop shop is a popular thing, especially when it comes to the often complicated and stressful business of wedding planning. As long as the rates that you offer are reasonable -- and generally cheaper than opting to get the catering and venue separately -- you'll attract a lot of business. 

Capitalise on the Trend

As stated before, barns are in as wedding venues and do not seem to be going anywhere. Check out the different styles and colours of Aussie and American barns available and see which one would appeal the most to your clientele. With some hard work and determination, you could see your business blossom from a small catering operation to the go-to spot for events in the area.

Why Getting a Customisable Carport is the Ideal Option

When you are considering the purchase of a carport, you may be tempted to run out and buy the first generic model that you see. However, doing so would be a big mistake! After all, the last thing you want is to go to the trouble of putting up the structure only to find that it's not quite big enough. 

The solution to the problem? Get a customised carport that was created specifically for you. Now, you might be wondering if going out of your way to invest in a special carport is worth it. The answer depends on what you're planning on using the structure for, to a degree. If you are looking for minimal protection as cheaply as you can get it, then a run-of-the-mill, mass-produced carport is probably not a bad idea. If you're looking for anything beyond that, however, you should opt for better quality. 

Here are several of the advantages of getting a custom-designed carport:

• Space- If you have any kind of specific space requirements, a customised structure is your best bet. For instance, maybe you have a thing for monster trucks -- you'll need a pretty tall carport. Or perhaps you have minimal space and you need the carport to hug the house. Either way, your average product just won't cut it. 

• Coverage- As any classic car collector already knows, rust is your enemy -- and rain is the easiest way to start developing it. Your cherished 1957 Chevy Bel Air isn't something that you want exposed to the elements. Even if the classic is the only thing that you are using the carport for, a single-car model might not be enough if there's a slanting rain. The great news is that carport designs can be created to suit your specific vehicle and give it the coverage it needs to stay dry.

• Style- Customised carports are a good option if you don't want a hideous structure blighting your property. Many of the standard carports out there are incredibly dull, and function solely on a utilitarian basis. A custom-made one will come in colours and even roof pitches that can complement your home and other existing structures.

• Entertainment- A stylish, custom carport can double as an entertainment area for birthday parties, barbeques and other functions. Set up tables and a grill underneath, park the cars on the street for the day, and invite all your friends and family. You're sure to get compliments on how nice your space looks.

Adding Much-Needed Space to Your Home

Does your home seem like it has shrunk around you? It is unlikely that the physical structure has become smaller since you purchased it. There is a better chance that your dream home is no longer big enough to accommodate your exact needs. Before you give up it, though, look out back -- do you have enough land for an out building? Adding out buildings such as sheds to your existing property may be the answer to your current space dilemma.

Storage

Perhaps you would have more room in your main house if you could just find some extra space to store things. Out buildings are the perfect solutions. They offer you the extra space you need combined with easy access. Because your possessions are still on the property, there is no need for a trip to some distant storage unit.

Say for instance, you or someone you live with is a teacher. At the end of the school year, instead of struggling to find room for all of the educational supplies, you can store them outside in a secure, dry location where you can get to them easily next year.

Crafts

Encouraging your children to learn a craft is a fabulous way to spend time with them. Instead of having to worry about pulling the supplies out and then putting them away repeatedly, move the activity outside. You and your little crafter can design the interior of your out building however you see fit. Not only will the space be inviting, it will also save you from having to rush a clean-up if guests show up unexpectedly or you need to leave for another activity.

Training Ground

No matter their ability level, all athletes can benefit from extra training sessions. Instead of finding a location off of your property, you can turn your out building into the perfect training ground. Not only will you save room in your main home, but you will also give your athlete the place they need to hone their skills without fear of breaking things or being interrupted constantly.

Whether you are looking for extra storage space or a place to hone the skills of a budding star, sheds can be the answer to your dilemma. At Fair Dinkum Sheds, we pride ourselves on creating a custom solution for every customer’s needs. Take a look at the space you have available, consider your budget for this purchase and then give us a call. We look forward to helping you create more space in your home.