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How a finished Garage can Increase Your Home’s Resale Value
If you are planning on selling your home in the near future, chances are you have probably already made a list of home improvement projects you intend to tackle. Many homeowners tend to focus on key areas like kitchens and bathrooms, and for good reason. These rooms are high selling points; any real estate agent will tell you to make these spaces a priority. One area that people too often neglect is the garage. It may come as a surprise, but a finished garage can actually have an impact on your home’s equity and market value. Why? Well, the times have changed and these spaces are no longer considered trivial. Most people want to have enough room to park their vehicles and for storage purposes.
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Post Comments (1) »In Our Industry Experience Counts, We’ve Installed Over 3000 Garages!
When it comes to having your garage organized, you want to work with someone who has a successful track record. At Garage Living, our list of 3,000 (and growing) satisfied clients more than speaks for itself. In our line of work, mistakes are reflective of poor customer service and sub-par craftsmanship. In this economy, we know it can be easy to want to do jobs like these alone instead of hiring a contractor. After all, how hard can it be to clean up a garage? This is not the mindset you want to adopt, however, at least if you want to see the project through to the end. At Garage Living, cleaning your garage is just one small part of what we do. We cater to customers that want the ultimate garage experience. From auto enthusiasts to gardening lovers to neat freaks, knowing how to meet the demands of a diverse client base is what we are all about. From the floor to the ceiling, our team works hard to custom design and install exactly what our customers want. That being said, our experience gives us an edge over our competition in that it has allowed us to encounter every possible problem that can come about when organizing a garage.
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Specialized Services we Offer at Garage Living
At Garage Living, we offer a number of specialized services to our clients. While garage organization encapsulates what we do, there are many specific components of this that we like to stress to new customers. It is important to remember that every project is different and will require a unique design consultation to complete successfully. To make the process easier, we have setup a few custom garage themes in our showroom, as we have found these represent a bulk of our customers’ interests. Interestingly enough, many people don’t realize this until they get a view of the gallery. Our Sports Fan, Active Gardener, Auto Enthusiast and Bright & Clean Garage templates illustrate all of our specialized services.
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The Benefits of Working with Garage Living
If you have a garage that needs organization, don’t hesitate to contact one of our team members at Garage Living. There is more than one reason for our outstanding reputation; being Toronto’s largest custom garage flooring and organization company is not an easy title to maintain. It has required plenty of hard work and dedication, factors which have been instrumental in our ability to successfully serve thousands of customers. Many of our clients have asked what separates us from our competition. What makes Garage Living different, and why should you choose us? We are glad you asked, and are more than happy to say that the Garage Living standard is simply unmatched. From a highly skilled team of trained experts to quality products and excellent customer service, we sincerely believe our company has what it takes to meet your needs. Organizing a garage may seem like a simple job, but our staff knows that this is far from the truth. We have tackled plenty of projects, small and large, and the one thing that can be said with certainty is that matching a customer’s unique style is challenging.
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Great Appreciation for a Wonderful Job
Good Morning Daniel,
Just writing you a note of appreciation on a job well done! I would like to express to you and your staff what a overwhelming experience it was to work with Garage Living in the transformation of our garage makeover. Your courteous and professional service that you provided from the moment of our contact initial to the beginning house call, to design and then finally to installation in less than a week was amazing.
The experience began with a phone call to your business in which I was inquiring if Garage Living offered its services to the East Kingston area as I wanted to surprise my husband with a garage renovation for his 50th birthday as he has been talking about the idea for years. I thought it was a shot in the dark given the distance away from your Vaughan showroom which was a total shock when you said you could be out there the next day.
The in home consultation, which I must say was a good five hour drive through a snowstorm was a very detailed and well explained from the start of the project to the finished product, which would included your Rhino Floortex coating, Garage Living Premium Cabinetry and the PVC wall organizing panels. The final design was emailed to myself within 24 hours of the consultation and the project was in place to begin the following week. I was also e-mailed a very detailed time table schedule of exactly what time the Garage Living installation team would arrive each day and what task would be handled on that day.
This was very important to me as this entire project was planned to be a total surprise for my husband while we were both away on business during the week of the installation in which my 21 year old daughter was left to oversee the work. Being a surprise, Daniel ensured that every detail was handled on his end to ensure it was a true turn-key experience which gave me the comfort to have the project done in my absence. Everything was handled, even removing and storing all my belongings during the process and re-organizing everything onto the slatwall once complete. The extra detail and efficient service was maintained throughout the whole process.
The makeover was completed and I must say we were absolutely overwhelmed with happiness when both my husband and I arrived home to a newly renovated garage. My husband was thrilled! Garage Living definitely delivered the WOW factor that I was looking for in this type of spontaneous purchase for my husband. I again want to express my appreciation for a wonderful job, and I thank you!
Regards, Kathy S.
Winter Car Storage: What You Should Do to Prepare Your Car for Winter
Many people opt to store their car during the winter months as a way to avoid potential damage that can be caused during this season. Whatever your reason for winter storage, there are is a certain process that takes place to ensure that your car is completely prepared for being stored for several months.
Before you place your car in storage, it is important that you clean it entirely. This will help to prevent mold and mildew. While things such as the engine and batter are important, just as important is the interior and exterior. A clean car has a much better chance of coming out of storage undamaged than a dirty one.
If you are keeping your car inside your garage you probably do not have to worry about rodents, however, if you have a pet door that leads from your garage you may want to include some repellent to avoid the possibility of damage by rodents.
If possible, you should make sure the basics are covered on the car before putting it in storage. You should double check things like the tires, oil, and gas are all filled properly. You may want consider putting your car on blocks to help protect your tires. It is important that your car have fresh fluids like brake and steering fluid. You should also change out your filters. You should do these no more than two weeks prior to storage to make sure that the fluids are as fresh as possible.
It is important that the location that if you are storing your car in your garage that the area is dry and dark. This will protect the car from erosion, rust, and sun damage. Yes, the sun does appear sporadically even during the harshest winters!
You should close off the vents to the air conditioner. This protects your car from insects and moist air that could damage your car. If your car is constantly in contact with insects and damp air, this could greatly affect erosion and even damage to the interior of your car. If at all possible, you should put a cover over your car. This will go a step further in protecting your car from bugs, air, or even accident scratching.
There are other things to remember like insurance and registration. The guidelines for these vary from state to state so it is important to know your state’s policy on these things when putting your car in storage.
While you may have heard that cars in storage can have problems because of being inactive for a period of time, this can be avoided if you take a few precautions to make sure that your car is completely prepared to not be driven for a few months. If you take the time to make sure that your car is in good shape before storage, you will have nothing to worry about when you are ready to drive it again.
Top 5 Tips for Storing Your Summer Items
As the season is changing, many people are dreading the annual summer storage that may seem like a never ending event. While storing your summer items is certainly a task, it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. There are some things you can do to make the process more effective and enjoyable. Here are a few tips that will make this process so simple that you will be done before you know it!
Pack It Right
Packing is a critical part of storing summer items. It is important to put items that are similar together to avoid confusion when searching for them later. For instance, you won’t want to pack away summer clothes with outdoor toys. It is also helpful to label your packed items for easy location. Packing it right the first time will make for a much easier unpack later.
Stack it Right
Just as important as packing your items, is stacking the storage units correctly. Whether you are using boxes, bins, or totes, you should stack your items in a manner that is safe and space saving. It is important to make sure that your labels are readable so you are certain of what is what. It is also important to properly seal the lids of the containers so nothing is damaged once it is stacked.
Use your Storage
It is critical that you are utilizing all of your storage space. Many people have overhead storage, wall storage, and cabinetry. You will want to make sure you are putting items in places that are best suited for their size and weight. For example, you will want to store larger items in overhead storage securely rather than attempting to hang it from wall storage.
Eliminate Clutter
The great thing about moving your stuff to summer storage is that now is a great time for you to go through your things before storing them. Perhaps your children have grown out of the summer clothes or have large play equipment that they are too old to play with. This is a great time to donate some things to save you some much needed space.
Get Into It
One of the best things you can during the process of summer storage is really get into it. You can even have fun with making creative labels, going through your belongings, and enjoying a clutter-free home. This is a great activity for families to get involved in because everybody can participate. While moving things to summer storage may not be the most thrilling thing in the world, you can make it a fun process by lightening the mood.
These tips will make moving your stuff to summer storage a little easier and maybe even a little more fun. The great thing to remember is that you are taking the right steps to save yourself time when you look for these things next summer. You will be patting yourself on the back later for doing things the right way the first time.
How an Organized Garage Can Save You Time and Money
A cluttered garage is not only unsightly, but it can also be a huge drain on your time and money. An organized garage not only revamps your home’s appearance, but it also provides you with the peace of mind of knowing that each of your possessions are stored away and accounted for. Garages can either be a place you dread or a place that is a haven to store your items that may be seasonal or used sporadically. Organization is a sure bet to make sure your garage is a place that you can actually utilizeas a functional part of your home.
You may be asking yourself how having a neat and tidy garage can save you time. How often have you tried to locate a certain tool or a box of holiday decorations only to spend a few hours rummaging through your belongings? Having an organized garage will drastically reduce the amount of time you spend looking for something. With so many options for organization, you can stow away, hang, or stack your possessions in a manner that makes them easily accessible for future use. It will also greatly reduce the amount of stress you feel about entering your garage. Make your garage useable and not a part of your home that you ignore. No more spending hours trying to find what you are looking for!
An organized garage is also a huge money saver. It is common in messy garages for people to think that something has been lost when really it is just buried beneath the clutter. There are many people who purchase duplicates of certain items simply because they either can’t find it or they think it is easier to replace the item rather than sift through the mountain of boxes and objects that decorate their garage. You do not have to be one of these people! In fact, with just a few hours of organization, you will be able to arrange and take inventory of your belongings so that you know exactly where they are and how many of it you have.
Another great thing about cleaning out your garage is you can even make money on things you don’t use anymore! Cleaning out your garage is a great time to consider having a garage sale to help you eliminate the amount of stuff in your garage and also make a few extra bucks. Most people have no idea what they have in their garages after a few years and if you forgot you had it this is a good indication you no longer need it!
The great thing about garage organization is that it does allow you to save time and money, but most importantly it provides you with a sense of order. You will never again have to wonder about where your stuff is or if you even have it anymore. An organized garage is a great because you will feel much more in control of your things and know exactly where they are for future use.
How to increase your double the parking space in your garage without an addition
Most households today have two cars and are even equipped with double parking spaces in their garage. The problem is garages quickly become catch-all locations for bicycles, trash cans, holiday decorations and other things people collect throughout their lives. This can make a garage seem smaller and may force homeowners to consider extreme possibilities to create more space. Sometimes people consider it easier to just build an addition to increase their double parking space, but this is an extreme measure that is not the only option available to save space.
The very first thing a person should do when wanting to increase garage parking space, is to go through their belongings to see what could possibly be eliminated. Often, garages become havens for things that people rarely or never use. This would be a great opportunity to have a yard sale or to donate items to a charity in the community.
Of course, just clearing out some items is probably not going to be enough space to utilize double parking. After the garage becomes cleared of unnecessary items, it is time to weigh options for storage. This will create a way for items to be removed from the floor and provide a fresh and organized look. Wall organizers are great because they get everything off the floor and visible for an easy find in the future. The options can be a large panel installation or smaller panels depending on what items are needed to be housed on the wall organizer. This is a great option for someone who has several tools that are taking up unnecessary space on the garage floor.
One of the most cost effective and space-saving techniques for a person looking to increase their parking space in their garage is overhead storage. Overhead storage allows people to elevate their belongings so that they are stowed away in racks. These storage units are available to be customized based on garage ceiling height as we all personal preferences. There are even specialty overhead storage units available that can store larger items that take up large portions of the garage floor. Some items that may be included in this specialty design are: bicycles, large trash cans, recycling units, and much more! Options for size and shape are available to suit any garage imaginable.
While building an addition may seem like a tempting solution to space problems, there are many less expensive ways to reach space goals for your garage. The options for increasing the space for double parking in a garage are not limited to building a costly addition. An addition may save some space, but will cost a fortune and will not eliminate the problems associated with a messy garage. In fact, investing in overhead storage or a wall organizer will not only be less expensive but will fix the problem of a having a cluttered garage. Organization is the number one goal when considering ways to increase parking space in a garage.
You been to our website, come visit our showroom!
While the Garage Living websites offers a thorough explanation of the services and products that are offered, nothing compares to seeing our products actually put together in our showroom! The showroom provides present and potential clients the ability to walk through seven custom designed garages that offers a look at the various options and how they can be utilized. Perhaps your garage is so unorganized it is difficult to imagine it any other condition. This is how our showroom helps people to see beyond the clutter and take a look at what their garage could look like with the help of Garage Living.
The great thing about walking through the showroom is that you can witness first-hand how the organization options can offer the most storage and space saving placement. If you are not a natural organizer, this would be a great opportunity for you to see how storage can be placed throughout your garage to open up as much space as possible. While there are certainly options for you to choose from to specially design your garage, it can be really helpful to see mock representations of what your garage could be.
The showroom also provides a look at how cabinetry and flooring can really give your garage a polished look. Beautiful cabinetry that works for both cosmetic and storage purposes can really make your garage look like it is actually an important part of your home. Flooring is essential because it can mean the difference between your garage looking perfect or in need of a revamp. At Garage Living we understand the importance of seeing how everything can fit together to provide you with a neat and tidy garage that looks so good you actually want to leave your garage door open!
The showroom also gives clients a chance to discuss options that they like or have more questions about. Maybe you see something that you want in a different size or shape. Perhaps you aren’t sure if your garage ceiling can support certain cabinets or storage units. Our Garage Experts are there to discuss with you every option available to make your garage as unique as you are. You should feel free to discuss anything that you have concerns about because our experts are more than willing to guide you in the direction to having a completely organization garage. There are many ways to customize your garage and our showroom works as a model for you to utilize to inspire ideas. It is amazing how seeing a model can really spark creativity with saving space and making the most of storage.
The seven garages that we have available in our showroom include the most popular choices for cabinetry, storage, and flooring. Garage Living invites all clients-past, present, and future to come down and walk through the showroom to give you a solid idea of the services and products we offer and how they can best be utilized to create the perfectly organized garage for you.
