Kitchens are one of the most used rooms in the house. From casual morning breakfast to hosting family dinners, many hours are spent making memories in the kitchen. This room definitely deserves a little makeover from time to time. Here are some things to consider when upgrading your kitchen.

Appliances

A quick way to rejuvenate a rundown kitchen is by upgrading outdated and old appliances. A new energy efficient cook top, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator or vent will not only give the kitchen a new look, but it will also help you save on electricity. Make sure new appliances are installed by licensed professionals to ensure the job done correctly.

Cabinets

If your cabinets are still in good condition, a great way to refresh them is by adding a new coat of paint or refinishing them. Hire a professional painter for a clean finish and don’t forget to update cabinet handles for an even more modernized look. Cabinets that are worn can be replaced by customised cabinets of your dreams. Consult with a professional cabinet maker to design and create your ideal space.

Lighting

Instantly brighten up your kitchen by adding new light fixtures and/or replacing old ones. Lighting can be used as a functional design feature. Create the ambiance you want while still maintaining a functional kitchen workspace. It is important to not attempt any dangerous DIY electrical projects. Stay safe and leave it to a sparky.

Bench Tops

Kitchen bench tops endure a lot of wear and tear. Upgrading your bench tops can be a great way to revive a dull kitchen. Resurfacing bench tops can instantly give your kitchen a new look feel. For a more dramatic change, you can completely replace old bench tops.

Taps

Give an old kitchen a brand new look by replacing taps. If your taps have seen better days or are a little outdated, maybe it’s time to think about upgrading them. New taps can quickly uplift any kitchen and make it look rejuvenated. For any plumbing work, hire a licensed plumber to avoid any costly mistakes.

Ready to renovate? Grey Army can create your dream kitchen for you. Give us a call today 13 11 98 or send us an email at info@greyarmy.com.au

Remember to remind your family and friends to do the same. It is an easy item to forget to service and maintain, however the importance of this can lead to life or death. Don’t be another statistic be proactive!

Figures show from The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that one in ten households nationally use wood as the main source of energy for heating.

While wood is mainly used by households in rural areas 19 per cent, compared with capital cities 5 per cent it can be a great alternative for homes in the rural areas.  Wood heating requires a qualified chimney sweeper to maintain and clean before and after every season. This will guarantee your safety on the flute being free from soot build up or any bird nests or other vermin hiding out away from the elements. If this is not done on a regular basis it can catch on fire and could lead to your treasured home being burnt down.

Heating and cooling accounts for 40% of household energy, including varies heating providers electric, gas and wood. It is always a good idea to choose heating systems that are energy efficient and will provide you long term service. It is irrelevant what type of heating service you have, it must always be service before and after and in many cases during the heavily used seasons. For health and safety reasons it is most important as it can throw out harmful carbon monoxide that can cause unconsciousness and even death due to poisoning.

You can always maintain your heating services by cleaning them on a regular basis to ensure no dust and dirty is obstructing the vents by using a vacuum and wipes (do not use flammable liquid to clean any heating service as this may lead to faults or fire). Be sure to leave the filters and fans to fully licensed fitters, as well as obtaining a certification upon completion. Always ensure you have plenty of ventilation in the room of the heating while keeping flammable materials about one metre away for direct heating appliance.

Electric heating requires a fully qualified and certified installer to put in your heating and to also check for faults. Do not try to check faulty wiring as it may lead to electrocution or even death. It is very important to have regular checks to ensure faults are properly checked and maintained to avoid electrical fires.

If you have any of the following issues with your gas heater be sure to turn it off immediately and call a qualified gas fitter to test faults before you turn it back on.

• Heating service turning on and off unexpectedly
• Sparks coming from the plug or on off button
• The walls become hot to touch while the heat is on
• Yellow or snooty flame (gas heater)
• Stains around the heater
• Chimney catches on fire or flames coming out of the wood heater door

Signs of faulty heating systems

There are many signs that may arise before death or fire has engulfed your home from your heating service. If you have any of these signs be sure to turn off heating service and open all windows and doors in the area, to release any harmful chemicals.

• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chest pain

Remember it is your family and friends life at stake. When it comes to any heating services always have a qualified and certified person to check and maintain your heating service. If you are in doubt, turn off the heating service immediately and open all doors and windows. If you feel you have suffered harmful chemicals call or go directly to your doctor.

Additional Information

Energy Safe Victoria 1800 652 563

Department of Health 1300 761 874

Plumbing Industry Commission 1300 815 127

The ability to trust your handyman is something we feel passionate about here at Grey Army. Unfortunately handymen often get a bad reputation, in reality a small few are bad but the majority are good honest hardworking people. We want everybody to be able to trust the people working in their homes

We’ve put together a quick list so that you can have piece of mind about your handyman.

1. Use a registered tradesman.

Never use a handyman that isn’t a registered tradesman. Unregistered tradesman may not have the necessary skills to undertake a job, which could leave you with a below standard final product, or worse, an unsafe final product.

2. Make sure they’re insured.

If your handyman doesn’t have insurance, then alarm bells should be going off. General liability insurance is essential, and if the handyman will be employing others then so is workers compensation insurance. It’s important your handyman has these insurances in order to protect you if there is an accident on your property.

3. Make sure they have a current police check clearance.

It’s unfortunate but there are some dishonest handymen operating out there, by making sure they have a current police check clearance you can drastically improve your safety and avoid a run in with the wrong person.

4. Listen to recommendations.

One of the best ways to pick your handyman is through the recommendations of friends and family. If someone you know is friends with or has developed a working relationship with a handyman then it makes trusting them and welcoming them into your home much easier.

5.Get a quote upfront.

Getting several quotes and comparing them allows you to meet and get a feel for each handyman beforehand, which can aid in your decision making. The cheapest quote may seem the most attractive but be sure to take other factors into account. A quote upfront also gives you piece of mind and prevents you from a nasty shock when you get the bill.

6.Ask for testimonials.

If you’re unable to get the recommendation of someone you know then go for the next best thing. Ask your handyman for testimonials from past clients, or a website or Facebook page with examples of their work on it. This way you can see the quality of work they have delivered in the past.

7.Go with your gut.

Even if all the above check out but you have a gut that this person is not right for you then find someone you are more comfortable with. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Grey Army provides you with the peace of mind you deserve. Our handymen have full accreditation and insurance, they have current police check clearance and we guarantee their work. These assurances along with their competitive rates and years of experience make them a pleasure to work with.

So what are you, a lifter or a leaner?

Do you have a financial plan to keep yourself in the lifestyle of your choice well into the future? Do you like your current job?

There is a solution to the issues of job satisfaction and financial security. A franchise with the Grey Army could well be the perfect answer for you.

Enjoy the working experience by becoming your own boss and deciding how hard and how long you work. The Grey Army Franchise offers you a lifestyle change as well as the security of deciding when you stop working.

On top of a healthy rewarding lifestyle, you have the opportunity to stay involved in your community. You meet new people everyday, people that maybe can’t do things for themselves, and you satisfy their maintenance needs. The demand for Grey Army services of every type is growing all the time. You can help supply this demand and build your own business at the same time.

There are so many benefits, but the best thing to do is to talk to us. Call Greg Miles now on 13 11 98 for a no obligation discussion about how you can build a rewarding lifestyle for yourself.

Take control of your future and become a lifter, not a leaner.

“I love a sunburnt country” is a line from a famous Australian poem. It’s very true because it cops some serious heat in the summer months, and even well into March. In and around Melbourne we constantly face the danger of bushfires, and the worst approach to the danger of bushfires is complacency.

Summer is naturally the worst time for these fires and this season has been relatively mild. But all it takes is a hot day or two and some gusty winds and the bush can be ablaze in no time. Even now, as we near the end of February, we cannot afford to become complacent!

We must also have a plan to help prevent a fire in the first place. There are simple and basic things you can do which may very well not only save your property but even your life or the life of your family. Many Melbourne suburban properties have come under threat because of these simple things have not been carried out.

But what if you, or someone you care for, are physically not up to doing the fire restricting activities? What if you, or someone you care for, just don’t have the time or the tools to lop branches, clear gutters, remove brush & undergrowth and generally tidy up and clean up around your house? There is a solution which is simple, highly effective and certainly reasonable in terms of cost. It’s the Grey Army.

Think of the piece of mind you’ll have knowing the dangerous fuel have been cleared and removed from your property. And it will look great as well.

Making properties neat & tidy and taking away all the branches, clippings, unwanted materials, and so on is all part of the deal when you call in the Grey Army.

Finding a new career can be tricky. But when you settle for a franchise from a proven operation, you get peace of mind knowing you’ve chosen the best, plus the chance to be your own successful boss. The Grey Army has a magnificent reputation in providing expert and experienced services in handyman, gardening, painting, carpentry, concreting, in fact any home and commercial maintenance requirement.

The Grey Army name equates with old fashioned service and integrity, friendliness, quality work and personable service. But there is an added benefit you may not have thought about – your health and fitness. As we age, we are advised to eat well and exercise sensibly. As a Grey Army franchisee owner, you get a rewarding career plus your exercise and vitamin D requirements are thrown in as part of the deal – for free! You literally can work and work out at the same time. At the Grey Army you’re gaining all these benefits:

•             Be your own boss

•             Have a popular and highly respected company brand behind you

•             Get to meet all types of people

•             Get to help folk who are not able to do the work you do

•             Work out on the job

So many times you hear people talk about their taxing or boring or tough job. Work for many people is a grind. But for some, certainly for the Grey Army franchisees, their work is their hobby. They get to do what they’re good at, working for people who truly appreciate their efforts and all the time, they keep themselves fit as well.

If you like to keep active, then having a Grey Army franchise has got to be one of the best gigs going around.  Well-known in many states across Australia, your marketing is handled by the best in the business. When you add your expertise and enthusiasm, you’re on a winner. And, as already mentioned, you can keep fit and healthy, literally, on the job.

It’s that time of the year. The weather’s fine, the days are long and there are all sorts of jobs around the house that need doing. Are you up for it? More importantly, are your DIY skills up for it?

Many of us may think that because we’ve done the basics such as cleaning windows, painting inside and out, cleaning gutters, weeding the garden, mowing the lawn, repairing garden furniture and fixing fence palings that we don’t need any training. We reckon we know it all.

Now that may be the case but today there are so many simple and cost-free ways to learn new DIY skills that you’ll be surprised if you look around.

There are web sites for all manner of DIY tasks and many have videos on the best way to do various tasks. You never know, you might discover a trick of the trade that will save you time and money and keep your back muscles from freezing up again. If you haven’t gone online and explored YouTube you’re seriously missing some valuable DIY tips and ideas.

Here are two major tips to make your DIY project go off with a bang. It’s the two Ps – Plan and Prepare.

Tackling a job on a whim can be counter-productive. Go through this routine:

Draw up a plan which includes the following:

What do I want to achieve?

What do I need to complete the task?

When is the best time to start?

 Your preparation includes checking the weather forecast if it’s an outside job; going to the garage or shed to be sure you have all the tools and materials; going shopping if you need something for the work; and double-checking the site to see that what you plan to do is what is needed.

 Is that it?

Not quite. Even if you follow all the advice set out above, you may still not feel confident you can complete the task to a very high standard. Let’s face, you live in your home. You don’t want to stare at that painting or plastering job which you botched and all just to save a few dollars.

There is an alternative and it goes under the name of the Grey Army. They are local tradies who know the work, the area and the needs of people just like you.

Your Grey Army soldier is happy to discuss the work beforehand offering free advice on the alternatives. They’re local, willing and able. Let them get your job done right, first time, every time.

Unkept gardens shout out to all and sundry that you have gone away, and become a beacon to would-be burglars. And this situation is particularly dangerous when you go away for more than a couple of weeks.

So what can you do? Not everyone has family, friends or neighbours who can take responsibility for an empty nest. Besides, most people are away themselves anyway. So what’s the solution? Simple – contact the Grey Army.

Here are some of things the Grey Army can easily and professionally do for you and your property.

• Mow the lawns
• Keep the garden neat and tidy
• Empty the letterbox clear, especially of junk mail
• Water the garden
• Check the windows and doors
• Set lights to operate on a timer
• Report anything unusual to a contact provided by the absent owner

There is no price which can equate to peace of mind. You’re enjoying a cuppa with your caravan parked beside a tranquil river a long way from home and you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing the Grey Army is taking care of your property.

As well, with no-one to look after your garden you risk losing something precious. One of the sad things about losing a plant is that in most cases you could have prevented this from happening. Prevention is most definitely better than cure. It only needs a few days of extreme heat or days with a drying northerly wind and your lawn and plants can take a beating. Don’t let this happen to you.

The holiday solution is simple. People who go on holiday trust the Grey Army to keep their property in tip top shape. Keep your place both secure and alive during summer thanks to the Grey Army.

Time to go?

Almost every night you see the stories on TV and in the papers about companies closing down. The big companies make the headlines. But dozens of smaller operations disappear with only the employees and their families knowing what it’s like to lose their job.

There is a solution to this problem. It’s simple. You can become your own boss. And one of the safest, most rewarding and most interesting self-employed careers is with the Grey Army.

They have an outstanding reputation for quality work and service. Their name is well-known and highly regarded. They provide their independent operators with wonderful support and promotion. They make your working life so much more secure and worthwhile.

Take the first step

The beauty of working as an independent handyman with the Grey Army is that you can do whatever work best suits your skills be it gardening, painting, electrical, plumbing, mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, carpentry; you name it, the Grey Army wants operators with any of those skills.

It costs nothing to enquire and if you’d like a host of benefits and at the same time have job security and an excellent income, contact the Grey Army.

Consider these great benefits:

•  You work the hours that suit you

There is an almost limitless scope for work available. As the population ages, more and more people want help around their home both inside and out. You can set up your own list of clients and enjoy repeat customers year after year. The Grey Army take care of most of the promotion and are constantly developing work opportunities for the Grey Army Team with Corporate, and Charitable Groups among others.

Get in touch and discover just how easy and rewarding it can be to join their happy group of workers. Call us now on 13 11 98.

www.greyarmy.com.au

It’s easy to laugh at people who get into all sorts of trouble doing some DIY. They spill the paint, fall off the ladder, tip the concrete in the wrong hole and get things horribly wrong. In fact you can see plenty of them here on this video http://bit.ly/1uBkihd.

But it’s certainly no laughing matter when those sorts of things happen at your place and you’re paying for it.

It’s not funny when a dodgy tradesman leaves a mess behind which you have to clean up. It’s hardly hilarious when the tradesman doesn’t turn up or turns up late or doesn’t finish the job and then never returns to complete the work. How is that funny?

In fact it’s dangerous. Doubly dangerous because you are left with second-class repairs which could cause an accident and will certainly lower the value of your home. And the stress you suffer as you see your hard-earned money being wasted by some lazy, inexperienced and incompetent tradesman is a real worry for you.

Avoid all of the above. Create the perfect scenario for all your home maintenance, repairs and renovation needs. Hire a registered, expert and experienced tradesman from the Grey Army.

They all have a reputation for top quality work which is finished on time without the slightest hint of a mess left behind. You get a free written quote before the work begins and the fact that the Grey Army have been around for almost 25 years that we stand behind what we promise i.e. old fashioned value and integrity.

Take the worry out of having your property maintained and enjoy the benefits of engaging the experts at the Grey Army. They are happy to laugh with you but not at your expense. Call the Grey Army on 131198.