Articles

With almost 30 years of experience in painting residential and commercial buildings, Andrew & Mason are your one-stop solution if you need a paint job done around your home or business. Whether it’s an interior painting or exterior painting project you want, Andrew & Mason can guide you through it all the way. The company has bases in Kerikeri, Whangarei and Auckland and works closely with specialists such as colour consultants to ensure you pick the perfect shade that matches your needs and blends in well with the rest of the environment. They also offer cleaning services and can touch up existing paint jobs which will extend the life of your paint for another few years. If your facade or walls need to be repaired before painting can commence, Andrew & Mason work alongside a builder that brings whatever surface is to be painted back into shape. A thorough clean and good preparation are the keys to quality. This way the paint will go on smoothly and evenly …

When you own a company there are many ways a potential customer can judge you before even setting foot into your door. While a good website design represents you in the digital world, the exterior appearance of your company building has exactly the same function in the physical world. The benefits of having a clean commercial building exterior are obvious. If the outside walls are covered in dirt and mould, with windows concealed by cobwebs and smudges, anyone about to conduct business with you might quickly change their mind and walk on. How you value the look of your company might, in the eye of the beholder, also reflect how you value your business and your customers. Better look, better business If you want to ensure that people get the best possible impression of your company and even your style of management, having the exterior of your company building(s) cleaned on a regular basis is non-negotiable. The Blast Away Guys can do it all for you, from sparkling clean wind…

Whether it’s a birthday gift, a token of appreciation or for the annual Christmas party, buying gifts for staff members is not always an easy task. Finding the ideal present might seem daunting. After all, if you get it wrong it might haunt you for weeks to come. So, should you go funny with a hint of naughty? Or keep it practical and professional? Or a bit of both? Let’s face it. A well-chosen gift makes the receiver feel appreciated and cared for. So the kind of present really depends on your relationship, how well you know the person you’re shopping for and what message you want to get across. Buying for your employees As an employer, buying gifts for staff is not just a sign of respect and appreciation. It also demonstrates your leadership skills and that you care about your employees’ happiness and wellbeing. Depending on the size of your company you could either buy gifts for staff members in bulk or individual items. The danger with individual items is that a lot can…

From choosing the right paint to preparing the walls, when painting your house exterior there is a lot to consider if you want the job done right. Professional painters will do most of the work for you, but even the experts rely on your planning and proper instructions. Timing The best time to paint your house is in the warmer and drier months of the year. Most paints don’t tolerate rain and humidity well. Instead, they need plenty of time to dry. Paint won’t adhere to surfaces that aren’t completely dry. Getting a quote Before you start preparing the exterior of your house for the job it pays to get a quote. The main reason being that different companies include different services, so quotes may vary widely. Some paint contractors might include the exterior clean in their quote or things such as scraping off old paint that is starting to peel, filling in holes or sanding the house. Don’t take any of it for granted, though, every company works differently. Preparation is k…

Unwanted or broken jewellery might seem useless to its owner apart from the sentimental value. But if it’s made of gold, the state it’s in doesn’t matter and it can even have a greater value to those that buy scrap gold. After all, it will simply be melted down and turned into something new. If you need money fast, selling your scrap gold can turn unused items such as necklaces, watches, and even dental gold into quick cash. There are numerous places that buy scrap gold, and the process is generally easy and straightforward. However, especially if you’re finding it hard saying goodbye to grandma’s special broche or parting with that ring your great grand-aunt once gave you, which is now missing the stone - you want to make sure you’re getting the best price when cashing it in so regrets are small. Step 1 - Before you sell In order to make sure you’re getting a good deal you should take a look at the current gold price. Just like everything else on the stock market it fluctua…

When a friend or family member becomes a mother for the first time, it can be challenging to know what to get them. After all, you’ll be bursting at the seams to see the new arrival, but you can’t turn up empty handed, can you? However, with doting grandparents and plenty of other friends and family to cover all those much-needed essentials, you have to get your thinking cap on to arrive with the perfect gift. Have you ever thought that a new arrival gift basket could be the very thing to put a smile on the new mother’s face? Choosing a gift basket from a reputable supplier that can either be delivered to your door or theirs can take all the guesswork and challenge out of providing a token of congratulations. Instead of going from shop to shop – often spending over budget – you can rely on an expert in the field to make sure it’s laden with goodies that will be appreciated by both mum and bub. Gift baskets for new mums don’t just cater to the baby either, although new …