Interview with Door Repair and Window Installer in Dublin

Hi Folks,

Recently we caught up with Pat McManamon, one of our Top Rated Tradesmen on Tradesmen.ie, to ask him a few questions.

What are the most common jobs you are doing lately? “The most jobs I am doing now are windows and doors.”

Do you think you get more work for new built houses or houses already built? “It’s mostly houses that are already built that need replacement windows.”

What the process that is involved with this? “I would go and contact the customer, give them a price, and then when it comes to installing the window I would have prior arrangements made to deliver the windows and then install them.”

What type of suppliers would you use? “I only use a good quality window, the window that I use is weather-glaze, which is an A-rated, very high quality window.”

And would that be the best one out there? “That is the best one that is out there, it is possible to go higher tech but it is not very practical as it would cost an awful lot more but A-Rated is as high as you would want”

This interview was recorded and can be heard here.

Thanks a million to Pat McManamon, one of our Top Rated Tradesmen on Tradesmen.ie, for his time and a great interview. If you have job in mind, feel free to check out www.Tradesmen.ie for a number of quotes.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

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How YouTube was used to beat the competition and net €50,000 in prizes

Irish company and recent winner of the O2 Ideas Room Sales Pitch competition, Tradesmen.ie, used Youtube to help them win €50,000 worth in prizes. The O2 Idea’s Room ran a competition where they asked Irish companies to pitch their business idea in 140 characters or less via Twitter, SMS or on the O2 Idea’s Room Blog. Six finalists were chosen and people could then vote for their favorite business to win the grand prize of €50,000 worth of business support.

Oliver Dempsey, founder of Tradesmen.ie, entered the pitch “Want to save time and money on tradesmen and trade professional services? Get up to 4 quotes and compare prices on www.Tradesmen.ie”.

During the campaign, Tradesmen.ie used both Facebook and Youtube to help gain votes for the competition. With daily updates on their Facebook profile, the company was becoming more active online than it previously had been. As video accounts for a large proportion of Internet usage these days, Tradesmen.ie began to produce a number of videos to reach out to people with the hope that they will spread online and thus help their chances of winning more votes and winning the competition. Oliver Dempsey (founder of Tradesmen.ie) featured in the videos but what was unique about these was that they were made in an upbeat and humorous manner as each video had a similar script but was set in a complete different setting. Actually, what helped to make some of these videos so popular were the Bloopers that they contained, as scenes of mishaps were included. The company felt it was best to enjoy the moment and have fun instead of getting too caught up with the competition. The videos contained american football players, a brass band, salsa dancers, cows, members of the public, a baby and the infamous Daveward.

The idea behind each video was to try and make something that people would like and they then could pass it on to people they know and hopefully get the ball rolling. Surprisingly, it seemed to work as not only were Tradesmen.ie announced as winners of the competition with the most votes but also one of their videos with ‘Daisy’ the cow has over 4,100 views to this day. With Youtube, videos can be uploaded within a matter of minutes and by adding annotations to each video, Tradesmen.ie could get their message out to the public quite swiftly. Many of these videos are still circulating the internet as they continue to help promote the company even after their recent success of winning the O2 Ideas Room competition. You can see all of Tradesmen.ie’s videos on their YouTube channel, ‘Tradesmen1‘ or visit their website at www.tradesmen.ie.

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DIY in the Summer. . . Rain or Shine

DIY jobs for the SummerA lot of people during the summer months want to be outside for as long as possible. Whether it’s relaxing in the Sun, chilling by the pool or sleeping in the hammock, the summer and being outside really do go hand in hand . . . well weather permitting anyway. Some DIY projects may feel like a dead end chore but some are also good ways of staying on top of things.

As we live in Ireland, not every day is a sunny day. It’s odd how some days we find ourselves using an umbrella to shade away from the sun and other times we are using it to shelter from the rain. I guess that’s the Irish weather for you. However, we could use this as a way to organize our DIY projects. Maybe make a list of things you want to get done outside while the weather is good, and for when you’re stuck in doors, that’s when you can tackle those inside jobs. It’s good to remember though, that your list shouldn’t have to consist of boring tasks, try doing things that are enjoyable and fun as well.

Sunny Day Projects:

Get outside and work on your Garden! Everybody enjoys a nice cut lawn and the smell of freshly cut grass on a summer’s day. If your lawn is slightly bare, how about planting some extra grass seeds? Then you can move on to getting rid of some of those over grown shrubs and planting some fresh garden flowers to add some colour to the area. This can be great exercise for you also!

Try touching up anything that needs it, such as painting, varnishing, or mending. It’s vital that you constantly repair and maintain your property in case things get on top of you and it spirals out of control. Being outside is also a great way of getting a healthy looking tan while also getting those jobs out of the way, not to mention the Vitamin D which the body can manufacture from the help of the sun.

How about building an outdoor shed or that decking that has always been on your mind? If your useful at that kind of stuff, there are plenty of resources online to give you a hand such as Google and YouTube or I’m sure wherever you purchase your materials, the people there could help you out. If not, check out Tradesmen.ie and I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone helpful.

Rainy Day Projects:

Okay, this is the ‘tough, takes hours to do but must be done’ job. Basically, clean out all that stuff that you never use anymore. Whether its old clothes, ornaments, furniture, whatever, but if you don’t use them then what’s the point of having all that clutter around?  We all work better in a clutter free environment. Try clearing out one room a day, and then when you’re in the swing of things take on the almighty garage and attic. Throw out any damaged goods and maybe donate other things to those that may benefit from them.

Get on top of those small jobs in around the house. Perhaps the living room needs a fresh coat of paint or maybe you could change the colour altogether or even apply wallpaper instead. A new picture on the wall, maybe new carpet or curtains or even try rearranging the furniture to try change the place up. It’s always interesting to try something new.

Finally, it’s always important to be organized. Spend an afternoon or two sorting out all that paperwork. Maybe there are still some bills hanging around that still need to be taken care of under all that clutter. Try tidy up the documents on your computer and get rid of those unwanted emails. All of this will benefit in the future and help you while working in a cleaner area.

Once you have all or most of you DIY projects completed, go for that holiday away for a few days or that snooze on you hammock outside. Hope this blog was useful to you all. If you have any comments, feel free to share them. Have a safe and Enjoyable Summer. Regards, Tradesmen.ie.

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Home painting tips or do you need a Painter?

It’s easy to admit that a room certainly looks well when it is newly painted, but is it worth the hassle when trying to do it yourself? Some feel that the painting is not the hard part but everything that comes with it like organising, cleaning, etc, and others feel the opposite.

Start by sorting out everything at the beginning. Set up an area for all the devices you’re going to need such as brushes, rollers, towels, cloths, paint, etc. Ideally, place this as close as possible to where you will be working to avoid you travelling so much around the room.

Try to plan ahead. If you are not a qualified painter, don’t expect to get it all done in a day. Plan what needs to be done and work down the list. If you need to rearrange furniture, remove pictures off the wall, repair cracks or cover any windows or lights, be sure to that first before you begin the painting process.

Now it’s time for you to get ready. Even if you try to be as careful as you can, it’s almost a certainty that some paint will get on you and your cloths. Wear some old cloths that you don’t mind getting paint on, remove any jewellery, and easy to take-off shoes are always a good idea as if you need to leave the room, you can easily take them off and avoid dragging paint along the floor.

You should seek the help of an expert when choosing which brush to use. When purchasing your paint, feel free to ask someone around for advice on what brush would be the best for your task. Rollers are also very handy. They are quite simple to use and can produce an excellent smooth finish on the wall.

Also, have many rags at the ready. No doubt you will need some sort of material for when you are painting. Whether you need them for your hands, the walls or the floor, one thing is for sure, you will need some.

And now you should be all set to start painting. Have you any other tips for people who are thinking to paint themselves? Feel free to comment and let us know.

If you do have a painting job but need someone to do it, visit www.tradesmen.ie where you can get a number of quotes for your job.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

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How to Find a Good Electrician in Ireland

When you need an electrician for a job you have in mind. Select a number of electricians for the kind of job you need. A lot of electricians are skilled in different fields of electrical labour, so look through their previous work or ask for references to find the ones which fit your job. If available, read reviews about tradesmen from previous customers.

Make sure the electricians are qualified, trained and are also aware of safety matters. You can read reviews of tradesmen on Tradesmen.ie after you have posted your job. It is good to be aware that the highest priced tradesman may not always be the best option so it is good to take your time and look over the information you have at hand.

When you post your job on Tradesmen.ie, you will be notified when an electrician is interested in your job. It may be a good idea to view their profile or ring them and give specific details of the job you need done. This way you can speed up the process and have the job finished in no time.

If you would like top post your job, click here.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

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Attic Conversions in Ireland

By fitting an additional room in your home you will be creating both more space and increasing the value of your house. Attic conversions are becoming more popular lately to make extra space as it is not necessary to apply for planning permission as building an extension is not required. If you are converting your attic, a good thing to remember is how to use the available space efficiently and effectively. Post your job on Tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes for Attic Conversions. Tradesmen skilled in this field can also help you when it comes to the design of the conversion to suit your requirements.

If you do decide to go ahead with an Attic Conversion, it is essential to consider the layout of the area. Ask Tradesman for advice if you are thinking about installing a bathroom as there may be plumbing issues. The Tradesmen carrying out your job should be able to assist you on your options and what way to use the available space best.

Another thing to remember is the placement of electrical wires and radiators. Depending on the amount of space will influence the number of electrical points so be sure to arrange them in the main areas. If you are installing any radiators, it is advised that are in proportion to the size of the area. Again, Tradesmen will be able to give you advice on all of these matters but it is good to think of them also to avoid wasting money on repositioning in the future.

Something else to think about is including fitted wardrobes to use your space well. These can be made to a number of shapes and sizes and can suit an attic with a slanted top. If you need a carpenter for this, feel free to post your job on www.tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

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Enterprise START Workshops 2010

Hi Folks,

If you are currently considering entrepreneurship as a career option, an Enterprise START workshop will help you to understand and evaluate the entrepreneurship process and what it involves. Each workshop is targeted at individuals with a business idea that has the potential to be scaled up significantly within three years and be export driven.

Participants will have the opportunity for one-to-one consultation with Enterprise Ireland staff regarding individual needs. The workshops are practical, interactive and thought provoking. Participants will be provided with comprehensive information to understand the business development process including the key success factors and potential pitfalls as well as an outline of financial supports available from Enterprise Ireland and County Enterprise Boards.

For more information and for a list of workshops and regions click here . . .

All the Best,

Regards,

The Tradesmen.ie Team

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Is your House ready for the Winter in Ireland?

Since winter is almost upon us, it might be a good idea to start thinking about getting your home ready for the cold months ahead. It is better to prepare now instead of putting up with the torment when it happens. There are a number of things that you can do to help you have a warmer winter at home. Cautious preparation will benefit your home and in the long run, it will help you save both your time and money.

It is vital to get a qualified tradesman to check your heating system. This will guarantee you that it is working efficiently. The sooner you can organise a heating contractor to do this the better, as many of them may be very busy especially when winter approaches. The last thing you want you want is be stuck in the cold with a broken heating system. The tradesman normally carry out a number of tests to ensure the heater is working properly, which includes examining the thermostat, filter and any electrical pieces.

If you are thinking about installing new windows in your home, now is the time. A more up to date window is always recommended to help trap heat and insulate your home. Inspect your house for any fractures or cracks especially around window and door frames. Try your best to repair any of these cracks to prevent cold drafts coming in or post your job on Tradesmen.ie to find a number of tradesmen to help you out.

Pat McManamon, one of our Top Rated Tradesmen on Tradesmen.ie recommends to use “a good quality window, the window that I use is weather-glaze, which is an A-rated, very high quality window. . . it is possible to go higher tech but it is not very practical as it would cost an awful lot more but A-Rated is as high as you would want”

Another issue that is very important is the danger of freezing pipes during the winter. Failure to prevent this problem could block your water supply or even break the pipes altogether. This could be a costly problem to repair and something that you really do not want to happen during the cold months. As well as outdoor pipes, other pipes related to your home may also freeze if they are exposed to freezing temperatures, so it may be best to seek the help of a qualified tradesman as soon as possible.

What do you think are the best ways to prepare for the winter months ahead?

If you have any jobs in mind, feel free to log onto www.Tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes for your job.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

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Over 23,000 Jobs Posted On Tradesmen.ie

Hi Folks,

I am very happy to announce that over 23,000 jobs have been posted on Tradesmen.ie . . .

A while back we posted that over 20,000 jobs have been posted on Tradesmen.ie but since the the figures have increased. We are delighted that people have confidence in our service and we look forward to increasing the numbers of jobs posted on Tradesmen.ie and that our service will continue to improve in the future.

Thank you for support and all the best,

Regards,

The Tradesmen.ie Team

P.S: Below is the video of Traesmen.ie in Sardinia for those who haven’t seen it yet . . .

Enjoy . . . 🙂

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Vote For The Irish Building Of The Year

Hi Folks,

The CMG Building and Design Awards are taking place in December and you have the chance of voting for this years winner and Public Building of the Year 2010. There have been a number of very important buildings and projects completed this year and many of them are worthy winners.

The winning building will be based on the highest number of votes. Closing date is November 26th and the result will be announced December 3rd at the Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

You can vote for your favourite here

Here are the nominations:

Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium

The Convention Centre Dublin

The Convention Centre Dublin

Criminal Courts of Justice

Criminal Courts of Justice

River Suir Bridge, Waterford

River Suir Bridge, Waterford

Terminal 2, Dublin Airport

Terminal 2, Dublin Airport

Limerick Tunnel

Limerick Tunnel

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