Irish Web Awards 2010 Winners

Hi Folks,

Unfortunately we did not win an Irish Web Award but congratulations to all who did. The websites that won are amazing and deserve to be honored with such an award. Below is a list of some of the winners or you can view the entire winners list here. Also, check out the video below of the night of the awards ceremony. Well done to all who was involved n setting up the event and hopefully Tradesmen.ie will be there next year 🙂

Best Sports Site: Irish Pro Cycling

Best Music Site: Ragged Words

Most Innovative Website: Safe Text

Best Facebook Page for a Business or Organisation: Meteor

Best eCommerce / Services Website: Organic Supermarket

Best SME / Small Business Website: James Whelan Butchers

Most Beautiful Website in Ireland: Ashley O’Connor

Best Website in Ireland: The Irish Times

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in news | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Electrician Information at Home in Ireland

Playing around with electrics is not safe so it is important you know what you are doing, have previous experience or know someone who is qualified when fixing an electrical issue. Safety tops are also a good idea if you have any young children around your home.

How is the state of the wiring in your home? Does it need to be rewired? Some regular signs of aged wiring are:

  • When using other devices, lights may become badly lit.
  • Fuses blowing easily and frequently.
  • When using some devices, you may sense a burning smell.
  • You may also hear a sort of crackling sound coming from switches.

As we tend to use a lot more electrical appliances today than we did in the past, it is important that your wiring is up to scratch. If your wiring is Green, Black and Red, then it may be a number of years old. The current wiring colour is Green, Blue and Brown. Is it time for a change?

You should know that the most expensive quote you receive from a Tradesman or in this case an electrician does not always mean you will get the best service out there. Make sure they are qualified, have relevant experience and have reviews/feedback from previous customers.

If you need an electrician or any other tradesman for a job you have in mind, check out Tradesmen.ie where you can get a number of quotes for your job.

All the best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in diy, news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

DIY Plumber in Ireland

If you are planning to be a DIY Plumber, here are few tools that may be of use to you.

Wrenches: There are a number of different types of wrenches, but two major types that will serve you well are an adjustable wrench and a pipe wrench.

Adjustable Wrench: Is a type of wrench with an adjustable jaw that adapts the device to different sized bits and pieces. When working with such a wrench, be sure to have the force applied against the set jaw.

Pipe Wrench: Is a type of wrench used for clutching and turning pipes. The adjustable jaw on a pipe wrench is intended for this reason. Bigger pipe wrenches are appropriate for bigger pipes. Again, similar to the adjustable wrench, when working with such a wrench, be sure to have the force applied against the set jaw.

Pliers: It is advised that a plumber should have a number of different pliers such as: Locking Pliers and Rib-joint Pliers.
Screwdriver: Screwdrivers are a versatile tool. Whether it is for assembling or dissembling appliances, screwdrivers are always handy to have close by. There are different sizes and kinds of screwdrivers and it is advised that you have a range of each standard.

Pipe Cutters: Pipe cutters are often needed and it is a good idea to have different types also. Pipe cutters can be used to slice both steel and copper pipes.

Drain Clearing Equipment: When it comes to drains that are clogged, drain clearing tools are essential. Drain clearing tools consist of toilet plungers, sink plungers drain augers and toilet augers, etc.

These devices will aid you when DIY plumbing. There are plenty more but these should help you get started. If you need a plumbing job done, feel free to post your job on www.tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in diy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Funny Video: Tradesmen.ie goes to Sardinia

Hi Folks,

We made a new video recently as Oliver went to Sardinia, Italy to find out who knows about Tradesmen.ie. Check out the video below. Thank you very much to I Pazzi for the music. You can visit I Pazzi’s website here. If you like this video, please share it with your friends 🙂 Enjoy . . .

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in news, Youtube | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Maintain your Home Now to Avoid Trouble Later in Ireland

Hi Folks,

Just a thought on a few things that might be worthwhile doing to avoid any hassle in the future. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to comment below. Cheers.

Many property owners rarely get rid of any waste in their pipes and/or gutters. By not doing this, you risk the consequence of water trouble to your home and damp issues in the long run. This can raise the chance of mold contaminating your home which can be very dangerous. The quicker you act now, the less it will cost money-wise in the future.

It is also important to get your heating system checked and serviced frequently. Many people forget about their heating system during the warmer months but it is a good idea to still get it looked after to avoid any sudden problems especially as winter is approaching. Many tradesmen associated with this type of trade could also be busy and hard to contact during the colder months, and the last thing you want is to be stuck on a cold December night with no heating . . .

If there are any other touch ups around your home that may need attention, it is good to act soon rather than later to avoid the hassle of tackling a mountain of jobs in the future.

If you do need any jobs done, feel free to visit www.tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes for you job.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in diy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Safe Working in Ireland for Builders and Tradesmen

Many workers in Ireland undervalue the significance of safety when working. No matter what job is at hand, we sometimes unmistakably forget about safety issues.

It is vital for those in the construction field to always be aware of safety matters as their day-to-day jobs are situated in an area which can be quite risky. Failing to be aware on the work site can end in serious injury. So it is essential that Tradesmen operate machines and tools as secure as possible. It is also advised to make use of adequate safety protection.

Safety gear covers a variety of hard-hats, safety gloves, eye protection and first-aid equipment. For every type of construction and trade job, never ignore your safety equipment. Some of the most regularly needed safety equipment is gloves and eye protection/glasses. As these are very familiar, a lot of different sorts are available and it should be straightforward to find something that best fits your needs. For example, one can get a pair of clear safety glasses, safety sunglasses or prescription safety glasses, which proves there are plenty to choose from. However, clear safety glasses still remain as the most frequently used. It is advised to not allow style turn you off from purchasing safety glasses as they are a must when working safely.

It is also important to protect your hands from being cut or exposed to harmful material. Safety gloves will not only keep your hands safe but also allow you to complete your job more efficiently as working with a handful of blisters in not an ideal situation. Similar to above, there are a range of different type of work gloves to choose from such as gloves based on grip, weather and resistance to abrasive materials.

Also the use of hard hats, steel-toe boots and other safety gear are regularly used on construction sites. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding safety issues or safety equipment, feel free to comment below. If you need a Tradesman to carry out a job for you either, post your job on Tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Oliver Dempsey Talks About The Start And Grow Expo On Midlands 103 Radio

Hi Folks,

Oliver Dempsey from Tradesmen.ie was on the Midlands 103 Radio yesterday evening (Tuesday, 5th of October) talking about the Start and Grow Expo which is to take place in Portlaoise from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm on Friday 8th October. If you missed the talk, it was recorded and can be heard below.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in news, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Funny extract for Builders and DIY wannabees from Jeremy Clarkson

I was meeting a client at the weekend in the Odeon on Harcourt street and there were copies of Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson’s book, “The World According to Clarkson” on some of the tables there.  I think it came free in the Sunday Times.

It’s a very funny book if you like Jeremy Clarkson‘s type of humour and I thought I might give you an extract of it here which gives a funny perspective on DIY around the house:-)  I hope you like it whether you are a tradesman, a wannabee DIY expert, or a frustrated spouse married to a wannabee DIY expert!! Its a few years now but it still might make a good pressie for Christmas if you’re looking for ideas…

[Start of Extract]

Sunday 7th January 2001

Another Day’s Holiday?  Please, Give me a break

According to a poll, the vast majority of people questioned as they struggled back to work last week thought that England should have followed Scotland’s lead and made Tuesday a bank holiday.

Two things strike me as odd here.  First, that anyone could be bothered to undertake such research and, second that anyone in their right mind could think that the Christmas break was in some way too short.

I took ten days off and by 11 o’clock on the first morning I had drunk fourteen cups of coffee, read all the newspapers and the Guardian and then… and then what?

By lunchtime I was so bored that I decided to hang a few pictures.  So I found a hammer, and later a man came to replaster the bits of wall I had demolished.  Then I tried to fix the electric gates, which work only when there is an omega in the month.  So I went down the drive with the spanner, and later another man came to put them back together again.

I was just about to start with the Aga, which had broken down on Christmas Eve, as they do, when my wife took me to one side by the earlobe and explained that builders do not, on the whole, spend their spare time writing, so writers should not build on their days off.  It’s expensive and it can be dangerous, she said.

She’s right.  We have these lights in the dining room which were supposed to project stars onto the table below.  It has never really bothered me that the light seeps out of the sides so the stars are invisible; but when you are bored, this is exactly the sort of thing that gets on your nerves.

So I bought some gaffer tape and suddenly my life had a purpose.  There was something to do.

Mercifully, Christmas intervened before I could do any more damage….

[End of Extract]

Well that’s it, I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.  If you didn’t pick up the Sunday Times at the weekend you’ll have to buy the book to see how it ended 🙂 And if you are a wannabee DIY expert, or a frustrated spouse married to a wannabee DIY expert, just remember, you can get all of that stuff fixed around the house by posting your job on www.tradesmen.ie!!

Best Regards

Oliver Dempsey

Posted in diy, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to Save Money at Home in Ireland

Here are a few suggestions to help you save money at home and ensure your house is more efficient. If you have any other ideas, feel free to share them with us by commenting below.

Insulation

One of the best ways to save energy and money in your home is to have a good insulation system. Houses with good insulation trap heat and cut down the amount of central heating being used. Many houses release a lot of their heat through both the roof and walls, so good insulation is needed. It may cost money to carry out the job to better insulate your home but it will definitely pay off in the long run.

Energy Saving Boilers

Energy saving boilers can save you a nice amount of money every year. As well as this, they are considered to be very green which is good for both you and the environment. For more information on this, you could contact a number of tradesmen and get a number of quotes on Tradesmen.ie.

Windows

Plenty of heat passes out through windows in houses across Ireland. It is advised that you use double glazing windows to retain the heat in your home which will avoid the amount of heat lost and energy consumed. By doing this, again you will be saving money in your home.

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. 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”

If you need tradesmen for any job you have in mind, feel free to visit www.tradesmen.ie to get a number of quotes for your job.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in diy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What to ask a Builder when Building a House in Ireland

For those interested or planning to build a new house or home, getting everything right at the start is a must. You want something that you will be completely satisfied with and you certainly do not want the build take longer than it should.

You also do not want it costing more than originally planned so it is important to choose the right builder and ask important questions.

Some questions you could ask the person carrying out the build for you are:

  1. How long will it take to complete the build of the house?
  2. What price are they quoting?
  3. What kind of guarantee are they presenting for the build?
  4. How long have they been operating in this trade?
  5. What experience do they have?
  6. Do they have examples of their previous work?
  7. Have they any reviews or feedback from previous customers?
  8. Are there any hidden fees that may be charged?
  9. What hours and days will they be working on your build?
  10. Are all labourers skilled and qualified?
  11. Will the build be within all regulations?
  12. Are they insured?
  13. Have they had any negative feedback from customers or complaints?
  14. Do they have any after-build service for you when you are moving or moved in?
  15. Is planning permission required or any other permits?

Hopefully some of these questions will help you on your way to your new build and that you will be happy with the finished job.

If you need a builder or any other tradesman for a job you have in mind, check out Tradesmen.ie where you can get a number of quotes for your job.

All the Best,

Regards,

Daniel Beere

Posted in diy, news, Uncategorized, Youtube | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments