Car owners often want the performance of their cars to be better than when they came off the production line and some of them spend small fortunes making this happen. This is nothing new; it has been going on for decades and in some places meeting are held for them all to show off their improvements.
However, there are some mods that will just improve the look of the car and other that will make it perform better.
Tires
If you want your car to handle well, a good set of tires should be the first thing you spend any money on. No amount of power will be any good if your tires will not grip the road. You should also monitor the pressure of your tires. Having them at the correct pressure not only makes your car safer to drive, but it will also improve the way your car handles.
Spark Plugs
Good quality spark plugs can make a difference to the performance of your car. They will provide better combustion, which translates into more power as well as better fuel economy.
Whenever you are buying parts or accessories you should always purchase them from a reputable dealer such as Automotive Stuff. There are lots of fake items on the market, and then even the spark plugs would be a waste of your dollars.
Reprogramming ECU
The ECU in your car controls the mix of fuel and air. It is set at the factory at a level to maximize efficiency and power. The problem is that the factory settings are well below your engines true capacity, mainly as a safety net.
Reprogramming the ECU can unlock a huge amount of extra performance and sometimes leads to better fuel efficiency too.
The easier it is for your car to ‘breathe’ the better it will run. The cold-air intake frees up the flow of air to your engine, which helps to keep it cooler. This translates into better performance, as engines love cold air.
Exhaust System
The exhaust system is a crucial part of the air, fuel and, spark equation. The freer flowing the air is through the exhaust the better your car will perform. There are many different exhaust systems on the market, and some drivers are considering the way they look as well as how good they are. You just have to be aware that if you fit an aftermarket exhaust on a fairly new car, you could make your warranty void.
Brakes
If you are going to make your car go faster, it needs to be able to stop faster too. There are brakes especially designed for performance cars. Some have hard ceramic brake pads, and there are slotted or drilled rotors for less brake fade. You can buy braided steel brake lines that can deliver more hydraulic pressure to the calipers, and wheel cylinders or oversize rotors that will slow you down even quicker. You just have to make sure that the brakes are up to the job once you have improved your car’s performance.
When running a construction company, ensuring that your plant machinery is in good working order is arguably the most important aspect of your business. If your machinery is struggling, then your business will struggle – the matter truly is that black and white.
In order to avoid business issues, you may find it beneficial to employ a constant focus on establishing and maintaining a few “good practice” rules in regards to the management of your machinery – and here are a few inclusions you may find particularly beneficial.
It would be fair to say that the construction industry cannot survive without good maintenance of all machinery. No matter how good a machine is when it rolls off the production line, the heavy duty work it will complete means that further refinements and improvements will need to be made to ensure each machine works exactly as it should.
So, what constitutes “good maintenance”? Skilled staff who can complete all maintenance works to the highest possible standard, of course. However, even the best workers cannot conduct maintenance effectively without a detailed maintenance schedule to adhere to. As a result, you will thus need to develop a comprehensive, detailed maintenance schedule that allows for the quick identification of any immediate issues, and thus allows for repairs to be arranged before the problem becomes critical.
In addition to the maintenance schedule itself, it is particularly worth noting the importance of keeping good records of all maintenance work that has been performed. Good record keeping helps you to keep track of not only the work that has been completed, but also make notes regarding work that may be necessary in future. Many problems noted during maintenance checks are not necessarily serious in the moment, but they will be after a few more months of use; good records ensure that these issues are then followed up on at the right time.
Build relationships that allow for quick repairs
A robust maintenance schedule should mean that your business can identify machines that are in need of repair, which is hugely important, but is just the starting point: you’ll then have to actually arrange the repair. Unfortunately, facing the possibility of repairs is hugely concerning for most construction business owners. Repairs mean that the machine in question is essentially unusable for a period of time, which can be potentially harmful to the business’ ability to operate as it normally would.
To avoid this issue, and get your machines back up and running as quickly as possible, seek to develop relationships with reliable, reputable companies who can conduct repair work or supply parts quickly and efficiently, every time. By developing long-term relationships with a service center for off highway drivetrain systems or a specialist in plant transmissions, you’re all the more likely to be able to secure the parts you need, and have the necessary repair completed, in the shortest possible time. As a result of building these relationships, no breakdown will feel like a disaster – as you’ll already know exactly who to call for assistance – and you can thus embark on the repair process immediately, confident of a quick, efficient turnaround.
Do all you can to protect your machinery when not in use
Perfect clear blue skies, moderate temperatures, and next to no wind are the perfect conditions for construction machinery; unfortunately, these perfect conditions tend to be relatively few and far between.
It is worth noting that all forms of weather outside of what would be considered ‘perfect’ conditions can be problematic, be that extreme heat, extreme cold, or – and particularly if operating cranes – high winds. As you cannot directly control these elements, you will instead primarily have to focus on information-gathering and adapting to specific circumstances.
To do so, it’s first helpful to check the monthly forecast during a project – up to one week ahead should be fairly reliable. If you note any problems on the horizon, plan for these as soon as possible, activating contingency scenarios that will allow you to keep working. However, the forecast alone cannot tell you everything you need to know; you’ll also need to check the weather every day and be willing to make adjustments – and perhaps even postpone work for the day – if you note any issues that were not originally forecast.
Protect vehicles when not in use
When not working, your machines need to be stored in a clean, dry, and dust-free environment in order to prevent deterioration and protect sensitive internal components. Furthermore, you will also need to ensure your storage facility has adequate safety measures in place – such as security cameras and, for high-value equipment, guards – in order to prevent theft.
While it is important to establish good storage on your premises, the nature of construction work often means that you will not always be able to use your own storage. If you are working on a site many miles from your location, then it can be next to impossible to return to your base every night. Doing so would be costly in terms of fuel, but it is also something of a logistical nightmare, and could lead to machine operators having to leave the site earlier than preferred in order to return the machine within their shift. As a result, you – like many other construction business owners – will have relatively little choice than to leave your machinery at the site overnight.
In such a scenario, all you can realistically do is seek to protect machinery as well as possible given the circumstances. Always try to ensure that they are stored at a locked, secure site, and use covers – where possible – to reduce potential damage from the elements. Admittedly, these measures are not ideal, but they will at least offer a measure of protection that you can benefit from in extremis.
Finally, an often-overlooked element of good machinery practice is the people who operate the machines – your workers. A good machine operator is worth their weight in gold, utilizing their expertise, knowledge, and skill to ensure that the machine works as it should and is protected throughout each project.
As a result, it is good practice to ensure that your recruitment strategy in regards to machine operators is incredibly robust. Qualifications on a resumé are all well and good, but what you need to know is how someone performs on the job, so offering trial periods to a number of potential candidates is definitely an option worth exploring. By offering a trial rather than a full contract upfront, you have the opportunity to assess the operator’s skills and ensure you are happy to leave them in charge of your valuable equipment.
In addition to being cautious in regard to who you hire on a personal basis, it is also worth thinking about how you retain staff members who have performed well. As you are undoubtedly aware, skills shortages abound in the construction industry, which means that most qualified, experienced workers can essentially have their pick of jobs. Due to this, you may want to consider offering employee perks and loyalty bonuses to encourage workers you have come to trust to remain with your company for the long-term.
In conclusion
When you run a construction business, the management of your machinery is critical to your ability to operate your business. By developing good machinery practice – inspired by the ideas as presented above – you can look forward to a bright future, free of machinery-related hassles, and thus all the more likely to enjoy success.
When you start your own business, there are many costs to think about. You have to make sure that you have all of them covered, and that you don’t end up in a position where you have a long list of costs to pay, and no money to pay them. Whilst some costs you simply can’t avoid, there are others that you can cut down, and it doesn’t always mean that you’re compromising on the quality of your business. Follow these simple tips, if you want to save cash on your new endeavour!
1. Compare before you buy
It’s an age old trick, but comparing things before you buy them never goes a miss. If you’re looking for stationary, for example, don’t just go with the most popular company out there and bulk buy things without checking that they aren’t cheaper elsewhere. You’ll be kicking yourself when you find out later that you could have saved yourself thousands, just by looking around at other stores.
2. Buy second-hand
We get it, you have a new office, new employees, and this is a totally new chapter of your life. Shouldn’t you be getting new furniture, and computers? However, you can pay out for the more extravagant things when your business does well, and get some second-hand things in the meantime. You can find things that are of great quality on sites such as eBay, without the price tag to come with them.
3. Look out for trade deals
Sometimes, there are deals out there for people within certain fields, and it could help you to get reduced costs on the items that you need. For example, if you’re starting a building company you could get trade discount on the supplies that you’re looking for, and if you’re in the motor trade you can get reduced insurance for your cars. Take time to look at traders insurance and other lower costs for particular businesses.
4. Hire people that you’ll know you need
Another key to saving money when you’re only just starting up your business is to only hire those that you know you’ll need. Yes, you may be tempted to get someone in full-time to feed the office dog, but you need to be reasonable about who you’re employing, especially if you’re on a budget. You’ll struggle to make a profit if you are not frugal, especially within the first few months that you’re trading.
5. Learn how to haggle
A skill that you’ll need when you first set up your business is haggling, and you’ll be glad that you can do this when you need to get your whole office refurbished, and you’re just beginning to get into contracts with other businesses and clients. Your first few months depend on you cutting the costs, so don’t be afraid to barter with people. You’ll be glad that you did in the long-run!
So, if you’re looking to save money when you start your own business, follow these five simple tips and see how they can help you to reach success, on a budget!
Carbon fibre is a material which is used for many different things in the world. It is a materials which is made of a thin and strong crystal, and these crystal filaments fit together to create an incredibly durable and diverse material for everyday use and use in manufacturing.
When most of us think about carbon fibre we likely think of this as a scientific material and one which is used for automotive uses and manufacturing all over the world. However apart from these well known uses of this versatile material, there are a few more random uses which we are going to talk about today.
Jackets
Leather jackets are SO last season… why not rock up to your next party with a jacket made from carbon fiber sheets? The reason this can be used as a material for jackers is because it is pretty flexible and it is also super warm inside. It means that you can make the most of the cold weather and still look super stylish out and about. Plus, it is a little waterproof to protect you from the elements!
Thermal Mugs
One of the more random uses for carbon fibre is in thermal or travel mugs. The reason it is used for these purposes is likely more about the colour and design than anything else but it is pretty cool nonetheless!
Toilet Seats
Have you ever really looked at your toilet seat and thought ‘this could be more stylish’. Well, if you have always fancied feeling as if you are in the driver’s seat of the enterprise while you are doing your business: a carbon fibre toilet seat is just for you. To be fair, this can look pretty amazing in a modern bathroom and it can be a wonderful feature which will certainly act as a talking point between you and your guests when they come to visit!
Phone Case
For those of you who never have their phone out of their sight, a great idea for a gift for you would be a carbon fibre phone case. This does nothing for your phone apart from looking amazing, and it can be the perfect addition to your new device to protect it from damage. The good thing is that carbon fibre is very lightweight and very strong so if you do drop your phone, it is much less likely to break than if you were to have a regular plastic case.
Splashback
If you fancy channeling your inner diva in your home this year, a stunning addition to an open kitchen would be a carbon fibre splashback behind the oven. It will not only be impressive for you to see when you walk in the room, but it will do the job well and avoid your walls ever getting covered in tomatoey stains or worse.
Fashion
Fancy looking chic and modern this year? As we already mentioned, carbon fibre can be used for clothing and jackets to keep you warm and protected against the elements, but did you know they can also be shoes? Carbon fibre shoes and boots can be a great option for anyone who is always out and about working, and they will be durable and fashionable enough for you to wear in any situation.
Bathtub
How much more luxurious and sexy can you get than a black bathtub in your home? The answer is not much at all. If you really want to play around with your interior design and make an impact on your home, a black bathtub instead of the usual white can be bold, brave and stunning. As we said. Carbon fibre is lightweight and strong so it won’t be too heavy to carry, and the finished product can be stunning.
Wallet
Another fashionable piece, if you are sick of your wallet breaking after a month of owning it, one great option to try would be a carbon fibre wallet. A wallet made from this material can be great for your bag and it will keep your money and cards safe for much longer than a regular leather option. The design is sleek and stylish so its ideal for anyone and everyone will want to know where you got it from!
Stormtrooper Helmet
… because, why not? We had to end this list with something a bit more fun, and if you have always wanted to be a stormtrooper, you can be now with a stunning carbon fibre stormtrooper helmet. There’s no reason, just take our money!
Even though you have a full time job with excellent career prospects, a steady wage and you enjoy an excellent work life balance, there still might be a niggle inside telling you to have a go at side hustling. To obtain a little more money for your savings to prepare for your twilight years is never a bad thing. If you are looking for an avenue down which to make your money work for you in a more aggressive way, real estate could be the answer. Get it right and you might find that you can accrue lucrative amounts to top up your nest egg. Take a look to see if real estate can make real money for you.
Location
If you’re keen to plow some of your savings into property, you must check out the location in which you are looking to make a purchase. An up and coming area sounds great in principle, but it is risky. Some areas have been up and coming for decades and still haven’t seen the ripple effect from more well established areas. For your first real estate investment, it may pay to stick to the tried and tested locations that see an increase in house prices year on year. This way, you can purchase your bricks and mortar relatively safe in the knowledge that you will have a profit on your hands after five years or so. Aim to purchase the worst house on the best street, so you can add value to the property while it is in a fantastic location that appeals to a range of buyers.
You will need to decide whether you are going to create a rental portfolio or whether you are going to purchase a fixer upper to renovate and sell on quickly. For a rental approach, you will create a blank canvas within the property and won’t go all out on fixtures and fittings as you will need to provide hardier carpet and paint that can withstand more wear and tear. For a property that you are looking to flip, you’ll need to dress the home to seduce potential buyers with a lifestyle. You can keep the walls white, simple and clean, but utilize your interior design credentials to provide the ultimate wow factor.
While you may have a hefty deposit in your bank account ready to be spent on a pad, you need to consider your budget for legal fees, mortgage repayments and renovations. The aim of real estate is to make money. Don’t be tempted to stretch yourself to the detriment of your current quality of life. Take the plunge, but always keep a close eye on your spending. Set up a spreadsheet budget detailing every purchase from your lawyer’s fees to the ball bearings you needed for the water pipes. With some savvy spending and budgeting, you can save money. Need to refit the bathroom suite? Head to a showroom and pick up an ex-display model. Cutting costs but not forfeiting quality is a must.
Heading down the real estate path might be daunting. However, if you do your research, check out property forecasts, and spend wisely, you can make an excellent second career or side hustle from the housing market. Before long you may have a portfolio of property making you a tidy profit for your retirement years.
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