Allen Ferreira is The General Manager and co-owner of Atlantic Cleaning and Maintenance, a one-stop-shop for all cleaning services and an award-winning company he founded with his brother, Ellison, and father John, in 2009. Together, they have decades of cleaning experience. 

In addition to the regular cleaning of homes and offices, their team of around 50 staff have worked at the hospital, tackled post-construction clean-ups, mould decontamination, post-hurricane flooding and they can even clean-up crime scenes. They also do steam-cleaning, window cleaning and power-washing. He talked us through the different cleaning services available to help keep your house spick and span. 

HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES 

For routine housekeeping, their cleaners can be hired as frequently, or infrequently, as you need. For example, weekly, bi-weekly or just once a month, and rates start at around $38 per hour, dependent on location. This may be a premium on hiring individual cleaners directly, but Mr. Ferreira explained that they always provide an alternative cleaner when staff members are away, and they are insured. If one of their cleaners breaks something, Atlantic will pay for it. Also, you don’t have to sign a contract. 

There are two options for their housekeeping services. The homeowner can supply their own cleaning products and equipment or Atlantic can provide it all. The latter, however, will be added to the cost. 

“I do a site visit, I speak to the clients and I get to understand what they’re looking for. From there we work on a schedule and what the plan of action is,” said Mr. Ferreira. 

If you want the cleaner to bring their own equipment and supplies, they will adhere to your product preferences: “When it comes to the chemicals, it depends on what the client’s looking for. If they want an organic touch to it, or if they just want regular cleaning products,” he said. 

For wooden floors, for example, a client might want the Boma cleaning system instead of regular mopping, “for that nice wood finish”. 

If clients need help finding the right cleaning products, Mr. Ferreira has a list of recommended items and directs them to D.E. Mortimer on Harvey Road, Paget: “I’ve worked with them for years,” he said. He also advised against cordless vacuum cleaners: “I don’t trust those batteries. For longevity, you’re better off with cords,” he said. 

To make cleaning more efficient and to help prevent mould, he also recommended washing the cleaning cloths regularly, ensuring enough air flow throughout the house by opening windows, arranging for air-conditioning units to be deep cleaned by a professional once or twice a year, washing dishes daily, and using pest control measures around the outside of the house. 

Even if you have a regular cleaner, Mr. Ferreira recommended paying for an occasional deep clean: “It’s good to get a team, once a year, to go into your house, clean your windows inside and out, clean your ceiling fixtures, move furniture out to clean behind the furniture, because there’s only so much someone can do for three to four hours.” 

MOULD REMEDIATION 

Should you get a build-up of mould in your home, this would require a “mould remediation technician” and the amount of work involved will depend on how bad the mould has become: 

“It can be just a slight wiping of the surface with a mould decontaminate or it can be construction work, where you have to put air scrubbers and commercial dehumidifiers in place,” he explained. An example of the latter would be if the mould has got underneath the floor: “You have to rip up the floors, treat the mould underneath, put new floor down. That’s where we have to get an indoor air quality specialist to come in to test before the project takes place, and after the project takes place.” 

Mould isn’t always obvious, but warning signs include the smell or, he added, “if you find that something’s off with yourself. You’re getting rashes and you don’t know why.” 

Mould can be treated with regular or plant-based decontaminants. The latter is, he said, “a bit more expensive,” but is recommended if there are children or pets in the home. 

POST CONSTRUCTION CLEANING 

Anyone who has had construction work done on their home will be familiar with the very fine dust particles that linger for weeks, even after the work has finished and you have cleaned the house from top to bottom. Doing a post-construction clean-up, said Mr. Ferreira, is actually a three-step process: 

“We’ll clean it and the next day you’ll still find that little fine dust so it’s best to do it in stages. You clean, the movers come in. You then clean again, and then once the person’s finally in, you go clean again.” 

STEAM CLEANING 

For rugs, curtains, sofas and other furniture that can’t be easily washed, steam-cleaning is an excellent way to launder them. Smaller items can be dropped off at their Pembroke office or, for a similar price, Atlantic will send someone to your house, with all the equipment. 

FLOOD CLEAN-UPS 

Some of the most difficult cleaning jobs Mr. Ferreira has ever dealt with have been as a result of hurricane-related flooding, especially basements, which he described as “mould central,” adding, “dehumidifiers need to be put in place, air blowers need to be put in place. We have to make sure there’s sufficient air flow.” 

Flooding may also require immediate action: “If someone calls me – ‘I have my elderly parents, I have a baby and it’s flooded’ and your heart goes out to that person. If no one can do it right now, I will grab the truck and go out and do it myself.” 

For more information visit atlanticcleaning.bm or call 236-4051 

The post Keeping a Clean House appeared first on RG Magazines.

Designing the right laundry area for the space you have however, can be tricky. Before you get onto the fun features, you need to consider plumbing, dryer vents, appliance size, folding areas and storage space, all of which need to be in the right place in order to work well. 

We spoke to expert interior designers Jill Henneberger and Patti Crouch of By Design, to get their advice about how to get the most out of your laundry room makeover. 

APPLIANCES AND FIXTURES 

The first decision to be made is what exactly is going into the space. For washing machines and tumble dryers, research based on your own personal needs is crucial, as is appliance size: 

“The size of equipment has increased over the years so often, not enough depth is allowed for the size of modern equipment,” they warned. “Specifications and clearances must be carefully checked. Dryer venting distances affect efficiency of the unit, so location should be a consideration. Where possible, place it on an exterior wall.” 

They also recommend installing a floor drain in case the washing machine leaks or an item needs to drip dry. If a stylish floor is a priority, they are available as “an inconspicuous tile in drain.” 

Deep sinks, drying racks, a designated space for laundry hampers and, if the room is doubling up as a mudroom, shoe storage and a bench, are all useful fixtures to include in your laundry room design: 

“Quite often, we have incorporated a pantry, coat closets, kids’ cubbies for school bags and pull out sorting bins,” they said, adding that they have even designed utility areas for the benefit of four-legged members of the family: 

“We have designed laundry areas that consider pet needs – large sinks for bathing, adequate spaces for dog beds, crates, food storage and feeding areas. Dutch doors are often considered practical so pets can be kept in the laundry area while still keeping the room open and ventilated.” 

LAYOUT 

Areas to dry, fold and iron are crucial to any laundry room layout and, if space is tight, stacking your washing machine and tumble dryer on top of one another is an option. However, Ms. Henneberger and Ms. Crouch point out that “side by side front-loading configuration will afford more folding surface plus you can have shelves or cabinets above.” 

Drying racks that are attached to, or built into a wall, have also become popular, as are hanging rails: “Almost every laundry we do now has a drying rack and, or bar of some sort and, if space allows, it is usually incorporated,” they shared. Options include fold out racks and hanging bars that are incorporated into cabinets. Retro style rope pulley units, which drop down and raise up to the ceiling, have also made a popular come back. 

LOCATION 

If you are doing a full renovation with the flexibility to choose exactly where your laundry room will go, Ms. Henneberger and Ms. Crouch recommend having one with access to the outside. This allows them to double up as mudrooms: 

“It is great after a trip to the beach, a run, or a day on the boat, if you can just enter the laundry and rid yourself of the items and clothes that need to stay there,” they point out. If possible, however, it’s also helpful to have it near to the bedrooms and bathrooms and should be easily accessible for all members of the household to use. Separately, good ventilation and air-conditioning will help the room stay dry. 

If the laundry room is being relocated, they warned that it may be worth consulting a plumber to make sure the water supply and drainage is attainable for that location. 

FUN FEATURES 

While the need for a functional laundry area is nothing new, in By Design’s experience, “the new generation of homeowner not only demands their laundry to have functionality, but should reflect their sense of style, and flow cohesively with the rest of their home.” 

They also added that “a laundry room is a place you can have a little fun. If you have to do laundry, the space should make you happy.” This can be achieved with a patterned backsplash or floor tile, or a strong colour for the cabinets or walls: 

“Pembroke Tile and Stone’s Equipe line of tile is full of great colours, sizes and shapes that can be added to make any room’s backsplash pop,” they said. “We also like the Lunada Bay line from Pembroke Tile and Stone for backsplashes. 

“Encaustic cement type tiles are a great way to add pattern to a floor and there are so many options in colour, pattern and scale.” 

They did warn however to stay away from textures that catch dust and lint, such as certain window treatments that “can often have a texture or cells that can trap lint.” Some cabinet finishes and natural wood shelves can also have textured surfaces, which again, can trap the lint. 

THE IDEAL 

If money was no object, they agreed that their ideal laundry room would contain lots of storage, have a big folding area like an island, be bright and airy, have access to the exterior, a floor drain, a pet washing zone, hanging space for drying and ironed clothes, and be located near to the bedrooms and bathrooms. 

“Laundry rooms were once considered utility rooms and quite often part of a storage room,” they said. “In new, or newly renovated homes, the ideal laundry room is a well thought out, dedicated space.” 

The post Laundry Room Makeover appeared first on RG Magazines.

Whilst take out options might look appetising, they could quickly blow your budget, and relying solely on pre-prepared foods from the supermarket could leave you lacking nutritionally. RG Scholarships is here to help! Here are some easy-to-make recipes to get you started: 

JACKET POTATOES 

The ultimate in flexible, filling eating, there is so much you can do with a jacket potato: 

1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F. 
2. Rinse potatoes, cut out any bad bits, and, using the tip of a sharp knife, prick the skin a few times. 
3. Place them on a baking tray and sprinkle with salt. 
4. Bake for 1 – 1.5 hours, depending on size. You know they are done when you can squish them slightly. 
5. Fill them! Suggestions include melted butter, grated cheese, hummus, tuna mayonnaise or baked beans. 

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH HUMMUS AND PITA 

Roasted cauliflower packs a lot of flavour, and is good bang for your buck, because you can use the whole vegetable. 

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F 
2. Cut the cauliflower florets, stem and leaves into pieces. I like them small so they go really crispy. 
3. Lay them out on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and salt, then, using your hands, mix together so the cauliflower is well covered. 
4. Optional extras: Throw some cherry tomatoes or chickpeas into the mix. If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse well before adding to the baking sheet. You could also sprinkle your choice of herbs, or a small amount of curry powder over the top with, or instead of, the salt. 
5. Roast for around 25 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the oven and how crispy you like your cauliflower. 
6. Warm the pita, slice in half, spread with hummus and fill with the cauliflower. 

PASTA PUTTANESCA 

While pasta with a jar of sauce has become a student staple, with a few added extras, you can make it into a dinner-party worthy dish to treat your housemates, without risking too much of your food budget. This writer can recommend the Spaghetti Puttanesca recipe from the BBC Good Food Guide, which serves 4: 

1. Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a saucepan, over a medium-low heat. Add one finely chopped onion, a generous pinch of salt, and fry for 10 minutes, or until soft. Add two crushed garlic cloves and, if you like it, ½ tsp of chilli. Cook for a further minute. 
2. Stir a 400g can of chopped tomatoes, 5 finely chopped anchovy fillets, 120g of pitted black olives and 2 tbsp of drained capers into the onion. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Season to taste. 
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook 300g of dried spaghetti following packet instructions. Drain and toss with the sauce and ½ a bunch of chopped parsley. 

For this and other recipes, visit bbcgoodfood.com. 

SOUPS 

Nothing warms the insides like good soup, and if you are moving to a cold climate, they may be particularly welcome. A guaranteed winter warmer is Jamie Oliver’s Sweet Potato and Chorizo Soup, which serves 6 – 8 people: 

1. Peel and slice 2 carrots, 2 medium onions, 2 garlic cloves and 800g sweet potatoes. Slice 2 sticks of celery, 200g chorizo sausage and a small bunch of fresh parsley. 
2. Put a large saucepan on a high heat, add 2 tbsps olive oil, then all the chopped ingredients, along with a heaped tsp of curry powder and mix together. 
3. Cook for around 10 minutes, with the lid askew. 
4. Cover 2 chicken or vegetable stock cubes with around 1.8 litres of boiling water, stir until dissolved, then add to the pan. Stir the soup, then bring to the boil. 
5. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sweet potato is cooked through. 
6. Blend until smooth, using a hand blender. 

This recipe is from ‘Ministry of Food’ by Jamie Oliver and is very popular in this writers house. 

The post Student-friendly cooking appeared first on RG Magazines.

Ywione Darrell and Daniel Osset have been university students for over three years. Mr Darrell is embarking on a Masters of Science in Economics for Development at Oxford University, having completed his Bachelor’s of Science and Political Economy at Kings College, London. Mr Osset is in his final year at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, studying Finance. They shared their time-management tips for meeting all your deadlines, while still having fun. 

WORK 9–5 

This might be something you were hoping to put off until post-university, but they both recommended treating university like a work day. This can prevent last minute, late night cramming: “I like to work a 9 – 5, or 6,” said Mr Osset. “Have all my classes and studying within that period and take breaks, then, after that have your social time. That helps you stay focused for a set period of time. Shorter on less busy days.” 

“That strategy helped me this year with my dissertation,” added Mr Darrell. “The way my course was structured, I had all my lectures the first days and for the rest of the week, I had nothing. If I treated it like an extra two days to the weekend, I would get no work done. So, I adopted that strategy.” 

SCHEDULE WORK IN YOUR CALENDAR 

Mr Osset recommended students use their phone calendars to help manage their time: “Break up blocks of time to do your tasks. If it’s a project, for example, set aside one hour a day to work on that project. And, when you see that block of time on your calendar, actually do it. Don’t put it off and delay another hour.” 

POMODORO AND PUT THE PHONE DOWN 

In order to study effectively, Mr Osset uses the Pomodoro Technique of 25-minute stretches of focused work, followed by a five minute break. During that break, however, you mustn’t look at your phone: “You work for that concentrated period and then you can take a five minute break to take some water, eat some food, walk around, but not touch your phone,” he said. 

“When I don’t touch my phone for a four hour study session, I get everything done in four hours. If I touch my phone, it will take an entire day because I will message friends, get distracted.” 

USE TECHNOLOGY,  BUT MIX IT UP 

With all the different devices available and the answer to any question being just a click away, the advantages to using technology to get your work done, are obvious, but, advised Mr Osset, do a mix: “Use technology and your laptop but also try and do some of it by hand as that will help you memorise better.” 

Mr Darrell said this method stopped him getting distracted by YouTube videos: “One of the ways I try to stop myself is I study a lot by writing things down in books. Making big posters. Even for text books, go into the library in person and read, and sit, and write. I think that helps me be less stressed and helps with my time management because the Google chrome tab is not a click away.” 

BALANCE 

Yes, you need to work hard towards your degree, but, in order to do that most effectively, you also need down time: “Something that’s definitely underrated is how you balance working time, with time with friends to get outside and enjoy yourself,” said Mr Darrell. 

“There are times at university when things are really hard, where you’re struggling. One of the things I learned to cope and help me with my time management, and help me with the deadlines that kept coming, was learning to force some moment of breaks. Force some moments to myself. Time to speak to family. That helped alleviate a lot of that stress and made me more productive when I went to put my head down.” 

The post About Time! How to manage your time and meet your deadlines appeared first on RG Magazines.

Ywione Darrell and Daniel Osset, both 21, have had academic and scholarship successes, but they have also endured disappointment. No matter what, they never lost sight of their goals and have viewed every outcome as beneficial life experience. 

In order to put their experience to good use, and give back to Bermuda, the two school friends, and Saltus alumni, established a free-of-charge tutoring and university mentoring service, Longtail Learning, in March 2023. 

“The way it works is we do our tutoring over the summer and then try to help people apply to university. Then scholarship applications start opening up around January,” explained Mr Osset. 

A priority for the scholarship programme is to make them more visible: “We’re trying to tell people there are all these scholarships out there. Most of them are not academic based. Most of them are need based. Also, just apply to them. 

“A big part is people saying I’m not going to win, so I shouldn’t apply. But, even if you don’t get the scholarship, you get that connection with a business in Bermuda.” 

Sharing his own experience, Mr Osset admitted he didn’t get any of the scholarships he applied for in his first year, but when he applied second time around, he was awarded the AXA XL scholarship: “When I applied second year, all the scholarship committees knew me by name, they recognised me from the year before and I can still reach out to a lot of those people and ask questions. It’s always good to know people in Bermuda.” 

Mr Darrell was awarded the AXA XL scholarship first time around. “There’s no hard feelings,” laughed Mr Osset, who has just entered his final year studying Finance at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 

Mr Darrell has just completed his Bachelor’s of Science and Political Economy at Kings College, London and is about to begin his Masters of Science in Economics for Development at Oxford University. 

Other university students who also formed the founding executive committee of Longtail Learning include wellness officer, Mackenzie-Kohl Tuckett, Madison Smith, who does marketing and outreach, middle school co-ordinator, Gabriella Medeiros and iGCSE coordinator, Skye Oliveira. The university mentoring programme is run by Angel Seaman. 

Inspired by the experience of his younger brothers, it was Mr Darrell who first suggested the idea of Longtail Learning: “I went to Paget Primary and I had a lot of support from my Aunt growing up, and so I never really struggled that much in class,” he explained. “But, for my younger brothers, especially my youngest who needed a reading support teacher, my Mum can’t afford that sort of support. For me, that was my driving motivation. 

“Whenever I see an issue like that, my immediate thought is not just how can I help out this individual in my family, it’s like, I know there’s other people in that situation and I want to create some sort of structure or institution that can help them through that predicament.” 

While mostly ‘staffed’ by fellow university students, Longtail Learning has also received support from the (re)insurance industry. For this year’s tutoring service Lockton Re, Mosaic and Arch Capital either hosted or provided tutors. 

The university programme begins with a summer boot camp to get applicants thinking about which university they want to go to, and in the Fall, Longtail Learning mentors studying similar degree subjects help them with the application process. Past mentors have included people studying for degrees in nursing, psychology, political economy, business and finance, English and even someone training to become a commercial pilot: 

“That really speaks to the essence of what the programme is about,” said Mr Darrell. “It’s not about funnelling people into one area of Bermuda’s economy. It’s about promoting Bermudians to be the best in their fields, because, if you bring those skills back to the island, that might be the next crucial juncture for us to start a new industry in something.” 

Their advice for Bermuda’s students? “Research and apply to as many scholarships as you’re eligible for, or remotely interested in,” said Mr Osset. “For university, look for something that you’re passionate about,” added Mr Darrell. 

For more information about Longtail Learning visit https:// longtaillearningbda.weebly. com or follow them on Instagram @longtaillearning 

The post Students helping students appeared first on RG Magazines.

The pages of this year’s RG Scholarship Winners magazine is full of not just success, but also triumph over doubt, inspiration, hard work, and generosity. Generosity from Bermuda’s companies and institutions who provide so many scholarship, mentoring and internship opportunities, but also generosity from the students themselves, many of whom haven’t just worked hard for themselves, but have also found time to serve their community and help each other with their applications. 

Bermuda may be small, but it is full of young people with hopes, dreams, and the desire to give back to their island home. Many are leaving to experience the world, with the hope of bringing new skills and ideas back. Others, through their chosen education and career paths, want to pursue journeys that will help to make life better for other people. Some are following their dreams and just seeing where that takes them. 

In the 2024 issue of RG Scholarship Winners magazine, you can read about some of this year’s successful scholars, who share their stories and advice for future applicants. In particular, they all say: “Just apply”, because there are so many different opportunities available, as well as numerous resources to support Bermuda’s students. 

One of these many resources is the recently established Longtail Learning, founded by university students, for future university students. This provides a free tutoring service as well as a university and scholarship mentoring scheme. 

You can also read about successful scholars from years gone by, who share how receiving a scholarship helped them to achieve the degrees and careers they always hoped for. There is also advice about securing internships, which can boost your CV ahead of life post-university. 

Leaving school and going on to university or college is a huge step with much to consider before you go, including budgeting, taking good care of yourself, and administration. Help and advice for this can also be found within our magazine. 

All that said, to everyone who was awarded a scholarship this year: Congratulations. To everyone about to start a new university or college, or begin a new academic year, we wish you the very best in all that you do and plan to achieve. 

The post The Future is Yours appeared first on RG Magazines.

Linda Down is head of boat sales at PW Marine and has spent most of her adult life getting people out onto the water safely, and in a boat they are comfortable with. She talked us through everything you need to know about buying and maintaining the best boat for you. 

BUDGET 

One of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make is not understanding all the costs and facts before they “dive in”. 

If you are looking for a brand-new boat, the lowest starting price, she said, is in the region of $45,000. 

That could get you a 13-foot Boston Whaler. “That’s the smallest in our line-up, turnkey,” she added. 

Turnkey means the boat is registered, inspected, clean, fuelled-up, has anti-fouling paint on the bottom, the warranties are in effect, and all the safety gear is on board. Literally, all you need to do is turn the key. 

In addition to Boston Whalers, PW Marine also sells Pursuit Boats, Tiara Yachts, Valhalla Boatworks Boats, Sea Rays and Viking Yachts, all of which come in a variety of sizes, the largest being the Vikings, which range from 38 up to 90 feet. 

If the cost of a brand-new boat is out of reach, you can try the second-hand market. PW Marine can help there too, as long as it’s a boat they know. “We tend to only represent the boats that we service so we know the history of them,” said Ms Down. 

While the cost of a pre-owned boat depends on a huge number of factors, particularly age and condition, she estimated that $45,000 could probably get you a 20-foot boat while a second hand 13-foot Boston Whaler could potentially be scooped up for about $20,000. 

If you are buying a pre-owned boat directly from the seller, and aren’t familiar with boats yourself, she recommended getting advice from someone who is, “to avoid the headache of buying something that isn’t what it appears to be.” 

ONGOING COSTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

When budgeting for boat ownership, you also need to account for the ongoing maintenance, storage, servicing, registration, insurance and other costs that keep your boat afloat. 

Registration: When your boat arrives in Bermuda, or if you buy a second-hand boat, you must register it in your name with the Department of Marine and Ports Services. Registration must be renewed each year, between April 1 and May 31. The fees are determined by the boat’s length. 

SERVICING: 

Boats have to come out of the water annually to be serviced. At PW Marine, continued Ms Down, “we power wash and repaint the bottom, we do the engine service, we put wax on the sides of the boat. Any customer issues, or things that need to be addressed are done at that time.” 

INSURANCE: 

Unlike cars, by law, boats don’t have to be insured, but Ms Down highly recommended it, especially if your boat is new. If you keep your boat in a marina, however, she said, “they always have a liability clause so you have to have liability insurance to a certain value in case you damage someone else’s boat.” 

Storage: Part of the equation of buying a boat is finding somewhere to keep it. PW Marine has their own marina but, at the time of writing, it was full, with a waiting list. If you are buying a boat from them, Ms Down will reach out to others in the industry to help owners find a good spot: 

“To make your boating experience fun, you really want to have easy access to it. It needs to be convenient. If you’ve got to jump on a dinghy and row out three miles to get on your boat, it’s not going to be as convenient.” 

HURRICANE PLAN: 

Every owner needs a plan for their boat when a hurricane comes. “All marinas will have a mandatory evacuation so you do need somewhere to put the boat,” warned Ms Down. If your boat is moored in protected waters and tied down correctly, that might be OK, as long as another boat doesn’t slam into it. PW Marine offers a hurricane haulage and storage service for their clients. 

THE FUN STUFF 

Once your budget has been determined, the fun can begin. What size and type of boat are you going to get? 

Ms Down’s first question is what the customer’s expectations of boating are and after that she discusses the layout and configuration based on what they want to use it for. “There’s centre consoles, dual consoles, there’s boats with cabins, there’s boats that are set for mostly cruising and recreational. For most of them, you can add on fishing features,” she said. For boats with manageable wakes, a tow bar for water sports is also a fun option. 

If you want to go outside the reef, Ms Down recommended a minimum boat size of 20 feet. Some buyers have also chosen to add seakeepers, which, she explained, “stabilise the boat so it takes that rocky motion away.” This is useful when fishing offshore or if you suffer from motion sickness. 

Last but not least, every boat needs a name. This can be simple or fun. Maybe you could ‘Seas the Day’ or ‘Sea Ya Later’. The odd ‘Usain Boat’ has also been spotted. If you spent more than you planned, maybe ‘Bankrupt Sea’? 

SAFETY 

Back to being serious, Bermuda is open water and the weather can turn quickly. Ms Down recommended that anyone new to boating here should take a local boat handling course. These are offered at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. 

The post Buying your first boat appeared first on RG Magazines.

Jeremy Johnson is principal of Horizons Architecture and is an experienced architectural designer. He shares his knowledge and experience about everything you need to know and prepare for before embarking on any residential building project. 

Before you build or renovate a home, who should you speak with first? 

If you require a loan, it will be the bank. They will want to talk about your assets, liabilities, debts, age, job security, total income and the asset you want to build or renovate. They will also discuss how you plan to deal with the financing. Ultimately this meeting should culminate in you understanding what they are willing to loan you, and under what conditions. 

Then, you need to engage a team, which will include an architect or designer, and an experienced contractor. It may also include an appraiser, a structural engineer, a surveyor and, for more complex building projects, a project manager. 

What is the procedure for obtaining planning permission to build or renovate a residential property? 

By law, all building and renovation projects require approval from the Department of Planning (Planning). 

The process varies depending on the size, location, zoning, use and condition of the site. Other factors could also include the proposed location and extent of the development, as well as neighbouring conditions like existing densities, encroachments, public roads or protected zones. 

I recommend retaining your architect to develop a scheme. They will use this to engage Planning on an initial consultancy to determine viability and the ideal process it should go through to gain the necessary approvals. 

Once the application process has been determined, drawings will be developed in accordance with Planning’s recommendation. Submission happens via the architect. Planning vet the application and then send out the invoice for payment. Once paid, signage is issued notifying of the intent to develop. These bright red signs must be posted on the site for 14 days. Two pictures of these signs must be issued to Planning to show their location and context. 

A comprehensive set of drawings will prevent a multitude of potential issues. Correspondence and drawing revisions go to and fro between the architect and the planner until both are satisfied with the result. The drawings are stamped off and the client has the green light to commence the works on site. 

What are some common planning issues that arise when an owner is building or renovating? 

The three most common planning issues I come across are, firstly, the client needs to create and register a CSS (Customer Self Service) account with Planning. This can be done at https://planning.gov.bm/index.php/ customer-self-service/. 

Secondly, finding the owner of neighbouring properties when a Neighbour’s Acknowledgement Form is required can sometimes prove difficult. Thirdly, if price increases occur over the approval period, this can make commencement of the works challenging. 

Are there any additional planning requirements to consider when renovating or building to accommodate vacation rentals? 

This is a bit of a grey area. What I do know is that if the lodgings become the primary use of the property, the owner must apply for a ‘change of use’. If the tourist accommodations are not the principle use of the property, the house will remain as residential use. 

What obligations does a property owner have towards their neighbours? 

Where works take place within the setback to a common boundary line, there is an obligation to get the neighbour affected to sign a Neighbour’s Acknowledgement form. 

The neighbour has the right to view the drawings before they sign and they have the right to abstain from signing. Signing does not constitute agreement. If a signature cannot be obtained, the applicant must send a registered letter to the neighbour. The registered receipt, and the proof of collection from the post office, must be submitted to Planning to show that adequate effort was made to acquire the signature. 

When budgeting, how much ‘extra’ do you advise owners to set aside for unforeseen building issues? 

The bank requires that 20 percent be added to the requested amount for the protection of the project. This is a good gauge because it means that in their experience, this is a safe number to understand how much over budget a project can go. 

In addition to making timely repayments, what other obligations must owners fulfil when borrowing money from a bank in order to build or renovate? 

The bank requires a project manager to qualify payments during construction. This does not have to be someone who is intimately acquainted with all of your finishes. They just need to be able to state to the bank that the payment request from the contractor or client is reasonable and is going toward the construction of the project. 

What are some common mistakes people make when embarking on a building or renovation project? 

The one that hits home for me the most is when people choose the cheapest design service they can find. Although I understand why they do this, it may not save money in the longer term. This is because good design matters. If a building or renovation project does not function well, or does not speak to you personally, you are stuck with it. 

What other advice would you give to residential property owners before embarking on a residential building project? 

Don’t skimp on quality. Use a good designer, employ the best contractor you can, and buy good quality products, because Bermuda is a brutal environment. Building and renovation will always cost more than you expect, but it will cost a lot more in the long run if you cut corners. 

It’s also important to listen to advice from the experts and those who have built or renovated before. I still listen to advice because there is always something to learn. 

For the full list of residential building requirements and regulations, visit planning.gov.bm. 

The post The Do’s and Don’ts of Home Building and Renovations appeared first on RG Magazines.

Thanks to materials and technology such as PVC, aluminium and impact-rated glass, large, unshuttered windows can now frame ocean views, and floor-to-ceiling bifold doors allow for large openings which accommodate the popular indoor outdoor living style. 

Architect Jonathan Castro, who owns E Se Studios, has been at the forefront of many of the more modern designs being incorporated into Bermuda’s homes. He explained what new styles and technology are available, what will survive both time and hurricanes, and why it’s more important to budget for windows and doors, than a kitchen. 

“The reason buildings last as long as they do is because there is a lot of importance made to the envelope of the building,” he explained. “The envelope is not just your roof and walls, but also your windows and doors. Making sure that you have spent the most money on those items makes your house last that much longer.” 

Energy performance is also a big factor to consider: “A lot of concerns are over solar heat gain in the summer time,” he continued. “Your windows, coupled with roof, are the bigger performance pieces you need to consider, especially with new builds.” 

High quality windows and doors come at a cost however. “Those who have built before know the importance of getting your windows and doors right. With homeowners who are looking to rip out the old wooden doors and windows, put the money there first, even if you have to put the kitchen on hold for a year.” 

WINDOW OPTIONS 

Building homes that were protected from the wind, often meant foregoing a view and living in a darker space. That is no longer the case. Views, and an abundance of natural light, now take priority when designing a new building or renovation, and new technology such as impact-rated glass means that the ‘view frame’ can be as large as you want, or have the budget for. If the “sticker shock” puts you off however, Mr Castro pointed out that with hurricane grade glass, you can save money elsewhere. 

“A lot of systems can be very expensive, but, it gets you everything you need. You’re going to find a better performance in the long run. Not only that, if you’ve done a hurricane window, you don’t need to get shutters.” 

The type of glass isn’t the only decision you need to make. Most windows in Bermuda are made from wood, PVC or metal, such as aluminium, and there are pros and cons with each. 

PVC requires the least maintenance but there are few colour options to choose from. Metal-based window systems often have slimmer sight lines and profiles, but require slightly more maintenance than PVC. 

Requiring the most maintenance, but with the most flexibility as well as warmth and texture, is wood. If you opt for cedar windows and doors, he said they “will last hundreds of years.” Wood can also be painted, and repainted. Some woods, such as accoya, can also be left to patina. In the case of accoya, this means it will silver. 

With metal windows, he said there are some “predefined options” for colour, but, once you’ve decided, that’s it: “Right now, everyone’s doing a lot of black, dark grey, bronze windows and doors,” he said, warning that if, in five or ten years’ time, the client doesn’t like it, it’s difficult to change. 

It’s also important to consider how the colour will look over time. Black windows are very trendy right now, but, he warned, the colour will fade. If you are able to do all of your windows in black frames however, this will be less of a concern as the UV will break everything down evenly. 

In terms of the lifespan of each material, much of this will come down to maintenance. 

“Make sure everything is painted and sealed,” advised Mr Castro. “With aluminium, the biggest concern is making sure the finish is there, washing them down is important, just so the salt’s not sitting there, eating away. 

“With wood, you have to make sure that the paints are good. If the seal is broken and water gets in there, it’s going to swell and damage over time.” 

INDOOR OUTDOOR CONNECTION 

A modern design that is replacing the traditional French doors in many new build and renovated homes is bifold doors. These fold back completely to create large openings, allowing for seamless indoor outdoor living. 

Some “sliding systems” as Mr Castro calls them even have “a pocket” where the door goes into what appears to be a wall so you see no doors at all. “Those are great for larger spans,” he explained, where, for example a client wants to connect a terrace to the kitchen. 

This works well where you have an opening of over eight feet but, in most cases, it also requires incorporating a steel beam above the door “to carry the length”. 

THE FRONT DOOR 

Traditionally, front doors are made of wood and can be solid or Dutch. For those who prefer a more modern aesthetic, however, the pivot door is a popular option: 

“Instead of hinges, you’re dealing with a pivot or a rod in the top and bottom of the door to help move it,” he explained. “A pivot door gives you this nice effect, because the door seems to be floating. It doesn’t look like it touches the frame when it’s fully open.” 

Whether you choose traditional wood or a modern pivot, Mr Castro advised having your front door sheltered and with a side light in the form of fixed glass: “The glass can be frosted, etched or opaque, so you can’t see into it, but it gives you this added pool of light at the front door. It’s very welcoming for people,” he said. 

The post Evolution of Windows and Doors appeared first on RG Magazines.

How about walking into a room, sitting down comfortably and saying: “Movie night”. Presto – the blinds come down, the lights dim and the smart TV comes up with a selection of films for you to enjoy. 

Or, you need to turn your smart oven on at 5pm, but you’re not going to be home at 5pm. There’s an app for that. 

Want Christmas tree lights to turn on without you fumbling behind the tree to plug them in? There’s a smart gadget for that too. 

WHAT IS SMART TECH? 

Smart stands for self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology. In the case of smart home technology, this would be any home device or appliance that can communicate and work with other technologies and systems, using the Internet 

The options for smart devices are immense and growing. So, where do you start, especially if you’re not a technology expert? 

Ana Abend is a technology expert, and her company, ANA Solutions, sets up bespoke home technology systems for their clients. If you are just beginning your smart technology journey, she advised: “Start simple and build.” This is because if you take on too much at once, it could be overwhelming. 

“There are quite a few things people use in Bermuda. Firesticks, Apple TV, Roku, Chrome TV, and YouTube TV for entertainment options. Ring, Swann and Arlo for home security cameras. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice assistants. Smart lighting such as Philips Hue, Sensibo for Air-Conditioning (AC) control, Schlage and August for smart door locks, various brands for smart blinds, Kasa smart plugs and surge protectors that also monitor energy consumption, water sensor devices to send you an alert when your water tank is low. Sonos for streaming music, and even Furbo, which is a pet camera that dispenses treats.” 

INTEGRATING OPTIONS 

“The key is to be able to integrate devices to a smart home hub, and have these assistants run routines such as turning on lights at sunset, starting the sprinklers, adjusting temperature or unlocking the door. Start off with a good framework and then slowly build.” 

In order for smart technology to work well, you need reliable, stable Internet with minimal interference, but there are some unique Bermudian challenges to achieving this. 

“Bermuda has really thick walls,” explained Ms Abend. “Unless it’s a new build and internet points have been provisioned, it can be a challenge because everyone wants WIFI, but WIFI doesn’t travel through our walls, so you end up having to put a wireless device in each room.” 

She therefore suggested having some wired connections: “Mesh WIFI systems such as Eero and TP-Link Deco do quite well in pushing a WIFI signal around a Bermuda house. However, if the home is large, many of these devices are needed in various locations and not always in the most convenient of places,” she warned, “Full unified networks such as Ubiquiti is one of the most popular brands. They blend wired devices with wireless access points and have the ability to mesh together.” 

MIXING LEGACY AND NEW TECHNOLOGY 

As long as you have reliable Internet, you don’t need to make major changes to your home to incorporate smart devices and even Ms Abend enjoys a mix of old and new technology. 

“I like to enhance my experience by working smarter, not harder,” she said. When you are done in a room and you say: ‘Goodnight Alexa’, the lights turn off, blinds close, AC is turned off, nightlight timer is set, all while you walk away to your bedroom.” 

She is also a huge fan of smart plugs: “I actually got my first smart plug to use on my crockpot. I wasn’t able to come home to turn off a six hour recipe so used a smart plug to turn off the pot remotely.” 

Most recently, she has been experimenting with energy monitoring devices, which are installed in electrical panels and show, via an app, which circuits use the most power: “The idea is to identify these circuits, and hopefully reduce consumption by using smart timers or plugs, or changing the way one uses a device.” 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 

While there is an obvious convenience to mastering smart home devices, there are vulnerabilities. Firstly, if the power goes off and secondly, they could be hacked. Both these risks however, can be mitigated. 

In the case of hacking, you can take various steps such as using unique and complex passwords for each device, ensuring the latest firmware and security patches are applied regularly or automatically, having strong network encryption, disabling unnecessary features such as remote access, and monitoring connected devices for unusual activity. 

Remembering passwords can pose its own challenge and Ms Abend warned never to write these down or store them in a computer document. Instead, she recommended encrypted password apps. She finds the app ‘1Password’ user friendly. 

Some more sophisticated smart devices will have a back-up in case of a power outage, and some security systems have cellular backup or batteries. Smart door locks have a battery and a key in case you leave for vacation and the battery runs out during this time. She also recommended a generator or UPS (uninterruptible power system). 

While smart home devices can offer convenience, enjoyment and security, Ms Abend has found an additional benefit. They help her avoid cockroaches too: “The light switch for my pool lights is in the pump room, which at night is very cockroachy! I installed a smart switch which allows me to turn on the lights from my phone and completely avoids my having to face those creatures,” she laughed. 

For information about ANA solutions, email ana4solutions@ gmail.com. 

The post How to Make Your Home Smart appeared first on RG Magazines.