If you have been thinking about remodeling your bathroom, you have probably been watching all of the most popular design shows on television. By now you have even compiled a sizable stack of home design magazines and have even clipped out all of the designs you feel will fit into your space. Bathroom remodeling projects can be exciting, however they can also be challenging and super frustrating if you and your contractor are not on the same page. Often times people will just hire a contractor to come in and do a job, but they really don’t delve into the specifics or the logistics of the job. When it comes to remodeling your bathroom, every little detail is important and there are five key questions you need to ask before hiring a contractor to come in to complete your project.

The last thing you should do is trust an inexperienced contractor with your home improvement project. When interviewing potential contractors, one of the first things you need to ask is how long they have been in business. Contractors who have been in business a fair number of years have worked through their fair share of hiccups, and have developed methods and systems to keep them within budget and also allow them to complete projects in a timely manner. You should remember that there is a huge difference between how long someone has worked as a contractor and how long they have been the owner of a contracting business. The contractor who has owned their business for a number of years is likely to be more conscientious in regards to deadlines and coordination schedules.

The next line of questioning you should pose to a potential contractor is if they hold a contractor’s license, if they are bonded, and if they are insured. Don’t just assume that just because a contractor has a license to operate a business that they are a licensed contractor. That may or may not be the case as municipalities, counties, and states often have different requirements which determine whether or not a contractor’s license is issued or an alternative credential. You want to be certain that your contractor is certified to work in whatever field of expertise they advertise they specialize in. In addition, you need to make sure your contractor is bonded and insured. If something should go terribly wrong with your project, you need to know that your contractor has insurance to cover any additional repairs.

More times than not, when people hire a contractor, they fail to ask if there will be a dedicated team of workers completing their project. Knowing this information is very important, because it has great bearing on whether or not your project will be completed on time or not. Most contracting companies work more than one job at a time, so you need to make sure that they will work diligently and be consistent when it comes to working on and completing your project. In addition to asking your potential contractor if there will be a team of workers dedicated to your project, you should also ask who the project manager will be, if subcontractors are used, how are they vetted, and how often they will personally oversee the project.

No matter where you live, municipalities, and counties have ordinances and codes which must be satisfied before beginning most home improvement projects. You need to ask your contractor if they will be responsible for scheduling inspections and obtaining the permits for the project. A reputable and experienced contractor will know exactly the type of permits to get for your project, and will have no problems getting them. Depending on the size of the city you live in, obtaining the necessary permits and scheduling inspections can take some time, which could impact the date of completion. An experienced contractor will be able to judge the progress of the project and determine when to request an inspection time to avoid delays in the completion of the project.

A project that is not logistically structured can turn into a real nightmare. Besides asking your contractor when the project will be completed, you also need to find out what time you should expect them to begin and end their workday. If you are someone who works from home, you may want to find out what the noise level will be. Larger projects which span periods longer than a day will require the storage of tools. You should also ask your contractor if the tools and other byproducts of the project will be left in your home, or if they will be removed on as daily basis. This is valuable information to obtain especially if you have small children and pets in your home.

The Bahamas is a chain of 700 islands situated just off the coast of Florida. The islands offer crystal clear water, soft sand beaches, and year-round weather. And whether you're looking for a laid-back beach vacation or an action-packed adventure, there's sure to be a Bahamas destination perfect for you. Here are 7 of our top picks for Bahamas vacation destinations.

Nassau is the Bahamas' capital and the country's most populous city. The city is home to some of the best shopping in the Bahamas and stunning architecture, including the pink Marley Resort and Spa and the British Colonial Hilton. For travelers who want to experience the nightlife, Nassau has plenty of bars and clubs to keep you entertained into the wee hours of the morning.

Paradise Island is connected to Nassau by two bridges and is best known for its luxury resorts, including the famed Atlantis resort. The island also has a world-class golf course, a casino, and an aquarium. For a more relaxed vacation, take a stroll down Cabbage Beach, where you can sunbathe, swim, or enjoy the incredible views.

Grand Bahama Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Bahamas. Travelers can find secluded coves ideal for snorkeling and more popular beaches with beach bars and hotels. The island also offers golfing, fishing, diving, and horseback riding. For a truly unique experience, visit Lucayan National Park to see one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world.

The Abacos Islands are made up of over 120 cays and offer visitors idyllic Caribbean experiences. Popular activities include scuba diving at Shark Reef or snorkeling with turtles at Mermaid Reef. There are also several shipwrecks in the area that are popular among divers. The island chain is also home to some of the best sailing in the Bahamas, thanks to its sheltered bays and consistent winds.

Bimini is a small island located in the Bahamas. It is known for its clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Bimini is also home to various marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. Visitors to Bimini can also enjoy fishing, boating, and exploring the island's history and culture. Bimini is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean lifestyle.

Exuma is an archipelago made up of over 350 islands. And yes, that includes Pig Beach, where you can swim with pigs. Other Exuma highlights include swimming with sharks at Compass Cay, visiting Moonhole - a stone archway created by nature, or simply relaxing on one of Exumas beautiful white sand beaches. All these activities make Exuma a great place for those looking for excitement and adventure.

The Bahamas offers travelers stunning beaches, turquoise waters, ample sunshine, and plenty of activities to keep you busy. Whether you're looking for a luxurious resort experience or an action-packed adventure, a Bahamas destination is sure to be perfect. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Bahamas vacations today.

Furniture is a significant part of the human experience, with many people buying and building furnishings daily. When shopping for that special item, consumers have several different factors to consider. One of these is value. Consumers can choose between buying new or used items. They should consider how much they are willing to spend and focus on snagging warehouse and closeout deals when possible. Whether it is a new or used sofa, table, or chair, all the pieces should be within the consumer's price range. Price can vary dramatically depending on the type and quality of material used. For example, solid hardwoods such as oak and cherry are more expensive than pine lumber, while plastic costs less than wood when comparing identical pieces in both materials.

Size is also essential to consider before purchasing an item. Consumers should not buy anything that will not easily fit into their homes. For example, an oversized rocking chair that is too big for an apartment living room will take up too much space. Another important thing to consider when purchasing furnishings is comfort. A comfortable chair will make working at home or sitting at a desk more enjoyable. Sitting on a chair for long periods without experiencing back or other pains is essential. If a chair feels uncomfortable, it will not be used. Buy one that someone will enjoy.

Durability is another factor. There are several ways to determine the durability of furnishings before a purchase: experience with the manufacturer, comparing it with similar items in other stores, and reading consumer reviews. If there are many positive reviews about a particular piece, then there are likely few complaints about its durability.

Furnishings should also be chosen based on design. The style and color of a piece can affect the overall feel and mood of a room, so choosing pieces that complement each other is essential. Specific furnishings will look out of place in certain rooms or other pieces, so consumers should consider all factors when deciding what chairs or tables to buy.

Consumer research will help individuals decide what they need and are willing to pay. Furnishings are an essential element of a room, but they need to be durable and appropriately sized. Living by these simple rules will help consumers find the items they need at the right price.

The 2021 Mazda is an excellent family sedan that boasts responsive steering, adept handling, and two peppy four-cylinder engine options. The wide yet slim grille and headlights, coupled with a gently curved body, tall rear end, and a sleek profile, turns every head on the street. The cockpit is quite simple as it is composed of simple but elegant shapes and dressed in the right materials, particularly on the Signature edition. It has an upscale cabin and comes with plenty of infotainment and safety tech features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Read on to find out what you need to know about the new 2021 Mazda 6.

The 2021 Mazda 6 doesn't come with hybrid options but two responsive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines.  The primary engine makes 187 horsepower while the turbocharged engine produces up to 250 horsepower (depending on the gasoline grade pumped into the tank). The turbo 2.5liter increased 10-pound feet of torque, raising that output to 320-pound feet for the Mazda 2021. However, this requires premium fuel. Each engine pairs excellently with a six-speed automatic transmission, just enough to downshift or upshift for steady cruising. The base engine is super powerful and helps the car to accelerate faster. The 2021 Mazda 6 gets 36mpg on the highway and 26mpg in the city in its basic setup, which is above average for midsized cars. The models with upgraded engines have an EPA estimate of 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive is not available, and front-wheel drive is standard. Generally, the responsive steering and athletic handling makes the 2021 Mazda 6 fun to drive without sacrificing comfort.

Mazda 6 comes with a 14.7-cubic foot trunk. That's enough space to store more than 12 grocery bags. It can carry up to 5 people and has enough legroom for all. The seats are well contoured for comfort and safety enhancement. Some optional comfort features include the ventilated front seats, heated front seats, genuine leather upholstery, and synthetic leather upholstery.  The infotainment system features a lock-out feature that prevents users from using touch controls while driving. Drivers can use the central knob when the car is moving. The 8-inch touch screen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, HD radio Android Auto, Bluetooth, and two front USB ports all have the visual punch to impress. Other exciting features that come with the 2021 Mazda 6 include a moonroof, proximity keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start.

Like all vehicles in its class, the Mazda 6 underwent a safety test and was rated 5/5 overall. The National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave four stars in the roll-over test and five stars in the side and frontal crash tests.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also conducted a thorough examination and rated the car a safety pick+. They gave it the highest rating of "Good" in all the tests performed and a second-high rank for well-lit headlights. They also graded it based on collision avoidance features and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system. It was given the highest rating of “Superior” for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention system and a second highest of "Advanced" for the standard car-to-pedestrian collision prevention system. Other advanced safety features that come with the Mazda 6 include; Driver's attention alert, a 360-degree parking camera system, head-up display, front & rear parking sensors, and adaptive headlights.

The 2021 Mazda 6 comes in six trims: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Edition, and Signature. The 2021 Mazda 6 sport, currently going at $24 475, is packed with infotainment, comfort, and safety features, making it the perfect choice for most shoppers. With an 8-inch touch screen, Voice recognition, six speakers, and two front USB ports, the Mazda sport has everything any driver would be looking for in a car. Currently, selling at $27,870, the Mazda Touring is more luxurious with heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and proximity keyless entry.  The Grand Touring, currently going for $30,175, comes with a satellite radio and an 11-speaker premium Bose stereo. The Grand Touring reserve, $32,675, is super powerful, like the Carbon Edition $32,950 but not as powerful and luxurious as the Mazda 6 Signature, currently selling at $36,695. The Mazda 6 signature gains ambient lighting, has a 360-degree parking camera system, driver attention alert, and front and rear parking sensors. In short, the Mazda 6 Signature comes with all standard and advanced safety features available.