Author: Deanna Evans

Freight Services

Small Parcel Audit

Deanna Evans

Small Parcel Audit saves shippers money by identifying and recovering shipping carrier invoice errors. It also unveils valuable data and insights that can help streamline shipping operations.

Small Parcel Audit

Once you’ve negotiated a quality rate with your carrier, it’s time to ensure that they deliver on their promise of accurate invoices. Whether its duplicate charges, service level errors or accessorial mistakes, carrier invoice errors are common. Click Here to learn more.

Address correction fees are a major revenue generator for carriers, and they’re often charged due to a simple mistake or oversight. The good news is that these errors can be corrected quickly and easily with a small parcel audit.

Small parcel audits can identify and recover numerous service failures including but not limited to:

Late deliveries. Getting your package delivered on time is crucial for your business and customers. It’s also a big reason why many businesses use a carrier. Whether it’s an error on the carrier’s end or in your systems, service failures can impact your bottom line and customer satisfaction. Getting these errors corrected with a small parcel audit is essential for your business to remain competitive and profitable.

Service failures like address correction fees, dimensional weight charges that aren’t justified, and residential delivery surcharges for commercial items can be prevented with front-end shipping validation and classification processes. Taking this approach will ensure accurate weighing and dimensioning on every shipment, eliminate costly address correction fees, and provide greater flexibility when it comes to routing options for your packages.

Once you’ve negotiated a great rate with your carrier, it’s important to hold them accountable and make sure they deliver on their promises. Unfortunately, many shipping errors get overlooked or go unnoticed. Whether it’s an error on a dimensional weight calculation, an extra Saturday charge, or misapplied shipping rates, these mistakes can add up to significant losses for your logistics business. A regular small parcel invoice audit can prevent these mistakes and help you get back the money you’ve lost to carrier overcharges and service failures.

If you’re ready to start saving on your shipping costs with a small parcel audit, contact us today for more information on our services and how we can help your business. Our team of experts will work on your behalf to identify and recover eligible refunds. We use a unique, proprietary software that automatically downloads your carrier’s weekly invoice files and performs an in-depth, line by line review to identify overcharges. We only get paid when you get paid.

Discounts

Many businesses choose to ship with certain parcel carriers because they offer cheapest rates and fastest service for specific package types. However, choosing the right carrier isn’t the only way to save on shipping costs. A small parcel audit can help uncover hidden errors and overcharges on invoices that can eat away at profit margins. Using data from parcel shipping audits, companies can recover refunds for incorrect surcharges, verify discounts, and optimize carrier contract terms for savings.

A few errors on a single invoice may not seem like a big deal, but it can add up over time and result in tens of thousands of dollars lost to overcharges and inaccurate charges. Often, these errors are caused by human error. A small parcel audit can spot errors like address correction fees that don’t belong on the invoice, overcharges on dimensional weight pricing, and misapplied shipping rates. Identifying these issues gives your business leverage to negotiate for better contract terms with your carrier.

Moreover, a parcel shipping audit can also verify whether your shipping carrier has applied all the discounts and waivers that are available to you, reducing your total shipping costs. Typically, these discounts are associated with your company’s shipping patterns and shipping zones. Getting these discounts can significantly reduce your shipping costs. In addition, a small parcel freight audit can verify other charges like variable fuel surcharges, special handling charges, and accessorial fees to ensure they’re accurate and in line with the terms you’ve negotiated with your carrier.

As a business, it’s important to have the best possible relationship with your shipping carrier. Performing regular parcel shipping audits helps you build that relationship, and in turn, your carrier is more likely to provide you with faster deliveries and negotiate favorable contract terms for you. In addition, a reliable and efficient parcel auditing service will make sure all your invoices are correct, saving you valuable time.

Managing your shipping expenses isn’t easy, but it’s critical for your business to stay competitive. By identifying errors and securing timely refunds, you can cut your shipping costs by up to 20%. To find out how much you can save, schedule a free small parcel audit with P3.

Dimensional Weight Pricing

Performing a Small Parcel Audit manually is time-consuming, so many companies outsource this process to an external logistics provider. These companies use automation and data analytics to monitor and save shipping costs, including catching extra fees that don’t belong, such as address correction charges or overcharges on dimension weight pricing.

Using a dedicated parcel auditing platform, like AuditShipment, ensures accurate invoices and eliminates extra charges that are costing your company money. By clamping down on dimensional weight pricing errors, as well as erroneous residential delivery charges and incorrect Saturday rates, you can save up to 15% of your total shipping costs.

For shippers that rely on small parcel delivery, a little slip-up can add up to big costs. In addition to putting your budget out of whack, these mistakes can also cause delays in shipping and upset customers. But with Small Parcel Audit, these issues can be easily caught and resolved.

A small parcel audit takes a close look at shipping invoices to catch all kinds of errors, including dimensional weight pricing, erroneous residential delivery surcharges and shipments that were manifested but never shipped. A thorough Small Parcel Audit helps businesses secure the refunds they are owed from carriers and can help them prevent these costly errors from happening in the future.

Dimensional weight pricing errors, caused by insufficient packaging or inaccurate measurements of a package’s length, width and height, can lead to overcharges on a shipment’s invoice. To avoid dimensional weight pricing errors, it’s best to use lightweight, compact packaging that keeps the package as small as possible while still meeting the requirements for safe and efficient transit.

Other common errors that can be spotted through a detailed audit include inconsistencies with freight discounts and incorrectly applied shipping rates. This can be caused by inaccuracies with carrier contracts, misapplication of negotiated discounts or inconsistencies between tariff and non-tariff rates. A small parcel audit catches these errors quickly so that your business only pays for what it should be.

To keep your shipping operations running smoothly and your shipping costs in check, make it a regular practice to review the results of a small parcel audit. This can help you identify savings opportunities and renegotiate your carrier contract or refine your shipping strategy to improve your bottom line.

Misapplied Shipping Rates

A shipping error might seem like no big deal at first, but it can quickly add up and drain your company’s resources. It’s important to catch these errors and get them corrected. This can help your business save money, reduce customer frustration, and improve its bottom line.

One of the most effective strategies for catching shipping errors is conducting a small parcel audit regularly. This process compares rates negotiated with shipping carriers with actual invoices, ensuring that the agreed-to fees are accurately applied to each shipment. It also uncovers additional savings opportunities and helps logistics teams optimize shipping decisions. A fully automated parcel audit system can also be time-saving, allowing businesses to focus on other priority tasks.

Shipping costs can represent 5-10% of a company’s total revenue, making it a major expense that should be monitored carefully. To avoid paying unnecessary charges, it’s crucial to conduct regular small parcel audits to spot errors and overcharges in their earliest stages. These audits can detect issues such as address correction fees, overcharges on dimensional weight pricing, and other errors. With this information, businesses can then take action to get refunds or renegotiate contracts with shipping carriers.

A small parcel audit can be conducted manually by in-house teams or through an outsourcing partner. Outsourcing is often preferred because it frees up in-house resources so they can be used on other projects and strategic initiatives for the company. It also ensures that the audit is being performed accurately and regularly.

A quality small parcel audit service will be able to automatically download invoice files and verify the accuracy of each charge, including spotting errors such as unauthorized surcharges and duplicate charges on an invoice. The best services can also provide a full-transparent database that gives companies visibility into each shipment from origin to destination and all the fees associated with it. This visibility helps companies identify errors such as voids, proof-of-delivery mismatches, zone validation failures, and more. These insights can be used to improve delivery operations, renegotiate carrier contracts, and maximize savings.

Home Improvement

Ceiling Repairs That Require a Carpenter

Deanna Evans

Ceilings are prone to different types of damage, and they require unique solutions. While maintenance people or handymen can do minor repairs, it is best to call in a professional carpenter for structural framing or drywall work.

Ceiling Repairs

Ceiling repair and restoration are essential processes that revitalize and enhance any space, creating a refreshed and captivating interior. Reach out to Ceiling Repairs Perth for expert assistance.

Unless there’s significant structural damage, cracks in the ceiling are usually a sign of normal wear and tear, especially in older homes. However, it’s important to recognize the warning signs and work on fixing them as soon as possible to prevent a more serious problem later on.

Ceiling cracks can be caused by a number of things, including temperature changes, humidity, and settling. These changes in weather cause the wood in the ceiling to expand and contract, which can result in cracking. This type of cracking can be seen around the perimeter of the ceiling and in areas where it meets the walls.

The good news is that these types of cracks can be fixed fairly easily with a few supplies and a little time. The first step is to score the crack with a utility knife, then cover it with mesh tape. Once the tape is in place, apply a layer of joint compound to the crack and sand it smooth.

If the crack is due to water damage, you’ll need to hire a plumber to locate and fix the leak. Once the damage is taken care of, it’s time to patch the ceiling.

If the cracks are minor and located in a small area, you may be able to use a spray or semi-liquid product that can be applied with a sponge. For larger cracks or a number of cracks, you’ll need to buy a tub of premixed drywall mud and some mesh or paper drywall tape. It’s also a good idea to invest in a 6-inch taping knife, as well as safety glasses and a dust mask. Finally, be sure to lay down a tarp or piece of plastic in the repair zone to catch any falling debris and protect your floors or furniture.

Water Stains

While hairline cracks in drywall are usually cosmetic and suited to DIY repair, water stains on the ceiling often indicate a more serious issue like plumbing leaks or mold/mildew growth. These stains are not only unsightly, but they also pose a threat to the integrity of your home’s structural materials. For this reason, tackling them requires the expertise of a professional restoration contractor.

Before beginning any repair work, make sure that the power and water supply to the affected area are turned off. Additionally, make sure to wear eye protection and sturdy, closed-toed shoes while working. Once the area has been cleared of any debris or dust, you’ll need to clean the water stain thoroughly to ensure that it won’t bleed through your paint job. Use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away the stain, being careful not to rub too vigorously as you may damage the surface. Once the stain has been cleaned, it’s time to apply your stain-blocking primer and ceiling paint.

Unlike an overflowing sink or a broken pipe, water stains on the ceiling can be more difficult to track down. This is because the source of the water can actually be in an upper part of your home, such as a chimney, attic vent, skylight or dormer.

In these cases, it’s important to improve your home’s ventilation, and address any other moisture issues in order to prevent future water stains from occurring on the ceiling. Otherwise, simply painting over the stains will only cover up the problem, and leave you with an even bigger issue down the line. That’s why it’s so important to enlist the help of a qualified restoration contractor to tackle ceiling water damage.

Skim Coat

Having a skim coat is a critical step in repairing walls & ceilings that have been damaged by water, wear and tear or other reasons. It creates a smooth surface that makes it easier to paint over and can hide small imperfections in the walls. It is also a great way to repair texture problems and provide a modern look to old walls or ceilings.

The process involves applying a thin layer of drywall compound or “mud” to the wall or ceiling surface. It takes time to do a good job and can be tedious and messy, especially for first-timers. It is a good idea to have someone experienced help you with this. If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are a lot of reputable contractors that offer this service. You can find them by doing a search online or in the phone book.

Before applying the skim coat, make sure your walls and ceiling are clean and dry. Then, mix the mud or joint compound in a bucket to ensure consistency. After mixing, spread a thin layer of it onto the surface with a putty knife or masonry float. You may need to apply additional layers to achieve a smooth finish. It is important to use a light touch and to avoid over-spreading the mud or it could cause bubbles.

Once the mud dries, you can sand it lightly to smooth any rough patches. Then, you can prime the surface to prepare it for painting. You should protect outlets and electrical wires before priming.

A skilled drywall and ceiling contractor can save you a lot of time and money by performing skim coats for you. This is one of the most important steps in the renovation of your home, and it can make a significant difference in how your finished room looks.

Priming

After the patched area and any loose tape is set, apply a thin layer of wallboard compound over the entire surface. This will help strengthen the repair and prevent shifting, especially around the edges of the damaged area. Allow the first coat to dry overnight. Then sand the patched area with sandpaper to smooth it and make it blend in with the surrounding texture. Finally, prime the repaired area and the rest of the ceiling before you paint it.

If you need to repaint the whole ceiling, use an oil-based stain blocking primer. Read the product label to ensure it is compatible with your type of stain. If you are not sure whether to use an alkyd or latex-based primer, try testing it with water. If the water beads, spot prime only the affected area; if it absorbs, use the primer-sealer on the entire ceiling.

Apply a second coat of joint compound using the putty knife, overlapping the first one to ensure there are no air gaps. After the second coat is dried, sand the repaired area and the rest of the ceiling with sandpaper. This will make it easier to match the texture when you are ready to repaint.

When you are done sanding, run your hand over the repaired area to make sure it feels smooth. If you notice any humps, lightly sand again to remove them. Then apply a high-quality paint, preferably oil-based, to the repaired and primed ceiling. This will help your new paint job last longer. Remember to cover the floor and any fixtures you can’t move with drop cloths and plastic sheets to protect them from paint spills and drips.

Painting

If you notice any discoloration or cracking on the ceiling, it’s a good idea to repaint it. However, it’s important to address the issue that caused the problem in the first place before you do so. Otherwise, the new paint could get ruined by water again.

The best way to prevent water damage is to inspect your ceilings regularly and repair any leaks as soon as possible. You should also clean your ceilings periodically to remove dirt and grime, which can cause stains or mold.

To repaint a damaged ceiling, use a high-quality interior paint with a stain blocker. Then, apply thin coats to ensure that the new paint will last for a long time. If you’re not comfortable handling this project yourself, it may be worth hiring a professional to do it for you. A local interior painting service can usually provide you with the same color and quality of paint as the original ceiling, which is vital for a seamless look.

For small touch-ups, you can use a brush or paint roller to apply the new paint to the ceiling. Dip your paintbrush or roller in the paint and wipe off any excess to ensure that you’re applying only a thin coat. Start at the center of the ceiling and work your way outward for a smooth blend with the existing paint.

You can also paint your ceiling with a drywall compound mix, similar to what’s used for repairing cracks in the drywall. Once you’ve finished patching the cracked area of your ceiling, you can use a sanding block or sandpaper to smooth it out. If you’re planning on re-painting the entire ceiling, you should use a primer and an acrylic or vinyl latex paint.

Home Improvement

Cabinet Refinishing – A DIY Option For Your Kitchen Cabinets

Deanna Evans

There are many projects that a homeowner can do themselves, including refinishing cabinet doors. It’s best to hire a professional for larger jobs such as spray painting cabinets in your kitchen with solvent-borne lacquer.

Cabinet Refinishing

San Jose Cabinet Refinishing is less expensive than replacing or refacing your cabinets. Refinishing also allows you to keep the existing cabinet boxes while updating your kitchen’s look.

Preparation

Refinishing is a process that involves removing or stripping the existing stain or paint from cabinet doors and then applying a new coat of your choice. Typically, this will result in painting or staining the doors a darker color, though you can also go from light to dark or to a solid color. Refinishing is less labor intensive than brushing the cabinets, but it will still require a lot of prep work and will need to be done carefully to ensure clean lines and spotless spaces.

It is important to completely empty out the cabinetry and remove all hardware and hinges so that you can properly work on the doors and boxes separately. This will make it much easier to return the door back into place after the refinishing is complete. Also, it is a good idea to mark the hinges and door edges so that they will be easy to reinstall once everything is finished.

Next, you will need to clean the cabinets thoroughly to make sure that they are ready for their new coat of paint. This will involve using a degreaser solution or trisodium phosphate (TSP), which can be purchased at many hardware and home improvement stores. Once the cabinets are completely cleaned, they should be sanded down to provide a smooth base for the new finish. This step is essential to getting a smooth, even coat of paint and will improve adhesion between the original surface and the new coating.

It is also a good idea to prime the cabinets before they are painted. This will create a smooth base for the paint and will help to prevent chipping and peeling down the road. It is important to choose a high-quality primer that will work well with your cabinet material and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application and drying times.

Cleaning

Cabinet refinishing is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process. It begins with removing cabinet doors and drawers, then carefully labeling them for reassembly later. Next, all surfaces are covered to protect them from dust and debris. The cabinets are then cleaned with a mixture of synthetic steel wool, soap, and trisodium phosphate (TSP), which emulsifies grease. This step is crucial for ensuring that your new finish adheres properly to the cabinets. It also helps prevent any future peeling and chipping.

Primer

There are a few different types of primer available. Each type has its own pros and cons. Stain-blocking primers are good for hiding stains and preventing them from bleeding through the new paint color. They are great for cabinets with nicotine stains or water damage. Adhesion primers create a strong bond between the surface and the new paint, which helps prevent peeling. They are a good choice for glossy surfaces like laminate or new wood. Oil-based primers are the best at stain blocking and adhesion, but they are high in VOC (volatile organic compounds) so they can be stinky and require special cleaners to clean up.

A water-based or latex primer is a DIY favorite because they are easy to work with and dry quickly. They have low VOCs and can be cleaned up with soap and water. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, but may not seal as well as other options.

The best primer for cabinet refinishing depends on what type of finish you are going to use on the cabinets, and what condition they are in. If you are painting over a light color, choose a stain blocking primer to ensure that the new paint won’t show through. For cabinets that are darker, a high adhesion primer will help the topcoat adhere.

For a great multi-surface primer, try KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer. It works on all surfaces, including wood and composites, and can cover stains and previous colors. It is mold and mildew resistant, has low odor and is ready for a topcoat in 1 hour. When in doubt, a professional can recommend the best primer for your project.

Paint

The paint used for cabinet refinishing needs to be tough enough to stand up to frequent cleaning and moisture. It can also need to hide imperfections and light wear and tear.

There are a variety of different cabinet paints available at home improvement stores and at paint specialists. They come in a range of sheens from flat or matte finishes to satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. The higher the sheen, the more durable the finish. Glossier finishes also show up imperfections more readily.

Traditionally, oil-based paint has been the most durable for cabinets. However, it’s not as readily available anymore and can be more difficult to work with than water-based finishes. Plus, it releases toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be bad for the health of anyone who works on the project.

Some cabinet refinishers use a special urethane-acrylic formula called INSLX Cabinet Coat for their projects. This is a hybrid paint that provides a hard finish, levels into large open wood grains well, and doesn’t leave as many roller marks as some other cabinet paints. It’s also available in almost any color you can imagine and is low VOC.

Other DIYers prefer to go with a water-based acrylic formula that can be bought at home and hardware stores. These types of paint are usually the best for cabinets because they require minimal sanding, clean up quickly with soap and water, and dry through evaporation rather than being baked on like other acrylic paints can.

A popular trend in kitchen design is to restyle or even “faux” the look of cabinets by adding crackling glaze and other textures. This technique can add a rustic, country or provincial feel to the kitchen with very little time and effort, while still giving you a fresh, updated look.

Assembly

Cabinet refinishing is an excellent DIY option for those looking to upgrade their kitchen. Unlike cabinet refacing, which replaces your current doors and drawer fronts with new materials, refinishing concentrates on transforming the existing pieces via repainting or staining. It’s important to understand that refinishing requires more work than refacing, as you need to strip or sand your cabinets before applying the paint. This process can be time-consuming, especially if you’re going from a light to dark color.

During the refinishing process, it’s crucial to have your supplies organized and ready to go. Start by removing all hardware from your cabinets and labeling each piece for easy reassembly later. Set up a staging area to clean your cabinet boxes, and cover any backsplashes or appliances to protect them during the cleaning and painting processes.

Once the cabinets have been refinished and allowed to dry, it’s time to install your new cabinet doors! Use your labeling system to match each door with its proper hinge, and then reattach the knobs or pulls.

If you’re feeling particularly creative, consider switching out the old hardware with a set of stylish new knobs or pulls to finish off your new look! Then enjoy your new and improved kitchen.

Taking on an at-home cabinet refinishing project can be a huge undertaking, but it is very doable with the right amount of preparation. Using the right products and techniques will ensure that your work lasts for years to come, so it’s well worth the effort!