Thinking about lists

Was just brought to my mind by a phone call last night that one of the things it is important to be on is the lists. This may seem obscure but if you have a B&B near a theatre for example you want to be on the Digs list for theatre people and so on. So if you have a events center, army base etc make sure they are aware of you and this is not always easy (Ive been fighting to be on one particular list for 5 years now no joy) but sometimes you have a breakthrough you just have to keep fighting. Also make sure you are offering an appropriate price to the group that you are aiming at.

Procrastination is the thief of time

Isn't it amazing how when you do have a little time on your hands (and believe me it isnt often) I seem to fill my valuable time with rubbish? So any ideas on how to stay motivated? (other than a need to put money in the bank?) LOL I try and set targets and I get a treat at the end ie input all this information eat a chocolate bar or go for a walk. Not particularly working so if anyone has any better ideas?

Prices on Web Sites

This is a matter for debate but today on a web site for a B&B I saw a clear rate table with a set rate chart the same day in day out (ie twin room £90) I wouldn't run with that as if you set it too high you will put people off before you even have a chance to go a bit higher or lower. If it had been a online booking method where you put in a date to find a structured pricing situation but this site particularly struck me as I believe they have set their prices too high and at the moment they are not doing online bookings. I wish them all the best but I hope learning the lesson is not too painful.

Room 1

Also while all this has been going on I have been completely redecorating room 1 though the lining paper was done buy Paul my decorator who was both an amazing price and did all the work in a day and a half! (ie stripping off all the old paper, 3 layers of that, and re-papering) Then I have painted all the walls so frankly I am pooped and sick to death of painting! Mind you it shows what a professional can do as it looks like the room has been re-plastered and at a fraction of the price.

Also have sorted out some black out curtains for room 4 so it is pitch black in there even during the day! Apparently this is vitally important to the Visit Britain people who may be redundant sooner than we think.

Finally it!

Well it is done room 7's bathroom is finally complete! 19 days including today I cannot believe it. Got the last of the painting done this morning and it is let tomorro. Managed to get white plastic beading for where the shower tray meets the lino so saved me a job painting it. Then the plumber had the cheek to say gosh it will all need a lot of cleaning don't think you'll get it ready in time! Everything was coated in brick dust from when he gouged huge holes in the walls to fit all the pipes etc into them. Got it all cleared though and ready for action tomorro.

I like the new radiator expecially (£25 on ebay brand new) as it is not only a radiator but a towel rail as well. Everything looks really clean.

It is tricky to photograph but I am really pleased with the results

bathrooms as well

Also have got the bathroom of room 8 done and looking good and the bathroom of room 7 is about half finished so thats 4 down 8 to go!

Cracking on with my renovation

Well room 1 has been the focus of my attention this week as someone has pulled the wall paper where it was comming up a bit and has ripped it in various places. So started with getting some new curtains as the previous ones were an effort by the previous owners wife who fancied herself arts and crafts (but wasnt) so were not wide enough. They are fab and a grey/black and silver stripe. So under the dado rail we have painted it light grey and have found a great decorator with the help of a fellow guest house owner (www.dragonhousehotel.com) and he is really cracking on. He arrived 9am and had 3 layers of paper off in two hours (these old buildings are like an onion) and by the end of the day today he had half papered the room and will finish tomorro. It shows that sometimes you save money by paying someone to do a job ie it would take me at least a week and a half to do what he has done and so I would not be able to let the room and loose money. Ive also found the perfect wardrobe which fits exactly into the space on one side of the fire place as if it was made for it. (before there was a white melamine one) so now all the furniture matches. I had to redecorate the room to remove the wardrobe as the previous people had wallpapered round it and carpeted round it meaning to change the wardrobe I have had to redecorate and recarpet. This should be a lesson to asirings as it may be slightly cheaper but is much more expensive in the long run. Also I would never buy fitted furniture as if it is damaged it is a nighmare to replace but if it is free standing it is easy. So the top half of the room is going to be cream and ceiling white wish me luck!