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 At a time when people are hoarding their money rather than spending it, there are some excellent windows of opportunity for getting good deals on improving the value and appeal of your home. As any window fitter in London will advise you, installing replacement windows need not be a necessarily expensive improvement and even one you can save money on by doing it yourself. Replacement windows come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, and when trying to decide what would look best it is often a good idea to stand out in the street and imagine how you could improve your home´s kerb appeal.
In the current economic climate, it is fair to say that properties are not selling or renting as well as they did a few years ago. However, most estate agents and property specialists agree that if vendors spent as much time and money on preparing their property for sale as they spend improving a property they subsequently buy, they would find that their investment would be paid several times over with a more acceptable sale price in a shorter space of time. One of the ways in which vendors can improve the appeal and value of their home to buyers is by replacing old windows with new.
There are three ways in which replacement windows can improve the appeal and value of your home.
 Potential purchasers will appreciate new replacement windows, as not only do they make a house look more valuable, but are easier to clean and have the added benefit of being more energy efficient. If you can demonstrate to a potential purchaser that your property will be easier to maintain and cheaper to heat, it gives you an edge over every other house they will view. Furthermore, once they have seen your house with its brand new windows, any future properties they view will have to live up to, or exceed, the attractive exterior of your home.
Even if you are not considering selling your property in the near future, you can enjoy the same benefits of an improved appearance, lower maintenance and more fuel efficient home that come with replacement windows. With the money you can make in the long-term by having a more appealing home and the money you can save in the short term with lower fuel bills, shouldn`t you be taking this window of opportunity?
For more information about how replacement windows can improve the appeal and value of your home, speak with any local window fitters in London listed in our Tradesmen´s Directory, or use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page to attract window fitting quotes from tradesmen in your local area.
Tags: add value to your property, Cleaning Services, energy efficiency, find a window fitter, Fuel Bills, Home Improvements, Kerb Appeal, replacement windows, window fitters london, Windows and Doors
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 If you are looking to improve the appeal and value of your home with some exterior decoration, choosing the right colour with which to paint your home is of primary importance. It is not enough to select a colour which is welcoming and attractive – it has to fit in with the neighbourhood, or else you could find yourself having gone to a whole load of trouble and expense, just to repeat the exercise with a completely different colour.
Local painters in London will have an excellent idea about what is in vogue or out of fashion at the moment, and you should heed their advice when trying to sell your home. Even if you personally crave a bubblegum pink house, consider what painting the exterior of your property in such a garish colour would do to the value of your property! Sometimes even white can stand out for the wrong reasons when your neighbourhood is painted in such a way that it reflects the colours of nature, and this getting quotes from painters in London gives you the opportunity to compare more than prices.
A good tip is to take a trip around your local area with a digital camera or your mobile phone, and compile a library of the colour schemes you both like and which seem to blend into the neighbourhood for the right reasons – whilst still looking distinctive. A lot can be read into the colours you finally choose to paint your home in, as our guide below illustrates.
What the Exterior Colour of Your Home Says about You
 White – White is the colour of purity, simplicity and – very importantly if you are trying to sell your home – naivety! The implication of painting the exterior of your property white is that you are innocent, have idealistic tendencies and are prepared to get knocked down on the asking price for your home.
Red – Red is the colour of health, strength and vitality. It represents warmth and optimism, but can also mean danger and be a totally over powering colour. If you are thinking of including a lot of red in your exterior decoration, you will need to find a purchaser who is equally strong, warm and optimistic.
 Orange – Orange is more than just a close relative of red; it is a colour which has traditionally represented luxury and flamboyancy. If you paint the outside of your home in orange tones, make sure it reflects the area in which you live – orange houses in Dagenham may not sell that well!
Yellow – Yellow is the colour of happiness, with owners painting their houses in shades of yellow considering themselves to be wise, adventurous and imaginative. Yellow-based colours reflect a shrewd personality with a head for business and a deep sense of humour. Yellow houses sell well to like minded people!
 Green – Green is the colour of harmony and balance. Green symbolises hope and peace and would possibly appeal to a female more than a male when negotiating a business transaction! Houses decorated in green usually contain modest yet patient inhabitants who will wait until their price is met before accepting an offer.
Blue – Shades of blue represent conservatism and deliberation. You will never get a quick decision from a person who has painted their house blue, and the closer to purple the shade of blue is (i.e. lavender), the more authoritive they believe themselves to be. People painting their homes turquoise are normally confused!
 Brown – Brown symbolises durability, stamina and patience. Although not very exciting, a brown painted exterior indicates reliability and responsibility – you can be sure that the interior of the home is going to be in immaculate condition. Brown house sellers are often inflexible with their asking price.
Black – People who paint the exterior of their properties in black are dignified without being ostentatious. Expect the interior of a property to be minimalistic and possibly a better bet for homebuyers would be to aim for a house painted in grey – which at least shows a degree of compromise.
Before you dash out to find a painter in London who is prepared to paint your house in green and yellow stripes, consider not only how that would look in the area in which you live, but also who your potential market is. If you live in a predominantly conservative area, a blue front door will be more appealing than a red one to a potential buyer, but in a well-to-do area, black doors and window frames may have more appeal to those who like their privacy.
It may not be what the exterior colour of your home says about you that is so important, but what it means to the person who is buying it!
Lead Image courtesy of: Flickr user Team Dalog. Original image
Tags: colour, decor, exterior, find a decorator, find a painter in london, Home Improvements, Kerb Appeal, painter quotes, Painting, Painting & Decorating, painting front door, sell your property
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 If you have never previously used an Aga range cooker – well, you have never cooked! For the versatility and convenience of roasting, baking and grilling all at the same time, Aga range cookers are an incredibly attractive and valuable addition to any kitchen. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford an Aga range cooker and that is why many of the leading electrical warehouses have now introduced alternative range cookers amongst their kitchen hardware products.
 Although kitchen range cookers take up more space (60cm – 150cm) than a conventional cooker, the look and appeal it gives to your kitchen makes it stand out from any other. Available in a selection of colours and sizes, range cookers can be added to any kitchen for little more than what a conventional cooker costs to buy and are easy to install. As a way of improving the value and appeal of your home, kitchen range cookers should be included whenever planning a new kitchen or making improvements to an existing one.
 To find a kitchen fitter in London who could advise you on the best range cooker for your kitchen could not be easier. Mr-Skill.co.uk has an excellent Tradesmen´s Directory from which you can select the kitchen fitter in London most local to you, or take a look at our “Inspirations” article about the different range cooker options available to you and how they would appear in your kitchen. A kitchen range cooker can make all the difference to the value and appeal of your home and will more than pay for itself should you ever wish to sell.
Tags: cooker range, find a kitchen fitter, Home Improvements, kitchen fitter quotes, kitchen fitters london, Kitchen Fitting, plan a new kitchen, Tradesmen´s Directory
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 Local interior designers in London will tell you that nothing creates more of an impression inside and outside your home than recessed lighting. No matter in which room – or rooms – the lighting effects are implemented, directional spotlights highlighting key areas of your living environment and providing additional light for working areas in the kitchen or in a study will improve the value and appeal of your home. Replacing existing lighting appliances with recessed lighting units can accentuate decorative elements of your home as well as removing cumbersome wall and ceiling fittings, creating the appearance of more space in your property.
 However, installing recessed lighting yourself is not a job to be undertaken lightly. Most recessed lighting units come with instructions as to their safe installation, however consideration has to be given both to building regulations Part P (relating to electrical installations) and Part B (relating to fire hazard) especially when installing recessed lighting in the bathroom, kitchen or any ceiling or wall that prevents the rapid spread of fire.
Therefore it is a job which you should seek professional guidance. As you will see from the images both on this page and our “Inspirations” feature, there are many uses that can be found for recessed lighting and, when the lights  are fitted and working perfectly, the final effect is amazing. However, using the skills of a local electrician in London – particularly when getting your installation passed Building Control – will ensure that your lights are flush, safe and approved.
Money saving CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs) can also be used in recessed lighting, although unsuitable to be put into sealed recessed fittings. It is advisable to check that the unit into which you are putting your CFL has sufficient ventilation or an open face to limit the build up of heat and extend the life of the lamp. CFLs should not be put into any light fittings that are going to be  frequently switched on and then off in a short space of time.
Larger installations, such as suspended ceilings, can be done with the help of a London builder featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory and recessed uplighting in your garden will provide additional security for your home*, and illuminate your path safely up the driveway, whilst being a talking point for all your guests as they arrive. (* Please note: Recessed lighting units should not be integrated with a security motion sensor unless specifically approved by the light manufacturer – also sealed units are recommended for external use to prevent the function of the lamp being affected by moisture).
If you can see the benefit in using recessed lighting to improve the value and appearance of your home, why not “Post-a-Job” on our web site. It is quick and easy and will encourage competitive quotes from tradespeople in London direct into your email inbox.
Tags: Building Control, Building Regulations Part B, Building Regulations Part P, compact fluorescent light bulb, Decorating & Interior Design, Electrical Work, Find a Builder in London, Find an Electrician in London, find an interior designer in London, highlights, Home Improvements, interior decoration, London builder, Motion Sensors, recessed lighting, spotlights, ventilation
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 Second impressions count for a lot! There is a saying that you “Never get a second opportunity to make a good first impression”, but when it comes to showing your property to potential purchasers, the same can be said about the second impression. If you have a property on the market, hopefully you will have already reviewed our articles on “Kerb Appeal” and the importance of “Renovating the Outside of Your Home” which deal with taking advantage of the services offered by local tradesmen to create the right first impression. However, once you have enticed your viewers inside your home, what is the first thing they are going to see?
Lost the Sale so Soon?
Picture the scenario whereby you open the front door to your home, and your “guests” are greeted by a shabbily decorated hallway and a dilapidated staircase. Although they may be too polite to turn around and walk straight out, you have already lost the sale and this is the reason why your staircase is one of the most vital things to concentrate on when preparing your home for sale.
Although the perception may be that replacing a staircase is a major operation which involves a lot of disruption and inconvenience, the truth of the matter is that a completely new staircase can be installed by a highly rated builder within a day, and the cost of replacing an eyesore with an attractive feature may be no more than the price of a decent washing machine. Certainly, the amount you invest on replacing an old or unsightly staircase with a new modern design will be rewarded many times over in the speed in which you sell your property and the price you attain.
Space and Light
 Consider stair storage to create space You can also use the opportunity to add more space and light to your property by speaking with you local builder about introducing a different style of staircase – you could replace a straight staircase with a quarter-turn or winder staircase, leaving you with more room by the front door. Your local builder might suggest that you exchange the existing wooden balusters and newels with something more contemporary, and maybe even remove the risers or replace them with storage drawers. There are a large number of elements on a staircase that can be replaced or renewed by your local tradesman to bring new life to your hallway.
If you are looking for a few ideas of how this could work for you, have a read of our “Inspirations” page about staircases and also have a look through our “Staircase A-Z” for some details about what you can and cannot do. Finally, when you have looked at the entrance to your home from a purchasers’ point of view, speak with one of the highly rated tradesmen listed in our Tradesmen’s Directory to get a builders quote on creating that favourable second impression.
 A few ideas from our "Inspirations" page
Tags: baluster, banister, building regulations, bullnose step, curtail step, finial, good impressions, handrail, Home Improvements, interior decoration, newel, nosing, planning permission, refurbish, riser, sell your property, spindle, spiral stairs, staircases, stairs, string, tradesman, tread, winder stairs
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 External appearances influence potential buyers : Image courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives A report released last week on propertytalklive.co.uk, shows that there are now 43% more properties on the market in the UK than there were at the beginning of the year. Despite this growth of property stock, the latest quarterly release from Nationwide Building Society show property prices continuing to inch up month on month. However, for Londoners, the picture for people trying to sell their property is bleak. According to Liam Bailey, head of residential research at international realtors Knight Frank, 68% of property bought in the capital throughout 2009 was purchased by overseas residents. This makes it incredibly difficult for vendors in London to sell their homes locally, and trying to remain price competitive within the London postcode region is often not enough.
Adding Value with Home Improvements
Adding value to your property by making home improvements can lead to obtaining both that quick sale and a higher level of profit. London based journalist, Lucy Denyer, recently wrote in the Sunday Times regarding the vendor of a flat in Highbury Park, North London, which had been on the market for many months without attracting much interest. The vendor decided to employ the services of some recommended tradesmen to reduce the size of the bathroom and create a feature dressing room for one of the bedrooms. The property was sold the day it went back on the market for £360.000, having originally been valued at £290.000.
Kerb Appeal
Not everybody will have to take such drastic steps to improve the saleability of their property. Paul Gosling, writing for the Independent on Sunday, notes that many people ignore the front of their property, yet this is the area of the house that potential purchasers see first. “Kerb Appeal” is one of the most overlooked areas of selling a house, and vendors are recommended by John Woodward – property services manager for Woolwich Property Services – “… to cross the road, look at the front of their house, and think about what would put them off”.
Repairing broken masonry, installing new guttering and replacing flaked, dowdy paintwork with a fresh coat of bright gloss can make all the difference to how a potential purchaser views your property. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and there are many local tradesmen throughout London now using their skills to help people sell their homes than ever before. Good builders these days need to have comprehensive skill sets themselves to remain competitive, and vendors should get a series of builder´s quotes before proceeding with any exterior facelift to their property.
Finding the Right Tradesman for the Job
To find trades people for the jobs that you may find too difficult to do yourself, Mr-Skill.co.uk has an extensive directory of highly rated builders throughout London that will offer their quotes for free. Please review our section “Hiring Advice” section, which demonstrates some good and bad examples of how to post your job in order to get the best tradesman – at the best price – to do your job.
Tags: brickwork, Construction, crack stitching, damp proofing, doors and windows, driveway, Gardening, Guttering, Home Improvements, Home Maintenance, Kerb Appeal, masonry, Painting, refurbish, renovate, replastering, repointing, roof, Windows and Doors
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Whether you are thinking of moving or just improving, at this time of year our thoughts inevitably turn to sprucing up the outside of our house. First impressions definitely count and, whether it’s friends and family or potential buyers, visitors to your home will judge the outside before they even step foot in your house. If you are planning on putting your house on the market it’s worth remembering that viewers are buying into a lifestyle – you want to ensure that lifestyle looks as attractive as possible.
 Example of kerb appeal For instant kerb appeal, think about fitting a new front door. Whether wooden, PVC or glass, a new front door makes the world of difference to how the front of your house looks. If you have an existing wooden door, it may be possible just to paint your front door – an inexpensive way to make a big impact. However, unless you’re an aspiring artist it might be best to bring in a professional painter and decorator – drips of gloss or untidy edges can spoil the whole look in an instant.
Take this one step further and refurbish or paint your windows, fence and gates. The uniform look that this will achieve will far outweigh the extra financial outlay. Choosing the right colour is important – if you want to stand out from the crowd why not pick a bright colour that complements your neighbours’? This way you set your house apart but maximise on the collective look of the neighbourhood.
Pointing and tidying up your brickwork can transform the way your house looks. A good London builder will be able to do this quickly and easily. Our eyes enjoy symmetry and perfect brickwork looks a lot better than shabby, crumbling bricks and mortar. Especially if you are thinking of selling your home. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and, when you consider that it can take buyers as little as eight seconds to decide whether they want to buy a house, your property needs to look as good as possible at first glance.
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, make sure it looks as tidy as possible. A landscape gardener will be able to transform your garden into an oasis of calm and luxury, but you don’t have to blow your budget. If you can’t stretch to landscape gardening, simply planting a few flowers, re-turfing the lawn or even just giving it a trim and tidying the hedges can make a huge difference at a low cost. Our eyes are automatically drawn to the edges of a lawn so, if you don’t have the correct tools, get a gardener in to use a round edged lawn cutter to get a crisp, even finish. Planting a few bulbs and tidying borders also enhance the appearance of your garden easily, as does adding window boxes and hanging baskets. Gardeners are relatively inexpensive and you might find that it makes sense to get someone in to maintain your garden once you’ve got it looking spick and span – after all, you want to have time to enjoy it!
Hone your exterior style by tidying up paths and driveways using monoblock or, less expensively, woodchip, gravel or crazy paving. The former will give a gorgeously uniform look to the front of your house but, if price is a factor, woodchip, pebbles, gravel or crazy paving will achieve the look on a budget. Building a new wall to surround your entrance will finish off the look perfectly.
If you want to be a little more extravagant, why not consider creating a garden pond or water feature? The sound of running water is perfect for disguising traffic noise and giving your garden a tranquil feel. While this is a bigger job than simply tidying up the garden, the effect will definitely be worth it and will transform your outdoor space.
So, next time you get home after a long day at work, have a look at the front of your home and see what it says about you. After all, it’s the only bit of your home that 99% of people ever get to see. If you don’t feel it shows you in the best light, why not put together a ‘to-do’ list and get quotes from our tradesmen today?
Tags: bricks, brickwork, builder, building a pond, building a water feature, building garden wall, bushes, crazy paving, doing up house, drive, driveway, fence, front door, Garden, garden fence, garden wall, gardener, Gardening, gardens, gate, glass, gravel, hanging basket, Home Improvements, house, improve, landscape, landscape gardener, lawn, lay, London, monoblock, mortar, move, moving, mow, mowing the lawn, new, new front door, new windows, paint, painting fence, painting front door, painting windows, path, pebbles, plant, planting, planting bulbs, plants, pointing, prune, pruning, PVC, re-turf, re-turfing, re-turfing lawn, reconditioning windows, refurbish, refurbishing windows, renovate, shed, tidy, tidying, trim, turf, turfing, wall, window, window bo, windows, woodchip, wooden
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