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Did you know that by using a well-positioned skylight you could benefit from as much as 40% more light than from conventional windows? Mr-Skill advises that this is one project best left to the experts, because you don’t want to risk fiddling around on your roof unless you really know what you are doing. The good news is that we have several pre-screened experts at your service, so you can find a roofing specialist right here on Mr-Skill.
Whether it’s a loft conversion you are considering, or just more sun and daylight you want to enjoy indoors, there are many designs for roof windows – or skylights as some call them. Let’s have a look at some of the more popular options and then you can get a roofing quote from one of our experienced members: 
Velux Roof Windows – Installing this popular product on your roof can transform an otherwise dark area, fit only for growing mushrooms, into a space flooded with natural light. You also get the benefit of better ventilation throughout your home if you open the roof window, but don’t forget to close it when the weather turns.
Flat Roof Windows – Designed for modern flat roofs, they certainly bring the day in from outside.
Cabrio Balconies – What a transformation you will experience when you use your roof window to make an instant balcony without having to re-build the entire house.
Sun Tunnels – Perfect in passageways where you want to bring in more light. If you think about it, it’s the only way you can install windows in this area.
Certification and Guarantees 
Before appointing your roofing contractor, ask to see their certification of competency, and make sure they still have current registration with the relevant association too. And as Mr-Skill always insists, any job is only as good as its guarantee – be sure to ask about this, and remember to get it in writing as well.
All Said and Done
One of our regular London roofing experts advises that, while you may consider installing roof windows yourself, keep in mind that this is one of those precise jobs that requires specialist knowledge. He goes on to say, “ think of the safety risks you are taking while you work on your roof, and how sure are you that you will seal properly to avoid wind and water leaks?”. Water has an unforgiving habit of finding its way through any weak spot, so don’t be caught short.
Tags: balcony, cabrio balcony, certification, find a roofing specialist, guarantee, home, indoor, knowledge, loft conversion, london roofing expert, natural light, roofing quote, roofwindow, skylights, sun, sun tunnel, transformation, ventilation, weather, windows
Posted in Roofing, Gutters & Drainage, Roofing, Gutters & Drainage | Comments Off
Once you have decided to go ahead and get on with a project, one of the greatest frustrations to making a good start is not having a decent measuring device. Whether its woodwork, metalwork, tiling, building or even planting out the garden, accurate measuring forms the vital start point. And, as our Alf says – he’s one of our regular London tilers – “if you get it wrong from the outset, imagine how you’ll be feeling when all is said and done!”
Traditional Tape Measures 
This is what most of us buy as a basic start up. But today, there’s such a wide selection, with literally hundreds of variations to choose from. Practicality suggests that you purchase one that is easy to read and use. Here at Mr-Skill, we concluded that a 3 meter-long flexible metal tape measure – with a 13mm wide blade – makes a useful tool. Oh, and make sure it has a yellow backing with clear black numbering in centimetres and inches, as well as a blade lock and a smooth retracting mechanism. Of course, you could find a carpenter right here and leave the calculations to them too!
We have all used tape measures that threaten to slice our fingertips off when we reel them in! A smaller belt tape should suffice for most project work. Bigger projects, such as built-in cupboards for example, may benefit from an 8 meter tape with a 19mm or wider blade. However Alf simply cannot do without his long-standing 300mm long steel rule. With the measurements etched on the stainless steel face, this one is in it for the long haul.
Callipers
A 200mm basic vernier calliper finished in stainless steel is very useful when cutting mortises or tenons, where accuracy is paramount. This measure is also handy for fitting butt hinges, when you need to measure the thickness of the leaf, and you cannot do so accurately with a tape or rule. Don’t forget to have a set-square available to check for perfect right angles when needed. 
Keeping it Simple
These days, there are all sorts of clever gadgets that allegedly make our working lives simpler. Electronic room measurers for example – they cost a fortune and by the time you have figured out how the infernal device actually works, the batteries have gone flat and you could have long since finished the job using a conventional measure. If this all seems code to you, rather get a general building quote here on Mr Skill. That way, you can sit back and relax while the professionals work out the detail and do the measuring. As our Alf always says, “life is too short for hassles!”
Tags: blade, Building, built-in-cupboards, calculations, calliper, Carpentry, electronic, find a carpenter, get a general building quote, london tiler, measuring, professional, project, right angles, set square, stainless steel, steel rule, tape measure, tiling, woodwork
Posted in Carpentry & Joinery, General Building, Tiling & Flooring | Comments Off
Posted in Electrical Work on Jul 12
If you can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen, at least that’s what professional chef’s like Gordon Ramsey bark at their charges! Our kitchens are the hearts of our homes, and they should be fun places where friends and family meet to share food. But there’s more to it unfortunately – greasy kitchens can cause electrical fires. The UK has around 20,000 fires a year arising mainly from faulty electrical appliances in the kitchen. Grease is a fire’s best friend, and can quickly spread flames and threaten our houses and even our families. 
Kitchens are not the only source of unwanted fires. The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) comments that more than half of fires reported, as already stated that’s around 20,000 a year, are down to people’s casual attitudes. Here at Mr-Skill, we say that you and your family – especially the kids – should always have a healthy respect for electrical safety, and never abuse electrical appliances.
The cost of an electrical call-out to check your appliances is insignificant, when compared with the cost of re-building a burned-out home with all the inconvenience that incurs. Mr-Skill urges you to get an electrical quote today, and sleep well at night.
The ESC goes on to say: “In our opinion – which is shared by the fire and rescue professionals we consulted – a considerable number of fires occur through a casual attitude to cleaning and safety, particularly in kitchens.” Leading research into the causes of domestic fires demonstrates that over 25% of the British public suspect faults with at least one of their electrical appliances. As Mr-Skill says, “SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS!” So, if you are one of the many people with faulty equipment, find an electrician to thoroughly check your home appliances right now.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that dangling electrical leads in fat deposits left on the counter-tops rate right up there as scary when it comes to fire risks. So too is the dangerous habit of storing items on top of the microwave oven, including tea towels, and forgetting to remove them when the appliance is in use. 
Martin – he’s one of our regular London electricians – advises that we should never take electricity for granted. Because we live in a modern electrical world, we need to understand that this power source is a potential fire-maker and even a killer. “Never let your guard down, and keeping a clean and grease-free home is a good start,” says Martin.
Tags: abuse, appliance, cable, casual, cleaning, electrical fire, electrical leads, electrical quote, faulty appliances, find an electrician, fire, fire risk, fire-maker, grease, home, house, killer fire, kitchen, london electrician, safety
Posted in Electrical Work | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on Jul 10
At Mr-Skill we often talk to our members who represent just about every trade you could think of. Sometimes, they comment on their tools of trade. One very useful tool that gets the thumbs up from every direction is the pop rivet gun. In fact, each one of our London handymen can’t imagine life without this amazing gadget – it has so many practical uses. 
Popular Applications
This is one gun that every DIY enthusiast should have, and make use of regularly too. Pop rivet guns are incredibly useful for just about anything requiring quick, sturdy fastening. From mechanics in the car-repairing business to a myriad of jobs around the home, these tools are indispensable. Generally used for fastening lighter metal surfaces together, the “blind rivet” is so-named because you can’t see the one end of the rivet once in position. Did you know that you can find a handyman who’s a pop rivet specialist on Mr-Skill?
Riveting Stuff
Cylindrical in shape, and manufactured from aluminium, copper and sometimes steel, pop rivets are placed in a pre-drilled hole and squeezed through the metal surfaces using a gun to create the pressure. The shaft of the pop rivet acts in much the same way as a nail, but the main difference lies in the gun-squeezing action which compresses the rivet tightly. The name “pop rivet” comes from the snapping or cracking noise it makes while being squeezed into place. Basically, the rivet breaks at the required point. Once in position, a rivet creates an incredible bond between metal surfaces, and the only way of removing it is by drilling it out.
Loading the Gun 
Start by loading the narrow end of the rivet into the gun. Squeeze the nose-end of the rivet into the pre-drilled holes in both sheets, and then it’s time to pump the gun handles together until the rivet pops. This may require a couple of attempts as the rivet shaft can be quite resistant. The rivet pin should then break at a pre-weakened point, which is when you will hear with the popping noise. What remains is the flattened rivet head forming a perfect circle. Sometimes rivets pop at the wrong time. Check to see that you are using the correct size shaft for the operation and then load up a new rivet.
Not everyone takes to a rivet gun easily, and if that describes you, log on to Mr-Skill and get a handyman quote to do the job for you. Who knows, you may find some excellent bargains around just because it is summer!
Tags: action, aluminium, copper, drilling, fastening, find handyman-services, gun, load, london handyman services, pop rivet gun, pop rivets, practical, pump, quote for handyman services, rivet head, securing, shaft, steel, tool, trade
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
The final countdown to the London Olympics has started and the celebrations are in full swing. What better time to adorn your street-frontage with some colourful ideas from the floral kingdom? And you don’t have to live in London either, because many tourists are going to use the occasion to explore the UK in the glorious summer months. One of our regular London gardeners has put together some colourful ideas.
The Floral Olympics 
Why not consider making up colourful window boxes all the way down your street. If you really want to be patriotic, you could alternate the colours of the boxes in the red, white and blue of the Union Jack. Imagine how inspiring that could be for some of the participants – that might just be passing by your neighbourhood too!
Another simple, but effective idea is to plant out marigold seedlings right now and pack them around your front flower beds and verges. You could even call your creation “growing for gold” and inspire some of our athletes to push the limits and win gold for themselves and the country.
We have several pre-screened garden and landscape experts here on Mr-Skill. They are offering some fantastic deals on plants and designs, and, if you move quickly, your individual contribution could be just in time for the opening of the Games – get your garden and landscaping quote right away.
Truly Inspired
Chris Collins, regular garden advisor to popular TV show Blue Peter, attended the recent unveiling of the giant floral Olympic rings at Kew Gardens – see the picture insert (courtesy of the Official site of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games).
Chris goes on to offer some tips for creating your very own rings:
‘It might seem like a complicated design, but using flowers such as violas in the various colours of the Rings will make things more straight forward. Plant a nice bright-leaved plant, low growing like Pyrethrum, around and inside the Rings to make them stand out. Or, you could just do a simple coloured display using edibles like purple lettuce, rocket or mint.’
Come on – Join in the Fun
It won’t be happening again anytime soon. Mr-Skill and all its members are encouraging every citizen to do their bit in celebrating this, the greatest sporting event in the world. Find your garden and landscaping expert right here on Mr-Skill, and be part of the spectacular celebrations of British culture, watched on TV by billions worldwide. Don’t miss it for anything!
Tags: beds, celebrating, celebration, colour, creative, expert, find a garden-and-landscaping specialist, flowers, garden and landscaping quote, gold, ideas, inspirational, inspiring, landscape, london garden-and-landscaper, London Olympics, marigold, marigold.plants, sports spectacular, window box
Posted in Gardening & Landscaping | Comments Off
There is a certain calmness and serenity, when you enter a home with an indoor water feature trickling away gently in a room. Here, we are going to help you design and set up your very own magic indoor fountain, and because this is the merry month of May, there’s no better time to do so. This not difficult to achieve, in fact we rate this one as “easy” to complete, and you may not need to find an electrician either.
What You’ll Need 
- Suitably sized urn with hole in base
- Submersible water pump (as used in aquariums)
- Nozzle head and extension pipe
- Waterproof ceramic basin for the urn to stand in
- Some decorative pebbles and plants
- Heavy-duty plastic sheet to waterproof and house your display
Visit your local outdoor centre, and get a garden and landscaping quote. Then, if you feel confident to go it alone, purchase all of the above items to suit your budget. Decide where you want to display your new indoor water feature. Set down the plastic sheet to protect the floor on which the feature will stand. You will need a power socket to run the electric water pump – not too close, we all know that water and electricity don’t mix!
Place your ceramic basin in position. Place the water pump at the bottom of the basin. Attach the extension pipe to the pump (remembering to seal the joint at the base of the urn), and then lower the urn over it. Once the water is added, the pump will fill the urn with water which will cascade over the rim of the urn and collect in the basin. The water is continuously re-cycled by the pump.
Add sufficient clean water to the system, and then run it to see if any topping-up is required.  Once you have the water side of the feature set up, you can add pebbles and plants as you please. These additions will have the effect of displacing some of the water, so make sure that you don’t overfill the water feature.
Many of our London plumbers love building water features, so if you think this is all too difficult, then you can find help through Mr-Skill. Nearly time to switch on and sit back and admire your handiwork! You could also add some exciting light displays around your new water feature, so that you can enjoy a different ambience at night.
Tags: basin, calmness, cascade, electrical socket, extension, find an electrician, fountain, garden and landscaping quote, indoor, indoor water feature, lights, london plumber, pebbles, plants, plastic sheet, pump, re-cycle, serenity, urn, water
Posted in Electrical Work, Gardening & Landscaping, Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Moving home is a stressful business, so you need to manage the potential pain and trauma by planning wisely. This applies especially to the moving company you decide to use – you must be totally happy with your selection. A good start with any relocation is to find a mover as soon as possible, so that you can continue with all the other activities that will need to happen. It is imperative that moving companies visit you in your home to properly understand your needs. Only then, can they quote properly for the move itself. 
Planning the Move
Relocation can be down the street, to a neighbouring town, across country or even abroad. Each has its own considerations and you need to listen carefully to the advice any good mover should provide. It’s all part of their business, and they should understand your specific needs – and the best way of transporting you and your possessions to your destination.
Charges
Make sure that you fully understand the quotation, and ask the sales representative to explain anything you don’t understand. The charges applying are going to depend on the size of your household, and the number of items needing moving. Then, the mover will also need to know whether their team is to pack for you, and then unpack once they have your goods at your new home. There could be additional charges too if you require storage facilities for your goods, between moving out of your old home and into the new one.
Insurance
It certainly pays to look for the best cover to suit your specific needs, but don’t skimp because you may regret it later. When it comes to your removalist quote, ask for details and costs of insurance cover as well. Then, read through and understand the policy wording carefully. If you have any concerns, seek clarification, and insist that any changes to the insurance manifesto be confirmed in writing. 
Accreditation
Check that the moving company you plan to use is registered with the relevant industry body, and has full current membership too. Bill, our London mover of many years standing, says that you must be adamant, and appoint a reputable moving company. He goes on to offer this sensible advice: “Don’t trust all your worldly possessions to a cowboy, because you will be taken for a ride!” And, it’s a good idea to check the authenticity of any testimonials too!
Tags: find a mover, home move, insurance, local move, london mover, manifesto, move, move abroad, move city, mover, movers, Moving Home, registration, relocation, removalist, removalist quote, storage, store, terms and conditions
Posted in Moving Homes & Hauliers, Moving Homes & Hauliers | 1 Comment »
With the right planning and preparation, interior decorating can be great fun, and will certainly add to the value of your home too. Don’t make the mistake of under-estimating the task though – you could end up having to find a decorator, just make sure they are one of Mr-Skill’s if you do!
Light and Bright versus Dark and Heavy
A general rule with interior decorating is that strong and bright colours reflect energy. Conversely, darker richer colour choices may come across as somewhat drab and austere – although there are of course exceptions. If in doubt, rather go for an off-white, cream or beige. These form the neutral range, and help to tie together virtually any other colours present in your furniture, fittings and wall hangings.
Neutral choices have the added advantage of staying popular for much longer, as they remain the number-one choice for many people. Keep in mind that light and neutral colours create the impression of more space in your rooms, whereas a darker paint choice usually has the opposite effect.
Before You Start
You should decide on your colour schemes, in order to buy the right paint first time. As with all DIY projects, shop around, but don’t compromise too much on the quality of the paint you choose. While out shopping, remember to  stock up on brushes, rollers, trays, spackling and sandpaper too. Make sure that you have everything you need before you start the job. In fact, why not look to Mr-Skill for some decorating quotes – you may be pleasantly surprised, then you can sit back and enjoy the benefits!
Cover the floors with drop sheets, making sure that you shield skirting boards too. Drape the sheets over furniture if you cannot move and store these items elsewhere. Now, you can start preparing the wall surfaces to be painted, filling cracks and holes as you go.
Smooth off any patches when they are dry, and vacuum up any dust. That completes the prepration phase.
Ready, Steady, Go!
You should now be ready to start painting. One of our regular London Decorators advises that once you are ready to roll, try to block out all distractions. They are bound to prove irritating, and all your good planning will be for nought!
Tags: advice, brushes, chart, colours, cover, dark, decorating, decorating quotes, DIY, drop sheet, find a decorator, floor, larger, light, london decorator, paint, rollers, sandpaper, smaller, spackling
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
Newly installed drywall panels provide a flat wall surface, which is suitable for hanging wallpaper or painting after plastering, depending on your preference. Here, we are describing plastering itself, which is an essential step. If you do not feel confident, to do this yourself, rather find a plasterer through Mr-Skill. If you go ahead though, it is essential that you apply the dry wall compound in precise steps, in order to obtain the smoothest finish.
What You’ll Need 
Drywall plaster mix
Drywall tape mesh
Drywall tape tools
Respirator (facemask)
Non-slip drop cloths
Tips and Cautions
Remember you could also get a plastering quote from one of our craftspeople on Mr-Skill.
Use non-slip cloths to cover floors before plastering, and tape up door and window frames to prevent fine dust from infiltrating the rest of your home.
Apply several thin coats of plaster mix rather than one thick layer to avoid lumping.
When sanding down after the final plaster application, be sure to wear a facemask.
STEPS
1. Cover each seam on the drywall panel with the self-adhesive mesh tape, and avoid tape overlap where the vertical and horizontal joints meet.
2. Use a trowel to pack the plaster through the mesh and into the seams. Don’t forget to cover screw holes carefully in the panels.
3. Gently scrape off excess plaster while it is still wet, using a trowel.
4. Leave the plaster coat to dry properly, and then sand off any high points with a drywall sander.
5. Apply a second coat and repeat the process per the above guidelines.
6. Sand the final plaster with fine-grit paper and wipe clean. Apply a coat of plaster primer paint. Once this is dry, you are ready to paint.
One of our London plasterers has built and plastered more walls than he cares to remember, but he can never resist the look of satisfaction on the clients face when he completes yet another successful job.
Tags: coats, drop cloths, dry, drywall, drywall tape, find a plasterer, fine sand, london plasterer, paint, plaster mix, plastering quote, sand, sander, seam'trowel, skim, smooth finish, tape mesh, wallpaper, wet
Posted in Plastering & Drywall, Project Advice | Comments Off
Posted in Bricklaying on Feb 13
Before you rush off and Find a Bricklayer on Mr-Skill to lay your brick paving, you first need to understand the theory of brick bonds. That’s because they are butted up against each other as opposed to being cemented. In a very real sense, we are talking about unity in strength here. If one comes loose others will soon follow.
 Jack-on-Jack works well provided your pavers are identically-sized and your bricklayer has a straight eye too. They are bad news in a long narrow run where every defect shows.
Running Bond is a bit more robust because the joints are overlapped. This can help prevent the rows from staggering. It is however a very common pattern that often fails to excite.
 Basket Weave is a further enhancement because the joints are contra-staggered adding further strength. The bricks actually form sets of squares that can look extremely pleasant.
Half Basket Weave is a variation of the previous bond that gets away from squares to create a pattern that seems almost random. Note though that patches of Jack-on-Jack recur from time to time.
 Herringbone is in many ways the perfect solution. The joints all overlap and the pattern is not noticeable unless you look for it. This is a strong bond, particularly when the pavers are correctly but-jointed.
Diagonal Herringbone is an interesting variation on the theme that helps soften rectangular spaces. Just make sure the triangular filler-pieces are sized to that everything fits in well together.
Some London Bricklayers employ specialist staff that only lay one kind of pattern. Check this out with them before you ask them to submit a Bricklaying Quote. Otherwise you could come home to find the pattern laid that you least wanted.
Tags: basket weave, bond, brick, bricklaying quote, but, cement, diagonal, filler, find a bricklayer, half basket, herringbone, jack, jack on jack, london bricklayer, overlap, pattern, paver, paving, running, running bond, size, square, stagger, straight
Posted in Bricklaying | Comments Off
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