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Posts Tagged ‘add value to your property<’
Posted in Kitchen Fitting on Oct 12
 Local kitchen fitters in London will be delighted to learn that one of the UK’s largest home-finding websites – Rightmove – has just released the results of a survey which discovered that a third of all spending on home improvements last year was spent on the kitchen. Whereas spending on other areas of the home was fairly equally proportioned – with the bathroom, living room, bedroom and garden each being allocated around a sixth of the home improvement budget – it is thought that the popularity of having friends over to eat at home, rather than going out, has fuelled the change in spending habits.
Matt James from Rightmove said that home-owners are having to budget very carefully when it comes to changing their home and are increasingly focusing on the parts of the house where they perceive they will gain the most pleasure and return on their investment. Inasmuch as a complete kitchen renovation can be an expensive item, you can get quoted from kitchen fitters in London for any job – large or small – through our Tradesmen´s Directory.
Although we agree with Mr James´ assessment of the current economic situation, the increase in spending on kitchens can also be attributed to cookery based TV programs such as “Masterchef” and “Come Dine With Me” as previously programs such as “Ground Force” and “Changing Rooms” are acknowledged to have influenced home improvement spending on gardening and interior design. Now people are more accustomed to the concept of entertaining their friends in their own homes and installing a new kitchen is part of that experience.
If you are considering redecorating or installing a new kitchen you may like to review some of the “Inspirations” posted in our blog, and if you would like to get a series of kitchen fitter quotes to find the most economic kitchen worktops in London, please use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page or find a kitchen fitter in London through our extensive Tradesmen´s Directory.
Tags: add value to your property, find a kitchen fitter, Gardening, Home Improvement, home inspirations, Interior Design, kitchen fitter quotes, Kitchen Fitting, Kitchen Worktops, plan a new kitchen, save money, Tradesmen´s Directory
Posted in Kitchen Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Building A-Z on Oct 09
 Whenever considering replacement windows, you should always try to replace an existing window with one that maintains or enhances the character and kerb appeal of your property. A tip offered by local window fitters in London is to look at the window that is to be replaced from both the inside and outside before deciding on how many openings and fixed panels you require – remembering that a window can be a means of escape in the event of a fire which prevents you leaving the room via the door. New replacement windows can also improve the appeal and value of your home and save you money!
When measuring up for a replacement window, measure the width and breadth of the old window at a number of points. Windows – especially wooden ones – tend to warp and loose their shape over the 20-30 years they usually spend in people´s houses, and finding any discrepancies before you start will help when it comes to fitting a replacement window.
Types of Replacement Window
Wooden Replacement Windows
Standard sized wooden windows are often treated with preservative to meet NHBC (National House Building Council) requirements and are available in both hardwood and softwood finishes. Many are already double-glazed and weather sealed, meaning that you can have your replacement windows installed by a window fitter in London without the need to paint them afterwards.
Metal Replacement Windows
Old metal windows may rust, but modern replacement windows are galvanised to prevent the aging effects of the elements. They are strong and slim and often fit into existing wooden frames. Metal replacement windows are available in various styles and sizes, and should be painted with coats of primer, undercoat and gloss paint.
Aluminium Replacement Windows
Aluminium windows are available in various styles and sizes, and usually double glazed ready to install. Like metal windows, they are they are rigid and stylish, and also often fit into existing wooden frames. Replacement windows with aluminium frames only usually require washing down, but wooden sub frames surrounding them will require preserving and varnishing or painting.
uPVC Replacement Windows
uPVC replacement windows have become popular because of their economy, low maintenance and good insulation. Available in various styles and sizes, double glazed and ready to install, uPVC replacement windows can have their energy saving qualities enhanced with low emissivity (Low-E) glass – further details of which can be found on our post about Energy Efficient Windows .
As well as offering instructions on how to install a replacement window, Mr Skill suggests that you ask a local window fitter in London to give you advice on which is the best replacement window to suit your property´s appearance and your pocket. Remember that replacing like-for-like windows does not need permission from Building Control, but does have to conform to Building Regulations Part N.
Tags: add value to your property, aluminium, Building Control, Building Regulations Part N, energy efficiency, find a window fitter, glass, Home Improvements, Kerb Appeal, metal, paint, replacement windows, uPVC, Window & Door Fitting, window fitter quotes, wood
Posted in Building A-Z | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 3 Installing the Window
After measuring up and preparing the frame for your replacement window, it is time to complete the installation. The first stage for doing this is to caulk the exposed inner face of the exterior casing with a elastomeric caulk. You should also apply two continuous beads of caulk along the window sill.
Working from inside the room, place the bottom of the replacement window horizontally onto the sill and tip it upwards into the exposed casing. Fasten the window loosely in place with a few nails or screws into the side jamb and adjust the replacement window by inserting shims under the sill and behind the side jambs until it is perfectly centred and opens closes and locks smoothly.
When the window is square, secure it place by screwing through the predrilled holes made when preparing the frame – ideally with a shim behind each screw hole to avoid bowing the frame. You can screw through the shims and then cut then flush afterwards with a Stanley knife.
Starting from the outside, fill gaps around the window up to ¼ inch wide with elastomeric caulk (anything wider should first be filled with foam –allowed to dry and sanded flush) and finish up by replacing any stops you took away from the interior when removing the old window, and then prime and paint as required.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or read how installing replacement windows can improve the appeal and value of your home.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and window, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 2 Preparing the Frame
Once you have measured up for your replacement window, the next step is to remove the old window from the window frame. In most cases this will involve prising off or unscrewing the stops and beads from your old window – unless your existing window was fitted with a sash-replacement kit, in which case there will not be any beads.
If the window frame was fitted with vinyl or aluminium jamb liners, use a crowbar to prise them free – removing any remaining stops from the window frame but leaving the interior and exterior casings intact. Scrape off any loose or blistered paint and patch any holes or dents in the frame casing with exterior-grade wood putty. Then sand the jambs smooth and prime and paint the surfaces.
If you are replacing old sash windows, now is the time to remove the old sash weights and insulate behind the window frame. First unscrew the access panels on each side jamb and remove the weights and any excess fibreglass that exists from the original installation. Then drill three equally distanced 10mm (3/8”) holes in the sill and head jamb before filling the area behind the casing with minimally expanding polyurethane foam. It is important that you use the minimally expanding type because you may damage the remaining window frame with anything stronger.
Once you have given the insulating foam time to dry (usually about 6 hours), cut off any protruding foam and sand down to a smooth finish. Now the frame is prepared, you are ready to install your replacement window.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or once you have prepared the frame for your replacement windows jump ahead to our project advice on “How to Install a Replacement Window”.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and windows, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 Replacing an existing window is a fairly specialist job and best done with the assistance of a local window fitter in London. However, if you are a keen DIY-er, it may be a project that you would like to take on yourself to improve the appeal and value of your home.
As with most major home improvement projects, good preparation is the key to a successful conclusion, and we have divided our project advice on installing a replacement window into three parts to distinguish between the tasks that need to be performed before you remove your old window and the installation of the replacement window.
Part 1 Measuring Up
Measuring the dimensions of an old window is not quite as straightforward as it may seem. Some windows will have been in a property for more than thirty years, and in that time the frames may have warped or bowed due to the elements.
Start by measuring the inside width of the old window frame, jamb to jamb, in three places: across the top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest of the three measurements. Note: It is important that the smallest measurement is recorded because if you purchase a replacement window which is too wide for the frame at a certain point, it will create more work for you later when you have to adjust the frame. Next, measure the frame’s height from the top of the sill to the underside of the head jamb in three places: at the left jamb, in the middle, and at the right. Again, record the smallest measurement.
Check that the length and breadth of the frame is actually parallel by measuring the diagonals from corner to corner – the two dimensions should be the same, but if the frame is out of square by ¼ inch or so the replacement window can be shimmed to fit. Any larger discrepancies may require adjustments to the frame, or if the frame is so bowed that a square replacement would not look right and you will need a full-frame replacement.
Any element of this three-part guide can be done by yourself, or you can use the services of a local window fitter in London for specific areas in which you could benefit from the experience of a professional London tradesman. You may also wish to review our Guide to Replacement Windows before you start or once you have measured up your replacement windows jump ahead to our project advice on “How to Prepare a Frame for Replacement Windows” or “How to Install a Replacement Window”.
Tags: add value to your property, caulk, doors and windows, find a window fitter, Home Improvements, jamb, Kerb Appeal, paint, project advice, replacement windows, window fitter quotes, window frames, windows
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 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
Posted in Improving the appeal and value of your home | Comments Off
 Outdoor lighting is an effective means of highlighting the most attractive areas of your garden – and shading some of those which are less desirable. It is perfect for adding extra security to your garden, creating a karmic environment or for outside entertaining, and is certain to attract positive attention plus improve the appeal and value of your home.
 Adding lighting effects need not be expensive. A modest lighting scheme may set you back less than a hundred pounds and can be done with the help of a local landscaper in London – although it may be more cost efficient to get some handyman quotes as well before you start. For more elaborate schemes you may need the assistance of a builder in London to help with the reconstruction of any patio areas, and you will definitely require the services of a London electrician  as introducing any lighting scheme in your garden will need permission from Building Control before you start and Part P Approval once the work is completed. If it already seems like it is too much trouble – it´s not. The additional security and value that you will achieve by brightening up your garden is extremely worthwhile.
 You need not have an incredibly large garden either. Small gardens can still be brought to life in the hours of darkness with selective lighting, although you should be careful – no matter what size of garden you have – not to cause undo light pollution and upset all your neighbours! Your choice of lights and lighting fixtures is going to be determined by what you want to achieve with your lighting and how much budget you have. It is well worth speaking with a few exterior design professionals and getting quotes from landscapers in London when you are in the concept stage of your garden lighting. There will be some things which are impractical to do, or your local electricians in London will advise you will not pass planning. Furthermore, consider where your power source is coming from. You may not want an electrical cable running across your lawn, and could benefit from the installation of solar lighting.
There are also many different lighting techniques that you may want to consider:-
Uplighting – This is a subtle way to light up gazebos, pergolas, large tree branches and the sides of buildings. Fixtures are normally fixed at low level or on the ground to create this effect.
Downlighting – Lighting fixtures situated above head level shine light down from trees, walls and roofs. This is a handy technique for illuminating large areas.
Spotlighting – Using spotlights to pick out individual features can be enchanting and create the impression of a deceptively large garden.
Crosslighting – This is where lights are placed on either side of an object (such as a tree or statue) to reveal more detail and create a more subtle shadow effect.
Silhouetting – An exceptionally effective form of lighting where the source of the light is positioned behind a large object to spray light out from behind.
Shadowing – where recessed lighting is placed in front of an object to cast dramatic shadows – often larger than the object itself!
Moonlighting – A romantic moonlight effect created by downlighting a subtle low-voltage light through the branches of trees.
Spread Lighting – This technique illuminates large flat areas, such as lawns and terraces, by creating a circular spread of light.
Water Lighting – If you have a water source, such as a pond or pool in your garden, you can integrate your existing water lighting with the improvements you are making to the rest of the garden. Although underwater lighting can be more expensive, the effects you can get are astonishing.
 You may also want to consider lighting up paths, steps and decking. This can be done in a number of ways, with the most popular being “walk-over” lights being built into the step. Disguising light sources under steps and handrails gives a more subtle light and makes a dark area of your garden safer to navigate.
 Do not forget to think about colours as well! Green filters are a popular choice, and white lights bring out the best in water features. You may want to select a colour scheme which matches the summer plants throughout your garden or integrate a mixture of lighting ideas to compliment specific areas of your garden. Whichever you choose, the local tradesmen in London featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory will be keen to help with any inspiration you need to brighten up your garden with outdoor lighting.
Tags: add value to your property, Building Control, Electrical Work, Electricians in London, Find a Builder in London, find a handyman in London, Find a Landscape Gardener in London, garden lighting, Gardening & Landscaping, General Builders, Handyman Services, light pollution, lighting, low voltage lighting, Part P Approval, perimeter security, security
Posted in Electrical Work, Gardening & Landscaping, General Building, Handyman Services | Comments Off
 A patio area in your garden can add appeal and value to your home and is a relatively inexpensive improvement to the exterior of your property. More property owners are transforming areas of their gardens into luxurious extensions of their house – integrating outdoor kitchens, furnished seating areas, pizza ovens or barbeques and much more. You might wish to include a water feature to bring peace and tranquillity to a garden and, if this idea inspires you, you might like to speak with one of the garden landscapers in London featured in our Tradesmen’s Directory.
 During good weather, a back garden patio can become the heart and soul of a family. Spacious and attractive patios can provide the perfect sanctuary from the telephones, T.V.’s and computers that we are surrounded with each day and, inasmuch as the boom in patio construction is said to coincide with the concept that a house with a patio feature is more likely to sell than a similar one without, there is also a school of thought that suggests homeowners just want to enjoy their home more.
 Building your own patio is not particularly a difficult project – although you may wish to use the services of a local handyman in London for some of the more physical aspects of the job, and a second pair of hands is always welcome when trying to lay a patio by yourself. More advanced projects could integrate attractive lighting features and even a pool – if we ever get the weather to use it – or a gazebo under which you could entertain guests on warm summer evenings. Sometimes the most simplest designs are the most effective.
 If you feel that adding a new patio, or extending an existing one, is something you would like to consider, use our “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page to attract quotes from garden landscapers in London. If you fancy doing the job yourself but consider that a second pair of hands (or more) will make the job easier, our Tradesmen´s Directory now lists local handymen in London in the order of proximity to your postcode – so now you can arrange the services of a very local handyman in London.
Tags: add value to your property, building a water feature, Construction, find a handyman in London, Find a Landscape Gardener in London, garden lighting, Gardening & Landscaping, Handyman Services, home extension, Home Improvements, patio
Posted in Gardening & Landscaping, General Building, Handyman Services, Tiling & Flooring | Comments Off
 Repointing brickwork is a major task, and not one to take on yourself lightly. To be effective in both totally repairing the cracks in the mortar and improving the look of your property, the whole side of a house needs to be done at one time. Inasmuch as this is not a specialised job, the work involved and the tools required mean that it is usually far better to have a team of recommended builders working with you to provide the help you may need to get the job done quickly, and supply a professional finish.
This is not a job that can be done up a ladder. To be able to use tools such as an angle grinder in safety, you need the support of scaffolding. Furthermore, you will need a fair amount of water and mortar, and carrying those items frequently up and down a ladder is exhausting and may lead to accidents. Even if you attempt this project alone, you should speak with a local builder about hiring some scaffolding and any specific tools you do not already own.
When starting a repointing project, a good builder would start at the top of the building and work along a selected number of brick courses. Once the top few rows are completed, then move down to the next rows of brick. By doing the job in this order, you prevent dust falling down onto wet mortar when grinding away at old cement. In order to remove existing mortar, you should use a small angle grinder with a mortar raking blade attachment rather than a hammer a chisel. Not only is the power tool quicker and more effective, using a hammer and chisel causes vibration and may start to loosen the bricks.
Our recommended builders suggest that you use the angle grinder to remove mortar from the horizontal joints first – followed by the vertical joints. Each groove should be 10-20mm in depth, and you should take care not to score any of the adjacent bricks. You may feel more comfortable using a brick jointer to remove the final pieces of mortar. Once the grooves are cut, remove all the dust between the joints with a soft brush and then wet the inside of the joints with a water sprayer.
You should make sufficient mortar to last for the number of brick courses you are repointing. To mix your mortar, you need 3 parts building (sharp) sand to 1 part cement and, in order to make the mortar less likely to crack, ¼ part hydrated lime. Mix with a little water until you have a firm paste with a similar consistency to Marzipan. Carefully repoint the horizontal joints and then the vertical joints, taking care not to put mortar on the bricks themselves. Once you have completed the process along the first rows of brick course, move down and repeat grinding and pointing until the wall is completely finished.
There are a number of finishes you can give to your brickwork (illustrated above). Remember to keep the same style consistent through repointing and the effort will be worthwhile, with a draught-free and secure wall that not only looks good, but improves the “kerb appeal” of your house and adds value to your property.
Tags: add value to your property, brickwork, builder, Construction, damp proofing, Home Maintenance, Kerb Appeal, mortar, renovate, replastering, repointing
Posted in Bricklaying, General Building | Comments Off
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Local kitchen fitters in London will be delighted to learn that one of the UK’s largest home-finding websites – Rightmove – has just released the results of a survey which discovered that a third of all spending on home improvements last year was spent on the kitchen. Whereas spending on other areas of the home was fairly equally proportioned – with the bathroom, living room, bedroom and garden each being allocated around a sixth of the home improvement budget – it is thought that the popularity of having friends over to eat at home, rather than going out, has fuelled the change in spending habits.
