| |
Posts Tagged ‘security<’
When you require the services of a locksmith, the last thing you want to do is to hire a bogus operator, and find out the hard way when it is too late. Mr-Skill says that a good start point is to look right here and find a locksmith – you know you’ll be dealing with a professional who is there to assist you no matter what your security issue is. There are some basic guidelines to selecting a locksmith, which we will look at here. 
Remain Street Wise
Keep abreast of developments in your neighbourhood, because that way you’ll always stay informed. This should include a regular read of your community newspapers, because this is the best way of finding out what is going on in your area. Scams affect all of us in many different ways and locksmith services are no exception, so you must remain on guard at all times.
Hire Cautiously
It is important to ascertain if you are dealing with a genuine firm when you require the services of a locksmith. This can be as simple as phoning them and checking exactly where they run their business. It obviously makes sense to contract a local service, because it will help keep down the travelling costs. This also enables you to go and check the shop or office from where your locksmith operates.
Check Accreditation
Never be shy to ask to see proof of certification, and for that matter licensing. A good locksmith is certainly an ally when it comes to getting you out of your predicament, but a bogus operator will regard your home as an open invitation to help them self! Any job requiring a locksmith should necessitate a physical inspection so that the service provider can then commit to a quotation in writing.  Since you will be paying the bill, you have every right to know who you are dealing with, what they intend doing, and how much they will charge you too. Remember to compare to a locksmith quote on Mr-Skill.
A Security Tip from the ‘Horses Mouth’
Mr-Skill has dedicated this article to the many folk who want to remain unaffected by crime when it comes to home and car security. One very effective deterrent is to have valuable items engraved, as this will make the crooks’ lives difficult when they try to onward sell your goods.
The Last Word
One of our London locksmiths who’s been in business for many years is amazed at how stolen goods can find their way home when name and mobile phone number have been engraved.
Tags: bogus, certification, compare, developments, engraving, find a locksmith, genuine, goods, hire, licensing, locksmith quote, london locksmith, mobile number, name, office, professional, quotation, scams, security, statistics
Posted in Locksmith, Project Advice | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Jun 19
The very nature of Locksmith services dictates that they should be available 24/7. Rapid response is the name of the game, so that when you have a problem you may expect a quick solution too. One of our regular London Locksmiths advises that it’s not just lock problems that they get called out for, there’s a whole lot more to it too. He goes on to add that more people are becoming security conscious in these troubled financial times. And that’s because the crooks are more active now than ever!
Wide Spectrum of Services
In the old days, our “Smithies” trained to become experts in their specific trade, and Locksmiths were no exception. These days, they do a lot more than just keys and locks – here’s a typical range of services on offer:
- Full safe services – installation and maintenance
- Changing and repairing of locks
- Installation and repairs to grilles and burglar bars
- Installing new and repairing existing doors
- Rekeying of locks
- Responding 24/7 to emergency “locked out” requests
- Changing locks for tenant management
- Insurance-related security door installation
- Garage door and window locks
- Total access control services
You can start your search right here on Mr-Skill, and find a Locksmith to attend to your all security needs. Right now, you can save up to 30% off normal rates from our pre-screened members - you can’t go wrong!
Security Assessments
Staying ahead of crime requires regular assessments, and that applies as much to a home as anywhere else. A good Locksmith will be constantly upgrading their knowledge as criminals become even smarter in their endeavours. Insurance companies are fully aware of developments too, as they monitor crime statistics and introduce new policy rules. Our Locksmiths are state-of-the-art themselves, so that they can offer their customers the latest range of security products and services. 
Planning Ahead
Start your search here on Mr-Skill and get a Locksmith quote for any of your security needs. It could be as simple as replacing a lost key, or gaining access to your home after you locked yourself out. You are sure to be impressed with the range of services on offer from our skillfull Locksmiths!
Tags: assessment, burglar bars, changing keys, changing locks, crime, emergency, find a locksmith, grilles, installation, insurance, keys, locked out, locks, locksmith quote, london locksmith, policy, rapid response, safes, security, security products
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
More UK residents are adding the WOW-Factor to their homes every year, by replacing unsightly French Doors with Bi-Folding Doors in PVCu,  Timber or Aluminium. That’s because not only do they open all the way in glorious summer. They’re also among the snuggest fits available in winter too. And this gives you the best of both worlds when you need them.
While most people prefer to Find a Door Fitter on Mr-Skill to fit Bi-Folds to existing openings, the brave could possibly install these by themselves. If contemplating this yourself, please do offset the risks of inadvertent damage against the savings on the labour. The following are criteria you may like to consider when specifying Door Fitting Quotes instead
- Standard Sizes – If your opening is slightly oversized, consider lining it with appropriate material to take up the gap, and pre-empt requiring an expensive special order
 Slim Sightlines – How much clear vision will the frame sacrifice? You need to get as close to unobstructed as possible, albeit within constraints
- Thresholds – Do you require low-maintenance flush-fitted thresholds, or those recessed for outdoor weatherproofing?
- Locking – What level of security is wise? Locks are not all that expensive. Think ahead here – it could be time for an upgrade
The secret to a successfully trouble-free Bi-Fold Door installation – as any London Window Fitter knows – is a completely square and plumb installation. We cannot over-emphasise the need for this. If in any doubt at all of your ability to achieve this, why not rather seek Expert Advice instead? We’ll introduce you to a skilled and rated tradesperson, absolutely free to you.
Tags: aluminium, bi-fold, bi-folding, bifold, bifolding, clear, close, damage, door, door fitting quote, find a door filler, flush, gap, line, lining, lock, london window fitter, open, opening, outdoor, over-size, oversize, plumb, pvcu, saving, security, snug, square, threshold, timber, uPVC, vision, wide, window, wood
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
From time to time there are improvements to the design of windows that both improve their thermal qualities, and make bold aesthetic statements too. If you are living in an older home and are facing high heating bills, then it could be time to consider an upgrade. Of course it’s possible to do  the job yourself if you live downstairs, and have all the time in the world too. If not, here’s a brief description of the process that professional London Window Fitting Services like to follow.
o Measure for the replacement window carefully. Get this wrong and you could end up with an expensive contribution to the Council scrapheap.
o Make sure that the window you order is glazed from the inside for added security and ease of fitment, particularly if you will be working upstairs.
o When the new window arrives and the weather is appropriate, remove the old one carefully, taking care not to damage the surrounds in any way.
o Bed in the outer window cill, making sure that it is level, well sealed against rain and drafts, and firmly fixed.
o Secure the frame on all four sides, again making sure that everything is absolutely square, level and plumb. Fit wedges as necessary and screw firmly into place.
o  Glaze the window, and test that everything works correctly. If you get Window Fitting Quotes on Mr-Skill instead then this should hardly an issue, but insist on testing everything anyway. If you encounter a problem, loosen off the securing screws around the frame and adjust until the out-of-square problem disappears. Re-tighten everything.
o Complete the job by weatherproofing with silicone all round the frame outside.
If the thought of sealing off an upstairs window while standing on a long ladder puts you off, then why not Find a Window Fitter on our website instead. We monitor our tradespeople carefully for quality, and the competitive environment within which they work could also get you up to 30% off the going rate. How’s that for a good idea?
Tags: adjust, aesthetic, appearance, bed, careful, cill, damage, downstairs, find a window fitter, fitment, fix, frame, glaze, heating, inside, ladder, level, level.seal, london window fitting services, loose, measure, outside, plumb, process, proof, replace, screw, seal, secure, security, silicone, sill, square, surround, thermal, tight, upgrade, upstairs, weathermremove, wedge, window, window fitting quote(s)
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on May 16
Open a newspaper or surf the internet in search of Handymen these days and you will find more than you could possibly consider. This is because this class of skill is largely unregulated  and anybody could set up shop and trade. When you Find a Handyman on Mr-Skill though, you gain access to skills that we have assessed carefully, and are likely to be already rated by other customers too.
o A Handyman is not a male person only, although we still use the term because that is what people use in their search strings. In fact female Handypeople are increasingly popular because of the care and concern they contribute, and because some women prefer admitting their own sex to their homes for security reasons.
o Handypeople are not just eye candy, nor do they belong to any particular language or ethnic group. True Handypeople are skilled though, and look the part, meaning that if a youngster turns up to quote dressed in designer clothes they do not necessarily know what they are doing.
o  Handyman and women are of no particular age-group either, but what they have in common are their skills. The owner of Handyman London Services told me the other day that one year’s recent good experience can be better than twenty years of doing the same thing.
o Handypeople have their own tools and never try to borrow yours. If they do try though, then the chances are that they either have no respect for them themselves, or have never done that particular job before. Capable tradespersons are exemplified by the state of their toolboxes and their car boots. Slovenly ones might just do a substandard job for you too.
When you Request a Handyman Quote on Mr-Skill you have already taken the first steps towards keeping incompetent Handypeople out of your life. When they meet the above criteria too, then you could be off to an even better start.
Tags: assess, care, concern, criteria, experience, female, find, find a handyman, good, handygirl, handyman, handyman london, handyman quote, handypeople, handyperson, internet, job, male, rate, regulate, search, security, skill, slovenly, tool
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Dec 15
We all need a good locksmith from time to time, and are usually in a panic situation when we do. Thanks to the popular website known as Mr-Skill, it is not difficult to find a locksmith when troubles strike.  Despite all the assurances though, the nagging question remains of whether we can trust them with our security. I use the following thought process to help me decide.
o Is the firm registered with a professional body such as the Master Locksmiths Association or is it listed on the Locksmith Register? Is so this is a good start, and it is your guarantee that they are using skilled staff and have quality systems in place too. When a locksmith knows that you know how they are registered, you can be sure that they will not want you to register a complaint.
o Are the locksmith’s premises in your town or your part of the City? When considering locksmiths in London options you will find that they prefer to work in a particular area where they have many customers close by.
o Does the locksmith company have a 24 / 7 callout service? This will prove to be more important than you think when a job fails and you cannot lock up your home at night. Stay away from one who works from eight to five, five days a week because they are unable to provide a genuine locksmith service.
o What spares does the locksmith carry, and how well equipped is their service vehicle? Avoid a firm  that buys in what they need for each job just-in-time, because they may be unable to source urgent spares at night and over weekends.
o Finally, do you have a good feel about the firm, and the service person who calls? Mother Nature gave us a sixth sense, and we have every right to cancel an order if we are not entirely happy. If the firm insists on charging for a call out even after you explain, well, you have your answer, do you not?
When a locksmith passes my little test, and you found them on Mr-Skill too, it is highly likely that your can accept their locksmith quotes and get on with the repair. How is that for peace of mind?
Tags: 24/7, assurance, call out, callout, complaint, day, find a locksmith, guarantee, locksmith quotes, locksmith register, locksmiths london, master locksmiths association, night, panic, premises, quality, register, security, skill, spares, trouble, vehicle, weekend
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Dec 01
Home security is an ongoing project that is never finished, because criminals are getting smarter all the time. New technologies are always being introduced to counter these latest risks – the trick to managing security costs is to identify the most likely threats facing you, and have good insurance plan just in case the crooks break through your systems. A good way to start a security upgrade is to find a locksmith on Mr-Skill where we assess newcomers before we list them.
Here are some rules to follow:
 o Never leave anything to chance. Your home is never completely safe, especially if you are away, pottering in the garden or asleep inside. Decide on the precautions that you need to take, implement these and always be on your guard. The day that you do no not feel like setting the alarm or locking the front door is sometimes the day that burglars choose too.
o Starting from the outside, you could protect your home from entry with anti-climb paint, burglar bars and lights that turn on when there is an intrusion. A clever way to deter a crook is to have gravel strewn around your house – no burglar likes to make a noise when they approach a home.
o A burglar alarm is a good idea, particularly if you pay to have it monitored. These days home alarms come with panic, fire and medical buttons too. Make sure the firm you choose to come to your assistance will do that swiftly too, and when you need it most.
o Good quality locks on doors and windows are just as important, because the last thing you really want is a burglar inside your house setting off the alarm. In this regard, make sure that your alarm company or a trusted neighbour has a key so they could gain access to your home should this be necessary. British Insurance firms usually favour a strong front door lock of the mortice deadlock kind with a British Standard Kitemark – make sure when you get locksmith quotes that the other access points like windows and the back door will be equally well secured, because security is never better than its weakest point.
o Never render your house invisible behind high walls and gates. Crooks like to work in secluded surroundings where the neighbours cannot peep. Locksmiths London based always recommend cutting high bushes away around the house too.
o Finally, do not advertise that your house is standing empty when you are away on holiday. By this, I mean stop newspaper and milk deliveries, and ask Royal Mail to hold your post. If you have lights inside the house that you can set on timer, this will be an excellent deterrent too.
When you follow this advice, you should have less chance of burglary. Why not tell your insurance company what you have done – you could end up paying lower premiums and excesses if you got it right.
Tags: alarm, alarm monitor, avoid a break in, bars, burglar, bushes, company, crook, danger, deterrent, door, excess, find a locksmith, fire, gates, home, insurance, lock, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, mail, medical, milk, mortice, neighbour, newspaper, panic, paper, premium, protect, response, risk, safety, secirity monitor company, security, security monitor, stop, timer, upgrade, walls, window
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Nov 24
First impressions count, and that certainly applies to your home whether you are receiving visitors or selling on. People always judge by what they see first, and an unattractive gateway to your house may create impressions that would horrify you if you knew. Play it safe – spend a few pounds and splash out on a new door lock and handle. If you are not confident to replace the lock yourself, then find a locksmith at Mr-Skill instead.
 o Decide on the style of lock and handle that you want. Is it to be formal, modern or just plain funky? It should match your personality or else friends and family might tell you that it looked odd.
o What level of security do you require? These days, press button locks are popular because there are no keys to copy. You could even buy a lock that recognizes your fingerprint. Be careful, sophistication costs a lot of money.
o Is it dark outside your front door and do you fumble with the key when you return late at night? Save trouble and fit an illuminated lock. Locksmiths in London often recommend this in apartment buildings where service lights sometimes remain out of order for days.
o Fortunately, most door fittings are interchangeable and this makes changing them relatively easy. It can be a good idea to replace an old lock and handle with a similarly sized one. If this is not possible, avoid inadvertently damaging an expensive front door and get locksmith quotes on our main website instead.
You will be astounded at the difference that a new door lock and handle can make to the appearance of your home. For extra effect, why not redecorate the door, or at least wash it down?
Tags: dark, digital, door, door lock, find a locksmith, funky, handle, illuminate, key, light, lock, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, modern, new, press button, push button, security, style, traditional
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
 Hackney Council have been active in alerting their council housing tenants to the dangers of CO (Carbon Monoxide) and have supplied and fitted carbon monoxide alarms to safeguard their tenants from the silent killer. They have also followed up at each home fitted with the alarm with regular inspections and servicing, however when they had a high amount of alarms being triggered, the inspection team wanted to know if they had a faulty batch of CO detectors or something more sinister was going on in people’s homes.
It transpired to be a more common cause than anticipated. Certain forms of cooking were in fact triggering the alarms to go off as Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels are burnt – i.e. charcoal, gas or oil – in an area without the correct amount of ventilation. This can cause a build up of carbon monoxide, which in turn can result in feelings of illness and even death. The council carried out an investigation and they found that the problems was caused by cooking oil in pans in badly ventilated kitchen areas starving the area of oxygen in turn creating a dangerous level of CO.
The CIPHE (The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) and Carbon Monoxide Awareness Ltd recommend that areas are well ventilated and suggest not using aluminium foil inside trays under grill pans, as this stops the air flow in the cooking, despite it being a popular method of keeping drip trays clean.
If you have concerns about inadequate ventilation in your home, or would like a carbon monoxide detector installed in your kitchen, please speak with one of the local handymen in London featured in our Tradesmen’s Directory and attract competitive quotes from handymen in London with our “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of this page.
Tags: alarm detectors, carbon monoxide, cooking, fossil fuels, health, kitchen, security, ventilation
Posted in General Building, Handyman Services, Kitchen Fitting, Plumbing, Heating & Gas | 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
|
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
