Category Archives: Property Refurbishment

Please find hints and tips with regards to maintenance and other related practical pointers related to the ownership and improvement of property (both structurally and aesthetically).

The Best Heating Options for a Smaller Home

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The Best Heating Options for a Smaller Home

Of all the advantages associated with smaller properties, the range of available heating options, and how they will impact the space, is right at the forefront. Somewhat obviously, smaller homes feature a smaller surface area to heat. As such, more compact properties are quicker to warm up, and easier to keep warm too. Crucially, over time, a smaller home will allow you to realise significant savings on energy bills. Here, we’ll take you through some of the very best heating options to consider for a smaller home, explaining their effects both aesthetically and performance-wise. Basically, it’s your go-to guide to get a smaller home looking lovely, feeling comfy and not costing a massive amount to run. Designer Radiators Sure to represent the fail-safe, tried and tested option in most people’s minds. Designer radiators are undoubtedly the most popular heating devices... [Read More]

Why Having a Damp Survey is an Important Part of the Property Buying and Selling Process

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Damp and Your House Sale

As you all may know dampness is a common issue among households across the UK. If left for a long period of time dampness can lead to serious damage to the integrity of the property. Buying or selling a home is a stressful time for many people so having the extra stress of damp problems is not what you need. In this article, we explain the types of dampness that can affect your property, what happens during a damp survey and the outcomes of not having a damp survey carried out. Types of Damp Problems There are 3 types of damp that can affect your property, these are rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation. Condensation The most common damp issue is condensation. The process that causes condensation is warm moisture-laden air coming into contact with a colder surface. As the... [Read More]

5 Home Renovation Ideas Worth Investing In

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5 Home Renovation Ideas Worth Investing In

As a homeowner, you have the responsibility of proper home maintenance but also adjusting your personal environment so that it feels truly comfortable. Not to mention that your intent might be to sell your current home and get a good deal out of it, which is another reason why you should definitely look into the options you have when it comes to home renovation ideas worth investing in. Of course, if you’re aware of a certain aspect of your home that requires urgent repairs and upgrades, make sure to go with that first. On the other hand, you might be interested to learn more about the generally favourite renovation projects among homeowners nowadays. Light Up Your Home Properly Regardless of whether you’re planning to sell your current place or want to enjoy it yourself for years to come, it’s crucial... [Read More]

Property Refurbishment 101

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Property Refurbishment 101

Given the unpredictable nature of carrying out property refurbishment works, the entire process can often be a minefield.  This is even the case with ‘vanilla’ and simple redecoration/cosmetic update projects. Most landlords, property traders and homeowners simply want to know that they can get projects done to a decent standard without being ripped off. Fortunately, although banishing rogue traders is perhaps too much to ask, the process is slowly but surely becoming more transparent – even if you’re handling the process remotely. This extended post starts with some general tips for refurbishing a property from beginning to end.  We then outline a handful of useful tools you can use to find decent tradesmen anywhere in the UK.  Finally, we run through the main bodies and organisations with whom you can crosscheck credentials (covering general refurbishment, electrical, plumbing, gas safety, windows,... [Read More]

Sarah Beeney on the Current State of Play…

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Needing very little introduction, Sarah Beeney’s reputation as a genuine expert in all aspects of property ownership is unquestionable. With a number of varied business interests – including a TV series, an award winning property portal and a popular dating website – her dedicated and strong work ethic has made her a household name and a positive figure representing the property industry as a whole. Please see an interview below where we talked about what Sarah has been up to; the future effects of base rate rises on the property market; protection against negative equity; acquisition strategies; buying at the right price in the current climate; buying to sell; lease options; the growth of the Tepilo brand and the online vs. offline estate agency debate... [Read More]

Interview with the UK Empty Homes Agency

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With a UK property market considered to be at one of its relative lowest points for decades, the hunger for investors to build their portfolios is ever-apparent. One potential acquisition strategy – that is often overlooked due to perceived misconceptions – is to look into properties that have been left empty by previous owners. Please see an interview below with David Ireland of the Empty Homes Agency with whom we discussed current levels of empty properties in the UK; the effects of the recession on the situation; the housing deficit; the government’s response; what steps can be taken to investigate an empty home; seeking legal advice; available grants for renovating empty properties; getting advice from local authorities; the organisations’ campaign for council tax relief as well as a very worthwhile conference worth attending on May 23rd. [Read More]

Pricing the refurbishment…

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This post gives a brief outline of what to look for when it comes to buying materials and managing property refurbishment. You should, first off, know what a good price is for the items that you wish to buy. Get the following trade catalogues: (i) Screwfix (ii) B&Q (iii) Wickes You can compare what sort of prices these three companies are charging and use them as your benchmark. A lot of builders usually end up going to these suppliers (smaller merchants would often charge more due to not benefiting from economies of scale) so you can know whether the materials quote they are giving you is over-inflated. Labour costs vary according to location, time of year and the job itself but you can get a general feel by phoning around a few builders using websites such as Yell and asking... [Read More]