Category Archives: Home improvement

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Bathrooms and kitchens top home renovation list

install-kitchenFitting new bathrooms and kitchens are the most popular property renovation projects, a survey has shown, whilst homeowners are also adding value by knocking through rooms, converting cellars and giving their garden a makeover.

Almost half the homeowners who have carried out a major home improvement in the last three years have installed a new bathroom, closely followed by nearly four out of 10 who have opted for a new kitchen. A third of homeowners have modernised their boiler or central heating system, whilst seven per cent have added an extra bedroom.

But with nearly half of those surveyed admitting they didnÔÇÖt inform their home insurer about the work carried out, property owners are being warned they are at risk of invalidating their cover if they donÔÇÖt update their policy details.

The home improvement research, commissioned by Gocompare.com Home Insurance, found that the top 10 renovation projects were:

  • Fitting a new bathroom, 44%
  • Fitting a new kitchen, 39%
  • Installing a new boiler or central heating system, 33%
  • Carrying out a garden makeover, 28%
  • Building an extension, 16%
  • Knocking through rooms, 11%
  • Fitting solar panels, 11%
  • Converting the attic, 10%
  • Adding a bedroom, 7%
  • Converting the cellar, 6%

The survey also found that 22% of homeowners are extending or improving with a view to staying in their property for at least three years, whilst five per cent are carrying out the work with view to selling their home within the same timeframe.

home-buildingGocompare.com’s Ben Wilson says: ÔÇ£As well as making your home a nicer place to live, a major renovation project can add to the value of your property and household contents.┬á For example, when modernising a kitchen with new cabinets and worktops, many people will also buy a new cooker, fridge freezer or other appliances and furniture, increasing both the value of their propertyÔÇÖs rebuilding costs and household contents.┬á So, youÔÇÖll need to review your insurance to make sure that youÔÇÖve got adequate cover for your new investment.

ÔÇ£Also, if your renovation involves scaffolding or removing doors or windows for any length of time, your property will be less secure, so your insurer may increase your premiums to reflect the increased risk while the work is being carried out.ÔÇØ

Homeowners are also advised to brush up on home insurersÔÇÖ rules regarding unoccupied properties.┬á ÔÇ£Most policies stipulate that if you leave your home unoccupied for a period of time, typically exceeding 30 or 60 days*, then your property will not be covered for certain events including theft, malicious damage and escape of water,ÔÇØ adds Ben. ÔÇ£ThereÔÇÖs no standard definition of ÔÇÿoccupiedÔÇÖ, so, if youÔÇÖre planning to live elsewhere during refurbishment works, itÔÇÖs essential that you talk to your insurer first to make sure you understand the implications.

ÔÇ£Most home insurance policies donÔÇÖt cover tradesmen or their work, so you should always check that they have their own insurance in place.┬á ItÔÇÖs also wise to check that they are qualified to carry out the work and registered with a recognised governing body.ÔÇØ

For more information on home improvements and your insurance, read Gocompare.comÔÇÖs handy guide.

Main image courtesy of Do It Yourself Kitchens

 

diy-bathroom

Milk Tray man? We’d prefer a handyman!

diy-bathroom

Image: Heritage Bathrooms

Forget the chocolates and overpriced flowers – all women want this Valentine’s Day is a handyman to help overhaul their home!

Traditionally, February 14th is a day for loved-up couples to paint the town red but, this year, it seems we’ll settle for just the paint! Research from specialists Heritage Bathrooms reveals that, whilst a third of women would opt for champagne and traditional gifts, the majority would prefer the money to be spent on redecorating the house!

According to Heritage Bathrooms, the cost of Valentine’s Day, including gifts, dining out and travel, is expected to reach just over ┬ú200. Yet many women in the UK would prefer that money to be diverted towards home improvements, with almost half (43%) of those questioned otherwise expecting to spend, at the most, ┬ú500 on updating the d├®cor in their homes throughout the entire year.

When asked how they would┬álike to utilise a handymanÔÇÖs time, 45% of respondents said they would stretch to a bigger ┬ú1,500 budget and get as many rooms as possible in the home finished or updated. Another 35% would use the same budget but focus on a single project, such as updating an ageing bathroom.

valentines-dayHeritage Bathrooms’ marketing manager Claire Jennings┬ásays: ÔÇ£Our research suggests that, post-recession, people are looking to make lasting investments in their homes. WeÔÇÖre not surprised by the findings of our research and think that occasions like ValentineÔÇÖs Day are the perfect opportunity to request more practical gifts from our loved ones.ÔÇØ

The research also shows that, when looking to move house, almost four in 10 women would seek a property in need of redecorating in the living areas but boasting designer statements elsewhere. For a third of men, however, newly painted walls and new carpets throughout would be the clincher in making an offer.

Claire adds:┬áÔÇ£Men like to have the final say on a colour choice in the home but, when it comes to bigger projects like the bathroom or kitchen, itÔÇÖs women who lead the design choice.ÔÇØ

 

Must-do winter maintenance

winter-maintenanceWith another big freeze on the way, will your house stand up to the strains of winter? Here are some must-do maintenance jobs to keep your home in tip-top shape through winter:

Heating up nicely

The middle of a snowstorm is the last time you want your heating to pack up, but you can reduce the chances of that happening with good care. Arrange for your boiler, central heating, fire and gas appliances to be checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who can pick up early signs of wear and tear as well as detect potential dangers. If you take a winter holiday, set your heating on a timer to come on for at least an hour a day to prevent pipes freezing when youÔÇÖre away.

A clean sweep

On a cold winterÔÇÖs day, thereÔÇÖs nothing more cheering than cosying up in front of a real fire. But itÔÇÖs essential to maintain your fire, chimney and vents properly, to check for blockages such as birdsÔÇÖ nests and to remove creosote deposits, a potentially lethal by-product of wood burning. Call in a professional chimney sweep at least once a year and take extra care if you have a thatched property.

DonÔÇÖt lag behind

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Check the insulation in your loft and make sure itÔÇÖs up to scratch. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of a homeÔÇÖs heat can be lost through an un-insulated loft, leaving you shivering and sending your heating bills, well, quite literally through the roof! Lag all pipes and tanks and make sure roof insulation is topped up to the recommended 270mm.

Up the garden path

Maintaining the outside area of your property is just as important as the inside. Make sure the driveway or path to the front door is clear of moss and fallen leaves to prevent the risk of a family member or a visitor slipping, and light the way with adequate outdoor lighting. Not only will it help you stay safe but it will deter burglars, who like dark, wintry nights. Keep a bag of rock salt in the garage or shed so you can grit the path in case of snow or ice.

All right on the tiles

Keep guttering clear of leaves and debris and check the roof for loose or broken tiles or problems with the pointing. DonÔÇÖt risk injury by climbing onto the roof yourself; take a look from ground level and call in a reputable roofer to check out suspected issues and make repairs.

Storing up trouble

DonÔÇÖt forget outbuildings and boundaries. Check locks on gates and look out for potential weak spots in fencing that might not withstand the next gale. Inspect the shed for leaks and think about when you might need to replace the roof. A felt roof typically supplied with many sheds will last about five years, whereas a rubber roof could last 40.

Clear the clutter

clutterDark winter days are a good chance to de-clutter your home ahead of the spring clean. Stop hanging onto things ÔÇÿjust in caseÔÇÖ and go through the house one room at a time. Fill boxes for charity, sell them online or find a car boot sale in your local area ÔÇô just get rid of the stuff you donÔÇÖt use!

And if youÔÇÖre still not motivated to do a little maintenance, remember that failing to look after your home properly could invalidate your home insurance policy if you ever have to make a claim ÔÇô so keep up with the upkeep today!