Don’t die for DIY!

DIY-ers are being urged not to put their lives at risk by following online advice from unqualified ÔÇÿexpertsÔÇÖ. With a boom in Youtube ÔÇÿhow toÔÇÖ videos, safety charity Electrical Safety First is warning householders not to blindly accept online advice and to always call in a registered professional for jobs they are not confident carrying out.

To highlight the dangers, Electrical Safety First has created some videos of its own, featuring electrician Mike Power. Mike promises to have the answers to a number of electrical DIY tasks – but not all is as it seems! The message of the spoof videos is that electricity can be extremely dangerous, so why risk relying on non-regulated videos and put your life in the hands of a potentially unqualified person?

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), more than 200,000 people go to A&E every year following accidents whilst carrying out DIY, gardening or home maintenance. 7,000 of these visits involve people who have fallen off a ladder or step ladder, whilst 5,000 deaths occur every year following accidents around the home.

A spokesman from Electrical Safety First said: ÔÇ£If you need any electrical work done in your home, the best option is always to get a competent person to do the job for you. You can easily find a registered electrician at www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk and, if youÔÇÖre in Scotland, you can visit www.certificationregister.co.uk.ÔÇØ

And RoSPA has these further tips to keep you safe around your home and garden:

Be realistic and don’t tackle a job unless you have the ability. A competent, qualified person should always carry out gas and electrical renewal or repair work
Keep tools clean and in good repair, giving each one a quick check over before you use it
Always plan ahead and take your time; accidents happen more easily if you are unprepared and rush
Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes when mowing the lawn and keep your feet and hands well away from the mower blades
Stop and disconnect all electrical appliances and tools before working on them
Ensure that all tools, paint and chemicals are kept safely out of the reach of children
Take extra care with sharp cutting tools
Follow manufacturers’ instructions very carefully when using adhesives, especially the instant type
Use an RCD – residual current device – if your home is not already wired as standard
Keep children and pets away when carrying out DIY
Keep barbecues well away from trees, buildings and fences and never pour petrol on a barbecue
Remember that some plants and berries are poisonous or can cause an allergic reaction
Keep all products in their original containers.

Help at hand for first-time homebuyers

homebuyers

If you dream of spending your weekends indulging in DIY but are yet to even get your foot on the property ladder, help might be at hand! ItÔÇÖs First Time Buyers Fortnight, the ideal time for ÔÇÿGeneration RentÔÇÖ to glean expert tips, advice and inspiration to avoid a lifetime of wasting money on rented accommodation.

Being a would-be buyer can be daunting, with worries about your credit rating and the enormous task of saving for a deposit. First Time Buyers Fortnight, which runs until February 28, seeks to help people who are renting or living with their parents by advising them on the dos and donÔÇÖts of buying their first home.

First Time Buyers Fortnight organiser Adam Cox says: ÔÇ£With property prices and rents set to continue rising and the cost of higher education meaning larger student debts than ever, itÔÇÖs imperative that Generation Rent takes immediate action to avoid a life of renting.

ÔÇ£The age at which people are buying their first property is getting later and thereÔÇÖs a genuine risk of missing the first time buyersÔÇÖ boat. The first action they must take is to decide that they want to own their own property. First Time Buyers Fortnight was created to not just inspire but also educate people on how to navigate the minefield that is first time buyingÔÇØ.

As the annual campaign gets underway, the organisers have rounded up the yearÔÇÖs housing news so far and whatÔÇÖs ahead for the rest of 2016:

A good start

Despite a challenging financial climate, 2016 has started off well for potential home buyers. More 95% mortgages are available from mainstream lenders and an increase in government funding was announced in the ChancellorÔÇÖs autumn statement, meaning this year could be a good one to get onto the property ladder.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) has also reported a seven percent year-on-year increase in NHBC new home registrations. In 2015, 156,140 new homes were registered, representing an eight-year high and amounting to 75% more new homes registered than in 2009.

However, there is also caution for first time buyers, with house prices rising by an eye-watering 6.1% in 2015 and with similar predictions for 2016. In addition, buy-to-let investors are facing a three percent surcharge on stamp duty from April, which could cause house prices to increase and thwart the hopes of potential buyers.

Help at hand

There are a number of much-needed government initiatives to help anyone hoping to buy this year. The Help To Buy scheme allows homebuyers to secure a new build property with a five percent deposit and interest-free loans of 20% (40% in London), resulting in more affordable 75% mortgages.

For those who donÔÇÖt want to invest in a new build, the return of 90-95% mortgages is important for first time buyers with a lower deposit, who will now find it easier to obtain a mortgage.

In addition to Help To Buy, extra government funding for its Shared Ownership scheme will allow a greater number of first time buyers to purchase a 25-75% per cent share of a property and pay rent to a housing association on the remaining amount, instead of paying rising private rents.

For starters

homebuyers Astonishingly, first time buyers purchasing a property in England in 2016 will already have spent an average of ┬ú52,900 on rent, according to the Association of Residential Lettings Agents. As starter homes are an essential option for potential buyers, the government is to subside 20% of the cost of 200,000 new homes built for first time buyers – although this only applies to buyers under the age of 40 purchasing homes where the discounted price is less than ┬ú250,000 (┬ú450,000 in London).

Saving grace

For those not quite ready to buy just yet, saving for a deposit can seem impossible, but the Help To Buy ISA enables you to save with the government boosting your efforts by 25%! The maximum government bonus you can receive is ┬ú3,000 and itÔÇÖs a good idea to shop around the High Street lenders to find the right Help to Buy ISA for you.

Adam continues: ÔÇ£Overall, 2016 is looking like a prosperous year for potential home buyers. New builds are at an eight-year high and there are more government schemes than ever available in order to help people climb onto the property ladder. Make sure youÔÇÖre savvy when saving and searching for property; be realistic, always view properties and ensure your credit rating is good.ÔÇØ

For 10 years, First Time Buyers Fortnight has been on a mission to empower people who are renting or living with parents. The campaign teams up with leading voices in the industry to offer insights and advice on each area of buying your first home, such as top tips, mortgages and the buying process. Visit www.firsttimebuyersfortnight.com for more details and you could be doing up a dream home of your very own before you can say ÔÇÿcompletion dateÔÇÖ!

Nine nifty tips for nicer DIY

diy-painting DIY neednÔÇÖt be hard work if you know the rules! Our handy hints donÔÇÖt cut corners but they do cut down on the work in the long term. If you want to start as you mean to continue, read on!

1. First things first

Always check what type of screws and rawlplugs you need before you get started. ThereÔÇÖs nothing worse than drilling into the wall only to find youÔÇÖre without the right fixtures – and theyÔÇÖre not always supplied with the product being fitted.

2. On the level

Invest in a spirit level and always use it when putting up shelves and rails. You might think you can judge just by looking, but chances are you canÔÇÖt!

3. Primed for perfection

DonÔÇÖt assume that painting over a stain will hide it completely. Try a coat of primer first, to seal it in, and then add a fresh coat of paint for a clean finish.

4. ItÔÇÖs a wrap

When leaving paint to dry before applying the next coat, wrap the brushes and rollers in cling film. It stops them drying out and prevents you having to wash them out multiple times!

5. Stick with it

The same goes for grout and tile adhesive. If youÔÇÖre taking a break, place a damp towel over the bucket to stop the mixture hardening.

6. Silver lining

DonÔÇÖt skimp on the lining paper, particularly if you live in an older house or the walls are bumpy. Quality lining paper evens things out and makes it much easier to hang the main wallpaper, as well as giving a nicer finish if youÔÇÖre painting the walls. Paste the lining paper horizontally if you are papering on top, but vertically if you are painting over it.

7. Building relationships

If youÔÇÖre a regular DIY-er or have a large project on the go, check out your local buildersÔÇÖ merchant as many accept public as well as trade customers. You might get a 10% discount on all purchases and staff are also likely to be extremely knowledgeable and give great tips and advice.

8. Check, mate!

Check, check and check again. The silliest mistakes can be made when a DIY-er is tired or in a rush, with handles being fixed upside down and even doors opening the wrong way! Take your time, enlist someone you trust to provide a fresh pair of eyes and have plenty of tea breaks!

9. Know when to go pro

Recognise your limits and accept you might have to call in the experts for the hard stuff!

DIY Advice Online is brimming with clever ideas for your home and garden, as well as step-by-step guides. Check out our decorating dos and donÔÇÖts, as well as how to avoid a DIY botch job!