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Featured Articles
Black mould in the home
How dangerous is it – and how can it be removed?
Tips to create a wildflower meadow
How to create your own mini meadow and help save bees and butterflies
Common Issues with Freestanding Garden Walls
There are numerous issues that can arise with garden walls, and early detection and timely remedial work could help prevent more costly issues down the line, as well as accidents and injuries.
How to protect your property from storm damage
Over the course of 2020, the UK saw ten storms batter its shores. In the past four months alone, seven storms have hit the UK (Arwen, Barra, Malik, Corrie, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin)
How to maintain a flat roof
Despite being relatively common features of many homes, flat roofs have a poor reputation for leaks and are certainly prone to failure
Simple energy saving measures for your home
Making small changes to your home and the way you use it can result in big savings on your energy bills
What makes a building grade I or grade II listed?
If you are thinking of moving into a listed building, it is important to understand what you are getting into
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater falls free of charge from the sky. Harvesting rain seems so obvious - but is it too expensive?
Five ways to avoid burst pipes
With spring still a long time off, you could still suffer a burst pipe, split tank or catastrophic flood. Here are five ways you can reduce the risks.
What is colour temperature – and why does it matter when buying lightbulbs?
Colour ‘temperature' can make an enormous difference to the feel of a room, and even how well you work, rest and play
Getting your house ready for Winter
As we get ready to turn the clocks back and the nights start closing in, there are lots of jobs on the house that needs sorting before winter really comes a-knocking. But what are the main ones that you should add to your to-do list?
Home safety tips
Safety in the home has definitely improved since the 19th century, when one of the leading causes of accidental death in the home was by burning
Can Masonry bees damage my property?
Masonry bees are a common type of bee that like to attack old or badly maintained mortar or cement between bricks.
How to get your home warm this winter
As the chill sets in, we look at ways to heat your home
Boarding the Loft - a First Time Buyers Case Study!
A first time buyer shares their experiences with lofts!
Creating your dream bathroom
Bathrooms are functional spaces but can be beautiful and stylish too. Is your bathroom in need of a facelift?
Top Tips for improving your bathroom
Top Tips for your Garden
How can you keep your garden blooming in the hot Summer months?
In a slow market, buyers are getting more choosy, looking for a perfect property inside and out. While you can’t change the size of your plot or location, here a to-do list to keep your outdoor space looking neat and attractive.
Case Study - extending a kitchen
Knocking through to create a kitchen-diner
Top Tips on how to paint a wall
Graham Fisher, painter and specialist decorator, describes how to make your redecorating project as professional as possible.
How to kick start your home improvement project
Transform your home in no time
Rising property prices means improving rather than moving has become an attractive option for home owners. But it can be daunting embarking on a home improvement project for the first time. Whether you're planning a simple bathroom refurbishment or a major two-storey extension, here are a few tips.
Things to think about before you undertake a building or renovation project
Once you have decided what you want to do, you need to find out if you need planning permission or building regulations approval
Letting a room at home
Do you have a spare room in your home and need extra cash? Have you ever thought of becoming a resident landlord? You may be able to earn £7,500 per year tax-free under the rent a room scheme.
My house is fine but my garden's a mess!
Did you know when selling your home, a messy garden can be a big turn off and could lose you £60K?
Top Tips for your Garden
How can you improve your Garden?
Looking for ways to breathe new life into your garden? There’s no need to spend a fortune on a landscaper. We have put together our top tips to revitalise your garden and increase the value of your property as well
Noise and your home: what can you do?
Increase your quality of living
When buying or renting property, people are rightly starting to think harder about noise issues that may affect them once they get to their new home. After all the house-hunting, stress and, at times, breathtaking expense, how must it feel to hear the first bark of the neighbour's dog in the back garden, or to be kept awake until the early hours on the first Friday night by a continuous stream of pedestrians on their way to a nightclub - or worse still, by the distant but persistent sound of the music from the nightclub itself?
Japanese knotweed: spot it, catch it, kill it
It's got a seriously bad rep
Cue the relentless Japanese knotweed or fallopia japonica – the bane of homeowners, property developers and governments alike. So evasive and threatening to our eco-system, if you’re caught planting or growing it in the wild (why would anyone want to?) it’s considered to be a serious wildlife offence. It’s also a pain to get rid of and infests pretty much anything within its wake – including the rock hardest of structures. Even a herbicide solution, considered to be a cost-effective and sustainable removal method, means it can take 1 to 3 years to get to work effectively. No wonder the JK has a bad rep!
The truth about damp
What it means in old buildings
There is little doubt that nearly all the old houses that have survived until now must have been built reasonably well and it is unlikely that they had any problems with damp in the beginning. The problems that do develop often fall into one or more of the following categories.
What should you do if a project goes wrong?
If you are having any building work carried out on your home,and it goes wrong, what should you do?
Kitchen makeovers: what's hot and what's not
Refurbishing a kitchen should be based on more than just looks. Here are our top tips to creating a fashionable and functional space
Spring Makeover ideas
Spring has finally sprung and it’s time to spruce up your home. Here are some quick and easy ideas.
5 simple space saving hacks for your home
Think small, but stylish
Finding enough space in your home can seem like an impossible task. Whether you’re tight on space or you’ve simply just got too much stuff, storage is a reoccurring problem in many households. While making your rooms bigger by some form of magic isn’t an option, there are however some really simple things you can do that will instantly give you that extra space you desire!