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How To Lay A Patio

2012-05-21T13:39:00.004+01:00

Building a patio in your garden allows you to make far more use of the space. Patios are the ideal space for entertaining in good weather, and even when the weather is less pleasant, a patio can be used as a play space or just somewhere to sit outside with a coffee and a book. Patios add value to your house, and are not difficult to lay with some preparation and basic DIY skills.
Planning
The sky is the limit when it comes to patio design. A patio can range from a few slabs to a much larger paved area, and can be any shape. Patio slabs are available in a huge range of colours also, and before jumping in and buying the first slabs you see, take time to look round various different shops to see what is on offer, and look in magazines and on the internet for inspiration. Draw out plans on paper to get an idea of the size of project you are contemplating. For beginners, go for a simple design which will not involve too much cutting of slabs.
Purchasing
Once you’ve decided on the dimensions of the patio, you can start to prepare the ground and get it level. A layer of hardcore will provide a good, solid base for laying the slabs on top of and will ensure the patio looks great for many years to come. Sand and cement will also be required to lay the slabs on top of. Staff in a DIY store will be able to help with quantities required and many also rent out equipment such as cement mixers and stone cutters.
Laying the Slabs
Once the area is levelled and the hardcore layer is down, the next stage is to mix up the sand and cement mix to put the slabs on. Mix up the mortar in small quantities so it does not have the chance to dry out before the slabs are laid. Once the mortar is down, it is time to get the slabs laid. Start in one corner and work in straight lines. Use a hammer to gently knock the slabs into place, and check with a spirit level that the patio is sloping very gently away from the house to help with drainage. As more slabs are laid, keep checking the alignment and the level so that they are all uniform.
Pointing
Once all of the slabs have been laid, the final step is to fill the gaps between the slabs with mortar. This is known as pointing. This should be done the day after the slabs have been laid, to give the mortar a chance to dry out. Press more mortar into the gaps between the stones using a trowel, then brush off any excess. After the pointing is completed, the patio should be left for at least 24 hours to make sure it dries out properly. In wet or cold weather, it may be better to cover the patio with a plastic sheet to protect it as it dries.
Finding A Patio Laying Specialist
If you'd rather leave it to the specialists, then Top Tradespeople can help you find and compare quotes from local paving and flagging tradesmen for free. Use their free service to find and compare quotes quickly and easily.

Heating Options For Conservatories

2012-05-08T19:07:00.001+01:00

Heating Options For Conservatories

The conservatory can be a heavenly place in the summer and a great room to banish the winter blues in the colder months - once it's heated properly. So, what are the best heating options for conservatories?

Underfloor Heating

This heating system is the most efficient and also provides a luxurious and comfortable feel that will delight you when you put your bare feet on it each morning. It also means you don't have to worry about the aesthetic impact of radiators. Underfloor heating merely requires a 13 amp socket and allows great heat and comfort on otherwise cold materials in winter, such as stone and tiles.

Hot Water Underfloor

This is similar to that of the Romans heating system and channels heat under your floor from your boiler. Of course, this is dependent on boiler capacity and you may need a new one if it is under powered. Hot water underfloor heating is very comfortable, however if something goes wrong can be expensive to fix.

Radiators

The traditional radiator can also be added to a conservatory. However, the main reason people wish to avoid them is because they aren't so pleasing to the eye. If you choose boiler based radiators, you will also need to have a boiler with the additional capacity to meet the needs of extra radiators. Electric radiators are of course a better and often more practical option in many homes for this reason.

Wood burning stoves

It's also possible to add a wood burning stove to your conservatory, however it can cause ventilation problems, so consult your stove specialist. You may also need to insert a number of additional safety precautions you wouldn't have to do if for instance you were adding a wood burning stove to a normal building. Additions, such as double insulated flues are often necessary and often cost a lot extra, so be aware.

How To Fit A Shower

2012-05-03T11:14:00.001+01:00

How To Fit A Shower

How To Fit A Shower - Brief Guide

If you've ever been the victim of a sudden surge of hot or cold water when taking a shower with a traditional mains fed shower when an unsuspecting family member turns on another tap in the house, or flushes the loo whilst you're showering you will hopefully soon benefit from the luxury of constant temperature waterflow which comes from fitting a thermostatic shower, using our handy step by step guide to fitting a shower.

Different Types Of Thermostatic Mixer Showers

There are two main types of thermostatic mixer showers available, although there are many variations upon these two main categories of mixer showers - the first main type of thermostatic mixer shower is a surface-mounted mixer shower. Essentially, surface mounted mixer showers fit to the surface of the wall and so does the pipework - i.e the pipework is not embedded in the wall behind plasterwork or embedded in brickwork.

The second main type of mixer shower is a recessed mixer shower. Recessed mixer showers have their pipework recessed into the wall with plasterwork and tiling fitted between the pipework and the thermostatic shower itself.

Our step by step guide to fitting your thermostatic shower includes a complete list of the tools and materials you will need to carry out your DIY shower fitting project.

Tools Needed To Fit A Shower

Quality spirit level
Drill suitable for drilling tiles - i.e. tile drill
A spanner - adjustable spanner preferably
Measuring tape
Pencil for marking out
Pipe cutters suitable to cut copper pipe or plastic water pipe
Dust sheets to keep the area clean

Materials You Need To Fit A Shower

Shower shut-off valves / isolating valves
15mm plastic pipe
15mm copper pipe
A selection of tees and elbows in copper and plastic
Thermostatic mixer shower
Shower head for mixer showers
Fitting Your Shower

Where Will You Get Your Hot And Cold Water Supply From For Your Shower?

Before you start to fit your shower you will need to think about where you are going to bring the shower water supply from. You can choose to either bring the water supply from the bath below by tapping into the taps using plumbing tees and elbows or you can bring the water supply from a nearby shower cubicle. If you decide to bring the water supply from a shower cubicle you will normally find a suitable pipework tee point below the floorboards. If in doubt about where the pipework is running, switch on the water to your selected watersource (i.e. the taps to the bath or the shower cubicle) and trace the flow of water back to a suitable point to tee in, as the water is running through the pipework. Obviously the hot water pipe will be warm.

Turn off the water supply at the stopcock

Once you have identified where you are going to bring your new shower's water supply from, it's time to switch off the main water supply at the stopcock. Just in case there is water already in the pipework and to prevent water leakage, you should turn on all the taps to run off any remaining water which is still in the system.

Run the pipework to the shower

With the water turned off at the main stopcock and any remaining water emptied from the system, you can start running your pipework to the site of the new shower. You can use either plastic piping or copper piping to run the pipes to the shower. Plastic piping is easier for the DIY plumber to work with but you should be careful to avoid leaks in plastic piping by fitting pipe inserts between joints and fit copper fittings at the end of the pipework for increased leak prevention. Remember to fit isolating valves at the end of the pipework as near to the shower as possible without being intrusive or cosmetically unattractive. Isolating valves might very well come in handy if your shower or pipework springs a leak. With an additional water shut-off point near your shower you will not need to rely as much on the main water stopcock.

Flush the new pipework through

To avoid damaging thermostatic shower valves you should ensure that the pipework does not have any dirt or grit in it. Flush the pipework through to check this.

Measure where the shower valve will go

Hold the valve against the wall and check how much pipework length will be required to ensure the new thermostatic valve can fit flush.

Cut the hot and cold water outlet pipes to the right length
Once you have ascertained how much pipework is needed to fit the thermostatic shower valve you can cut the hot and cold water pipes for the shower using pipe cutters.

Make the holes for the thermostatic valve

Drill the holes in the wall to fit your thermostatic shower valve. If you are drilling into tiles ensure that your drill bit is suitable to work on tiling. Use a spirit level to fit any bracket or wall fitment flush to the wall to prevent problems when fitting the shower valve and to avoid damaging tiling or plasterwork.

Fit compression olives into each of the water inlets

For additional leakage prevention fit a compression olive and nip it up snugly.

Align the shower valve

Mark up the wall for the shower valve fitting taking care.

Fit the shower riser rail

Assess how high you want the shower riser rail. Use a spirit level to mark vertically up the wall from the valve position to the height you would like the shower head to be. If in doubt, for further assessment, stick masking tape to the wall vertically replacing the spirit level and take it to the point where the shower head will be. Step back and check that the shower head will be in the correct position using the masking tape as an indication of the shower riser rail. Once you are confident that the shower riser rail will be in the correct position, cut the shower riser rail and run the pipework up the riser rail.

Fit the shower head to the riser rail and test for leaks

The penultimate step to fitting your new shower is fixing the shower head at the top of the riser rail. Turn your new shower on and check the shower for leaks.

Checking The Shower Thermostat Works

Ensure that the thermostat kicks in by turning on the hot and cold water taps whilst checking that the temperature of your newly fitted shower stays constant as expected.

Your New Shower Is Fitted

A new thermostatic shower fitted. Enjoy your new shower!

Need A Plumber To Fit A Shower?

If you decide that fitting a shower is not for you why not use Top Tradespeople's free quotes service to find a local plumber.

Find a plumber to fit a shower

DIY Deal Hunter Is On His Way

2012-05-02T07:51:00.001+01:00

We're scouring the web for all the best deals on DIY and will be bringing you a weekly update of the best offers out there on tiles, flooring, paint, lighting and more..

Some of the retailers we will be looking for deals from for Top Tradespeople visitors will be B & Q, Wickes, Bathroom City, Screwfix and more.

What To Expect From An Asbestos Survey

2012-05-01T04:47:00.001+01:00

What To Expect From An Asbestos Survey

Asbestos inspection and surveys are an easy and simple way to find out whether there is materials containing asbestos in your new home, or even existing home. Asbestos surveys are carried out by a number of companies in the UK, however you should ensure any company adheres to ISO 17020 accreditation and also UKAS accredited. This means you are getting the best in surveys and all asbestos in a home should be identified.

UKAS , or the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to give it, its full title ensures asbestos surveys are carried out in the best possible manner and provides a badge for companies once they are happy this is happening.

Asbestos surveys are broken into two kinds of survey - management and refurbishment/demolition. The former is to protect those living/ working in the area from the dangers of the material and involves managing the threat. The latter is if you are looking to refurbish the area, or demolish the property.

So, what happens during an asbestos survey?

Initially the surveyor will visit a home, or a premises and then walk through it. This is so they can identify the areas where asbestos may be most likely to reside, such as in ceilings, floor tiles, pipe runs and other areas. This allows them to take notes and then create a plan for how they are going to approach the whole procedure. They will also ask questions about your property, whether you know if there is asbestos, or whether there are areas that are hard to access.

The surveyor will then decide on how he is going to do his survey and may leave and then come back at a later time. The surveyor will then walk from room, to room surveying the material in each room for asbestos. You should give them access to seldom used areas, such as risers, the loft, basement area and outside, as well as allow them to lift carpets and tiles.

What the Surveyor Does

Surveyors often then take photos of the room, as well as materials they consider may be dangerous. They may also sketch the room and in this sketch point out areas they think there are suspect materials. The surveyor may then take samples of the materials they deem suspect and bring them away to analyse and assess them for risk.

When the survey is completed, the surveyor sends off these samples and will have to wait for these returned. This often takes a few days. Afterwards a report will then be issued with information of where asbestos has been found in the home. It will also indicate the level of risk involved with the particular form of asbestos, allowing you to decide on what should be done with the area.

As not all asbestos is dangerous, this may mean you can leave the asbestos based material and not have to worry about it. In other cases, it may mean that it needs to be taken care of by a professional asbestos surveyor.

Best Way To Find Bathroom Fitters

2012-05-01T04:37:00.001+01:00

Best Way To Find Bathroom Fitters

Are you frustrated by trying to find the right bathroom fitter or bathroom fitting tradesperson for your home improvement or bathroom fitting job?

Fed up with waiting in all day for so called tradesmen to turn up to give you a quote. Wasting your leisure time sitting around and they never turn up.

First of all, of course, you have to get them to answer the phone. Countless answer machines kick in when you come to contact the tradespeople. Spending hours poring over telephone directories or leafing through newspapers and of course all the good bathroom specialist tradespeople that your friends and family swear by are always booked up for months, or even years on end?

Why cant you get the right tradesperson you need when you need them?

Let us tell you why. Because the bathroom fitter or bathroom fitting tradesman or tradesperson or other tradeperson that your friends or family use is more often than not a sole trader, one man band business or at the very most he or she may have a couple of people who work for him or her. They have limited time and limited availability. They can only do a days work in a day because they have limited man hours available to do their bathroom fitting or bathroom fitter jobs.

What other options do you have?

At first sight it would appear that you only have two options

OPTION 1 - Wait Ages For A Bathroom Fitter

You can wait and keep trying to find a bathroom fitter or bathroom fitting tradesperson for a reasonable price.

This could take you an age, because as we mentioned above – most of the small independent one man band bathroom fitting tradespeople are booked up for months if you are relying on word of mouth recommendation.

You will also find that a lot of the ones that are really busy will not turn up to even quote for your job because they have got too many jobs to do already maybe even for your family and friends. They are spending all their time ‘doing’ the bathroom fitting jobs to go and look at new bathroom specialist jobs.

If they do turn up it could be weeks or months before they can get to you. Depending on the nature of your job – in this case – bathroom fitting or fitted bathroom or bathroom fitter – by the time the independent or sole trader bathroom fitter or fitted bathroom or bathroom fitter tradesperson has got round to you to do your job your bathroom fitting or fitted bathroom or bathroom fitter job could go from being an issue to a problem.

You might get lucky and get someone straight away who will charge a fair price for a fair job but over the long term you will find that a lot of the time you will be let down just trying to find independents yourself. You will find that you become more and more frustrated by the process – stressed even.

If you do find good tradespeople – hang on to them. They are like gold dust. But even then. It is still important to always get a few quotes from tradesmen for your jobs. Familiarity breeds contempt and if your tradesman thinks that you will pay whatever price he or she asks because you like them and have been using them for years they may at some point or another use it to their advantage. If they think that you are always a nailed on customer then they may start to overcharge you because you ‘like them’. Please note – not all tradespeople are like this – it is just always wise to be wary regarding quotes from any industry in which you are not an expert and this advice is supported by most consumer bodies. It is not just our opinion.

OPTION 2 - Use A Large Bathroom Fitting Company

You can go to a large national or regional bathroom company – they at least will have more bathroom tradespeople to carry out your bathroom job. However, what tends to happen is that when you contact a large regional or national bathroom company they just tend to use the very same self employed, sole trader bathroom tradespeople that you would use if you could only get to them to carry out your bathroom job.

However, they will usually mark up the labour because they are guaranteeing the job and of course they have the bathroom tradesman as their contact – (you don’t have them as your contact) by up to 100% - sometimes more. You pay more because they know a bathroom tradesperson, and you don’t. They subcontract your work to the bathroom fitter and charge you for it. In effect, you are getting the very same bathroom tradesman who you would get yourself if you could only find them using option 1. The problem is the independent sole trader bathroom tradespeople don’t tend to advertise because they are a one man band and can’t afford it – so they go off word of mouth advertising and their contacts in the building and construction industry who get them work. – but you are paying twice as much – sometimes more!

You pay the bathroom company who CAN afford to advertise (and charge you more) and they literally pay the sole trader bathroom tradespeople who CAN’T afford to advertise and either have to go off word of mouth advertising or they have to work as self employed subcontractors to bathroom companies like the one you would be paying. Please note: Some bathroom fitting, bathroom fitter or fitted bathroom companies are very good but you will usually pay more and this is not the cheap option.

To summarise. Your two options would appear to be – waste time or waste money.

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY – THIS COULD SAVE YOU HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POUNDS ON YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT JOBS. THIS WAY YOU SAVE TIME AND SAVE MONEY RATHER THAN WASTING TIME AND WASTING MONEY

OPTION 3 - Use Our Top Tradespeople's free Bathroom Fitters Quotes Services

Simply post your job on the Top Tradespeople site for free and use their services to get up to 3 free quotes for your job from local bathroom tradespeople recommended by real customers just like you and with reviews.

These tradespeople are often the very same bathroom tradespeople that work as self employed subcontractors to bathroom companies – you are literally cutting out the middle man and saving hundreds of pounds on your home improvement jobs. How do I get guarantees that the bathroom job will be carried out to my satisfaction we hear you cry. At least if I go to a proper company who do bathroom jobs I will get a guarantee on the bathroom workmanship you may be thinking.

Well, whilst Top Tradespeople cannot guarantee your bathroom fitting job for you what we can do is give you an opportunity to read the reviews of the bathroom tradespeople that are registered on the site and want to quote for your job and also give you an opportunity to give a review of the bathroom tradesmen that you choose to carry out your bathroom job.

The tradespeople who want to quote on your job will know that you are going to review them so they also know by default that if they get a good review in turn future clients who go to get quotes from them for bathroom jobs will be able to look at all the previous reviews from people just like you that they have carried out bathroom jobs for. If the reviews are good, naturally they will win more of the quotes that they do for customers. If the reviews are poor they are going to get far fewer of the bathroom jobs that they quote for.

It won’t be long before they aren’t getting any of the bathroom jobs that they go after. A good review for your bathroom tradesperson is like money in the bank as naturally a good tradesperson with good reviews will get more of the jobs that they put in quotes for. A poor tradesperson will very likely get none of the bathroom jobs that they go for. A poor review is a warning from you to not touch this bathroom tradesperson. Posting a job is easy. Simply post your bathroom fitters job, get free quotes, pick the best and review them for all to see.

Problems With Not Using An Architect For Extensions | Top Trades People.co.uk

2012-05-01T04:31:00.001+01:00

Problems With Not Using An Architect For Extensions | Top Trades People.co.uk

Adding a new extension to your house can create more living space, while also pushing up the home’s value. In such times, it is often the case that people decide to design the new living area themselves, or will contract someone they know who’s good with a pen, but not qualified to do so. Unfortunately, this can often turn into a disastrous decision and mean your new addition has a smorgasbord of faults.
Not using an architect for extensions to your home is something many often overlook.

Planning

One of the issues people often end up facing is that through building their own design, they don’t follow all the rules of planning permission, This can result in costly applications and sometimes if the building goes ahead and a problem is found, the taking down of a building as it doesn’t adhere to the prior given permission.

Design Issues

Architects are trained in the world of design of buildings and so are used to all the problems that can exist, that lay people may overlook. Architects will design your property’s extension and bear in mind any potential issues to do with your home, the extension and also outside factors.

Aesthetics

By using a professional person in this area, you will also end up with a better looking, more aesthetically attractive design than if you were to do it yourself. Architects, like fashion designers, keep up with all the current styles and know a thing or two in the aesthetic area and so can provide you with a beautiful extension, the likes of which you couldn’t have designed yourself.

How Much Does A Bathroom Cost

2012-05-01T04:24:00.001+01:00

How Much Does A Bathroom Cost

The price of a bathroom can vary depending on the size of your bathroom, the labour involved and the type of bathroom you choose.
It’s always wise to contact a bathroom specialist, who will be able to give you advice and a quote for the job. Get some figures from several bathroom firms so you can how much it will cost.

Researching Costs Of A New Bathroom

So, if you’re wondering ‘how much does a new bathroom cost?’ there are several factors involved. You can save on costs if you can do some of the preparation work yourself, for example, the plastering. Doing your homework and researching bathroom suites for yourself can also help cut the costs as you may be able to do this more cheaply than the bathroom specialist. But make sure that they’re happy to fit the bath for you afterwards!

Split up The Bathroom Fitting Job

It’s also worth a shot to find separate contractors - if you do your figures correctly, this could be less expensive than getting one firm to do the whole job.

Average Costs of Bathrooms

The average cost of a bathroom is about £3,000. If you’re going to source the bathroom goods yourself, a basic bathroom suite can cost around £200. For an electric shower it’ll cost from £50 to £200, while a manual mixer shower can cost from £60 to £300. A power shower is the most expensive type of shower you can have, at £200 to £700. If you’re going to hire someone to install your bathroom suite for you, it should cost about £1,500 for the whole job.

Saving On A New Bathroom

You can save up to 70% of the cost of a new bathroom by doing all the work yourself - but you’ll have to be skilled at DIY, as is no job for an amateur. If you install it yourself, there’s a higher risk that you’ll have leaks and this can be a costly mistake to fix. There are also restrictions on the type of work you can do. Fitting an electric shower yourself, for example, goes against building regulations and you’ll need to hire a qualified electricianfor the job.

Finding A Bathroom Specialist

It’s best to contact a bathroom specialist, who’ll know what’s what when it comes to building regulations and price. Contact a few local tradesmen and find out how much it costs to fit a bathroom - get a couple of quotes from local bathroom fitters and you’ll be able to pick the best price.

How To Fit A Bath Panel

2012-05-01T04:18:00.001+01:00

How To Fit A Bath Panel

If you’re unsure how to fit a bath panel, don’t worry - use our guide on how to fit a bath panel and you’ll be luxuriating in a bubble bath in no time at all! Alternatively, find a specialist bathroom fitter and that relaxing bath will be even closer than you think.

Step By Step Instruction For Fitting A Bath Panel

If you’re replacing an old bath panel, unscrew it from the bath frame and you should be able to pull it out easily. There are a few awkward bath panels that will have hidden fittings or brackets, so make sure that you unscrew these too.

Once you’ve removed the old bath panel, you’re ready to measure up for the new one. If you’re lucky, your bath panel will already fit your bath but in many cases, you’ll have to tailor the bath panel to your requirements.

Building A Bath Panel Frame

Before you do this, you should build a wooden frame for the bath panel. This will secure it in place and reinforce the bath panel against bumps and knocks in the future. Make sure the timber you use is strong enough to stabilise the bath panel - 50 x 25mm timber is ideal. If a wooden frame is not an option, then try to fix some timber along the floor at the bottom of the bath - that way, you’ll stop any movement to the bottom of the bath panel.

Remember, if DIY’s not your thing, get some competitive prices from your local bathroom tradesmen. It’ll be worth it in the long run and you’ll avoid any damage to your bathroom units or yourself!

Before you start to cut, make sure that cutting your bath panel will not damage its construction. Now measure the void underneath the bath and cut your bath panel to fit this space. A handy tip to keep in mind is to measure twice, cut once.

Tools Needed

A fine blade jigsaw or handsaw should be perfect for cutting your bath panel, and can tackle either acrylic or wood. Be careful not to damage your new bath panel by using excessive force!

If you’ve cut a wooden bath panel to size, be sure to add some PVA glue to the end where you cut, it will stop any water from seeping through.

Now you’re ready to secure the bath panel. Place it under the lip of the bath, then screw the panel onto the frame. Then it’s just a case of screwing the panels together. Mirror screws will give it a professional looking finish - just the touch to complete the perfect look for your bathroom.

Don't Fancy DIY?

If you’re worried about handling this DIY job yourself, call in a good bathroom fitter or other local tradesman who will ensure that your finished bathroom looks exactly the way you want it to.

HSBC Report Reveals New Policy On Property Sales

2012-04-30T15:34:00.001+01:00

HSBC Report Reveals New Policy On Property Sales

New research by HSBC has revealed a new set of ‘rules’ that homeowners need to know in order to get the sold sign up in an unforgiving property market.

If you think that simply neutralising your walls and throwing down some beige carpet is an easy way to get your property sold then think again.

First on the list is de-cluttering. The survey finds that 93 % of home improvement experts believe this is important in giving your home the sell-appeal. They advise also on making sure the lawn is mowed and any paint chips are repaired prior to a viewing.

Conversely, 69 % of home owners are sticking to the old-fashioned myths like cleaning windows and displaying fresh flowers. Painting front doors and putting up new gates in the garden would be money and time better spent according to the HSBC Home Improvement Survey, but only one fifth of homeowners recognise this.

It seems that buyers are now a lot more discerning when looking for a new nest.

Here’s what vendors can do to minimise any uncertainties for would-be buyers:

De-clutter the home
Replace wall paper and get any chips in the wall fixed
Mow the lawn and spruce up the garden
Fences, walls and gates – consider mending, painting, varnishing if needs be.
First impressions last – paint or varnish your front door if required
Only one 1% of experts believe that a freshly washed car on the driveway and a new set of window boxes actually work, 2 % say cleaning windows and moving unsightly dustbins out of the way matters and no one in the survey believes that displaying a vase of freshly cut gladioli makes an ounce of difference.

How To Remove Asbestos Tiles

2012-04-30T09:39:00.001+01:00

How To Remove Asbestos Tiles

Asbestos Removal Can Be Extremely Dangerous - If In Doubt You Should Seek Advice From A Licensed Asbestos Removal Company.

Until the 1970s, many floors had an element of asbestos in them, mainly due to the fact asbestos adds strength at a low cost. As you probably already know asbestos causes problems for lungs and breathing and so is now not allowed to be added to building materials.

However, there are still a number of areas of homes built in the past, which are full of asbestos. Asbestos tiles are still quite common, though removing them is also quite simple procedure. The biggest element is safety, aside from that it's a simple procedure.

Protection

Wear safety gear when dealing with asbestos. This should include goggles, gloves and a respirator, as well as clothing to cover the whole of your body and ensure that none of the dust can escape onto you.

Tools

You will need a utility knife, putty, amended water, plastic sheeting, bags for disposal and duct tape. Make sure these are all located together and so you don't have to leave the room and chance spreading asbestos elsewhere in the home.

Turn off all air conditioning, or anything that may spread asbestos elsewhere, such as fans. Remove all moveable objects from the room and then cover up windows and doors and vents. Seal all of these areas and outlets up with polythene and tape.

Removing the tiles

Wet the floor with the amended water as this helps soften the seal between the tile and the bonding agent. This is known as wet stripping and is the best way of removing asbestos. This is because the water will keep the asbestos fibres stuck to the tiles and prevent them getting into the air.

Use a hammer and putty knife to remove the asbestos, starting at the edge and working your way in. Never, drill or saw as this will mean asbestos fibres enter the air. To remove with the putty knife. Slip it under the tile and dislodge it with a little pressure. Do this for all the tiles in large, whole pieces to prevent dust getting into the air. When finished clean the area with a damp cloth and ensure none of the asbestos enters the air.

Disposal

Of course, asbestos has to be disposed of carefully. Place the waste into boxes and seal them up. If there is any smaller pieces of debris, gather them up and place them inside plastic bags, double bag them and then seal them up. These will have to be brought to a landfill to be disposed of in a special manner. Just leaving them out with the rubbish at the side of your home is not an option.

When this is done, now you must wash off all your equipment and make sure there is no asbestos left anywhere on them, as this can cause problems in the future. Finally, clean yourself off with a shower.

In some countries it is illegal to remove asbestos without a relevant course in the field. Of course, if you feel it's all too much, professional help is also a way to deal with such a procedure.

Getting Quotes For Asbestos Removal

If you decide that you need to use the services of professional asbestos removal companies, you are welcome to use Top Tradespeople's free service to compare several quotes from asbestos surveyors and asbestos removal services.

How Double Glazing Works

2012-04-29T21:18:00.001+01:00

How Double Glazing Works

We often hear about the insulation properties of double glazing, however many of us don't understand how it works and how it actually traps the heat in and keeps noise out of the home.

Simply explained, double glazing works on the principle that air, or gas is not nearly as good of heat conductor as materials such as glass. So, double glazing is made up of two panes of glass with a central area filled with inert gas. This layer does not conduct heat very well and so significantly limits the amount of heat that actually escapes through the window and outside of the home. This means in winter a double glazed window will keep your home insulated and is far more useful than a single pane.

The Science

To be more scientific, warm molecules move faster than cold ones. When one warm molecule bumps into another next to it, it shakes it and it starts moving equally as quickly. This continues and all the molecules begin to move faster and so conduct heat. Glass's molecules tend to be very close together and so conduct heat quickly. Air's molecules are further apart and so don't tend to conduct materials nearly as quickly.

To put it in more simple terms, the woolly jumper you wear is very similar. As the fibres of these jumpers trap air between them and also the warm molecules coming from your body. Wool jumpers slow down the molecules and form an insulated layer between your body and the outside world and so keep your body warm.

Argon

Many of the double glazing windows don't actually have air between them, they in fact have a gas called argon. This gas is inert and doesn't react with other materials and is a third poorer of a conductor than air. This increases how hard it is for heat to escape through the window, even more so.

Getting the difference between the inside and the outside of the pane is important. Panes that are too close together will transfer heat across either pane, whereas panes too far apart also cause problems. These panes have significant temperature differences and cause the air between panes to move around. This can allow heat to escape from one side to the other. The optimum width between the panes is 16mm - 19mm.

The Frame

These glass panes are placed between either wood, aluminium, or uPVC panels, though this is also to be considered. Aluminium is light and strong, however it also is a conductor of heat meaning an insulation has to be placed between it and the pane. Wood can also be used and is a great insulator, however it is manmade and can really wear with time.

UPVC frames are probably the best as they are both good insulators and also hard wearing. This makes them among the most popular choices for UK buyers as they offer the best of both worlds for those looking to use double glazing on their homes.

So, hopefully now you understand the differences between windows and how these double glazed versions work.

Getting Quotes For Double Glazing

Please feel free to use Top Tradespeople's no-obligation service for homeowners to compare free quotes from local double glazing companies

Asbestos Regulations

2012-04-29T21:00:00.001+01:00

Asbestos Regulations

From the 1950s to the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in the building trade. This naturally occurring mineral was popular because of its resistance to heat, electricity and sound.

Today, we know much more about the affects of asbestos and the trade is governed by the Asbestos Regulations.

Different Types of Asbestos

There are basically three different types of asbestos, namely white asbestos, brown and blue asbestos. From 1985, the blue and brown forms were prohibited in the UK. White asbestos followed, with a ban put in place in 1999.

The asbestos regulations were introduced in 2006, banning all forms of asbestos. These regulations prohibit its importation, supply and use. The strict guidelines apply to new asbestos.

Asbestos Risks

The risks associated with asbestos, include:

Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs caused by minute asbestos fibres)
Lung cancer
Pleural thickening (asbestos fibres that have lodged in the membrane around the lungs, known as the pleura)
Mesothelioma (a malignant tumour of the pleura or lining of the abdominal cavity).
Many older buildings still contain asbestos, including hospitals, schools and homes that were built before the asbestos regulations came into force. Since the late 1980s, asbestos removal specialists have been drafted in to ensure the safety of public buildings.

If you already have asbestos in your home or property, don't worry!

As long as it is in good condition, it can remain in place. But you must continue to monitor the asbestos and maintain it to ensure that it is left undamaged.

Monitoring asbestos should not be done in a hap-hazard way. An asbestos survey should be carried out by an expert who will be able to locate and assess the asbestos. It will then be registered and a management plan will be put into place, and the asbestos will be monitored regularly. If you are doing renovations on the building, a more extensive asbestos survey should be carried out to make sure that the asbestos will not be affected.

Asbestos Removal

Given the risks associated with asbestos, you may wish to make sure that it is removed from your property altogether. An asbestos removal expert will know his asbestos regulations and will be able to help you safely remove asbestos from your home.

Under the regulations, asbestos removal must be carried out under a license that is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. There are only a few exceptions to this rule. An asbestos removal company will be able to advise you on your options. Remember, asbestos is still safe to use if it is undamaged. An asbestos survey will set your mind at ease and identify any problems. As always, with any kind of tradespeople, remember to get at least three quotes for your asbestos removal services.

Disclaimer: Top Tradespeople accept no responsibility for the validity of this information. You should always seek expert advice on DIY, home improvement, building regulations and planning permission.

Building Regulations Kitchens

2012-04-29T20:53:00.001+01:00

Building Regulations Kitchens

Building Regulations And Kitchens

Building regulations are all around us, so when you are considering major refurbishment work such as a new kitchen design you should check out building regulations which might be relevant.

Planning Permission - Kitchens

First the good news - planning permission is not generally required when planning a new kitchen unless the kitchen is part of a house extension or a listed building. If your home is a listed building you should bear in mind that you should always contact building control whenever you are wanting to undertake any kind of home improvement work, whether it's a new kitchen or other home improvement or DIY project.

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Fitting A Kitchen In A New Room

Generally if your new kitchen is going to be fitted in an existing room which is already a kitchen then there is no requirement to inform building control, however if you are planning to fit a kitchen in a room in your home which is not presently a kitchen you will probably need to comply with building regulations with regards to ventilation, fire safety and drainage requirements. If in doubt you should always contact building control to establish and clarify whether any building regulations need to be complied with relating to your home improvement plans.

Need Kitchen Fitters Quotes Or Kitchen Designers?

If you want to compare quotes from local kitchen fitters and get free quotes for kitchen design, kitchen supply and fit or kitchen renovation you can you use our free tradesmen quotes service to find kitchen fitters.

Building Regulations Bathrooms

2012-04-29T20:44:00.001+01:00

Building Regulations Bathrooms

When it comes to fitting a new bathroom suite or completely refurbishing a bathroom there are a few things you should bear in mind with regards to the legalities which may be involved which you may not be aware of.

In recent years home improvement has become increasingly subject to building regulations and planning permission. These are the primary issues which you need to consider with regards to building regulations when carrying out a bathroom refurb.

Part P Building Regulations

Part P building regulations relates primarily to electrical works and a major part of this legislation directly affects electrics fitted in bathrooms and kitchens (i.e. areas where water is likely to come into contact with electricity). The legislation can be largely broken down into 4 areas:

All electrical work must be carried out by a competent person
Minor electrical works (such as electric showers and extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens), must be certified with a minor works certificate which should be issued to you by your electrician.
Quality electrical materials must be used.
Shower rooms, bathrooms and kitchens are considered 'special locations' and nearly all electrical works carried out in these areas must be notified to building control - to be on the safe side, ensure that you obtain the relevant certification, not only from a safety perspective but also to prevent any problems with missing paperwork if you come to try to sell your property and are unable to verify any bathroom modifications work.
If upgrading your electric shower check with the manufacturers instructions to see if any notifications are required to remain compliant. Good quality showers will normally have information accompanying them about this matter.
Bathrooms and External Ventilation Regulations

When fitting a bathroom, shower room, wetroom or cloakroom, it is essential that external ventilation of some sort is available. Whilst most bathrooms and shower rooms etc, will normally have an external window fitted in any event, if there is no window present it is imperative that an extractor fan is fitted.

En Suite Bathrooms - Regulations

An ensuite bathroom cannot lead directly into a bedroom (with just one door into the bathroom), if it is the only bathroom in the house.

Bathrooms With WC

Bathrooms with a toilet fitted in them must not open directly into a kitchen, living room or dining room.

Need A Bathroom Fitter?

If you need a bathroom fitter and are looking for quotes from plumbers or bathroom fitters you can use our free service to compare quotes from several plumbers. You will are not obliged to accept any quotes from tradesmen but comparing quotes using Top Tradespeople free plumbers quotes services could save you time and save you money by helping you get the best deal on bathroom fitting. Request quotes from bathrooms tradesmen.

Working Out Your Bathroom Design - What Do You Want From A Bathroom Design?

2012-04-29T20:37:00.001+01:00

Working Out Your Bathroom Design - What Do You Want From A Bathroom Design?

How To Decide What Kind of Bathroom Refurbishment Is Right For You?

Designing a bathroom for your home is one of the major home improvement works which you will carry out. Most people only carry out this kind of project every decade or so, so it is vital that you not only think about what you would like, but also, what will remain fashionable, what will sell your house when it comes to moving (if it is possible in todays difficult home movers market?), and also what you actually want as a family or homeowner from your new bathroom refurbishment.

It is also important to think about a few practical issues such as the legalities of installing a new bathroom, which, of course, now fall under various legislation with regards to fitting electrics in bathrooms and also some areas to consider with regards to minor works. You certainly do not want to be the proud owner of a fabulous new bathroom refurbishment, to then find that you need to start getting your home improvement project certified just as you are about to sell your house.

Let Your Bathroom Be A Reflection of Your Personality? Or Not?

If you are looking for a flambouyant bathroom you should consider whether this will add value to your home if in the future it comes to putting your property on the market. Consider adding flambouyancy that you can 'remove' if necessary if you need to 'tone things down' to cater for the average home buyer. For example, it might be worthwhile limiting your budding bathroom design flourishes to decorative lighting, decorative mirrors and cupboards or fancy bathroom accessories, and keeping the bulk of the bathroom - i.e. the bathroom wall tiling, bathroom suite and floor tiling, fairly neutral. Consider expressing yourself decoratively in emulsion on the bathroom walls, adding intricate towel holders, soap dispensers and the like so that you can paint over walls to neutralise when marketing your home, and remove the 'added extras' as necessary - bonus - you could even take your favourite toothbrush holder with you!

What Do You Want From Your Bathroom Refurbishment?

If your household rarely take baths - you're just too busy, so you're big shower people - why not look at the many options in steam cabinets, shower cabinets with radios and other hi-tech shower cabinets. If you're getting electric showers fitted, don't forget to ensure that your electrical installations are compliant with building regulations.

If your household are lovers of long soaks in the bath, or their idea of exercise is sitting in the gym spa, then consider getting a whirlpool type bath fitted and cutting back on expense with shower cubicles and steam cabinets.

Essentially, let your bathroom design be a reflection of yourself, however, even though the housing market is not moving yet, things can change, so it's important to remember that your home is a big asset and you might just want to sell it one day - so avoid 'the avocado bathroom suite' syndrome - your bathroom might be there longer than you are.

Getting Quotes Off Bathroom Fitters

Please feel free to use Top Tradespeople's free tradesmen quotes services to find and compare no obligation free quotes from local bathroom fitters and designers or other local tradesme.

Working With Electrics In Bathrooms And Showers

2012-04-29T20:30:00.001+01:00

Working With Electrics In Bathrooms And Showers

When you are getting electrical work done in the bathroom, it is important to understand the implications of the Part P of the Building Regulations. If a homeowner is getting electrical work done in the bathroom, they must comply with Part P by either using a Competent Persons Scheme electrician, or by submitting a Building Regulations application to the Local Authority. However, in most cases the simplest and most economical method of accomplishing this is to have the electrical installation work performed by a qualified electrician registered with an authorized Part P Competent Person Scheme. If you use this method, the electrician will not only perform and test the electrical work, but also notify the appropriate authorities. If you choose a different method, you will still have to pay to have the electrical work to be inspected. It is often much less expensive to just have a Competent Person perform the entire electricians job.

Electricians - What is a Competent Person?

The term "Competent Person" refers to a firm that has been approved by one of the Part P schemes approved by the government as being competent to self-certify that any electrical work performed complies with the Building Regulations. Part P was introduced to reduce the number of fires, injuries and deaths caused by electrical installations that were performed in a faulty fashion. There are several advantages to using a "Competent Person". For example, you will have the option of taking out an insurance-backed guarantee for the work that is being performed, you won't have to pay Building Control charges, and if you are not happy with the work that was performed, you will have access to a formal complaint procedure.

Electricians - Electrics in the Bathroom

For the purpose of wiring regulations, the bathroom is divided into zones that range from Zone 0, which is the wettest, which is an area that actually can hold water, such as the interior of the bath or shower, to Zone 2. Electrical equipment is rated in regards to its level of mechanical and moisture protection. If the equipment doesn't an an IP number, it cannot be used in these zones, or anywhere else that has a wet or damp environment, for that matter. Some of the typical bathroom electrical items that have these IP numbers include lighting, heaters, extractor fans, shower pumps, and electrical shower units.

Electricians - Electricians and Electric Showers

If you are planning to install an electric shower, which is installed as a wall unit using an electric element to heat the water, it is advisable to have this work done by an qualified electrician with an authorized Part P Competent Person Scheme. While electric showers are quite popular and convenient, they can be dangerous if they are installed incorrectly. There are regulations about electric showers and their installation that are simply best handled by an electrician. The installation for these units varies, depending on the model that is being installed, so an electrician will not only be aware of the proper method, but also knowledgeable concerning the regulations about electric showers and their installation.

Loft Conversions Building Regulations

2012-04-29T20:18:00.001+01:00

Loft Conversions Building Regulations

Planning permission for loft conversion projects is not normally required under new building regulations which came into effect on 1st October 2008, which stated that loft conversions for your home are considered a permitted development work, not needing planning permission as long as certain conditions are met as detailed below:

Permitted Loft Conversion Development Guidelines

Guidelines as at 1st October 2008. Please check to ensure that before proceeding with any loft conversion work these guidelines or legislation has not been revised.

The loft conversion cannot extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope to the principal front elevation.
Materials used for the loft conversion should be similar in appearance to the existing property.
Any side facing windows to the loft conversion must use obscure-glazing with any window opening to be 1.7m about the floor.
Roof extensions for loft conversions or similar are not a permitted development in certain designated areas which include national parks and the Broads, conservation areas, world heritage sites and areas of outstanding national beauty.
No extension is to be higher than the higher than the highest point of the existing roof.
No raised platforms, verandahs or balconies
Volume allowances of additional roof space of 40 cubic metres for terraced properties and 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses are permitted without planning permission, however any existing roof space additions previously added need to be included in these volume allowance. You may need to consider whether previous owners of the property have added additional roof space.
Converting Roof Space Into Liveable Areas

If you wish to convert your roof space into a liveable area then building regulations approval is needed.

The general guidelines are listed below for converting roof space into a liveable loft conversion area and are largely broken down into five main categories.

These guidelines relate to properties with a maximum of two storeys only. Properties which are higher than two storeys may require additional building control approval.

The five main areas to consider regarding building regulations on loft conversions to liveable space.

The strength structurally of the new floor which will be required to take the weight (load) needs to be sufficient.
There must be safe escape from fire with a 30 minute fire door installed.
There must be stairs which have been safely designed for the new loft conversion.
Sound insulation between the rooms below and the loft conversion must be adequate.
The stability of the property's structure must not be endangered by the loft converson. This includes the existing roof structure.
When considering any kind of work which may require building regulations approval or planning permission it is always wise to contact your local Building Control for further advice.

Getting Quotes For Loft Conversions

Please feel free to use Top Tradespeople's free tradesmen quotes services to find and compare quotes from loft conversion specialists.

Top Tradespeople do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this information and professional advice should always be sought if in doubt prior to commencing any home improvement projects.

What Makes A Good Tiler

2012-04-29T20:10:00.003+01:00

What Makes A Good Tiler

When you are next looking for a tiler to carry out tiling jobs of any kind such as wall tiling, floor tiling, tiling repairs or simple regrouting tiles or applying a new silicone sealant seal to your shower tray, you will want to know what things to look out for when employing the services of a local tiler. What makes a good tiler?

What Are The Qualities Of A Good Tiler?

A good tiler will often carry a portfolio of their tiling work. They will have carried out many tiling jobs and will be proud to show you their work. Bear in mind, using the wrong tiler for your tiling job could prove to be very expensive as, even if you remove the tiler from your job you will still have to pay for the costs of replacing tiles which have been ruined and may even have to pay for a plasterer to replaster the wall when the bad tiling has been taken off the wall. You could say "I will get the bad tiler to pay for the tiles which were ruined", but this may be easier said than done as taking a tiler through the small claims court for damages and costs involved in a bad job can take several months. It is far wiser to find a good tiler in the first place rather than waste time going back over the tilers work.

In addition to a portfolio, a good tiler should be able to provide references from previous jobs for their work. Many websites now have review sections where you check tilers and other tradesmen on jobs that they have done. Here previous customers tell you all you need to know in order to be able to make an informed decision, but bear in mind if the tiler has just recently registered with a jobs website then he or she may not have any reviews so it is important to take this into consideration.

A good tiler should be patient, have an eye for detail and be able to spot imperfections at every tile so to speak. Again, these things should be checked with previous customers and on past jobs.

Tilers should be clean and tidy. Tile adhesive and grout which is not cleaned up and left to dry in the wrong places can be horribly messy so a good tiler should clean up his working area as he goes along.

What Qualifications Does A Tiler Need To Have?

Currently, tilers are not legally required to hold tiling qualifications in order to practice tiling and offer their tiling services to homeowners and businesses alike. However, there are recognised tiling qualifications which homeowners might perhaps wish to ask tilers giving quotes whether they hold. There are NVQ qualifications in tiling and also some colleges award CITB qualifications for tiling too. Whilst many plumbers are either time served from apprenticeships or have built up their tiling skills from working 'on the tools' it is always worth asking what qualifications your tiler holds.

What Should I Ask Tilers When Getting Quotes For My Tiling Jobs?

Nowadays, tradesmen (tilers included) need to be able to provide a complete customer service experience to homeowners when they are giving quotes for jobs. They should be able to answer most of the following questions:

How long will the job take?
How many tiles do I need?
Are there any other materials which you would need for the job (presuming you are providing your own materials)?
How long will it be before I can use the area where you have carried out the tiling work? (particularly important if you are having tiling work carried out in your bathroom and you only have the one loo as sometimes tiling can take quite a while to 'go off' and this means that you won't be able to walk on the tiling for some time).
Do you have references or reviews from past jobs from people who have used your tiling services before?
Do you have a portfolio of tiling work that we can look at?
What qualifications in tiling do you have?
Will you provide me with a written tiling quote for the job?
What guarantees on workmanship do you give and will you provide these guarantees in writing for us?
Hopefully that covers most areas which you may want to discuss with your tilers giving quotes.

Please always remember to get three quotes for tiling work from tilers as it is important to be able to compare quotes before committing to or accepting tilers quotes.

Doing Your Own Home Survey

2012-04-29T19:51:00.001+01:00

Doing Your Own Home Survey

Home surveys aren't as complex as builder's surveys and if you have a little building knowhow and don't wish to pay for someone to come in to do a short survey of your potential new home, you may want to do it yourself.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors will tell you most homes need a home survey, whether new or old and this is most certainly true. By surveying your potential home for problems you can limit any future problems you may have with the home, that may not be evident on superficial viewing. Of course, we're not saying you can be as comprehensive as a professional surveyor, but there are some things to look out for.

Damp

Damp walls are a key clue to problems with a home and mean that you should seriously consider a more comprehensive survey from a professional person. Damp can leak into homes and is a terrible problem as it can rot the structure of a home. Older homes, or ones with timber will seriously be damaged by this and alarm bells should ring. Keep an eye out for damp behind cupboards, in corners, around windows and in the attic. It's usually where you won't check, so be very careful where you look.

Roof

One of the most expensive parts of a home to repair is the roof. Roofs can cause all sorts of issues in homes and can be down to age, poorly constructed roofs, or badly fitted ones by roofers that don't know what they're doing. Keep an eye out for indentations and uneven roofs, as well as loose tiles, or problems with rafters in the attic. These are often all signs of issues with a house's roof. Be aware that these problems can cost up to tens of thousands of pounds to fix and really are of issues in the long term.

Flat roofs can also be a severe problem and incorporate both issues with damp and problems with the home's structure. Be very wary of these roofs, which though cheaper to add, can really cause issues in time.

Insulation

A well insulated home will save you money and also heat and is better for the environment. Many older homes are badly insulated and can really cost a lot of money to heat because of this. Make sure to ensure that all the home is insulated, especially the roof as this is where a large amount of the heat exits the house and really means extra money in the long term. Poorly insulated homes also are more inclined to be damp and this is where money is really haemorrhaged.

Make sure that the areas around windows are well insulated, as well as around doors. Of course, double glazing and uPVC windows tend to be a lot better at keeping heat in then single pane glass for instance. This is also something to consider when doing your survey.

Keeping an eye out for such issues can go a long way to ensuring a home is okay, however, you'll never beat a chartered surveyors more comprehensive examination.

Getting Quotes From Surveyors

If you decide that you would rather obtain a home buyers survey or building survey from a professional building surveyor, you can use our free service to compare several quotes from local surveyors - no obligation of course.

Building Regulations In Building Work

2012-04-28T01:02:00.001+01:00

Building Regulations In Building Work
We spend our time researching the latest building law and regulations so that you don't have to. Our team gather as much information on DIY, home improvement, latest building trades news, home ideas and tips hoping to provide our members with a one stop solution to find everything they need to keep their home in tiptop condition and get jobs done as quickly and easily as possible.

Check our useful handy guide to building regulations by trades type :

Building regulations affecting tiling jobs, bathroom refurbishments and kitchen tiling
Building laws applying to general building jobs, extensions and new build building work
Regulations and electrical work. Rewires, Part P legislation, qualifications needed by electricians before working on your home
Gas regulations. The new Gas Safe Register of tradespeople and the old CORGI gas system
Planning a conservatory. When size matters with regards to building control, planning permission and building regulations.
How big does a porch have to be before it needs planning permission
Where did Part P Legislation begin. We look at the story behind the building law.
What qualifications does an electrician need to work on my electrical jobs?
What qualifications does a heating engineer or plumber need to work with gas?

Cost Of Building An Extension

2012-04-28T00:58:00.001+01:00

Cost Of Building An Extension

Cost Of Building An Extension
Extensions are a good way to gain more living space and rejuvenate your home without packing your bags and moving into a new property. The cost of building an extension will depend on the size and complexity of the extension you choose.
The average cost of an extension comes in at around £1,000 per square metre for a single storey. If you’re having two or three storey extensions, the price will usually decrease according to the number of storeys you’re having built. So a two storey extension would cost around £900 per square metre, and so on.
Here are some rough price guides for an extension:
• Planning application - £150
• Garage conversion - £15,000
• Roofing - £2,000
• Plastering (per room) - £500
• Single storey extension (20 square metres) - £20,000
• Two-storey extension - £37,000.
Spending a little time to go through your budget will pay dividends in the long run and will help keep your builders focused. It’s essential to take time to choose a good local building firm. A specialist extension builder will take you through the whole process and will give you a written quotation so you know exactly where you stand.
If you’re looking to save money on your extension, you could try sourcing the materials yourself. This may be time-consuming, but you’ll be sure to get the best deals. When budgeting for an extension, be sure to set some aside for any emergencies - you don’t want to be left high and dry if anything goes wrong!
When you’re trying to work out the price of an extension, remember to include the cost of plumbing and electrical work. Other factors, such as the finish, will also affect the cost. If you want tiled walls or floors, these will cost you more money. Watch out for ‘hidden costs’ like these. You’ll also pay more for your extension if you live in the south of England.
Here are some other issues that could affect the cost of building an extension:
• Ground conditions
• Access to the site
• Location of the tradesman or extension company.
The best way to find a local builder is to use an online directory. Remember to ask for quotes from a number of tradesmen to get the best price. A good tradesman will up-front about all the costs for your extension and should take care of any building regulations for you.

How To Plaster A Wall

2012-04-28T00:55:00.001+01:00

How To Plaster A Wall

Plastering is a highly skilled job, so if you’re not sure how to plaster a wall, call in the experts. You’ll find a list of local plasterers in our online directory.

If you’ve decided to tackle the job yourself, you should follow our steps for plastering a wall. It’s always a good idea to have a practice run before you try out your plastering skills on a large area. Before you start, why not have a go at plastering some hardboard, following the steps below?

Step by Step Plastering Guide

Firstly, prepare the room by brushing down the wall’s surface to remove any dust. Apply a good plaster bonding agent, especially if the wall’s made of smooth cement. This will ensure that your plaster sticks and will help prevent cracking.

Mixing the Plaster

Next, mix the plaster. It should come with full instructions on the bag, so make sure you follow these carefully. Take time to mix the plaster thoroughly, making sure there are no lumps. You should have a thick, creamy consistency when you’ve finished. Only mix as much as you’re going to use as plaster sets in no time at all, and you don’t want to be left with hardened plaster that you can’t use. Never try to add more water to hardened plaster - it simply won’t work!

Now you’re ready to start plastering. Apply the base coat using smooth strokes, working up from the bottom of the wall. There’s a knack to applying plaster to a wall - remember to keep your trowel at an angle so you don’t pull the fresh plaster back off the wall as you work! The coat you’ve applied should be around 2mm thick.

When you’ve finished, you can start to smooth the surface. You can do this when the plaster is beginning to harden. This is easier to do in summer, when plaster remains pliable for longer. If you have any holes or unevenness, use a thin skim of plaster to level things out.

Finishing Off The Plastering

When the last coat of plaster has dried - this should take around 40 minutes - you can start work on polishing the plaster. Flick water across your plasterwork with a paintbrush and using a wet trowel, gently smooth back over the surface of the wall. Use sweeping strokes to fill in any holes or imperfections. Now you should have a perfectly plastered wall!

A professional plasterer will be able to do this job for you, ensuring a quality finish to your walls. Use an online tradesmen directory to look up local plasterers in your local area.

Kitchen Costs

2012-04-28T00:39:00.001+01:00

Kitchen Costs

How Much A New Kitchen Costs

The cost of a new kitchen can vary depending on how much work needs to be done. If you’re good at DIY and able to do some of the work yourself, you’ll be able to cut down on your kitchen costs. For example you can replace damaged floor tiles cheaply - installing them is quite simple if you know what you’re doing. If you can safely remove the old kitchen units yourself, then so much the better! Or if your wall needs plastering and you can do it yourself, you’ll shave pounds off the cost of a new kitchen.

Getting Quotes For Kitchen Costs

If you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to DIY, it’s best to call in a kitchen specialist. They’ll assess the work that needs to be done and talk through your options with you. Contact three or four so you can pick the best deal for your new kitchen!

Prices For Kitchens

You can expect to pay anything from a few hundred pounds for a few basic repairs to your old kitchen, to thousands for a new kitchen that’s been designed around your needs. It may be worth sitting down and working out how much cash you have to spare, then matching your kitchen design to your budget.

Kitchen Units

Buying your kitchen units from a large chain of shops will be less expensive than getting them at an individual specialist retailer, so make sure you shop around before parting with your hard-earned cash!

Costs Of Kitchen Installation

The cost of installing a kitchen depends on what labour is involved in the job. You could end up spending anything from £300 to £3,000 on labour. Kitchen worktops should cost around £150 for basic work surfaces right up to £3,000 for the very best. For new kitchen cabinets, you’ll be paying from £1,000 to a hefty £6,000. When paying for the appliances, there are all sorts of ways to cut down the costs - including being careful not to buy anything you really don’t need! If all your kitchen appliances need replacing, this could cost you a tidy sum of £1,500. If you can salvage anything from your old kitchen, you’ll be able to make more savings.

Finding A Kitchen Fitter

It’s a good idea to have a professional kitchen fitter round to see what needs to be done. They’ll be able to give you some advice and a list of costs. You may even find that some of them are offering deals such as free fitting.

Always Compare Quotes

Call up a few local kitchen fitters and ask them for a price. Then you can pick the best deal based on the cost of fitting a kitchen and the time it’ll take them to do it.

Average Costs Of Tiling Jobs

2012-04-27T18:58:00.003+01:00

The cost of tiling your wall or floor will, of course, depend on the size of the area that you're tiling and the type of tiles you use, however there are a number of items which will we look at in this article, including the costs of labour and tiling materials.

Measure Up For Tiles

So first thing's first: measure up your wall or your floor and calculate how many tile's you'll need. You can do this by measuring the height and width of the area you're planning on tiling. Multiply these measurements together and the figure you arrive at is the size of the area you'll need to tile. If there's more than one area to be tiled, do the same calculation and add the totals together.

Shopping For Tiles

You'll be buying tiles by the square metre, so take your calculations with you when head out to purchase your kitchen or bathroom tiles. If you're trying to work out your wall tiling costs, it's not just the cost of the tiles that you'll have to budget for - there's also plastering or rendering, or applying plasterboard. If you can do any of the DIY yourself before you call in the professionals, this will cut down the costs.

Generally, the cost of plastering or rendering your walls will come to about £20 per square metre. For plasterboard, plywood or aqua panel, it'll come in at around £30. The cost of laying the tiles will be approximately £70 to £100. This work is best done by a professional tiler, to ensure a high standard of work.
The price of tiles per square metre depends on which type of tiles you want to use. The most popular are ceramic tiles, which are versatile, attractive and relatively cheap. Ceramic tiles can be bought for £5 to £10 per square metre - so it's cheap to replace these tiles if you damage them. For something a little different, you could try installing stone tiling, such as limestone. These will cost about £10 to £20 per square metre. They're a little more expensive but they'll make your walls look a little more special!

Costs for Granite Tiling Per Square Metre

For granite tiling, you can expect to pay £25 per square metre. At the top of the range is marble which will cost at least, £30 per square metre - but these are stylish tiles that will make your floors look really stunning!

Find A Tiler

Why not let the experts do all the hard work for you? Contact a local tiler to ask them to quote you a price. Do this with three or four recommended tradesmen so you can pick the best quote for the job.