It has to be said that refurbishing your home isn’t the cheapest thing you can do. The good news is though, you could be eligible for grants to help you make the changes your home needs.
When it comes to improving the home, it’s not always about changing the wall colour or buying some new furniture. Equally important are changes that will improve your everyday lifestyle.
This is where the Government’s grants come in. There are different grants available all year with eligibility criteria, so it’s worth applying if you could benefit.
Disabled Facilities Grant
Disability grants are available for a number of areas in the home that would need to be changed specifically because of someone with a disability.
This would include:
- Ramps in place of stairs or steps.
- Widening doors and gateways.
- Improving garden, kitchen and/or bathroom access.
- Installing a stair lift.
- Providing some kind of personal or interpersonal home-help (i.e. in the form of a daily visit from a care professional).
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
The Government’s ECO scheme is a fairly new proposition and obligates energy companies to offer home improvements for its customers, free-of-charge. There are a range of home improvements included under the scheme, such as replacement boilers, cavity wall insulation and loft lagging.
In terms of eligibility and regulations, rules tend to change depending on the local council. That’s why it makes sense to speak with your local council or even look on their website before taking the time to complete a lengthy application form.
Of course, if indeed you are eligible to receive grants, you will still need to apply for planning permission and Building Regulations as normal, but this is nothing compared to how much your property will be improved.
With insulation in particular, you’ll be able to reduce those expensive energy bills which are rising year-on-year. Loft lagging and wall cavity insulation help to lock more heat inside your home so it doesn’t escape. That means you can be sure to have a warmer home and cheaper bills.