Find a Shop Fitter you can trust in Lee-on-the-solent.

How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?

With the typical British weather, the roof is always subjected to enough battering every single day. With that type of events, you’d expect to find some chimney pots on the floor or roof tiles to go missing every once in a while. When these minor roof issues occur, a professional roofer is always in hand to easily resolve these problems. However, there are times in which the roof will be in a terrible condition with persistent leaks which is beyond the capacity of a roofer to resolve. In such cases, you may have to consider having the roof replaced as the best choice.

If you’re currently facing some issues with your roof and you need it repaired, then you’d probably want to know just how much it’ll cost to complete the project. In the UK, a roof repair cost can be within the range of £100 to £12,000 based on a number of influencing factors such as where the property is located as well as the size of the property. For instance, if you happen to stay in London where the demand is higher and there’s also the high cost of living, roof repair costs tend to be a bit more costly.

Let’s look at a simple breakdown of some roof repair jobs. These includes the following:

✓ Cost of renovating the roof on a detached four bedroom house using slate ( two story house) will range between £6300 to £12000.

✓ Cost of renovating the roof on a two story semi detached house using slate will range between £5000 to £7400.

✓ Cost of renovating full roof on a two bedroom bungalow using slate will range between £4000 to £5900.

By replacing the single glazed windows in your home you stand to make savings of around £170 each year. It’s not just the financial gain that makes double glazing attractive though and you can also save up to 680kg of carbon emissions annually. Over 20 years this is a saving of around £3,400 and 13,600kg of CO2.

How To Choose A Locksmith

Did you accidentally lock out yourself of your car, house or business. There are so many reasons you might find yourself in need of a professional locksmith. However, not all locksmith services are created equal and with so many out there, it can be very challenging selecting a professional locksmith when you need one. Therefore, how do you choose a professional locksmith that’ll guarantee the best results while also saving you time and money? Here are some tips you can put into consideration before making a decision.

• Go For A Certified Locksmith

One basic rule when it comes to hiring a locksmith is never go for an uncertified one - no matter what! This is because only a certified locksmith can guarantee the best outcome with their in depth knowledge and also having proven themselves worthy of your trust. What’s more? With so many scams out there that are locksmithing-associated, going for a certified company will give you the much need protection and peace of mind.

• Go For Local Companies

Going for local locksmithing companies does only mean you’re supporting businesses in your area, but also guarantees you a better assurance of a great service than going for one several miles away.

• Go For Family Owned Companies

Selecting a family owned locksmithing companies come with a wide array of benefits. You’ll get to speak directly with the management of the company when faced with some concerns or questions and also a this type of common normally has a vested interest in your safety as well as community.

• Watch Out For Red Flags

This is important so you don’t get played. Some companies can falsely claim to be certified by ALOA. Others travel in some unmarked vehicles while also refusing to identify themselves in the proper manner. You can also encounter some who hides under different names just to be able to serve a wider region. Another red flag is the failure of the locksmithing company to request verification that you own the property which is what all certified locksmiths have been trained to do before proceeding with their services.

If you’re about to carry out a loft conversion project, you’d probably be wondering how long it’ll take to complete the task. Well, you’re not alone! This is one of the most common questions when it comes to loft conversion projects, however, providing a set timeframe for completion of such projects is impossible as all loft conversions vary. There are different factors that can determine the duration of your project. These factors include, the materials to be used, the type of the proposed loft conversion, the kind of staircase you’ll like to have installed, the number of windows included, the number of rooms to be added as well as a number of other influencing factors. As a result of these variables, the milestones and timings provided are only to be taken as guidelines. If you’d really like to have a set date, you can get in touch with a professional for help.

Generally, it’ll take up to 8 weeks to complete a loft conversion project.

✓ The first week activities will include putting up scaffolding, receiving the first materials for the build and creating an opening in the roof to gain access to the loft space.

✓ In the second week, the structure of the roof will be ammended and more support added.

✓ Third week, the floor joists will be fitted, building of the loft conversion will start, completion of the external roof works and commencement of plumbing and electric works.

✓ Fourth week, complete the building, construct the loft floor, fit the roof windows, insulation, ventilation and internal stud walls.

✓ Fifth week, apply plaster and plasterboard to the room walls, create a staircase opening and fit the new staircase.

✓ Sixth week, plaster the staircase area, complete plumbing and electrical works, hang the doors, fit skirting, handrails and bannisters and start decoration.

✓ Seventh week, complete the decoration and clean and wipe out all wastes.

✓ Eight week, complete all the remaining tasks.

How Much To Paint A House Exterior?

Do you feel your home is need of a lift to enhance its visual appeal or give it some TLC? In order to impress your visitor or potential buyers, kerb appeal is simply everything. Many homeowners are usually discouraged due to the thought that a painting job is always an expensive one with not so much value in return. However, in reality, painting your home’s exterior is actually one of the most significant improvements one can make as it tells your story and communicates your value.

The cost of getting a house exterior painting job done is based on a number of things which includes the type of walls you possess, whether it’s a maintenance project, whether it’s your first time of painting the house as well as your location. So what’s involved in a painting job?

✓ Scrapping off the loose paint.

✓ Brushing off cobwebs and dust on the surface

✓ Washing the wall

✓ Application of fungicide to mouldy patches

✓ Repairing minor damages

✓ Applying paint surface stabiliser

✓ Applying two coats of your chosen paint

✓ Disposal of waste as well as a full clean up of the site.

Below is a breakdown of the cost of painting the exterior of a house. Kindly note that this is just an example (using a semi detached house) to give you an idea of how much your project is going to cost.

✓ Costly scaffolding isn’t required here but platform towers can be need - this will cost about £80 to £100.

✓ Materials including sand or cement for repairs, plastic sheeting, tape, paint, masonry stabiliser as well as fungicide treatment will cost about £200 to £300

✓ Cost of labour for two workers £700 to £1000 based on the location

You must use a builder or scaffolding outworker who is skilled and knowledgeable to put up scaffolding. This means they require to have the essential skills, knowledge and familiarity to be able to accomplish health and safety. A capable scaffolder will hold an effective Construction Industry Record Scheme (CISRS) Card – it is up to your agent to check that this person is capable before any work begins.

When should scaffolding be checked for safety?

According to the law, the user of the scaffolding must check it to ensure that it is safe:

• Before they first use it

• After every seven days after putting it is up

• After any alterations, or damage due to extreme weather conditions

When do you need scaffolding?

It is up to your trader to evaluate the level of hazard and use a suitable apparatus. Repairing or replacing a single tile is never going to be same as installing solar panels that are high up 30 storeys high. Everything is dependent on the type of work and the risks involved. Traders need to guarantee that their staff will remain safe as they work on your property. This means working from the ground if possible. If they need to work at higher altitudes, they must minimise the danger of falling by using present safe roof zones or scaffolding.

You wouldn’t need a license if your builder has to put up scaffolding inside your property premises. However, if the scaffolding has to go out on the pavement or anywhere outside your premises, your builder or scaffolder needs to get a license from the building council.

Insurance

Scaffolders face an inimitable set of hazards due to working at high altitudes. Builders or scaffolding organizations require insurance that covers those risks, together with public liability insurance to cover any damage to the public triggered by falling items from the scaffold as well as employers’ liability insurance to cover their persons if they are wounded while working at height. This is an important thing to check before any other work begins.

Can You Replace A Gas Boiler With An Electric Boiler?

In the UK, there are about 22 million households that are heated with the use of a gas boiler. However, do not assume that they’re the best type of boiler to install. The fact is, if your house isn’t connected to the main gas supply, the best option is for you to install an electric boiler rather than a gas boiler. So is it possible to replace a gas boiler with an electric boiler? The simple answer is yes. Both heating system options work in varying ways and also with a different impact on the environment.

The gas boiler is able to generate heat with the help of a gas burner. A heat exchanger is linked to the burner and heats the water available in its chamber. The hot water is then supplied to the heating circuit.

However, the thing is that natural gas can actually be more affordable when compared to using electricity to operate your boiler, but they have a negative impact on the environment. This is because gas boilers make use of an odourless, colourless and poisonous gas - carbon monoxide.

Meanwhile electric boilers are powered by electrical energy, hence, no carbon monoxide leak risks. Instead of using gas to heat up water, electric boilers distribute energy to heating elements which, in turn, heats up the water. So thinking about what’s best for the environment, you’d go for electric boilers. However, they’re more costly and are not as efficient as oil boilers.

If you reside in a smaller house that’s not connected to the main gas supply, then you might want to consider installing an electric boiler. However, if you live in a larger house, an electric boiler may not be the best option as they’re mostly designed to generate little quantity of hot water.

Also referred to as bathroom cladding, bathroom wall panels is widely regarded as the easiest way to update the appearance of your bathroom. As there are several design option, it’ll be relatively easy to find one that’ll perfectly fit your bathroom. So if you’ve decided to install new bathroom wall panels one thing you’d probably like to know is whether you’ll need to pay someone a huge sum of money to get the project done. Absolutely not, as long as you’re DIY competent with proper training and experience bathroom wall panel installation is a pretty easy task. All you need do is to cut the shower panels to size and install them to the wall or on existing tiles. However it must be said that hiring the services of a bathroom wall panel installation professional is advisable to guarantee the best results. Now let’s take a loot at the installation steps.

✓ Prepare the bathroom. Ensure that the bathroom walls are degreased, clean and, dust and dirt free. Also make sure that its flat and even with a spirit level.

✓ Make sure a fixing method is in place. If not, make use of treated battens as a fixing method. Fit all battens in such a way that’s plumb and parallel.

✓ Fit the shower tray. Take a measurement of the shower tray to identify the length of the seal strips that is needed while also making room for the shower screen.

✓ Add the seal strips.

✓ Cut the panels to size. Mark the bathroom wall panels and cut to get the right measurement in both height and width. Also ensure to make room for pipe and shower head holes at this point.

✓ Install the panels.