Find a Shop Fitter you can trust in Ledbury.

Do you have existing floorboards and wish to fit new solid wood floor over it? If you’re planning to go for a DIY effort, there are a number of things you should put into consideration before you even get started. Firstly, you should have it in mind that existing softwood floorboards are usually not flat, implying that the surface of the existing might not be ideal to serve as the foundation on which to put your new solid wood flooring. Secondly, if you’re going to lay the new solid floor on the existing floorboards, it would be wise to select wood that is a minimum of 18mm thick to make your new solid wood flooring a lot more stable.

If you discover that your old floor is not too even, there are two option you can consider to protect your investment. You can lay the new floor at a 90 degree angle over the existing one. In other words, you should lay the new floor lengthways if the old one is laid widthways. Using this technique alongside a method of fitting referred to as secret nailing will go a long way to make sure your installation efforts is a successful one.

The second option you can put into consideration when laying solid wood flooring over old ones is to lay chipboard or plywood over the existing floor prior to the installation of the new floor. Here, there will be an increase in the cost of your installation, however it will be more reliable and durable as it assists in ensuring the stability of your new flooring. Some benefits that comes with this option includes the freedom to lay the new solid wood flooring in any direction you want as well as the freedom to use any fitting method you deem fit. Click here to learn more about wood flooring.

In the UK, fireplaces are a very common addition to homes and property and reasonably so. Not only do they represent a great source of heat, but they’re also quite timeless in their beauty, thereby adding more value to your property. Now every fireplace possesses some sort of chimney, asides from the ones that are ventless. And while you might not be aware, every chimney poses a number of dangers which includes being a fire hazard and can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of improper or lack maintenance.

Since your chimney will be clogged up over time with all sorts of soot and often cleaned from the top of the roof, cleaning of a chimney comes with a huge amount of risk. As a result, you run the risk of falling off if you decide to clean one by yourself. And even if you’re the type that’s comfortable being on high level places, you should know cleaning a chimney is not the most pleasant of jobs. It can be quite messy as accumulated creosote and soot can drop into your home causing a cloud which covers both the floor, furniture and any other thing you have in the room. Furthermore, chimney cleaning requires specialized skills and knowledge which professionals have acquired after several practices. For instance, missing out on a spot can result in an unchecked chimney fire or a masonry crack.

The simple answer to this question is, therefore, a big NO - you should leave the cleaning to the professionals.  Professionals are not just limited to chimney cleaning; they’re trained to identify any structural issues while also being able to carry out a close analysis of the chimney. They’ll fix minor issues on site and give you a peace mind for any future wood burning activities.

Moving a house can be an exciting task, but also a stressful one at the same time. For most home and property owners, one fee that’s often overlooked when its time to budget is the removal costs. Most times, the additional money you’d have to set aside for a removals company to pack and unpack your household items can come as a big surprise to many. So exactly how much can you expect to pay for removals in the UK? Let’s take a look!

Overall, the average house removal costs for a standard 3 bedroom house move based on short distance removals of about 25 miles is about £500 to about £555. This amount should cover the basic costs provided all the necessary household items and furniture have already been packed. What’s more? There’ll be some additional costs to factor in the event whereby you need packing services as well as materials to be supplied by your local removal company.

If there’s also a need for dismantles and re-assembly of some items, this will also attract some extra costs. Further more, the relocation cost will also increase if your need special attention as well as care for any of your personal items.

In addition, a long distance move from your current home will obviously be more expensive than the cost of a local move in the UK. Also, international removals are significantly more expensive again. For instance, its more reasonable that an international move to Nigeria would be a lot more expensive than the cost to move to a nearby town.

Apart from long distances, another factor that can influence the removal cost is the size of the property. For instance a four-bedroom house will need more packing material, bigger removal vans and will also be more time consuming when compared to moving out of a one-bedroom house.

The short and simple answer to this question is yes, you can definitely get a funding for a stairlift. If you’re in need of a stairlift in your home or property, but worried about the cost of getting one fitted, there are a number of financial aids that can help you cover the cost of a stairlift while also making a whole world of difference to the quality of life with this essential equipment.

• Insurance. All individuals insurance coverage is unique, but typically they do not cover a stairlift’s cost. The best way to ensure that the cost of a stairlift is covered is via home health care insurance coverage which provides for equipment as well as home care in the event of a disability, injury or illness.
• Financing options. This is another practical way to obtain a stairlift with little money upfront. With financing and payment arrangements, you may not be required to pay a hefty initial sum to install your life changing device. To enjoy this, simply consult a manufacturer to determine how you can acquire a stairlift via financing alternatives, payment plans or loans.
• The government. The government can also help you secure a stairlift via grants. There are a number of grants available for home modifications that can prevent fall risk. These grants can also come from other sources asides the government like charities, local authorities and other organizations. And for those who qualify for these grants, it can be the huge line between a comfortable and independent living and not feeling safe or comfortable in your own home. Not all individual will qualify for a grant, but its still worth carrying out a research to find out if you do.

Do you have a tree you want to remove in your yard or property? Then you’d most likely be curious to know how much it would cost to have it removed. However, when it comes to tree removal services, there’s no precise answer to how much a professional tree surgeon will charge as each tree is unique and so the price would be charged based on the unique features of the tree in question.

There are a lot of factors that determines the price a professional tree surgeon will charge to remove a tree but it generally starts at £80 to £100 including VAT and this price increases with the size as well as the job’s complexity. Here are some influencing factors:

• The Tree’s Height. A taller tree will generally be more difficult to remove than a shorter one. A good equipment and extra care will also be needed to complete the task. As a result, you’d expect a taller tree to be more expensive.

• Tree Overhang. Due to trees overhanging some buildings, extra care most be taken to ensure the protection of nearby buildings and properties.

• Tree Accessibility. When the tree is easily accessible, no much work is required. If not, there’ll be a need to carry out some extra work to ensure easy access without any damages.

• Public Consideration. In the event whereby the tree is near a path or road, there’ll be a need to obtain a permission to close off some sections of the path or road.

• Tree Disposal. If you need the trees disposed from the site, then the service will also be include in the total price.

Generally on the average, local tree surgeons will charge about £500 to £650 for a day’s work. But this can also be higher or lower depending on your location.

What Is A Conservatory?

A conservatory is basically a structure constructed on a property that’s usually attached to the side of a home. It’s a room as well as a greenhouse that’s constructed with the help of a wide range of materials which includes bricks, wood, glass and polycarbonate. A conservatory is typically built with a great amount of glass which enables it to offer huge amount of sun and light. During construction, the idea is always to muster sufficient sunlight for the plants while also enabling a cosy room within the structure especially during the cold months. Generally, conservatory extensions’ walls are made of over 50 percent of glass, while their roofs are usually made up of more than 75 percent glass.

Thanks to the advancement in technology, conservatories have also greatly developed over the years. They’ve significantly evolved from the usual luxury greenhouses to normal and everyday home extensions. Conservatories have also grown to become very energy-efficient while also providing super comfort to the extent that they’re now being used throughout the year. And while it’s formerly known to be an occasional room, it’s now more of a home’s extension.

Legally, conservatories are usually covered by what’s called the permitted development rights which exempts them from both planning permission and building regulations. The conditions below form the legal definition of a conservatory to differentiate it from an extension.

✓ Below 30 square metres in size

✓ Constructed at ground level

✓ Separated from the main building by external walls, doors or windows.

✓ Possesses its own stand alone heating system

✓ The glazing as well as fixed electrical fittings are in compliance with the relevant building regulations.

Being one of the most used room in any home, sooner or later you’re likely going to find yourself needing a bathroom renovation. When that time comes, you’d probably want to know just how much it’ll cost to have your bathroom renovated? Well, the price of bathroom renovation depends on a wide variety of factors with the specifications of the bathroom being the most important. Therefore, if you’re looking for a top, medium or low spec bathroom, your price will vary accordingly. The other determinants of a bathroom renovation cost include the type of the materials, windows, shower, installation charges, size of the bathroom as well as the cost of other appliances. In this simple guide, you’ll get all what you need to understand the potential cost of renovating a bathroom and to develop a good estimate for your project as well.

Generally, a basic bathroom renovation in the UK will usually cost within the range of £3000 to about £6000. A mid range bathroom renovation in the UK is likely to cost within the region of £6000 to about £8000, while a high end bathroom renovation in the UK is likely to cost in the region of £10000 and above. It’s however important to note that these prices are only VAT and fitting inclusive. The labour cost for preparation which includes removing the existing bathroom, plastering and more are not included.

Can You Tile Over Floor Tiles?

Are you about to tackle a refurbishment or renovation project? If yes, then you might be worried about the removal of your old tiles before installing the new ones. Being fully aware that this process can be time and money consuming, it can only make sense to consider whether you can tile on existing tiles. The answer is yes, however, there are a few details you must take into account when embarking on this cost-effective journey. Here’s our advice:

lSelect The New Tiles

• Take into consideration the surface behind the tiles and the weight it’ll be able to withstand.

• For plasterboard, the surface can withstand about 30kg to 32kg per m2 (28.5kg of tile/square metre and 2.5kg to 3.5kg of adhesive and grout).

• For skimmed plasterboard, the surface can hold about 18kg to 20kg per m2 ( 16kg of tile/square metre and 2.5kg to 4kg of adhesive and grout )

• Consider the existing tiles, if heavy enough, then your choice for the new tiles should very light.

lPrepare Old Tiles

• Confirm that the old tiles are well glued to the substrate.

• Check that the tiles are level. If not, use a grinder to flatten out any humps.

• Remove the sealer for the old tiles, if any.

• Clear out all dust and dirt.

lLay New Tiles

• Spread a layer of flexible adhesive.

• Lay the new tiles

lFinish The Project

• Fill the joints with an appropriate tile grout.

• Seal the edges with a sealant.

It’s as simple as that! However, it must be said that if you’re lacking the appropriate training or experience to pull this off, then you probably would not want the first trial on your prized asset. For a top quality job and to avoid unnecessary costs, you can reach out to a tiling professional for help.