Find a Shop Fitter you can trust in Southport.

In 2002 the Government amended Building Regulations governing the replacement and installation of glazing units. For the first time, windows had to meet energy efficiency standards and tough thermal performance levels. For new window units you must have efficiency ratings of at least a level C.

Most window installers will be able to provide you with one double glazed window and fit it for you. If you’re replacing one double glazed window in your home, ask them to try and source the same windows that you already have or find one that’s very similar. Externally, you probably won’t be able to notice the difference, but if your existing windows are very old there may be some exterior discolouration and the locks and handles might look slightly different.

If you want one double glazed window so you can fit it yourself, there are lots of online companies that can supply you with one window. However, window fitting is a skilled trade and you might want to consider whether you have the right tools and experience to fit it yourself. Of course, you’ll save money on installation costs, but if something goes wrong, you might end up shelling out to get it fixed anyway.

The other thing to consider is that any replacement windows need to be certified that they meet Building Regulations. If you fit the double glazed window yourself, you’ll need to apply to your local council building control officer to get a certificate that confirms that you fitted the window within the regulations. You’ll have to pay a fee for this, and it will be even more expensive if Building Control say that the window hasn’t been fitted within the regulations and you have to start again.

The alternative is to ask a reputable window installer that is registered with a self-certification scheme, like FENSA, to install the window. That means that they can self-certify that the window meets building regulations once they’ve finished the installation.

When it comes to the installation of air conditioning units, one of the greatest mistakes any shop owner can make is attempting to install the system by themselves. The good performance, efficiency as well as durability of a heating and cooling system starts right from the installation stage. Therefore, if not done right, you risk making such an expensive investment a total waste. Installing your air conditioning system by yourself may save you the cost of hiring a professional like many shop owners would rightly say, but one thing they often ignore is the fact is that a poorly installed air conditioning unit would actually be more of a liability than an asset. Not only can it consume more electricity than necessary implying higher energy bills, but it can also lead to frequent breakdowns meaning huge repair costs as well as significantly cutting short the lifespan of the unit in question. Hence, the importance of getting in touch with a reliable professional for help.

If you’re yet to be convinced of the importance of having your shop air conditioning system professionally installed, here are some points that will make you have a rethink.

• Professionals are experienced and highly skilled. When it comes to the installation of heating and cooling systems in a work environment, there’s a need to call in a reliable professional. This is because AC system installation requires a well trained individual who knows just how best to ensure your AC system works efficiently and for a long period of time.
• Professionals able to provide expert advice. Having a good experience in field and good knowledge of heating and cooling systems, professionals are able to provide helpful tips such as maintenance procedures so as to ensure you get to enjoy your investment for a prolonged period.

If you want to test your solar panel system to see if it’s working properly or just to see what output it’s giving, you can do this using a multimeter to measure current, or amps, and voltage.

Before you start, you’ll need to find the voltage (v) and current (A) ratings of your panel. You should be able to find them on the back of the panel. You should also make sure that it’s a nice clear, sunny day to get the best readings out of your panel. You should also check that it’s safe to be up on your roof!

To measure open circuit voltage, you’ll need to make sure that your solar panel is completely disconnected from your system’s regulator and battery (if you have one). Angle the panel towards the sun, and ensure that your multimeter is set to measure volts. Measure the voltage between the positive and negative terminals by connecting the negative contact on the voltmeter to the negative on the panel and the positive contact on the voltmeter to the positive on the panel.

Then, you can move on to the short circuit current. Follow the same steps as the open circuit voltage, but ensure that your multimeter is set at 10A to start with.

Only try to test your solar panel if it’s safe to do so. If your roof isn’t accessible without scaffolding or specialist equipment, consider speaking to an MCS-registered solar company about your concerns. They may recommend that they come to service your solar panel system.

If you’re considering rendering your house or property, then you’d most likely want to know whether or not applying for a planning permission will be needed. In several cases, planning permission will not be required for the maintenance, repair as well as replacement of the existing render on your building. These activities are covered by what’s called “Permitted Development Rights, which allows you to carry out some activities without having to apply for a planning permission but always subject to following some strict guidelines. For rendering, as long as the material (render) possesses an identical appearance to those existing on the house as well as same colour, then you will not require a planning permission. However, there are a number of projects that have been highlighted in which a planning permission would be required. These includes the following:

✓ Re-rendering in a colour that different from the original one used on the house or building.

✓ Rendering over brickwork which was not originally covered.

✓ Rendering over pebbledash

✓ Removing pebbledash and replacing it with render.

Another exception to the Permitted Development rights are for houses in conservation areas, national parks or areas of outstanding national beauty.

Although, you wouldn’t normally require to submit a planning application for approval before you apply render, but in truth it’s actually a bit of a grey area which isn’t totally clear and doesn’t allow for much freedom or creativity. And due to this fact, homeowners who wants an absolute peace of mind may opt to apply for planning permission just in case. It’s also worth noting that whether or not a planning permission is required, a huge rendering work will need to comply with building regulations which includes the need to insulate walls on the inside or outside as part of the work on several older properties .

Moving house is basically not an interesting thing to do because it's a stressful event you can go through. Either you are the type that loves moving or you moving for the first time, here are guidelines to be considered to successfully move a house. Any prep-work you can do to make your move a bit easier is a no-brainer.

1. Research your move

If you’ve gotten a new house and your offer to let the house has been accepted, it’s time to start your moving house checklist! Without complications, a straightforward move can take around 8 weeks to go through. It’s essential to get the legal side in place early on to ensure a smooth transaction of your property sale or purchase.

2. Arrange your home survey

You may want to start discarding some unwanted properties and arrange the useful ones in boxes. Having a good clear out will save you money on your removals, and make unpacking easier! You can start planning your move, even if you haven’t got a firm date yet.

3. Finalise contracts and pack

A month before moving to your new house, you will probably have had a chartered surveyor to inspect your new property and inform you of its structural condition of it well to standard or any minor renovation before hand. If there are issues, then may renegotiate your offer. You’ll now be able to talk to your solicitor about finalising your moving date.

4. Get ready to move home

At this stage, all necessary needs to be confirmed as regarding your relocation. If your removal company cannot provide some necessary additional services such as un-plumbing washing machines, disassembling/reassembling furniture and packing, it would be a good time to organise these too before the packing date. On your moving day, children and pets can stay other family members, meaning you can focus on getting everything moved efficiently.

5. Update your address and get organised

Few days before moving into your new home, your major priority should be organising, finishing packing your properties and  getting ready to go!

6. Prepare to leave your old house

Once the packing date has finally come,  it’s time for a final check and walk round the property to ensure nothing is forgotten. Separate your essential needs packed in a bag (face cream, toothpaste, toothbrush e.t.c) and  make sure that this is separate from the items going with the removal lorry.

7. Lock up and move out

Be ready for before your removal company arrives so they can begin action immediately. Identify whether any boxes need special care or are not to be taken by them. Make sure you take the meter readings for you to give to your providers and leave the keys for the new owner. It’s now time to move to your new home!

8. Check your new property

When you arrive at your new home it’s important to make your removal company aware of any special instructions and that they know which room the boxes are headed to. They can simply be supervised by you to ensure no mixed up or any forms of mistakes.Boxes should be moved according to the tags or description on them. Make sure you are happy that everything on your inventory is accounted for before your moving company leaves.

9. Relax in your new home

After a busy moving exercise, don’t try to unpack everything at once. Make up the beds and then spend the evening relaxing with loved ones and congratulate yourself on making it through the day.

Gardens need regular maintenance and without it they can get really out of hand. When you’re thinking about how much gardeners charge, you should bear in mind the state of your garden and whether you need a one-off tidy up or want a regular ‘manicure’ of your garden to keep it looking neat and tidy. Gardeners generally charge in two different ways for their work depending on the job: with an hourly rate or with a fixed price. Generally, gardeners will charge an hourly rate of between £20 - £40 depending on their experience, the job and where you are in the country. They may also charge a minimum call-out charge since a lot of their day will include unpaid travel from job to job. If you don’t need your gardener for a full day, for example if you just need your lawn mowed, then they will probably charge a fixed rate. It’s unlikely to have anything to do with their hourly rate. We’ve found that the average fixed cost of a gardener is around £250 - but this of course includes small jobs like weeding and mowing to larger jobs like pulling out shrubs and replanting, so you may find that your gardener charges more or less than this. Bear in mind that most gardeners will charge a price that doesn’t include waste removal, since lots of people have compost heaps or garden waste bins. So if you need them to take the garden waste away, expect another £100 - £200 on top of your quote.

If you are considering building a wooden conservatory in your home, it’s normal to be curious about whether or not the home improvement effort is costly. Basically, wooden conservatories are ones that have been constructed using a wooden structure. There are options to choose from which timber and this can also play a part in the amount you’ll have to pay. Conservatories using hardwood, which are more durable and requires less preparation, are also considerably costlier than the softwood counterpart.

For just the timber in a kit build your own conservatory you would be looking at around £10,000 to £20,000. Generally, a wooden conservatory built for you will cost you a range between £20,000 to £50,000 based on the type of wood, the size as well as the style you opt for.

In addition, wooden conservatory prices are also determined by the supplier you’re dealing with. As a result, it’s advisable to conduct a proper and detailed market research about the available suppliers and identify the one who truly offers quality materials at an affordable rate. If you wish to go for an Oak frame, the price will typically be higher.

To give your house a more traditional look, you can go for a timber conservatory rather than a uPVC one. However, it requires more maintenance than the uPVC as well as regular weatherproofing to prevent it from warping or rotting as a result of changes in humidity or temperature. If you want the timber look there are options with modern uPVC which can give a similar style but at a lower cost.