HSBC Report Reveals New Policy On Property Sales

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

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

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

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

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?

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Building Regulations Bathrooms

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?

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

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

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

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.