News and articles

What are the carpet trends in 2026?
As we look toward the interior landscapes of 2026, the focus for our floors has shifted. We are moving away from the purely functional and toward flooring that…

Ways to save energy now
Over twenty-four million households are set to face an energy price cap of £3,549 this coming October. For someone with an average monthly income of £2,615…

5 FAQS about air conditioning units and systems
Every summer, people flock to the shops in search of a fan – causing shortages across the UK and leaving those of us without one feeling uncomfortably hot in…

5 jobs for late summer
It’s easy to put work aside while the sun shines, but what happens when the summer slips by without you doing all those jobs you need to do while it’s fine and…

As Seen on TV: Start Your Home Project
Have you spotted our latest TV ad? We’ve officially hit the big screen! Our latest TV campaign puts our five-star tradespeople in the spotlight, because we…

Coronavirus: safety advice for improvement work
Last updated: 14th December 202 1 As COVID-19 continues to affect our lives, it’s still incredibly important that we all work together to stay safe and…

Coronavirus: How your small business can bounce back
As the UK slowly eases the coronavirus lockdown in line with the government’s new COVID-19 recovery strategy , small business owners are preparing to reopen –…

Deep cleaning for your home or workplace
We’re seeing a high demand for cleaning services right now, particularly in people looking to really get their home spotless and sanitised. So, we launched two…

Do I need planning permission
Applying for planning permission for building works can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never done renovations to your home before, and don’t…

January: 4 easy home improvement jobs to kick start 2021
Forget resolutions, the best thing you can do in January is tick off some easy tasks that’ll make a noticeable difference to your home and garden. Not only…

Easy post-summer fixes for your home
Warm weather, barbecues and alfresco parties are some of the best bits of summer but after a season of outdoor living, your garden and home need a little love.…

The energy crisis 2021: what this means for you and your home
Energy is a commodity we often take for granted. From heating and lighting our homes, helping us cook food, keeping our wi-fi speeds up and allowing us to take…

Gas Safety Week 2020: How to make your property or business gas safe
Landlords across the UK take pride in providing their tenants with a safe and warm home to live in. Similarly, British business owners work hard to create an…

Green energy: Boris Johnson's £160m wind power pledge
Wind power could power every UK home by 2030, according to Boris Johnson’s recent pledge at the Conservative party conference. The Prime Minister has pledged…

Half-price homes available through new First Homes Scheme
The government’s First Homes scheme is offering first-time buyers up to 50% off new build houses, as a cheaper way onto the property ladder. First-time buyers…

Stress reduction through home improvements
Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992. To recognise the event and activities, we’ve put together some great home improvements to reduce…

House prices are rising across the UK
It might be tricky to believe, but across the UK right now, new records are being set when it comes to house buying and selling. The homes sales pipeline is…

House removal guide: tips and FAQs
Moving homes is an exciting time, but it can also be incredibly stressful, especially if you’ve never done it before. All that packing and organising can seem…

Right to repair law: How it works and how much you'll save
White goods will last up to 10 years longer, be easier to repair and cheaper to run, from summer 2021. Manufacturers of household appliances such as fridges,…

How the latest home tech can fit in your home
With their promises of making life easier and saving time, automation technology for your home sounds like a no-brainer. But in a crowded marketplace of…

Tips to create the best environment for healthy sleep
Many of us are losing sleep to stress right now, because of the global pandemic and economic downturn. But one of the best solutions for stress is getting a…

Insulate Britain: how to become greener at home
Home is a place you can retreat from the world, relax, and unwind. Sometimes it’s hard to see that the things you do in your home day-to-day can have a big…

International Bath Day
Bathroom FitterFor those of you who don’t know, 14th June is International Bath Day, and no-one is happier about this than John, our Senior Copywriter. Here he…

Interview with the Rated People handyman ad model
This week, builder and actor Simon Pengelly shot to fame after commuters noticed how much he looked like a well-known ginger haired Royal. So if you’re curious…

Save money and the environment with a better boiler
The Green Agenda Approximately 90% of UK boilers are oversized for the job they’re doing! Boilers account for around 75% of the average UK home’s energy use,…

Who's responsible for home repairs in rented properties?
All relationships can have their ups and downs and business relationships between landlords and tenants are no exception. A recent survey * revealed some…

Millionaire's row - Britain's most expensive streets
Twenty years ago owning a home worth 1 million pounds was an aspirational dream, now it’s a depressing truth. In some areas of London in particular, you will…

Most new homes now rated as highly energy efficient
Over 80% of new homes in England and Wales now have a top efficiency rating. The number of domestic Energy Performance Certificates lodged in England and Wales…

Top reasons to renovate your home in 2020
Home improvements can seem daunting – sometimes we need an extra motive or some inspiration to help us go for it. Here are our top reasons to renovate your…

Stamp duty and mortgage guarantee scheme
On 3rd March 2021, Chancellor Rishi Sunak laid out the government’s spending plan for the year in the Budget. To boost the UK’s housing market during the…

The number of skilled tradespeople in the UK is increasing
Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the UK’s unemployment rate has now hit 5% – that’s the highest it’s been for four years, according to Sky News . With so much…

The cost of damage caused in Christmas movies
To celebrate the Christmas season, we’ve enlisted the help of our expert database of tradespeople to reveal the top five most destructive Christmas movies of…

Smart homes, the internet of things and how you can get ready
Smart homes are no longer just a futuristic concept, or exclusively for tech fanatics. Many of us are slowly integrating smart elements into our homes, whether…

The Most Picturesque Places in the UK
Britain is home to bountiful countryside, quaint villages, charming market towns and stunning cities, and with the UK property market enjoying a boom since…

This Halloween: top 10 scariest home improvement jobs
Back in October we ran a survey to discover which home improvement projects give our homeowners the shivers… What if the monsters coming out for…

Top 5 craft beers to sip at home on International Beer Day
Today, 5th August, is International Beer Day. Our Senior Copywriter, John, couldn’t be hoppier about this. He has a breakfast bar at home, which he pretends is…

Top tips to prevent mould in your home
From too much humidity to poor ventilation, there are plenty of reasons why mould might start to grow in your home. Due to the health hazards associated with…

Funniest tweets about Rated People's Prince Harry lookalike
What brilliant timing. It’s a viral happy accident! Almost exactly as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals, we started our London…

Energy labels and how they're changing
Whether you’re dreaming of upgrading to a futuristic smart fridge or just need to replace a washing machine on its last legs, energy efficiency is one thing…

When should you get your boilers checked
We have all been there, the temperature drops, you go to turn on the heating for the first time in months, and… nothing. The dreaded cold radiator is a staple…

World Environment Day ideas for eco-friendly lifestyle
Every year, over 13 million tonnes of plastic make its way into our oceans. This is concerning as it not only puts the lives of hundreds of different species…