Author Archives: Natalie
An A-Z of garden pests and diseases
What you can do to stop garden pests and plant diseases. Aphids | Blackbirds | Cutworms | Dogs | Earwigs | Gooseberry sawfly larvae | Honey Fungus | Leather jackets | Midges | New Zealand flatworms | Oedema | Powdery mildew |Red lily beetles | Slugs | Verbascum / Mullein Moth caterpillar | Wireworms Aphids Aphids, those tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking pests, appear every spring to feast on your plants’ tender new leaves. Not to fear; you don’t have to resort to toxic chemicals to […]
Seven tips from an electrician
1. Listen to the experts If you take the time to choose the right tradesman, then you should listen to what they have to say and have confidence what they tell you. 2. Decide who will be the main point of contact Deciding the main point of contact between you and your tradesmen in a […]
Signs of out-of-date electrics
People consider many things when they are looking to buy or renovate a home, but they rarely think about checking the electrics. Here are a few things you need to look out for which will help you understand what state your home’s electrics are in: 1. Check that you have the right amount of sockets […]
Questions to ask your builder
The larger the project, the more questions you’re likely to want to ask your builder before you commence any work. Run through these basic questions with your builder to make sure they’re the right person to undertake your home improvement project, and avoid any disputes further down the line. Have you done any similar projects […]
Should I employ an architect?
For large projects, such as loft/ basement conversions and extensions you should consult the professionals. Employing an architect will ensure you make the most of the space you have available and use your resources to their full potential. What does an architect do? An architect will work with you as a client to establish what […]
How to plan an extension
An extension is one of the biggest and most complicated home improvement projects you can undertake. Whether you’re undertaking a single or double storey extension there are a number of things that you’ll need to take into account. Here’s a list of things to consider when adding an extra room to your house: Deeds Layout […]
Should you take out building/renovation insurance?
Insurance is an essential part of any building project as it protects you, your builder and your property from any mishap or injury that may occur. Either the homeowner or the company carrying out the work on the property can take out an insurance policy to cover the period of time when work is underway. […]
Flat roofs
Once you’ve got the building regulations under your belt, building a flat roof is quite simple. Despite the name, flat roofs are never truly flat. They have to have an ever-so-slight angle to ensure water will drain off properly, instead of letting water sit and soak through. Despite the slightly confusing name, flat roofs are […]