Homes & Gardens

Quick Guide To Finding The Perfect Flat In London

It is not always easy to find the right flat in London. House prices are volatile, there is a lot of competition, and many homes seem totally different when you see them in person. You can spend hours online looking at houses, but sometimes they don't meet your needs in terms of budget, distance to work, commute [GU1] , or lifestyle.

However, when you take a strategic approach to the search, you can prevent many of the pitfalls involved. Rather than simply “flipping through listings,” think about specific things that will help you compare locations, assess property features, and...

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Guide to creating a relaxing sanctuary in your small garden

It’s no secret that spending time outside is good for us. Sunlight exposure, fresh air and the calming sounds of nature can all do wonders for our emotional wellbeing.

In order to experience such restorative relaxation, we might book a day at the spa or go for a walk but might having your own garden spa sanctuary be even more inviting, not to mention accessible?

When you have a small garden, it may seem like an impossible task, but you may be surprised at what can be achieved. For example, you may think you could never have a hot tub spa in a such a small space. Yet, hot...

Affordable renovations that will instantly boost your home value

Improving your home value does not have to mean expensive kitchen renovations and time-consuming re-modelling efforts. There are plenty of affordable home improvements that can make your living environment more comfortable for you and your family, and improve the value of your property if you decide to sell. To give you some inspiration, here are some affordable home renovations that can make a big difference when carrying out electrical work. You may require the services of a rubbish clearance company, try Rubbish Removals Birmingham , if you are local. To clear up any mess left over...

A Complete Guide to Roof Renovation

Roof renovation is one of the most important tasks when it comes to your ability to take care of your home. This is important regardless if it’s just a rental property, an investment property or a family home. Of course, this can end up being a hefty investment, yet, the truth is that the value that you get is more than worth the initial investment. For all of this to work, however, you need to have a sound plan, so here’s a brief guide to roof renovation that you should closely examine before embarking on such a project yourself.

1. A plan

The first thing you need to...

100-year-old dragons restored for topping out ceremony

Simon Friend of Red Earth Developments, owner of the landmark redevelopment of The Yealm, knows a thing or two about Wyvern – a winged, two-legged Chimera dragon with a barbed tail. He commissioned local historical monuments and buildings restoration specialist, Guy Marsh based in Chulmleigh, to repair six 100-year old dragons to reinstate them on the roof in a ‘topping out’ ceremony at the former Yealm Hotel situated in the heart of the picturesque twin riverside villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. He said: “The dragons are earthenware terracotta and likely date from when the hotel...

How to get your house ready for summer

Summertime is right around the corner, and many people are excitedly preparing for it. After months of cold, wet weather, everyone could do with more than a little sunshine in their lives. During the summer, you’re likely to find a string of gatherings, garden parties and barbeques taking place as a way of welcoming the sun and celebrating its presence with loved ones. If you are hosting them, you want to get your house ready. Even if you aren't hosting any gatherings, you may just want to liven it up. Below is how you can get your home ready for summer.

Do a Spring Clean

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What to include in your home maintenance to-do list

As the summer months approach , many of us are finishing off the spring cleaning and getting ready to enjoy our holidays. Before leaving your home, though, it’s important to take care of regular summer maintenance to avoid any issues in the autumn, especially considering that construction and repair costs are on the rise in Exeter and throughout the UK. Here are some of the top things that you should be sure to include in your home maintenance to-do list in the coming months.

Clean the Gutters

Even though the leaves aren’t falling yet, it’s a good idea to grab the ladder...

A guide to pile foundations for homes

Piles are simply long cylinders made using strong and robust materials such as concrete that are pushed into the ground to provide steady support for a structure built on top of the foundation.

We use pile foundations in situations such as:

#1. Instances where the top layer of soil at the construction site is weak. Such a layer does not provide ample support for the weight of the building. As such, the piles are used to transfer loads of the structure to a stronger and sturdier layer of soil or rock.

#2. Instances of a heavy building or a structure with concentrated...

Hospiscare’s Open Gardens shows off Devon’s hidden treasures

This year will once again see Hospiscare teaming up with local residents who are gladly opening their gardens in support of what is now a favourite staple in the charity’s calendar. This year, Hospiscare Open Gardens is entering its fifteenth year and to date has raised the awe inspiring amount of £227,000. This is thanks to the gardeners who work tirelessly caring for their outdoor spaces, the visitors who turn out in force to marvel at these treasured lands and the friends, family and volunteers who come together to make it all possible.

2018 was a record breaking year for the...

How to give your bathroom that Instagram worthy look

At one time, home and bathroom inspiration was delivered to us via glossy magazines. Next came online magazines, shortly followed by Pinterest. While we’re still a nation who endlessly pin those stunning styled shots of other people’s homes on our own ‘dream interior’ boards, we’re now obsessing over Instagram.

Finding home and bathroom ‘inspo’ is now something we can access in an instance. We can simply be watching TV while scrolling through hundreds of beautiful bathrooms.

As bathrooms are now giving a nod to the wellness and self-caretrends, they are portrayed as a place...

What are your responsibilities as a tenant?

Tenants of private rented buildings have various rights and responsibilities under the UK law. As a tenant, it is important to know your rights and what the landlord can rightfully do in different situations. For instance, your landlord should ensure the building structure is well maintained. Boilers, water works, electricity, air conditioners and drainage systems should also be working efficiently. You can always sue the landlord if they fail to meet their end of the contract or if they harass and jeopardize your legal entitlements. Similarly, landlords can sue you for failing to meet...

Homes & Gardens

Quick Guide To Finding The Perfect Flat In London

Guide to creating a relaxing sanctuary in your small garden

Affordable renovations that will instantly boost your home value

A Complete Guide to Roof Renovation

100-year-old dragons restored for topping out ceremony

How to get your house ready for summer

What to include in your home maintenance to-do list

A guide to pile foundations for homes

Hospiscare’s Open Gardens shows off Devon’s hidden treasures

How to give your bathroom that Instagram worthy look

What are your responsibilities as a tenant?

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