Benefit from Working with Environmental and Health and Safety Conscious Contractors

When having exterior refurbishment or renovation work done on your property, it’s essential that you choose the right company to deal with. The right professional traits are going to put your mind at ease and maximise the chances of your being happy with the outcome of the project. Your choice will ensure you get a high level of quality products and workmanship, fair pricing, and the right choice will also help you minimise headaches, delays, and overall frustration.

Beyond choosing a company for home improvements that is good at their job and that will meet their promises to you, it’s also a good idea to choose to deal with a firm that has a good reputation as an environmentally conscious and safety-conscious company, too. Here are some of the benefits of taking the time to make sure you are dealing with a company that places a high level of importance on health and safety areas:

· Choose a Health and Safety Conscious Company: In terms of health and safety, you’ll be assured that staff on your premises will be following high safety standards at all times. Then, you won’t have to worry whether or not staff carries CSCS cards, for example. And a company that has rigid safety policies with their staff and work sites are much more likely to have the same mindset when it comes to overall quality assurance.

· Do They Strive to Protect the Environment? Environmentally conscious companies tend to deal with responsibly harvested and produced materials. If you’re dealing with timber windows, for instance, you may feel more at ease knowing that your renovation company is dealing with FSC timber. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies carefully managed forests to acknowledge that sustainable practises are followed. If this is something that’s important to your own core values, you’ll probably appreciate this.

· Environmentally conscious renovation companies also tend to handle the waste disposal aspect of the project responsibly, too. Hazardous products are going to be disposed of according to legislature and staff, residents, and the local population’s safety will always be at the forefront of priorities.

Don’t hesitate to investigate the background and reputation of any renovation company you’re considering dealing with. Whether doing a major or a minor exterior refurbishment project, taking the time to locate companies and contractors with a high level of importance placed on health, safety and the environment is going to benefit you in many ways, including helping you feel good about the work you’re having done to improve your home.

Tips to Help You Draught Proof Your Older Home

An older home can possess a great deal of character and charm. But a lot of people who own an older home will tell you that a major downside can be that it can be rather draughty in the cold months and that it seems to cost a fortune to cool in the hotter months.

Not only are draughts uncomfortable to contend with from a fluctuating temperature perspective but they’re also uncomfortable to contend with from a cost perspective, too. The cost of heating and cooling your home are going to be substantially higher if you are dealing with a draughty older house. Here are some ideas to help you eliminate those draughts in a ways that won’t compromise the look or the safety of your home.

Dealing with Sash Windows

Instead of covering your windows with unsightly plastic to keep them from being too draughty in colder weather, draught-proofing your windows can make a big difference. Older homes that have sash windows, for instance, can be infamous for being draughty. A draft exclusion product can be used on your sash windows to help in this case. Not only will the draught-proofing seal the window from gaps but it will also help eliminate annoying rattling in older windows as well as improve the window’s sound proofing ability.

Tip: Choose a company that is well versed in draught-proofing sash windows so you can be sure the aesthetics and character of your windows are not going to be compromised in the process.

Some people opt to have their sash windows repaired and restored while dealing with draught exclusion. Many look at double-glazing as well for the thermal benefits. In this case as well it’s important to deal with a company with a strong level of expertise in older and heritage homes, particularly if you live somewhere with strict conservation rules.

Tip: When choosing a draught exclusion product, make sure that you chose something independently tested to conform to British Standards BS6375 - Part 1 for the best results.

Is Your Loft a Culprit?

Are draughts coming in as a result of your loft or attic? Having the area inspected for adequate insulation and draught-proofing is smart and can help you save money as well as improve the comfort level of your home, too.

Audit the Exterior of Your Home

Are their exterior or structural issues that need addressing on your home? Having an assessment done can help you decide on exterior restoration that will help your home look better as well as save you money on energy costs.

Are Draughty Doors Contributing to the Problem?

Gaps underneath and around doors and as a result of letterboxes and large keyholes could be a bigger problem than you might suspect. It’s smart to have an analysis or energy audit done to help you determine the best ways to save money. Note: Ventilation shouldn’t be mistaken for gaps that are causing draughts, of course. The right approach is necessary to ensure adequate ventilation so that you don’t negatively impact your air quality. Be sure that you work with a contractor or builder with a great reputation so you can be sure that things are handled the right way. It may take less work and a smaller investment than you think.

Exterior Restoration Ideas - Preparing Your Heritage Home to be Sold

If you are selling an older home, it could be billed as an older house in need of some TLC or it could be billed as a heritage property with retained character and charm. Which one do you think will fetch a better offer? Read on for some ideas for exterior refurbishment areas and preparing your heritage home to be sold.

Exterior Building Refurbishment

Getting a professional survey by a skilled refurbishment company can help you determine which exterior refurbishment areas should be addressed before selling your home. You want everything in a good state of repair and you want to do things that will appeal to prospective buyers, too. Recommended renovation areas could include concrete repair, painting, cleaning, glazing, door restoration, windows refurbishments, roof refurbishments, and other renovation areas, too.

It might sound like a tall order, both from an organisational standpoint and from a cost perspective but dealing with the right company could make everything simpler and the right approach could result in a tidy profit for you when the sale happens.

Windows Refurbishment – Important for Your Home’s Appeal

A popular selling point on a newer home is that it has newer windows. But on a heritage home, having original windows is important. Window refurbishment could not only help with the look and feel of the building but it could also give you the ability to list this as a feature of the home because not only are the windows good-looking but refurbished windows can function better as well from an energy efficiency perspective. Homes with restored windows won’t lose as much heat and won’t feel drafty and this is something many homebuyers consider when looking at their options.

Roofing Refurbishment – It’s a Big Deal!

The roof does make an impact on the aesthetic appeal of the home and if it’s an older home, roofing refurbishment might be necessary. You might need to remove asbestos. You might want to replace some tiles. A good roof can help to instil confidence in a prospective buyer about the soundness of your home as an investment. Roof refurbishment is something to seriously consider.

Landscaping – Boost Curb Appeal

Landscaping is important, as well. If your home’s grounds are well maintained, this makes a big impact on potential buyers. Do be aware that there may be restrictions on whether or not you can remove trees but regardless of what you have to work with, a big of effort can help you make a good impression with the gardens.

The interior of the house should be staged appropriately for showing as well, of course, but keep in mind that remembering to also focus on the exterior of your house is what will often draw initial attention from people who see your “For Sale” sign and that curb appeal can help you increase the chances of selling your home as fast as possible and for as high a price as possible, too.

Tip: If your home is in a conservation area, you may need planning consent before you make changes. Be sure to work with a refurbishment specialist with a solid track record in windows, roofing, and other exterior restoration areas to ensure legislation is adhered to.

Should You Restore or Replace Your Windows?

Windows don’t always last forever. But they shouldn’t always be replaced by newer windows. As time goes by some homeowners decide to weigh their options in terms of replacements or window repairs. There are a number of reasons why you might be looking at your options and trying to decide whether or not to: a) go with window restoration / window repairs, or b) look at replacing the windows with new windows altogether.

If it’s time to look at your windows and you live in an historic house, you should be aware of all of your options and be well aware of potential responsibilities, depending on where you live and what the rules are regarding older houses. Replacing your windows with new ones might not only be a bad idea but it could be something you regret.

In some conservation areas you may need planning permission before being able to do window replacements on historic buildings. Even if you find what appears to be like-for- like replacements, some areas are very strict about various elements of the windows. In some areas, the wrong choice could result in your being forced to remove them. Restoration might not only be the most cost effective choice but it could also be the best choice from a red tape perspective, too.

Benefits of Refurbishment of Windows

Refurbishment of windows could cover all your needs for restoration and it could improve the performance of your windows, too. Refurbishment could allow for you to:

· Have your aesthetic needs meet so that the building looks original and looks good,

· Help you meet the conservation needs of the building so that you don’t upset your council and have to deal with undue hassle or expense,

· Keep the character, curb appeal, and value up on an older / historic home,

· Be environmentally friendlier than sending your old windows to a landfill,

· Make the right changes that help you improve your energy costs and enhance the comfort of the home, too.

It’s important to look at all of your options for your home and to get the right advice so that you can be sure to be pleased with the outcome. Having a survey done by qualified window restoration specialists is a wise and important step and it can help you determine the best course of action for your specific circumstances.

Pick the Right Window Restoration Company for Your Project

If you’re looking at your options for window restoration, choosing the right windows supplier who has strong skills in window replacement services will serve you well. Not all companies specialise in repairs and restorations so be prudent about seeking the right advice about your windows.

A home that needs window restoration rather than window replacement needs a level of expertise that’s not always readily available. That’s why you should search for a specialist company that has a proven track record in properties with similar characteristics to yours. Not all companies can do traditional box sash windows equally well, for instance.

How will you know if you’ve found the right window restoration company? Here are some telling signs:

They Talk the Talk

It’s a good sign when a company can appreciate the benefits of restoration on older homes. Windows add a depth of character and value to a property and the right windows are important, particularly for the curb appeal and optimum energy efficiency of a house. A specialist can help you get the results you want. When talking about your options with various contractors and builders, make sure that you test the waters to ensure you are dealing with a company that has the right level of skills to carry out a restoration for your type of home.

Does the company have the right documentation to illustrate that they place a high priority on safety and have a solid understanding of local COSHH implications? Are they willing to demonstrate that they hold CSCS cards that signify certification? Are they CHAS accredited? Dealing with an established and professional company can put you at ease.

Feeling good about a sales presentation is vital but before things progress any further, is the company prepared to provide a written guarantee of their services along with full disclosure of pricing schemes for all work that is to be carried out?

They Walk the Walk

Beyond talking a good story about how great they are, is the window restoration supplier and installer prepared to put their money where their mouth is and provide references and examples of the projects they have worked on in the past? Look at a portfolio of work and make sure you check the reputation of the company so that you can be sure you are dealing with a reputable organisation that has a positive track record in restoring windows similar to yours.

Read Reviews of Local Windows Restoration Companies

Before signing a contract to have the work completed on your property or on a property you are charged with arranging for repairs or improvements on, be sure to do a bit of research on the companies you are considering using. Looking beyond the skills of the salesperson and beyond the price on the contract, you’ll want to investigate the overall reputation of the window supplier. A bit of online research can help put your mind at ease or could help you see that perhaps the company you’re considering is the right company for the job. On the other hand, it could also raise some potential red flags that warrant further investigation before you sign a contract. A bit of research can go a long way in ensuring that you choose the right company to deal with and this will increase the likelihood that the project will be executed flawlessly.