When planning to build or renovate your house, the first thing you’d want to know is the cost. This is a crucial element that guides you in making informed decisions before you begin the project. However, there is no better way to get the actual cost estimate of your construction or renovation. You need to analyze various elements to get an approximate cost that will guide your overall budgeting. Here are tips to help you estimate the construction and renovation cost of your home. Determine What You Need The first thing to a successful cost estimation of your project is to define your goals and needs. Write down what you want to do and how you want the project to run. This includes the tools you plan to use, remodeling type, contractor expectations, and new items you plan to buy. For instance, if you plan to renovate your roof, install new tiles and replace your kitchen cabinets, you will need a slightly higher budget than when looking to paint your home. When choosing a remodeling project, it is imperative to include the brands you want to use. This is an easy way to determine how much money you’ll spend on purchasing the renovation tools and equipment. If you do not know how to estimate the costs, you can search for the best remodeling estimating software to help you determine the cost, thus, making your work easier and seamless. Use Various Parameters There are various elements such as the size of your home, materials, home location, and project timelines that you can use to determine your home’s construction and remodeling cost. If your project is small, you will likely spend less money than a larger one. It is not good to overlook this aspect and assume the cost no matter the size of the project because everything might work against your expectations. Things keep changing daily, and you cannot rely on the information you acquired yesterday from a friend, family member, or colleague. Even if you get more information from other contractors, you should not rely on it because their projects may not be similar to yours. So, do due diligence in determining the average cost of the project rather than assuming everything. Consider Your Budget The amount of money you’re willing to spend is also a good parameter to determine the cost of your project. You cannot spend what you can’t afford. This is why you should start a project that you can conformably fund without struggling. Check your budget and decide how much money you want to spend. This depends on your needs and preferences. Whatever budget you set, ensure it adds value to your home. Remember, quality and valuable projects may require a slightly higher budget than other common repairs. This is even more beneficial if you’re planning to sell your home in the future. You stand a chance to sell it at a higher cost if it looks valuable. So, focus on getting quality results as long as you’re comfortable with your budget. Prioritize Your Project Needs Sometimes, you do not have to renovate the entire home. You can focus on the main areas depending on your goals, needs, and expectations. Prioritizing your needs will help you deal with the most crucial elements and cut out things that do not add value to your home. This enables you to cut on remodeling and construction costs and save more money. But this doesn’t mean that you work with low-quality materials and hire an inexperienced contractor. Your home is a significant investment that can give you considerable returns. So, it would be best if you did everything to make it appear attractive. Fortunately, you can spend less money on quality items if you take time to window shop from various manufactures or home improvement stores. Request Bids from Multiple Contractors With many contractors in the construction field, you will find different people charging different prices on construction and renovation. Instead of moving ahead with the first person you encounter, it is imperative to research intensively for about four to five contractors and ask for bids from each one. Compare the bids with your budget and go for what suits you. You will be surprised to get a professional contractor who charges a relatively lower price and does an exceptional job. The Bottom Line It is imperative to take time and analyze the above parameters before determining how much money you will spend on a construction or renovation project. The tips above can help you estimate the cost that will suit all your project needs, preferences, and expectations.

Sadly, summer days are not always sunny and bright. As with any season, rain can come and go at the worst times and in the summer especially this can scupper your plans for the day.  But when the rain does fall at home, why not consider making the most of a rainy day by doing a few DIYs? Whether before or during a rainy day, these DIYs will help you spruce up the home and bring it back to life.  Repaint the house  Repainting your house now and again is an important piece of maintenance to make your house shine. You can take all of those random half paint tins you have around the house and use them to top up the paint colours in every room. Even if you think your walls are white, once you apply a fresh coat you’ll see how much it has faded!  Clean your grout  Grout between the tiles of your bathroom or kitchen can be a pain to keep clean, and over time the brig white grout will turn to a greyish colour that looks mucky and dull. To prevent this happening, why not consider cleaning your grout this week while it’s raining outside? A mixture of baking soda and water can be used as a thick paste and applied with a toothbrush to your grout. Scrub well and rinse off to reveal bright white colour once more. This will make a big difference to your tiles and it will make the whole room look cleaner.  Fix the roof  This is not a tip for the rainy day itself – but rather in preparation for it. Getting round to fixing a leaking roof can be an arduous task, but it is important to do this as soon as you spot an issue to keep the structural integrity of your property. The next time you see that rain is around the corner, make sure to fix the roof and ensure that it is sealed and dry ready for the downpour.  Deep clean the carpets  One great task for you to do now and again at home is deep cleaning the carpets. This is a job you can do once or twice a year – but a rainy day is the ideal time to do this. Use a vax machine to steam clean your carpets and get rid of any dirt that is deep within the fibres. Make sure to turn the heating on afterwards to help the house dry and keep you cosy.  Rearrange the space  On a rainy day you might want to play around with the arrangement of your home and consider different ways to place furniture in your rooms. This is a great idea now and again because it will instantly refresh the home and ensure that it looks clean, tidy, and spacious once more. Plus, it can be fun changing things up once in a while.  Use some of these ideas to perform DIY on your home for a rainy day. 

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Not all home renovations are considered equal when it comes to the saleability of your property – picking the right improvements to increase the value of your home is vital. Some home improvements can be incredibly costly, but you might not necessarily see a return on your investment. These home renovations can help to improve the value and saleability of your property.  Bathroom suites Bathrooms are one of the most-used areas of the home, and it’s common for them to look worse for wear over time as a result. But it’s also an area of the property that buyers pay close attention to, so making improvements before you put your home on the market can help you during the selling process. Depending on how much you want to invest and the time you want to put into it, bathroom upgrades can be anything from minor refreshing through hardware and changing out the shower curtain, to a full suite renovation that can add anywhere up to over 60% in returns. Aim to create a spa-like experience in the bathroom, as this will appeal to potential buyers.  Garage  Garages are desirable for buyers as they offer a secure place to store vehicles and can be used as additional storage for belongings too, which can be scarce in some homes. Your garage door is important for adding kerb appeal to your home, but it is also crucial in ensuring that the garage is safe and secure, so an upgrade can help to improve the look of your home for buyers and guarantees security. Once you’ve checked your garage door is free from faults and damage, refinishing it can help to improve the aesthetic appeal it provides for a great first impression.  Kitchen A popular home upgrade, kitchen renovations are often the first port of call for people looking to increase the value of their home. But how much can you really make from this home improvement project? Kitchen renovations typically do pay off in the long-run, especially if your kitchen is very dated. Even just changing the cabinetry and updating the taps can add between 2 and 3% in returns, while a full overhaul could increase your home’s value by as much as 10%. Since the average kitchen upgrade costs in the region of £10,000, this can be a significant profit overall.  Loft conversion A study by Halifax found that a loft conversion offers excellent value for money in terms of saleability, adding 15% in value. What’s more, it can significantly increase the floor space of your home by up to 30%, which can be a real selling point for potential buyers. The average for a loft conversion is between £16,000 and £20,000, so it’s more of an upfront investment than some other home improvement projects, but it can offer great returns long-term.  Landscaping Landscaping the outdoor spaces isn’t something that you immediately think of when it comes to renovating your home, but it can make a big difference. Gardens are sought-after, so having a beautiful lawn or pretty container plants can really boost your home’s appeal. In fact, just a bit of work could increase the value of your property by as much as 15% on average, topping out at over 40% in profit if you spend in the region of £4,000. The return you’ll see depends on how much you invest in your landscaping, but even minor upgrades and tidying can really do wonders for saleability.  Flooring Flooring can do wonders for the overall feel and look of a property, and it can boost the value too. If the carpet is stained and worn, or the laminate is starting to lift, it can make your property look drab, even if other areas of the home have been refreshed. It’s one of the simplest upgrades you can make but it has an instant impact and can completely transform the look of your home. Go for something that’s easy to maintain and neutral to appeal to a broader range of buyers.  Final thoughts You might be planning to move in the near future or you could be looking to make upgrades that your family can enjoy but that will pay off in the future. Whatever your situation, being thoughtful and considered in your approach to home renovations can really pay off further down the line when you put your home on the market. From the minor improvements that can work brilliantly in improving the aesthetic appeal of your home to the bigger renovation projects that can add thousands to the overall market price, think about the needs of a future buyer when you’re making changes to the property. 

For most people, home is where they unwind, escape the world around them and enjoy times of tranquility. But thanks to design elements like open floor plans, lightweight frameworks, high ceilings and hardwood floors, today’s properties are more susceptible to noise pollution than ever before. This is a recipe for disaster considering the loudness of modern life. Everything from internal sounds such as washing machines, loud speakers and even the humming of the fridge, to outdoor disturbances like planes, sirens and construction work can create a cacophony of disturbance. Add noisy neighbours into the mix and you can see why homes are increasingly failing to fulfil their roles as sanctuaries. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little forethought, you can soundproof your home and make it the peaceful place you want it to be. Here’s how. 1.    Sort out your walls Your first port of call should be your walls, as they are responsible for a huge chunk of the sound coming into a room. Unfortunately, most are built like drums, featuring surface plasterboard (drywall) attached to a structural framework of wall studs or ceiling joists. The spaces in between these studs or joists are usually filled with air or insulation, meaning sound is usually easily conducted through a wall. One way to reduce this is to add a second layer of plasterboard to one or both sides to give the wall surface greater mass, making it less likely to vibrate and transfer sound waves. Soundproof plasterboard will give you the best protection, though be aware of the benefits offered by different types too. Building Materials Nationwide Limited suggest using fire resistant plasterboard to offer serious insulation, or moisture resistant plasterboard for more humid places. Meanwhile, holes or cracks around areas like window frames, ventilation grates and electrical sockets can let in lots of sound. So, closely inspect your walls and repair any cracks or holes you find with caulk. However, if the damage is significant, get a professional to fix these instead, or you risk doing even more damage. Likewise, electrical switches and outlets are usually set into hollow plastic boxes in the wall, which can also help conduct sound. Installing putty pads will create an air seal and add mass to the box that noise can’t pass through. 2.    Upgrade your windows Sound is also easily transmitted through windows, so this should be your next area of focus. First of all, moving to double glazing if you haven’t already is imperative. But don’t just go for any type of window — invest in special soundproofing types. These have thicker glass, more space in between the panes and stronger frames, offering much greater sound protection. As noted in The Telegraph: “Acoustic double glazed windows reduce sound by up to 40dB, which would take the loud 80dB noise from road traffic down to a quiet 40dB noise — that’s the equivalent to the sound of someone speaking in a library.” Indeed, even if you already have double glazing, you should consider upgrading it to this kind, wth sites like Windows Guide great for comparing quotes across local suppliers. On the other hand, window inserts may be the better option overall. These are custom-made to fit your window, pressing inside the frame to act as an extra wall against sound vibrations. Going down this route prevents you from forking out on entirely new windows. Meanwhile, other useful window soundproofing options include sound-blocking curtains, filling any cracks and holes around them with caulk, placing furniture near your windows to absorb sound waves, and planting shrubs outside to prevent them getting in. 3.    Refurbish your doors Doors are often poor at blocking noise considering they’re usually the thinnest barrier in a wall. The first thing to consider when soundproofing one is whether it’s a hollow-core or solid-core door. The latter will do a much better job at protecting your home from noise, meaning an upgrade is essential. If you need to shop for a new door, make sure to take into account its Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating — the higher it is, the better. Hollow-core doors tend to have a STC of around 20, whereas solid-core ones are usually in the mid thirties. However, this step alone will only block sounds like low speech, and not louder noises, meaning you need to go further to give yourself the best protection. One way to better soundproof your door is to add materials like mass loaded vinyl, soundproof blankets and panels to it to block noise coming in. Mass loaded vinyl is a thick sheet that can be installed inside a door’s core, soundproof blankets go over the top of it, while panels go inside the door itself. Like with walls and windows, another way to improve things is seal any cracks or holes. You can use a door gasket to fill any that are underneath, and things like gap foam, silicone sealant or noise-reducing tape for any in the door itself.

Once the summer months roll around, people all over the UK take to parks and gardens for picnics and barbecues, and to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are fortunate enough to have a garden in your home, late spring or early summer is a great time to freshen up the space with some new garden furniture, freshly planted flowers and perhaps a new coat of paint along a fence or shed. If you don’t have a garden or outdoor space, there may be some indoor garden tips and tricks you can implement to bring a bit of greenery indoors and enjoy the brightness of the season. Otherwise, read on for some ideas on how to make the best use of your outdoor space. Flowers & Furniture for a Summer Garden The best way to introduce colour in a summer garden is, naturally, through plants and flowers. Rose, lavender, foxglove and hydrangeas are all bright options that will add plenty of vibrancy to a summer garden. Garden furniture sets are a great way to create a little haven – setting up a seating area with chairs and a garden table can create a relaxing space, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or reading the paper on the weekends. Rattan garden furniture, in particular, is a great investment as it is durable, easy to maintain, and comfortable to sit on. It is also very weather-resistant, which is ideal given the changeable and at times inclement British climate. Garden Decor & Maintenance If you have garden furniture or ornaments such as statues, flower pots or decor items that need repairing, a DIY fix can be far more cost-effective than replacing them. Many garden items that are damaged can be repaired quickly and easily with a specialist epoxy glue, which is generally very straightforward to use. Such glues can also be used on standard household items. Other tips for getting your garden in shape for summer include the following: Plant bulbs during the spring months so they are blossoming in time for summer Mowing the lawn regularly will keep it looking extra green and fresh Invest in a BBQ for summer dining al fresco A water feature such as a fountain or pond is a striking feature in any garden Wooden decking or a patio space is a great way to section off a seating area Invest in a fire pit for a next-level garden-seating zone Repainting a fence or garden shed can truly elevate the look of your outdoor space A trellis is a great way to add texture and dimension to an area of flowers or plants Garden Decor on a Budget There are lots of ideas, big and small, and ways to spruce up your garden for summer that don’t cost a fortune. Once the lawn is mowed and any flowers or shrubbery are freshly pruned, the space will look open and inviting. Accessories such as cushions, flowerpots and outdoor candles are generally inexpensive and can be used to add character and colour in a seating area. Garden lighting such as outdoor bulbs, fairy lights and lamps can also be picked up quite cheaply and are a great way to create a warm, cosy atmosphere on a summer evening. It can be quite a bit of work to get a garden ready for summer and maintain it throughout the season. It is well worth it, however. A garden can act like an additional room in your home and is, for many, a relaxing place to spend some leisure time. Get the most out of your garden this summer by prepping it well, planting some beautiful blossoms and equipping it with comfortable garden seating.

Accidents and damages can occur in any home, but some could prove to be both costly and risky, even as a tenant. Whilst the common misconception is that a landlord will pay for damages at rental properties, this is not necessarily the case. Whilst there was a 12% drop in the number of rental properties last year, rentals remain a popular home choice for many. While it is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain some aspects of the property, you could still end up with hefty bills that could leave you out of pocket. We’ve put together the top 5 costly damages that happen at home, and how you avoid any nasty surprises. What’s the financial and repair responsibility for the tenant’s damages? Whilst the landlord will be generally responsible for structural repairs of the property (as well as gas and electrical work), tenants still have a responsibility to make good any damage to the property under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act. So, what exactly does this mean? Any damage caused on your property, whether that be by you or family member, must be repaired and paid for by the tenant. Even if damage was unintentional, instances such as leaving the water on whilst away could leave you liable for damage. What are the costliest accidents that happen at home for tenants? Thankfully, many tenants and landlords never experience costly accidents during their tenancy. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 repairs in a rental property, and how you can prevent them. 1. Broken windows Whilst this type of damage is often accidental (such as kicking a football in the wrong direction!), it can be costly. With window replacements costing upwards of a few hundred pounds, it can soon put a dent in your bank balance. 2. Bad Usage of Electrical Appliance While it’s tempting to over-stuff plug sockets with appliances, improper usage of electrical goods can not only be dangerous, but it can also leave you out of pocket. Unplugging appliances when not in use and only using appliances for their stated purpose can help reduce the risk of both fires and bills. 3. Wear and Tear Whilst general wear and tear is expected with a rental property, the landlord may hold you liable for damage outside of this. Factors such as having pets (or throwing parties!) could put you at risk of a landing large, unexpected bill. 4. Furniture damage Whilst it is the landlord’s responsibility to provide furniture and white goods at 5-year intervals, responsibility for repairing damage to furniture lies with the tenant. So, it always pays to be careful! 5. Mold Mold develops in damp areas in the home and wreak havoc if left untreated. Mold removal by a professional can cost up to £1,000, so turning a blind eye to mold and mildew can be costly. Luckily, mold can easily be prevented by ventilating the property well. How to overcome and be protected against these damages? While most damage is almost certain to be the result of an accident, you could still find yourself in court. If you are found to be negligent, you could find yourself in deep water. One way to prepare for the unknown is to purchase renters insurance cover. This will protect you against any unexpected costs, fees or expenses as a result of a case being brought against you. You may never need it, but home insurance offers peace of mind for the ‘what if’ moments in life.

Surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature is a sure-fire way to make you feel more relaxed and calm. Usually, you would go outside to smell the fresh air, but what happens when you can’t leave home or plant flowers outside? Well, you could bring nature indoors, instead! Start growing an indoor jungle with these tips. Before you know it, you’ll turn your space into an oasis. How to Choose the Perfect Houseplants There are far too many plants and flowers to choose from, but the most common florals, like roses, orchids, and succulents, are available at most garden centers.  While browsing on a website that offers flower delivery, you may stumble upon multiple unique Mother’s day flower ideas. Don’t forget that you’re only weeks away from Mother’s Day! Choose Easy-Care Plants Unless you’re some kind of plant-savant, you should stick to easy-to-care-for plants that don’t require a lot of attention, water, and sunlight. This way, you won’t have to hire a house sitter when you take a vacation. Consider these low maintenance house plants: Aloe Vera Snake Plant (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) Bromeliad Rabbit’s Ear India Rubber Tree Spider Plant All of these plants can handle a bit of neglect and can survive with little sunlight and water. Match Plants to Their Environment Some plants have special needs, even if they’re easy to take care of. For example, the Pothos is a low-maintenance plant but will die if placed in direct sunlight. Pothos grow underneath larger trees in the rainforest and love humidity, so ensure your home isn’t too dry. Another example is the Bird’s Nest Fern which prefers bathrooms for its moist air. Use the Right Soil Most garden centers and online flower shops will stock a general potting soil mix that will suit most plants. However, cactuses and succulents need special mixes that drain faster because they reside in places with little soil. You’ll likely run into these common potting soil mixtures: Sphagnum Peat Moss: Well-draining and well-aerated. Coir Fiber: Byproduct of coconuts. Has more nutrients than peat moss. Perlite: Lightweight and sterile. Holds three times its weight in water. Vermiculite: Adds calcium and magnesium to the soil. Sand: Improves drainages and is excellent for cacti. Pick the Right Indoor Containers Plants and flowers need to drain water from their soil, or else they’ll drown. Orchids need special pots with slats or cut-out shapes at the side for better drainage and airflow. Since orchids grow off of rocks, trees, or bushes, they can’t be planted directly into the ground. Other common plants, like the kalanchoe, are comfy in almost any sized pot of any material. Use These Tips When Creating Your Garden Oasis Know Your Light Light is an essential requirement when starting an indoor garden, so ensure that all of your plants are near a window or UV lamp. Some plants, like Aloe Vera, require over 8 hours of sun, while the Peace Lily would quickly die from too much exposure. Adjust to your plant’s needs. Try Planting Vertically Planting vertically gives you more space for more plants while dressing up your walls at the same time. Gardening vertically will make your home truly feel like an indoor jungle oasis. You can plant succulents vertically in picture frames with a fabric backing or plastic sheetings. Group Plants Together Plants that prefer humid environments will do better in a bathroom or finished basement, while dry, climatized flowers would want an open space with plenty of sunlight. Be sure to group plants based on their specific needs to double the possibility that they’ll stay happy and healthy. Get a Standout Plant Don’t just buy plants that are low to the ground or have to be hung from the ceiling because your space will start to look too “samey.” Put in a standout plant, like the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, to add height and depth to your oasis. This large indoor tropical tree is easy to grow and care for.

Homeowners and prospective buyers looking for eco-friendly living ideas can look to a list of the latest sustainable home trends from property experts. Since the start of the first lockdown in 2020, many of us have found new meaning in our homes as a result of spending more time indoors and adapting to new routines. This has influenced many of the property trends that are gaining popularity in 2021, including homeowners’ desire to introduce eco-friendly elements into their homes. “The trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly living continues to accelerate, and this is reflected in our eco-friendly living habits, what we are looking for during our property searches, and in the way we are building new homes in the UK. At North Sands, we are proud to design and build homes that use sustainable materials that have an extended life and are low maintenance, offering high quality features that look to the future, such as smart technology and electrical charging points,” said James Hartley, director of property developer North Sands Developments. “Staying at home a lot more in the last year has made many of us reconsider our homes and the way we live, and even as we plan to move away from lockdown restrictions over the coming months, many of us are still considering improving homes for the long-term. “For those looking to live more eco-friendly lifestyles this year, there are lots of sustainable home and living elements you can consider to achieve this. From utilising smart technology to energy-efficient features, we have compiled a list of ideas to inspire sustainable living.” Here is the list of eco-friendly home trends: 1.Smart technology Smart technology encompasses a broad category of home and lifestyle products that are designed to save time and improve the efficiency and smooth-running of your home. From smart speakers to lightbulbs, there are many products available on the market – but if you’re looking for something to increase the eco-friendly credentials of your home, some of the best features you can invest in are smart heating and lighting. These gadgets operate using an app on your smart phone, and allow you to control the heating and lighting in your home while you’re out of the house or sat comfortably on the sofa. Having the power to control these elements of your home from your fingertips means that you can switch the heating and lighting on and off as needed so they aren’t running unnecessarily, saving energy and money on your bills over time. Smart LED lightbulbs are also low energy – meaning they require less electricity than traditional bulbs, but offer the same brightness and light quality. For an all-encompassing approach, all-in-one security systems are available to purchase which allow control of interior and exterior cameras, and include smart doorbells, plugs, thermostats, alarms and much more – which can be easily monitored and controlled to maintain performance and energy usage. Some of these systems may be available to purchase through your home insurance provider for a discount, depending on whether they meet certain requirements, as set out in your policy. 2.Windows and doors For an easy upgrade to your home that is going to last for years to come, improving the insulation in your property is one of the best investments out there. A staggering amount of heat is lost through single glazed windows – up to 84% in a room – so double glazing dramatically improves heat retention, meaning you will rely on the central heating less. A well-functioning front door, and new doors throughout the house will also go a long way in retaining heat in each room, preventing draughts. 3.Go electric According to Rated People, investing in an electric car is among the top three eco improvements homeowners want to make by 2025. Electric cars offer less maintenance and lower running costs compared to petrol and diesel counterparts, and with no emissions they are much better for the environment. With electrical charging points popping up all over the country – as part of many new home developments, at retail parks, motorway services and petrol stations, it’s clear that the future of car travel is electric. 4.Recycling An instant way to become more eco-friendly, pledging to recycle as much as possible is one way to make a real impact on the environment. More of the consumable products that we buy today come in recyclable packaging, making them easier to separate into designated recycling bins at home. Your local recycling centre will be able to take larger items, such as electrical appliances, to be reused again in the manufacturing processes.  You can start turning your bathroom into a plastic free space by choosing the products that are natural, conservative and eco-friendly. 5.Eco-friendly new builds As the government has pledged to transform the UK to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, many cities are already implementing plans to build more eco-friendly homes to reach their targets. If moving to a new home is your plan for 2021, then choosing a new build property that boasts excellent eco-friendly credentials is becoming easier, as the construction industry shifts towards using sustainable materials and practices as standard. Choosing a home that has been designed and built with sustainability in mind will ensure that the materials used have a long life and require less maintenance than traditional houses, offering excellent insulation and good quality for decades to come.

Homeowners and landlords looking to find a quality builder to carry out improvement works to their property can follow these top tips for choosing a trusted professional from the experts at Taggart Homes. Whether you are planning an extension, looking to create an open-plan layout, or are simply seeking repair and maintenance work, finding a reliable professional can feel like a daunting task if you are unfamiliar with the process and work involved. With the country subject to lockdown restrictions over the past few months, which has seen many of us adjust to spending more time staying in and working from home, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of homeowners wishing to renovate and improve their properties. As a roadmap out of lockdown is now underway, it’s the ideal time to plan your next home improvement project to make the most of what is expected to be a more positive year for many following the difficult circumstances of last year. Here is the list of top tips for finding a trusted builder: Establish the type of builder or company you require Depending on the type of work you require at your property, it may be necessary to recruit a specialist company to complete the job. If the work is more general, then a builder who has experience in all basic aspects of home improvement works – from renovating kitchens, to fitting wooden flooring, will possess the skills needed to finish the job to a high standard. Once you have decided upon the type of builder you require, do your own research online to find local professionals in your area. Many online directory websites will allow you to do this easily, where builders can advertise and showcase their work, experience and services. Make sure you contact other clients of your chosen builder to ensure that your builder has decent reputation and is easy to communicate with. Be specific about what you require One of the most important parts of planning your home improvement project is deciding early on exactly what it is you require and if necessary, take advice from a reputable architect on your requirements. If the chosen builder is reputable and knowledgeable then they may be able to advise you depending on the job and if you require planning or building control approvals before starting, be specific about what you expect your builder to do and not do – for example, would you like them to source the building materials and products needed, or are you willing to find those yourself? Would you like them to dispose of the waste produced on a job, or to save costs will you do that yourself? Answering questions like these will help you to specify exactly what you are looking for in terms of works, so a builder can provide you with a quote based on your requirements and expectations. Put your job out to tender Once you are clear about the type of work you would like, you can advertise your job on various websites, where trade professionals can get in touch with you if they are able and willing to carry out the job. In any instance, make sure that you obtain independent references on your builder and if necessary, go and ask the referee. Don’t hesitate to shop around either – finding three or four quotes from different specialists will give you an idea about the cost of a project, how much you can expect to pay and the level of workmanship you can expect. Each quote should specify exactly what work it includes, so you can compare what you are getting for your money and make the best decision. The cheapest job can sometimes end up expensive, especially if the requirement is not well documented beforehand or if the builder uses inadequate material or labour – only employ a builder who puts their work, their customer and credibility first. Credentials and experience After shopping around for quotes and determining exactly what work needs doing, you should have one or two builders for consideration. The next step is do some research into each builder to look at their credentials – how much experience do they have? What types of projects have they completed in the past? Do they have any references you can look to? And is there a portfolio of work that you can view? Choosing a builder who has a wide range of experience and many years in the industry is reassuring, as you can be confident that they have the skills, organisation and knowledge needed for most jobs. You may need to wait and plan well ahead before getting the right builder as good builders are always busy. Check they’re insured Remember to ask the builder if they are insured. They should have public liability and personal insurance to protect themselves, their customers and the public if a property is damaged during work, or if an accident or injury occurs. They ideally should have product insurance in the event of any of the building products failing, this has happened previously. They should also be registered with the NHBC as this is a further layer of protection for the customer in the event of a problem within 10 years of the project being completed. Agree costs and work involved upfront To ensure your home improvement project goes smoothly, and you receive the desired outcome you were hoping for, it is important to agree on the cost of the work upfront, as well as how long it is expected to take, and what type of work is involved from start to finish. A verbal or written contract can be put in place to specify exactly what is required and expected, so you know the work will be carried out exactly to plan. The customer should employ a quantity surveyor to quantify the work and give the customer an idea of the cost before going out to tender, the QS should then certify the work