Home surveys are not a legal requirement to have and are completely optional but it is always recommended to have one carried out. If you decide not to have one carried out you could be in for a few nasty surprises. The cost of a home survey will be considerably cheaper than finding issues that could cost you thousands to repair or replace. A home survey could bring problems to the surface which no one knew was currently there which could save you money on the purchase. If you find any serious problems such as faulty wiring or roof damage you would be able to negotiate the cost of fixing these problems of the overall value of the property. Or you could ask the seller to fix these problems before... Read More »

Throughout the past decade, a growing number of house owners are choosing to exchange their dated conservatory roofs. If you feel like you need to be bidding farewell to your old glazing and replace them with modern roof tiles, you may be able to increase the value of your home. It’s important to note that this is also an attempt to make a ‘warm roof’, which supposedly provides superior thermal efficiency and unrivalled longevity. In this blog post, we’ll be answering some of the main questions about tiled conservatory roofs. From the advantages they provide to the most popular tiles, these are the questions you’ll want to have answered before you plan a conservatory roof replacement. In This Blog We’ll Reveal: The pros and cons of a warm roof conservatory... Read More »

When it comes to investing in a property, there are many different options available. Buying a property to then rent out is a popular way to build a property investment. It is usually best to choose a set rate or tracker mortgage. Many buy-to-let landlords prefer the steadiness of a set rate mortgage, so outgoings are steady and predictable for an extended period. Buy-to-let mortgages became more competitive recently as lenders lower interest rates to keep the market moving. Unlike homeowner mortgages that look into salary and expenditure, buy-to-let mortgages estimate affordability based on potential income from rent. You’ll have to show that you can collect rent amounting to a minimum of 125% of your annual mortgage interest payments. Using an independent broker to seek out the buy-to-let mortgage that’s... Read More »

We are often asked about the qualities of oak in a home setting, but the truth is, oak is one of very few materials that can look great in a diverse mix of environments. But what makes it so special? Here are 7 reasons why we love oak. 1. Oak may be a hardwood, and this will sound like an obvious point; however, it is ridiculously hard for a natural material. It’s been used for hundreds of years now within the building trade and has established extreme credibility for durability. For example, it’s well known that 200-year-old reclaimed oak can still be purchased and appears beautiful. 2. Oak improves with age sort of a like a good wine. We’re sure you’ve heard this saying before, but the character you get... Read More »

Pillow blocks, also known as plummer blocks, are a kind of bearing housing. They have a re-lubrication facility and can be used with either oil or grease lubrication. The housing material for a pillow block is typically made of cast iron or cast steel. A standard plummer block may include: A split plummer block design allows for easy mounting and dismounting of pre-assembled shafts. Sealing options such as V-ring seals, labyrinth seals or heavy-duty taconite seals. Case end covers are often available. Multi relubrication points are provided to ensure re-lubrication of the bearing depending on orientation Housing are supplied with spacer rings in order to provide axial location. Those can be ommitted for “free end” axial front. The upper and lower housings can be assembled together at higher accuracy thanks... Read More »