With so many different types of residential surveys out there, it can be confusing and daunting to know what they all mean and when you might need one. Surveys are typically optional, but important if you have a concern about possible issues with your home and to save yourself any unwanted surprises. If you happen to have minor concerns, the lowest level of survey you can get is called a Condition Report. Condition Reports are a level one survey, that typically start from £300. This report does not go into incredible detail but are designed to complement the mortgage valuation. These reports give you a ‘traffic light’ indication to the state of various parts of the property and a summary of any defects or possible risks affecting the property. This... Read More »

If you are considering buying or selling a home for the first time, you may be wondering what an RICS Homebuyer Survey includes. A Homebuyer Survey is a briefer version of a RICS Building Survey but is more detailed than the mortgage valuation and RICS Condition Report. This survey is classed as a level 2 and the cost typically depends on the size and valuation of the property being inspected. The Homebuyer Survey is a visual and non-intrusive inspection, by a RICS chartered surveyor, of the condition of the home and details any defects, in the Condition Report. This type of inspection would be suitable for modern or conventional home that are in reasonably good condition. If the home is non-standard or more dilapidated, a more thorough Building Survey will... Read More »

Conservatories prove to be an excellent way to get the most out of sunshine in your yard, but glass roofs tend to present several problems that most people do not anticipate. Perhaps the most obvious one is difficulty in accessing the roof when it comes to cleaning the glass. However, the biggest downside is the increased heating bill. With the need to save energy, perhaps it is time to consider a tiled conservatory roof. If you are still on the fence, here are some benefits that will hopefully make you consider the upgrade. The Benefits of Having a Tiled Conservatory Roof The first advantage is pretty obvious. Your tiled conservatory roof in Milton Keynes will provide better insulation and allow for better-controlled temperature throughout. This will result in savings on... Read More »

Have you installed a conservatory roof before? Perhaps you have one on your home that has added to its overall appeal. These are designed to have a transparent top, or they could have skylights, allowing the sunlight to come in. As with most conservatories, they will have a stylized roof, leading down to windows all around the perimeter. These are typically set off to the side of a home, providing the people inside with the beautiful view of your property. Here are five reasons that you should consider getting a new conservatory roof if you have had your conservatory for years. Five Reasons To Get A New Roof On Your Conservatory The first reason that you should consider upgrading to a tiled conservatory roof is if it is slowly leaking.... Read More »

Of all of the different types of flooring materials that you can use, authentic oak flooring may be the best choice. It is very sturdy, capable of withstanding even high traffic areas, and slight damage is not very noticeable even if it is there. The cost of oak wood flooring is the main drawback for most people that wanted. It can be extremely expensive. If you can afford the cost, or find someone that can offer you an exceptional deal, you may wonder where you should put this flooring material. Let’s discuss what room would be the best choice for placing oak flooring in your home. Why Oak Flooring Is So Popular There are so many things that can be said about oak flooring. First of all, it is extremely... Read More »

If you have recently built a conservatory, or if you are thinking about doing so, you may want to pay close attention to the type of roofing material that you use. There are many choices to choose from, some of which are much better than others, and it all depends on where you live and how much money you have to spend. In many cases, people will choose between tiled, glass or polycarbonate roofs. All of these have benefits and drawbacks. Here is an overview of why you should choose any of these, as well as things to look out for, when you are deciding on the best roof for your conservatory. What Is A Tiled Roof? Tiled conservatory roofs are similar to what you would put on a regular... Read More »

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 »

If you’re looking for a reliable roofing solution, you won’t find a better option than GRP flat roofs. These roofs offer a number of advantages over other types of roof. If you take a closer look at the benefits it offers, you can decide if this is the right choice for you. It’s Weather Resistant One of the biggest threats to your roof is poor weather. While there’s no way to completely weatherproof your roof, a GRP flat roof can help to keep your roof and home in excellent shape even during a storm. This is a roofing material that’s highly resistant to weathering, especially when the right kind of topcoat is applied. This roofing material is both seamless and waterproof, which means it’s ideal for stormy weather. You shouldn’t... Read More »