Friday, 29 June 2012

Questions for contractors

  • The most important question to ask first to your contractor is Are you licensed?
  • Do you carry general liability insurance? - Protects your property against damage caused by the contractor.
  • Will you provide me with a written Lien Waiver?  - Legal document which says the homeowner have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered
  • Will you provide me with written testamonials? 
Our tradesmen in london will answer YES to all of these questions! Get in touch with us today! 

Cleaning hardware floors

  • On wooden floors use a soft broom with fine bristles to sweep up dirt
  •  Remove any water spillages straight away with a soft towel or dry/wet vacuum. Water is an enemy of wooden floors!
  • When mopping, make sure the mop is very dry damp as excess water can leak through the seems of the wood
  • Vacuum rugs often so that dirt get into the rug and scratch the floor surface underneath
  • Periodic floors may require waxing and buffing. Seek advice and get recommendations before attempting this yourself. 
       Our handymen in london would be more than happy to help!

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Cool Roofs!

Rather than have a roof that transfers heat back into a building, save on your bills by investing in a cooler roof! 
Visit cool roofs to find out more.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Advice on Building Health Problems

Environmental building solutions offer information and advice about how to identitfy and control problems in your home which can lead to ill health. If you have damp and moisture difficulties, wood rot or pest infection don't delay getting the problems sorted, get in touch with our builders in london.

Green News!

Sustainable building news, advice and events can be found at Green Build News.

If you want to find out how to build an eco house click here.

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Advantages and Disadvantages to Surveillance and CCTV

eHow lists the advantages and disadvantages to surveillance and CCTV systems. 
If you feel you need a security system fitted in your commercial or residential property in London, get in touch with our electricians in london that specificly cater for surveillance and CCTV systems.

Eco friendly roofing materials

Four roofing materials to consider to make your roof more green.

Renovating listed properties

Homebuilding & Renovating is a great site to find out about renovating listed properties, buying listed properties, and period house restoration.

Generate your own energy

The Energy Saving Trust offer great renewable technology suggestions to make your home generate its own energy allowing you to save the pennies. Energy prices and plans are rapidly increasing, so theres no better time for your home to start providing its own renewable energy. These steps indicate the best way to get started. Don't be put off by the initial thought of what these improvements may cost, it is as simple as any other home improvements and will leave you financially better off in the long run.

Monday, 18 June 2012

Top tips for painting

Paint the ceiling first, if any paint drops fall onto the walls its ok because they havn't been painted yet. Paint the walls second, followed by the window sill, radiators and skirting boards. Leave the door frame and the door until last. This way you won't be walking past wet paint.

When removing paint specks from a glass window use a scalpel knife (razorblade with a solid metal handle) First wet the window then gently scrape the blade accross, be careful that you dont allow debris to drag underneath the blade as this can scratch the glass. Always use a new blade when starting a new job. 

To get rid of fresh paint odours place a small bowl of white vinegar in the same room. 

To prevent tearing paint off a newly painted wall, score the wall between the masking tape and the dried paint using a razor blade. 

Store your paintbrush and rollers in a plastic bag, making sure its tight so that no air can get through and store away from light. The paint won't dry if no air gets to it, ready for use the next day.

Our painter and decorators in london know all the tricks of the trade to ensure a high standard of quality in their work. 

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Protect your valuables from flooding

With all this wet weather we've been having (and still more to come) its a good idea to be cautious and follow these tips to help prevent your home from flooding. 

Move costly possesions, electrical products and important documents upstairs. Remove any item from the floor that would create a higher risk to damage.

Stock up on sandbags to ensure you have something to block entrances with. Floorboards could also be used to block doorways. Air brick covers can also be used to stop water coming in through air bricks.

Protect irreplaceable items with sentimental value by putting them in waterproof bags and placing upstairs, or on a higher level. 

Protect furnishings by hanging them over curtain rails, placing upstairs or covering with a waterproof material if they are larger items.

Clear any ditches and cut back foliage to ensure saplings do not get lodged or embeded in beds, banks or driveways.

If you need a roofer, plumber or builder in london because of water damage to your home don't hesitate to contact us.

Need an Interior Designer?

Its not easy finding the right interior designer for your home. It takes time and effort to search for a designer that understands your tastes, requirements and lifestyle. To help you with the search, below are a few sites to get your inspiration going.

Interior Designers
Love Home
British Institute of Interior Design
dezeen.com
Look4Design
Apartment Therapy
Design Squish
londondirectory.co.uk
UK Small Businessdirectory
Home and Gardening UK
UK Web Directory
The Link Directory 
Click Directory
Deep Link Directory
EWorldLinksDirectory
FreeLinks
Business Directory
Web Index
Ask Bee
Web Directory
Ultimate Handy Man
General Construction
Snaphost
Cluboo
Link Crusher
Ebiz Directory
EDirectory
Euro Directory
Rumble Beat Directory
Hot LD
DevoteClub
Link Directory
G Directory
Chandigarhcity
DBIndex
DIYKHowTo
Maxe PR
Directory Code
PW Directory
MS Directory
Open Directory
Public Directory
Terminator Directory
Craig's Web Directory
e-Web Directory

Dangers of wood work

The dangers of woodworking can be horrific. Even if its just a small job, the following threats are not worth the risk!

Lacerations, Amputations, Severed fingers, Blindness, Respiratory problems, Hearing problems, Skin disease from exposure to finishing chemicals. 

Never attempt to build or fix woodwork within your home if you dont have the required skills. Get in touch with our qualified Carpenters in London for your carpentry projects whether its domestic or commercial.

Your roofing questions answered

A good site for frequently asked roofing questions is roofhelp. Don't attempt to fix your roof on your own. Contact our reliable Roofers in London.

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Asbestos Safety


Protect yourself and your family from asbestos by learning these basic facts. Visit Health & Safety Executive for tips on how to look out for asbestos and why it can be dangerous. If you are looking for a plumber or roofer in central london, check out our services.

Monday, 11 June 2012

Removing old plaster

When removing old plaster there are several implications to look out for:

- The old plaster will crumble in places because it isn't as durable as new plaster
- Moisture is let in as the old plaster begins to crack. The plaster exapnds and these cracks will widen and crumble even more
- The old plaster could contain chemicals that are now identified to be toxic

Never attempt removing old plaster if you are unsure about what to do, have breathing problems or suffer from back pain. Our London Plasterers will complete any residential or commercial project from start to finish.