New Milton Advertiser 30th Oct 2020

Friday 30th October 2020 · 27

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What to expect from builders as you get your home ready for winter W ith more of us either working from home or staying in more because of Corona- virus restrictions now is the time to make sure that your flat, house, bungalow or wherever you live is ready for the winter months.

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Agree costs. Make sure as well that you’re paying just for the builder you have chosen and not for sub-contractors, unless agreed, as otherwise this could have an impact on the final bill. Ask about VAT, and make sure you know where the builder is buying his materials from for the job. If it suits you to do so, pay for work either in stages as it’s completed, or pay for the whole job in a final settlement after completion. Always ask for receipts and keep a written record throughout the course of the work.

Choose a reliable builder from trading associations If a builder is a member of a recognised trading association, this is an- other way of sifting out the good guys from the cowboys. It's not obligatory for builders to join a trading body, such as the Feder- ation of Master Builders, the National Federation of Builders, or the Guild of Builders and Contractors. But you'll be giving yourself a level of con- sumer protection by choosing builders and building firms who are mem - bers, plus those who meet Government-endorsed trading standards with the 'TrustMark' seal of approval. A final big no-no to remember when choosing a reliable builder. If an - yone knocks on your door and claims to have spotted structural defects such as on your roof or guttering that may need repairing - just never take their word for it. Always seek professional advice from a reliable builder before giving any work the go-ahead.

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When you have found the builder

BUILDERS / CARPENTERS PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS OF

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First things — A quote should include: a fixed total price - not a daily rate. a breakdown of all the work to be done and the materials needed. separate costs for each material and part of the work Once you have finally found a builder that seems right there are many things to consider before agreeing to hire them. Use the checklist before you give them the job to make sure you are comfortable with the new working relationship.

07971 020972

It’s important to know the damage winter can do to your home and how you can prevent this. You can either check yourself or preferably use a qualified builder, plumber, electrician, roofer or other tradesman to as- sess what needs to be done. As the saying goes: Prevention is better than cure – and either maintaining or repairing now could save you cash in the future. So what should you be on the look out for? The following is a check list: • Check your home’s heating and plumbing system. • Look at the outside – do the walls and wood need sealing and painting? • Check your roof – are there tiles missing or have the seals come way from the chimney? Particularly check if you have any flat roofs.

Extensions, Refurbishments & Loft Conversions

Bathrooms Kitchens

Check insurance. Make certain the builder is fully, and correctly, insured for the job. You don't want to be left high and dry should things go wrong - so it's wise to check your own insurance policies too. Timescale. Agree with your builder how long the job will take, to minimise disruption and any chance of spiralling costs. Local regulations. If it’s a large job such as an extension or major alteration, make sure from the start that the work your builder un- dertakes complies with local council regulations. You may need to ask a council official to make an inspection.

www.jmcinstallations.co.uk info@jmcinstallations.co.uk

Proof of reliability. Has your builder completed previous building work to the required standard, on time and within the agreed budget?

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References. Ask the builder for references from previous work - and follow these up with a phone call to the relevant householder if necessary. Make sure, too, that the builder has the correct experience and qualifications to take on the task.

• General Building • Block Paving and Driveways • Electrical Work • Plumbing and Drainage • Carpentry and Joinery • Painting and Decorating • Ceramic Tiling • Flat Roofing and Guttering • Soffits and Fascias 10 Marine Dr. West, Barton on Sea, BH25 7QH 01425 615485 • 07522 406938 alanmurphy01@hotmail.co.uk

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Check your drainage – are puddles building up because of blocked drains from leaves or other debris? Check your security and outside lights systems as they will be more used as the nights close in Check your driveways and patios – do they need repairing, replacing or just cleaned? If you have a chimney get it cleaned by a qualified sweep Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Timekeeping. Good time- keeping is also a sign of reliability. Builders should only be paid for the hours worked. You won’t want to pay someone who knocks off early and still charges you for a full day’s labour.

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Finally to stay safe – and warm - this winter make a start on getting those jobs done before the first frosts start to bite.

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Getting a professional to install loft insulation will not only keep more heat in your home, it will also bring down your energy bill and save hundreds each year.

FRE E E S T IMAT E S 023 8061 0594 W hether your property needs refurbishing, or you want to replace the roof of your home, we will complete the work to the highest standard. The fact that we attract so many customer enquiries locally is testament to the quality of the service we have to offer. FRIENDLY, LOCAL BUILDERS YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON

ways do your own research too. Check online for reviews and get feedback from people who have used the builders before. Search online for highly-rated builders but check the reviews for yourself – do they sound genuine? Government-backed trustmark. org.uk is a find-a-tradesperson scheme that lists vetted traders. Firms listed on Trustmark have usually been checked for their trading practices, customer service and technical skills. You will often find recommenda - tions of builders from people you know on social media. But here's a word of warning: even though a builder may appear to have built a good reputation online, it's still important to find out more about their workmanship from those who have used them directly, if possible.

One of the first appliances to have checked and serviced is the boiler. Looking after your boiler is essential, especially during the winter months. Should it fail and need to be replaced, this can cost up to £2,000 or more to get re- placed. And it’s no fun working on your laptop or tablet in the cold. Before winter fully arrives, make sure your boiler is working proper- ly. The older it is, the more ineffi - cient it'll be. This is because boilers lose pressure over time. Either check yourself or have an engineer or plumber check the pressure gauge on the boiler – the instruc- tion manual will explain how to do this, and how to adjust the pres- sure if needed. For other prob- lems, ask your plumber or arrange for a professional to fix the boiler. You can check the Gas Safe Regis- ter to find a qualified engineer in your area. It's important to keep your roof well-insulated, especially during winter. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) warns that a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an unin- sulated home Getting a professional to install loft insulation will not only keep more heat in your home, it will also bring down your energy bill and save hundreds each year. So with the plethora or tradesman around how do you find the right one for you? Ask friends, family and neigh- bours if they know of, or have used, reliable builders. Ask about the quality of the builders' work- manship, costs, and reliability, how long it took them to complete the job and whatever else you feel you need to know. Tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians have invariably built up a network of builders they'll have worked with over the years, so ask for recommendations from tradesmen contacts that you have. If you know anyone involved in the building trade, such as proper- ty buyers and architects, then find out whether they have a reputable builder that they use. Keep an eye out for boards on building sites in your area, but al-

 SERVICES:  General building projects  Roofing Service  Building Renovations  Home Improvement work  Kitchen redesign  Loft and garage conversions  Porches  Brickwork  Guttering  Repointing  Replacement windows

White & Sons

We offer FREE , no obligation quotations Give us a call or send us an email 01202 877481 07713 121187

We offer the following services House Refurbishment • Carpentry Extensions • Kitchens and Bathrooms Conversions • Painting and Decorating Fully Insured

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 07703 235135 info@ifit-homes.co.uk www.ifit-homes.co.uk

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