New Milton Advertiser 30th Oct 2020

Friday 30th October 2020 · 31

news@adt.press · advertising@adt.press · 01425 613384

Services

Linage Deadline: Wednesday. 10.30am 01425 613384 • classifieds@adt.press

Now is the time to call the experts for jobs around the home IT’S that time of the year again. There are jobs needed doing around the house, flat, bungalow, garden and you are thinking – can I do it myself and save a few quid, but might make a mess and cost me more in the long run or do I hand it over to the professionals? Tradesmen who have the know-how and knowledge to give you a perfect make over indoors or outdoors.

GARDENING

SECURITY SERVICES

SECURITY SERVICES

All types of fencing supplied and erected Gates & gate posts Trellis, Pergolas & Decking Hedge Clearance Mini Digger & driver hire Fully insured 15 years’ experience Free quotations Call David Drew today for a friendly professional service. T. 01425 613830 M. 07783 075848 www.oakwoodfencing.co.uk oakwoodfencing services@gmail.com

How do I know a tradesman is trustworthy? If a business is registered, it is usually working to a code of con- duct set down by an approved scheme provider. This states the standards they are required to work to, the laws theymust adhere to and the levels of customer ser- vice and trading practices that the organisation demands. The need to get things done quickly means there are count- less tales of cowboy traders taking advantage of desperate house- holds more likely to rush deci- sions to get a job done mid-winter. Here’s how to avoid getting caught out. The best way by far to choose a reliable plumber, electrician or builder is by word of mouth. Ask family, neighbours, colleagues or nearby friends for referrals. It’s also worth asking industry contacts. For example, if you’re looking for a reliable plumber and you’ve had a good experience with another professional, such as a roofer or an electrician, try asking them for a recommendation. Make sure you let the plumber know who referred you and they might even give you a discount. When friends and family can’t recommend anyone, it’s hard to know where to look – closing your eyes and stabbing a finger in local business directories to find a firm is not recommended. The Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network (LAATSN) links together some of the schemes run by 18 local authority trading standards services, includ- ing many in Hants and Dorset. LAATSN requires businesses to comply with all trading standards legislation and civil law obliga- tions, to refrain from high-pres- sure selling, to have an effective complaints procedure and a strong emphasis on customer service. The plumber will give custom- ers a work completed certificate which is a legal defence if they are challenged by the water company enforcing the water regulations and byelaws. Each business also

there are certain steps you should take. In the end it could save you time, money and a lot of stress. Even if your problem is urgent, the right research will only take an hour or so, and it will be worth it in the long run Be specific and set out a detailed, clear brief of what you want done –and get at least three quotes. Ask friends and family for rec- ommendations and check vari- ous skills websites to ensure the tradesperson is registered for the particular services you require. Be specific and set out a detailed, clear brief when request- ing quotes. Get more than one and, ideally, at least three quotes, but make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Some compa- nies strip their jobs back to the absolute min-imum so they can come in at the lowest price, but the work won’t last the longest possible time. Ask the company that is more expensive why their price is at that level, so you can determine if there is a difference. Seek references, speak to previous customers and if possible, visit previous jobs Don’t just select the cheapest. Consider how you would commu- nicate with the business repre- sentatives, as well as the quality of their work. Only pay for work that has been completed and not in advance, unless using a service which releases funds to the tradesper- son at key project milestones. If materials need to be bought in advance by the tradesperson, it is reasonable that the customer is asked to pay a fair percentage of these costs as the job progresses. Try and use a written contract as it offers you protection if any- thing does go wrong and a dispute arises. Agree in writing any changes to the agreed contract value before the work is completed.

The room most in need of a makeover is the kitchen. More than half of the 2,000 homeown- ers surveyed said décor, fixtures and fittings tire quickly due to cooking – and as such worktops, sinks and taps can end up looking the most tired. Meanwhile, one in six adults need to update their tiling, a fifth want to replace appliances such as the oven and dishwasher, while 14 per cent would like to add an ‘on-trend’ colour to the walls. Other little upgrades needed across the nation’s homes include replacing showers, cracked tiles, door knobs and torn wallpa- per. When asked why some little upgrades are still on the to-do list, 36 per cent cite lack of time as the biggest factor, while a further 15 per cent don’t have the confidence to take on the jobs themselves. A further 10 per cent are put off because they think DIY costs too much. Among the top upgrades on the to-do lists are: 1. Re-painting a whole room 2. Touching up the paintwork in a room 3. Replacing carpets / flooring 4. Changing blinds / curtains 5. Applying sealant around tiles 6. Hanging pictures 7. Changing light fixtures 8. Cleaning stained walls 9. Replacing soft furnishings 10. Fixing leaky taps 11. Replacing torn wallpaper 12. Re-plastering 13. Hiding television wires 14. Putting up shelving 15. Re-tiling 16. Replacing a shower 17. Replacing door knobs 18. Changing cupboard doors 19. Replacing cracked tiles 20. Replacing broken toilet seat So do we do these our self or leave it to the tradesman? We’ve all heard stories about cowboy plumbers, builders and trades- men who promise the earth but only deliver just that – earth and not much more. Whether the job is big or small,

holds public liability insurance and there are redress agreements in place to protect the customer if something goes wrong. It is a quality mark which oper- ates a framework under which 30 plus scheme operators work in the repair, maintenance and improve- ment sector, including trade asso- ciations, local government trading standards teams, and independ- ent scheme operators. These schemes are approved to carry the TrustMark logo and recruit reputable and trustwor- thy tradesmen whose technical skills, quality of work and financial status have all been checked. Online recommendation hubs can be a bit hit or miss, but they can be a better option than just picking out a trader at random. But remember that businesses pay to be listed on the trader sites - so they are essentially the customer. While useful for checking cus- tomer views of traders you may be considering, be aware that recommendation sites do not give the same assurances as gov- ernment-backed sites, and unlike Trustmark they don’t take any responsibility for the quality of the work. In response to concerns about ‘rogue traders’ which are often highlighted in the media, a part- nership of Local Authority Trading Standards Services took the ground-breaking step of putting together the Buy With Confidence Scheme. The scheme provides consum- ers with a list of local businesses which have given their commit- ment to trading fairly. Every busi- ness listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme. Buy With Confidence is the larg- est scheme of its kind nationally and continues to expand its geo- graphical coverage. A number of Trading Standards Services have joined recently and you can check whether your local area is participating by check- ing our list of participating local authorities. 

WASTE DISPOSAL

TV REPAIRS, AERIALS & SATELLITES

DUMP IT! RECYCLING We load and remove household, garden, commercial rubbish and asbestos sheet. We also dismantle sheds, etc. DoE licensed. Call Graham on 01425 612047 • 07850 831112 07875 179163 grahammm.russell@gmail.com PHONE 01425 613384 to place a classified advertisement

MDS DIGITAL INSTALLS / SERVICE Digital Aerials / Freeview Sky Digital / Freesat Digital Distribution Systems Telephone Lines / Points Wall Mounted T.V.s FREE SURVEYS / QUOTES FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE TEL: 01590 611011 MOB: 07717 194441 8, Pondside Flats, Beaulieu. experience. No call out charge. 3 years guarantee. — Telephone Craig on 01425 280808. DORSET & HANTS Aerial Services. All aspects of aerial and satellite work undertaken. 20 years

• Hedge cutting • Fencing • Patios • Clearance For any enquiries please contact 07563 663127

t.c.

HOUSE CLEARANCE

TRADES & SERVICES

FREE small Welsh Dresser 4ft and Orthopaedic bed, single. Must be collected— 01590 644301 / 07979 865895. SEE main advert in Man and Van (Begins ’A Better Delivery’) for details. — 07850 831112.

MAN & VAN AND REMOVALS

For all your garden requirements ƒ FENCING ƒ PONDS ƒ DECKING ƒ BRICKWORK ƒ PATIOS ƒ CLEARANCE ƒ TURFING ƒ SHEDS ƒ DRIVES ƒ HEDGE CUTTING OAP Discounts. Fully insured. Phone Mike for a friendly and helpful service Tel: 01590 610231 Mob. 07923 492515 M. Dean, 21 Pound Road, Pennington storage & workshops in Sway and Lymington Tel: 01590 682694 or 07836 239733 Email: bucklandgranary@ btconnect.com dmg Retirement Trust STORAGE SYLVAN GARDEN SERVICES All types of garden maintenance. Hedgework, Fencing and Tree work. No obligation quotes and advice. Professional reliable service » STUMP GRINDING » GARDEN CLEARING Fully insured. Est. 1947. Tel. (01425) 615089 email: sharon@streetandparker.co.uk Kingsmead, 139, Everton Road, Hordle a.w. 01425 622746 07599 079782 OWEN PARKER TREE LOPPING & FELLING, HEDGE TRIMMING, GARDEN WORK & ROOT REMOVAL 21 Auckland Avenue, Brockenhurst Tel. (01590) 624034 GARDENING SERVICES. Lawns, hedging, tree removal and pruning. Lantra certified and insured. Free estimates. — John 07743 299915. STANNARD Willow Landscapes » TREE SURGERY » TREE FELLING STREET & PARKER A BETTER DELIVERY & REMOVALS FULLY INSURED ANYTHING ANYTIME — ANYWHERE G. Russell, 22 Fawcett Road, New Milton 07850 831112 / 01425 612047 DELIVERY Service. Reliable man with van available for light removals. Bulky items etc. — Please call Gary or Julia Bates, 02380 811779, mobile 07812 671876, Smiley Dog Delivery Service, Tatchbury House, Loperwood, Calmore.

NEW SHOWROOM OPENING

VERY SOON

THE SOUTH’S NUMBER ONE ASPHALT AND TARMACADAM SPECIALISTS

All commercial and private projects welcome throughout Dorset and Hampshire. Our experienced tradesmen can manage all your ground work requirements including driveways, patios, car parks, and any drainage or brickwork solutions you may need as part of your project. Also available now are a variety of different coloured asphalt to suit your requirements. We're also accredited by local council's and street works for drop kerbs. All work is guaranteed.

Advertise your trades and services to our 38,484* local readers. advertise here

NEW ROAD SWEEPER & DRAIN GULLY CLEANER FOR HIRE! HOURLY RA TES A V AILABLE WITH FREE WASTE DISPOSAL.

ULTICOLOUR IS A RANGE OF COLOURED ASPHALTS THAT OFFER QUALITY AND DURABILITY AVAILABLE IN A VARIETY OF VIBRANT COLOURS THAT BRING OUTDOOR SPACES TO LIFE.

Our office is still open for any enquires or to book an appointment for a site visit & free quotation. Please email us via our website or direct to info@mahart.co.uk or call our office numbers. In themeantime please feel free to browse our website, www.mahart.co.uk . Keepwell & stay safe.

Contact our office on 01425 613384 for more details.

Call / email us to arrange a site visit for quotation at a time that's convenient for you. Visit mahart.co.uk to see before and after images of our most recent projects and customer testimonials Gore Road Industrial Estate, New Milton. BH25 6SA

WORK GUARANTEED FREE QUOTATIONS COUNCIL ACCREDITED FOR HIGHWAYS H&S CERTIFICATION TO CHAS/SAFE CONTRACTOR & CONSTRUCTION LINE

* JICREG June 2019

R ecent clients include:

GARDENING

BOURNEMOUTH 01202 391931

NEWMILTON 01425 541330

EMAIL INFO@MAHART.CO.UK

Advertise your Garden and landscaping services to our 38,484* local readers.

• ROAD SWEEPING • CONSTRUCTION SITE CLEANING • POST EVENT CLEANING

• ROAD RESURFACING PREPARATION & AFTER CLEANING • CAR PARK CLEANING

• LEAF COLLECTION • HIGH PRESSURE JETTING • DUST SUPPRESSION • ALL AREAS AVAILABLE

Contact our office on 01425 613384

mahart.co.uk

* JICREG June 2019