Home improvements during December - are we mad?
Actually we're quite sane. December and Christmas are a perfect time to get a few quotes for Home Improvement projects you're planning either before Christmas or in the New Year.
Many Home Improvement companies run special offers that could save you pounds during December as they experience a traditional Christmas slow down in trade, due to peoples thoughts turning to turkey and mince pies no doubt.
And at Home Improvement Quotes, our registered home improvement companies, supplying everything from double glazing to fitted kitchens, driveways to roof repairs offer written quotations that are valid well into the New Year.
So now there's no excuse for drinking and eating to excess as you can get an instant online quote for your next home improvement project and find out just how much you've got left to spend on those Christmas trimmings.
Whether you're considering doing the work before Christmas or prepared to wait 'till afterwards, now is a great time to get a free written quotation.
Click here to visit Home Improvement Quotes and select your instant online quote from the range of projects on the left.
Friday, 30 November 2007
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Window Quoter customer feedback
Regulars will know we offer an online customer feedback service where users of our home improvement online quote websites can leave comments on the companies we recommend to them.
Your feedback plays an important part in our close monitoring of our approved companies to make sure they continue to offer the highest levels of customer service.
Not only is all feedback left, anonymously fed back to the companies concerned (good or bad), but we also now publish the 5 star (highest level attainable) feedback to other home owners within that companies operating range as a great first hand recommendation from you to other home owners, perhaps even your neighbours!
Here's just some of the recent feedback we've alerted over 100,000 home owners to in the last few weeks....
"Very Professional sales presentation and survey info. Have ordered 9 windows"
West Lothian - double glazing
"Absolutely fantastic. He was very professional and full of ideas. He listened to what it was I wanted, I was able to see and feel the quality of the products. The 3D image on the laptop really gave an idea of the finished product. The price was even better! Will be recommending them to my friends!"
Northampton - fitted kitchen
"Positive initial appointment and competitive quote received. As a result we have agreed to go with them"
Plymouth - conservatory
"Excellent first meeting. Offered a number of alternatives. Was able to provide us with references, copies of certificates etc. Seemed very knowledgable and enthusiastic about their products"
Chester - impressed concrete driveway
"The designer who came out to me was friendly and courteous and went straight into designing my kitchen instead of pushing the sales aspect which was great. He was really innovative and imaginative when designing the kitchen and managed to come up with a design that accomplished more than I thought possible with the size of the kitchen. I have now decided to buy from this company"
Manchester - fitted kitchen
"Excellent company. We were very impressed with them. Gave us time to think things through. Would recommend them to others"
Nottingham - windows and doors
"Good price quoted and good communication, phoned when they said they would etc"
Camberley - double glazing
So the next time you receive a quality feedback alert - don't junk it! The next one you receive may just be for the very next home improvement project you're thinking of carrying out.
Remember - these are not randomly sent spam emails. They are sent only to those home owners that have used our online quoter services and fall within that particular companies operating area.
Your feedback plays an important part in our close monitoring of our approved companies to make sure they continue to offer the highest levels of customer service.
Not only is all feedback left, anonymously fed back to the companies concerned (good or bad), but we also now publish the 5 star (highest level attainable) feedback to other home owners within that companies operating range as a great first hand recommendation from you to other home owners, perhaps even your neighbours!
Here's just some of the recent feedback we've alerted over 100,000 home owners to in the last few weeks....
"Very Professional sales presentation and survey info. Have ordered 9 windows"
West Lothian - double glazing
"Absolutely fantastic. He was very professional and full of ideas. He listened to what it was I wanted, I was able to see and feel the quality of the products. The 3D image on the laptop really gave an idea of the finished product. The price was even better! Will be recommending them to my friends!"
Northampton - fitted kitchen
"Positive initial appointment and competitive quote received. As a result we have agreed to go with them"
Plymouth - conservatory
"Excellent first meeting. Offered a number of alternatives. Was able to provide us with references, copies of certificates etc. Seemed very knowledgable and enthusiastic about their products"
Chester - impressed concrete driveway
"The designer who came out to me was friendly and courteous and went straight into designing my kitchen instead of pushing the sales aspect which was great. He was really innovative and imaginative when designing the kitchen and managed to come up with a design that accomplished more than I thought possible with the size of the kitchen. I have now decided to buy from this company"
Manchester - fitted kitchen
"Excellent company. We were very impressed with them. Gave us time to think things through. Would recommend them to others"
Nottingham - windows and doors
"Good price quoted and good communication, phoned when they said they would etc"
Camberley - double glazing
So the next time you receive a quality feedback alert - don't junk it! The next one you receive may just be for the very next home improvement project you're thinking of carrying out.
Remember - these are not randomly sent spam emails. They are sent only to those home owners that have used our online quoter services and fall within that particular companies operating area.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Top new property hotspots for commuting into UK cities
News - Top new property hotspots for commuting into UK cities...
The daily commute into work is a ‘necessary evil’ for many people across the UK - around 25 million people in Britain travel from the suburbs and rural areas to the nation’s cities every day to get to work. According to recent research by the RAC, the average daily commute takes 54 minutes – rising to 86 minutes if you commute to Central London.
Research by Savills Homes suggests that every minute spent commuting reduces the price of a house by £1000 – but commuters shouldn’t necessarily have to trade cheaper house prices with the length of their journey. So how can commuters help ensure they keep travel times to a minimum but still benefit from living in a well situated location? Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, takes a look at some of the emerging property hotspots for all those commuters across the UK.
Beside the Seaside
When it comes to choosing an ideal location, sun, sea and sand are high on the list. In England, sun might be hard to come by, but sea and sand are no problem! Most workers in London probably think that a life beside the sea is beyond their reach, but if you’re prepared for quite a trek every morning, it is possible. Herne Bay, near Kent, is a quiet coastal village just 65 miles from London and is becoming popular with city commuters. Far cheaper than the fashionable Whitstable and Sittingbourne, the average 2-bedroom terrace will set you back just £130,000.
Herne Bay is a traditional English seaside town, complete with pier and promenade. The only problem is the long commute – the journey to London Victoria currently costs £3088 per year and takes 90 minutes, which means very early mornings and very late nights! However don’t rule it out completely – with a new high-speed railway set for 2009, the commute will be cut down to 61 minutes, making Herne Bay a new commuter hotspot. Investing there now could prove valuable in the future.
Closer to home
If the lure of city life is just too strong, there are plenty of commuter locations close to Central London – but don’t be fooled into thinking that closer to the centre means a shorter commute – the commute from London’s Queen’s Park still takes around 50 minutes. Queen’s Park with its leafy gardens, parks and petting zoo has become a popular destination with celebrities, and as such, has gained a reputation for being expensive and out-of-reach of most commuters. However the area is surprisingly affordable, with 2-bedroom flats starting out at £350,000. Compare this to nearby Maida Vale, where the same property will cost upwards of £650,000. Queen’s Park is also good for renters – one-bedroom fully furnished flats cost as little as £250 per week. Close to Queen’s Park is Kensal Rise which, on paper, seems even better value for money, with one-bedroom flats staring at £230,000. However most overground rail and Tube links stop at Queen’s Park and don’t go as far as Kensal, making the commute less straightforward and more expensive.
Scottish City Living
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, and good rail and road links via the M8 make it ideal for commuting. Compared to travelling to London, commuting in Glasgow takes half the time – roughly 30 minutes – and the choice of commuting towns is vast. Bearsden, Troon and Loch Lomond are all within half an hour of the city and the new seaplane links from Oban will get you to Glasgow Harbour in 20 minutes.
Despite the excellent transport links, many commuters in Glasgow are swapping their daily journey for a trendy apartment, built as part of the city’s regeneration. Many ex-warehouses, docklands, factories and historical buildings right in the city centre are being converted into over 8000 flats aimed at young professionals, reflecting the changing urban demographic: the number of 20-29 year olds living in Glasgow stands at 42 per cent above the Scottish average. Property in Glasgow is also remarkably affordable for younger people and first time buyers – the average house price is just under £170,000, compared with £200,000 in England. Add to this the fact that you don’t need to buy an expensive commuter ticket, and property in Glasgow is extremely tempting.
The “ripple effect”
In the North of England, what is known as the “ripple effect” is pushing commuters further away from the cities. In and around Leeds in particular, house prices are pushing commuters further out of the market and traditional commuter towns are becoming less popular. This means that people are being pushed to locations which were previously considered ‘undesirable’ – places such as Kirkstall, once an industrial centre just north of Leeds. The average property price in Kirkstall is just £164,000 and 52 per cent of properties are small terraced houses, so there is not much variation on price.
Kirkstall is certainly being put back on the map: the commute from the town takes just 10 minutes on the bus and costs just £340 a year and the town is set for a £4 million railway in the near future, connecting Leeds and Bradford. The railway is part of the redevelopment of a huge brownfield site on the ruins of the Kirkstall Forge. The site will incorporate 1385 houses, offices, shops, bars, restaurants and a gym, and will be popular with commuters to Leeds, just 10 minutes away, and Bradford, 20 minutes by train.
A hidden gem in the North of England is Ilkley Moor – where demand for property is so high estate agents don’t even bother to put them in the window! Properties are often sold before they go on the market. As well as being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Ilkley has one of the best comprehensive schools in the country and there is a constant queue of families and professionals waiting for a property to come up in the area. Due to the excessive demand, prices in Ilkley are going up, but you are paying for the desirability of the location, and whatever you pay is guaranteed to be a safe investment. Starter homes start at £125,000, but larger, detached townhouses can cost up to £700,000 – prices to rival nearby Harrogate, traditionally an extremely popular location for millionaire investors. Recent research by Euro Direct found that there are now more than 100 millionaires living in Ilkley and some houses in the area are fetching in excess of £1 million. Commuting from Ilkley takes less than an hour to Bradford and Leeds, and you can have your own slice of the luxury lifestyle!
Popular commuter towns across the rest of the country include Widnes, which will get you to Manchester in 34 minutes for £1528 per year. Living in Whitley Bay will get you to Newcastle in just 27 minutes and will cost just £399. Portishead is popular with commuters to Bristol – properties average at £240,000 and the commute takes just 45 minutes. Finally, West Bromwich will get you to Central Birmingham in just 14 minutes and property is much cheaper. The average house costs just £140,000 and the commute will set you back just £471 per year.
Commuting to work is a way of life
Regeneration is certainly bringing couples and young professionals back into the city. They are tempted by trendy apartment blocks and all the advantages of living just a stone’s throw away from work, clubs, pubs and shops. City life isn’t for everyone though and living out in the suburbs can mean you get more for your money when it comes to buying property, with some rural properties up to 35 per cent cheaper then a city location. Commuting to work is a way of life for many people and it doesn’t necessarily mean a horrendous journey every day (and if you travel on public transport or car-share it can be possible to work on the way to work). When buying property, be sure to consider what lifestyle best suits you and always keep your finger on the property market pulse – buying in the right place at the right time can save you money and valuable commuting time!
The daily commute into work is a ‘necessary evil’ for many people across the UK - around 25 million people in Britain travel from the suburbs and rural areas to the nation’s cities every day to get to work. According to recent research by the RAC, the average daily commute takes 54 minutes – rising to 86 minutes if you commute to Central London.
Research by Savills Homes suggests that every minute spent commuting reduces the price of a house by £1000 – but commuters shouldn’t necessarily have to trade cheaper house prices with the length of their journey. So how can commuters help ensure they keep travel times to a minimum but still benefit from living in a well situated location? Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, takes a look at some of the emerging property hotspots for all those commuters across the UK.
Beside the Seaside
When it comes to choosing an ideal location, sun, sea and sand are high on the list. In England, sun might be hard to come by, but sea and sand are no problem! Most workers in London probably think that a life beside the sea is beyond their reach, but if you’re prepared for quite a trek every morning, it is possible. Herne Bay, near Kent, is a quiet coastal village just 65 miles from London and is becoming popular with city commuters. Far cheaper than the fashionable Whitstable and Sittingbourne, the average 2-bedroom terrace will set you back just £130,000.
Herne Bay is a traditional English seaside town, complete with pier and promenade. The only problem is the long commute – the journey to London Victoria currently costs £3088 per year and takes 90 minutes, which means very early mornings and very late nights! However don’t rule it out completely – with a new high-speed railway set for 2009, the commute will be cut down to 61 minutes, making Herne Bay a new commuter hotspot. Investing there now could prove valuable in the future.
Closer to home
If the lure of city life is just too strong, there are plenty of commuter locations close to Central London – but don’t be fooled into thinking that closer to the centre means a shorter commute – the commute from London’s Queen’s Park still takes around 50 minutes. Queen’s Park with its leafy gardens, parks and petting zoo has become a popular destination with celebrities, and as such, has gained a reputation for being expensive and out-of-reach of most commuters. However the area is surprisingly affordable, with 2-bedroom flats starting out at £350,000. Compare this to nearby Maida Vale, where the same property will cost upwards of £650,000. Queen’s Park is also good for renters – one-bedroom fully furnished flats cost as little as £250 per week. Close to Queen’s Park is Kensal Rise which, on paper, seems even better value for money, with one-bedroom flats staring at £230,000. However most overground rail and Tube links stop at Queen’s Park and don’t go as far as Kensal, making the commute less straightforward and more expensive.
Scottish City Living
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, and good rail and road links via the M8 make it ideal for commuting. Compared to travelling to London, commuting in Glasgow takes half the time – roughly 30 minutes – and the choice of commuting towns is vast. Bearsden, Troon and Loch Lomond are all within half an hour of the city and the new seaplane links from Oban will get you to Glasgow Harbour in 20 minutes.
Despite the excellent transport links, many commuters in Glasgow are swapping their daily journey for a trendy apartment, built as part of the city’s regeneration. Many ex-warehouses, docklands, factories and historical buildings right in the city centre are being converted into over 8000 flats aimed at young professionals, reflecting the changing urban demographic: the number of 20-29 year olds living in Glasgow stands at 42 per cent above the Scottish average. Property in Glasgow is also remarkably affordable for younger people and first time buyers – the average house price is just under £170,000, compared with £200,000 in England. Add to this the fact that you don’t need to buy an expensive commuter ticket, and property in Glasgow is extremely tempting.
The “ripple effect”
In the North of England, what is known as the “ripple effect” is pushing commuters further away from the cities. In and around Leeds in particular, house prices are pushing commuters further out of the market and traditional commuter towns are becoming less popular. This means that people are being pushed to locations which were previously considered ‘undesirable’ – places such as Kirkstall, once an industrial centre just north of Leeds. The average property price in Kirkstall is just £164,000 and 52 per cent of properties are small terraced houses, so there is not much variation on price.
Kirkstall is certainly being put back on the map: the commute from the town takes just 10 minutes on the bus and costs just £340 a year and the town is set for a £4 million railway in the near future, connecting Leeds and Bradford. The railway is part of the redevelopment of a huge brownfield site on the ruins of the Kirkstall Forge. The site will incorporate 1385 houses, offices, shops, bars, restaurants and a gym, and will be popular with commuters to Leeds, just 10 minutes away, and Bradford, 20 minutes by train.
A hidden gem in the North of England is Ilkley Moor – where demand for property is so high estate agents don’t even bother to put them in the window! Properties are often sold before they go on the market. As well as being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Ilkley has one of the best comprehensive schools in the country and there is a constant queue of families and professionals waiting for a property to come up in the area. Due to the excessive demand, prices in Ilkley are going up, but you are paying for the desirability of the location, and whatever you pay is guaranteed to be a safe investment. Starter homes start at £125,000, but larger, detached townhouses can cost up to £700,000 – prices to rival nearby Harrogate, traditionally an extremely popular location for millionaire investors. Recent research by Euro Direct found that there are now more than 100 millionaires living in Ilkley and some houses in the area are fetching in excess of £1 million. Commuting from Ilkley takes less than an hour to Bradford and Leeds, and you can have your own slice of the luxury lifestyle!
Popular commuter towns across the rest of the country include Widnes, which will get you to Manchester in 34 minutes for £1528 per year. Living in Whitley Bay will get you to Newcastle in just 27 minutes and will cost just £399. Portishead is popular with commuters to Bristol – properties average at £240,000 and the commute takes just 45 minutes. Finally, West Bromwich will get you to Central Birmingham in just 14 minutes and property is much cheaper. The average house costs just £140,000 and the commute will set you back just £471 per year.
Commuting to work is a way of life
Regeneration is certainly bringing couples and young professionals back into the city. They are tempted by trendy apartment blocks and all the advantages of living just a stone’s throw away from work, clubs, pubs and shops. City life isn’t for everyone though and living out in the suburbs can mean you get more for your money when it comes to buying property, with some rural properties up to 35 per cent cheaper then a city location. Commuting to work is a way of life for many people and it doesn’t necessarily mean a horrendous journey every day (and if you travel on public transport or car-share it can be possible to work on the way to work). When buying property, be sure to consider what lifestyle best suits you and always keep your finger on the property market pulse – buying in the right place at the right time can save you money and valuable commuting time!
Your feedback shapes the future of recommendations
How your feedback is shaping the future of home improvement quotes...
Quality feedback alerts – what they mean to you.
The ‘Quoter family of websites are all designed to give you instant online quotes which can later be confirmed in writing by up to 3 approved companies from our database of registered companies throughout the UK.
When a home improvement company asks to join our approved list, we seek certain assurances that they are bona-fide companies with a good and reputable trading history.
Our registered companies are aware that we encourage customer feedback from home owners that we recommend to them. Individual companies receive your feedback (anonymously) to help them (and us) monitor their performance on a constant basis.
Recommendation from a friend is always a good idea so when someone in your neighbourhood leaves 5 star feedback on a company in your area, we immediately email that feedback to every home owner within that specific area that’s used our online service in the past.
If we didn’t share that intelligence, we wouldn’t be doing our job!
So it’s not just on our recommendation (which is impartial) but also on the recommendation of another home owner – perhaps even a neighbour of yours?
The next time you receive a quality feedback alert, please don’t junk it or unsubscribe. If the ‘product’ in question e.g roofing is of no interest to you, simple delete. The next time you are considering a home improvement project, wouldn’t it be nice to make an informed decision?
Click here to read more about our customer login area.
Quality feedback alerts – what they mean to you.
The ‘Quoter family of websites are all designed to give you instant online quotes which can later be confirmed in writing by up to 3 approved companies from our database of registered companies throughout the UK.
When a home improvement company asks to join our approved list, we seek certain assurances that they are bona-fide companies with a good and reputable trading history.
Our registered companies are aware that we encourage customer feedback from home owners that we recommend to them. Individual companies receive your feedback (anonymously) to help them (and us) monitor their performance on a constant basis.
Recommendation from a friend is always a good idea so when someone in your neighbourhood leaves 5 star feedback on a company in your area, we immediately email that feedback to every home owner within that specific area that’s used our online service in the past.
If we didn’t share that intelligence, we wouldn’t be doing our job!
So it’s not just on our recommendation (which is impartial) but also on the recommendation of another home owner – perhaps even a neighbour of yours?
The next time you receive a quality feedback alert, please don’t junk it or unsubscribe. If the ‘product’ in question e.g roofing is of no interest to you, simple delete. The next time you are considering a home improvement project, wouldn’t it be nice to make an informed decision?
Click here to read more about our customer login area.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Quality Feedback alerts - Update
Since the launch last week of our innovative Quality Feedback Alerts - another first from Home Improvement Quotes - we're delivered over 35,000 emails updating homeowners in Kent (roofing), Hampshire (kitchens), Hereford (fascias & Soffits) and Surrey (windows & doors).
Remember, this is actual recommendation from home owners just like you - it could even be your neighbour!
We'll be expanding the service over the coming weeks to include the whole of the UK as we receive 5 star feedback reports from home owners who have used our online quotation service and been visited by one of our recommended companies.
To read more about our Quality Feedback Alerts and how they can help you make an informed decision about home improvement companies operating in your area, click here.
To refer back to the previous blog article about the launch of our Quality Feedback service, click here.
Remember, this is actual recommendation from home owners just like you - it could even be your neighbour!
We'll be expanding the service over the coming weeks to include the whole of the UK as we receive 5 star feedback reports from home owners who have used our online quotation service and been visited by one of our recommended companies.
To read more about our Quality Feedback Alerts and how they can help you make an informed decision about home improvement companies operating in your area, click here.
To refer back to the previous blog article about the launch of our Quality Feedback service, click here.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Home Improvement Tip - Beware Rogue Traders
Home improvement tip:
Never hand over cash up front for any job – many 'door to door' rogue traders will insist on cash and leave just a mobile number as contact details. Be wary of tradesman 'just knocking door to door'.
If a company claims to have been recommended by a 'Quoter website e.g windowquoter, check against your online login area (click here to find out more) that we have actually recommended them.
Never hand over cash up front for any job – many 'door to door' rogue traders will insist on cash and leave just a mobile number as contact details. Be wary of tradesman 'just knocking door to door'.
If a company claims to have been recommended by a 'Quoter website e.g windowquoter, check against your online login area (click here to find out more) that we have actually recommended them.
Customer praises courteous staff
You know when you're doing it right.
One of the reasons Price Engines Ltd, the company behind the 'Quoter family of websites, came into being was to offer home owners a fresh approach to getting quotations for their home improvement projects that didn't involve pushy doorstep salesman and offered a degree of vetting of home improvement companies on their behalf.
As readers of this blog and users of our online quote system will know, after receiving your online quote, our customer advisers will call you, discuss your options in more detail before trying to find you 3 local companies from our database of recommended companies, to come round and leave you with a free written quote that's valid for 6 months.
So it's especially pleasing to be recognised by home owners for the impartial and helpful service we offer (which is completely free!). Here's what one lady had to say to one of our customer advisers last night:
“Before you go, can I just say thank you for being courteous, because so many people that do ring are so rude and so pushy that you say no. You've been actually quite pleasant and very professional and I think it's important to say that.”
You're very welcome.
Click here to get your own instant online quote for your next home improvement project. Whether that's double glazing, a conservatory or a fitted kitchen – a new driveway or garage door – a new bathroom or a garage conversion, we can help.
One of the reasons Price Engines Ltd, the company behind the 'Quoter family of websites, came into being was to offer home owners a fresh approach to getting quotations for their home improvement projects that didn't involve pushy doorstep salesman and offered a degree of vetting of home improvement companies on their behalf.
As readers of this blog and users of our online quote system will know, after receiving your online quote, our customer advisers will call you, discuss your options in more detail before trying to find you 3 local companies from our database of recommended companies, to come round and leave you with a free written quote that's valid for 6 months.
So it's especially pleasing to be recognised by home owners for the impartial and helpful service we offer (which is completely free!). Here's what one lady had to say to one of our customer advisers last night:
“Before you go, can I just say thank you for being courteous, because so many people that do ring are so rude and so pushy that you say no. You've been actually quite pleasant and very professional and I think it's important to say that.”
You're very welcome.
Click here to get your own instant online quote for your next home improvement project. Whether that's double glazing, a conservatory or a fitted kitchen – a new driveway or garage door – a new bathroom or a garage conversion, we can help.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
New Quality Feedback Updates - What They Mean to You
New Quality Feedback Updates - what they mean to you
Here at Home Improvement Quotes, we're always working on new ways to give home owners as much information as possible to help them make an informed decision about their next home improvement project.
Recently, we introduced a customer login area - home owners using our recommended trader system receive their own personalised login area accessed by a username and password which we supply.
Once there, they can check out the contact details of the companies we've recommended to them (to avoid other companies using our name to 'get in the door'), leave feedback on their experiences of those recommended companies and, if they decide to go ahead with one of the quotes, download their own deposit protection certificate (another free service we provide based on a maximum 10% deposit recommendation).
To assist home owners further, we now 'publish' the 5 star (very good) feedback left in a small email alert that goes to the area covered by the company in question.
This is emailed to all previous users of our 'Quoter family of websites.
It's a free service and home owners can unsubscribe at anytime, however we feel it's very important intelligence for home owners to know those companies in their area that are getting high praise and recommendation.
If you've used a 'Quoter website before, then keep an eye on your inbox for regular updates and alerts as we receive positive 5 star feedback about companies in your area.
If you haven't used a 'Quoter site before, then perhaps now is the perfect time. We can offer you instant online quotes for a variety of projects - from double glazing and fitted kitchens to driveways and conservatory blinds. All completely free without the need for a salesman to call, from the comfort of your own home or office.
Click here to get your next 'recommended' home improvement online quote.
Here at Home Improvement Quotes, we're always working on new ways to give home owners as much information as possible to help them make an informed decision about their next home improvement project.
Recently, we introduced a customer login area - home owners using our recommended trader system receive their own personalised login area accessed by a username and password which we supply.
Once there, they can check out the contact details of the companies we've recommended to them (to avoid other companies using our name to 'get in the door'), leave feedback on their experiences of those recommended companies and, if they decide to go ahead with one of the quotes, download their own deposit protection certificate (another free service we provide based on a maximum 10% deposit recommendation).
To assist home owners further, we now 'publish' the 5 star (very good) feedback left in a small email alert that goes to the area covered by the company in question.
This is emailed to all previous users of our 'Quoter family of websites.
It's a free service and home owners can unsubscribe at anytime, however we feel it's very important intelligence for home owners to know those companies in their area that are getting high praise and recommendation.
If you've used a 'Quoter website before, then keep an eye on your inbox for regular updates and alerts as we receive positive 5 star feedback about companies in your area.
If you haven't used a 'Quoter site before, then perhaps now is the perfect time. We can offer you instant online quotes for a variety of projects - from double glazing and fitted kitchens to driveways and conservatory blinds. All completely free without the need for a salesman to call, from the comfort of your own home or office.
Click here to get your next 'recommended' home improvement online quote.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Double Glazing enquiries soar as Winter chills creep in
Double Glazing enquiries soar as Winter chills creep in.
Everywhere you look there is evidence of Winter's approach – from piles of golden leaves covering the streets and pavements to the shorter days and the need for thicker coats when venturing outside.
Home owners will also be feeling the effects of dropping temperatures and darker nights as heating thermostats creep up, and mental notes are made to shop for thicker curtains.
Of course, with the advancements in Upvc windows and doors, and new glass technologies that reflect heat and cold out, we can all enjoy warmer homes without extortionate fuel bills.
And now is the perfect time to enjoy some pre-Christmas offers coupled with the modern excellent window and door frames designs now on offer.
Modern Upvc double glazed windows and doors have come a long way. Many feature multi-compartment frames which help trap warm air and add to the all round insulation properties of the unit. Steel re-inforcement has made warping a thing of the past and modern composites mean discolouration went out with the Ark.
Extra features like locking handles, both ways opening and tilt n'turn styles, which make it easier to clean your windows from the inside are now readily available. Perhaps you need a window that will double as a fire escape? No problem.
And Owners of period properties can also enjoy the benefits of Upvc with quality sash style frames carefully designed to blend in with existing character features.
When Henry Ford said “Any colour – as long as it's black”, he could have been referring to windows (in the literal sense). White is no longer the only colour on the street. Until recently, you may have been offered Oak or Cherry even but now even that choice has been extended as modern materials mean a greater choice.
It's also made it possible for many Double Glazing companies to offer a combination of colours – perhaps oak on the outside but white on the inside would suit you better?
The Industry itself seems to have gone through a transformation as well with pushy, doorstep tactics (whilst still used by some) on the decline as window companies focus on customer care as a priority, and realise that a customer treated properly, will come back for other work later – conservatories, roofing and fascia etc.
WindowQuoter was set up to offer home owners the opportunity to get instant on line price guides for their double glazing requirements. You can enter your own window measurements, select the style of window – bay or bow, number and position of openers etc and receive an expectation of price there and then all from the comfort of your own home without the need for a salesman to call.
Later, we'll call you and just confirm that you were able to get your online quote. As part of our online service, we can then offer you the opportunity to get up to 3 written quotations for the work you want doing that will be valid for 6 months and come from approved, local to you, companies on our registered database of over 600 companies covering the UK.
It's a completely free service to you – the home owner – and you can be assured of receiving written quotations without any selling pressure as the companies we select will know that other companies will also be offering quotations. This means you get no inflated price tactics etc.
It's a service we've been offering to home owners for the last 7 years (we are industry leaders in providing online quotations) and we can now say that practically someone on every street in the UK has used our service.
If you avail yourself of our free service, then we'll email you details of your own secure login area so you can verify which companies we've passed your details onto. You can leave feedback on your experiences with that company and if you decide to accept one of the quotations from one of our recommended companies, then you can print off your own pre-filled deposit protection certificate. Another completely free service from WindowQuoter.
WindowQuoter from Price Engines – The family of home improvement 'quoter websites. To see our entire range of instant online home improvement 'quoter websites, click here to visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk.
Everywhere you look there is evidence of Winter's approach – from piles of golden leaves covering the streets and pavements to the shorter days and the need for thicker coats when venturing outside.
Home owners will also be feeling the effects of dropping temperatures and darker nights as heating thermostats creep up, and mental notes are made to shop for thicker curtains.
Of course, with the advancements in Upvc windows and doors, and new glass technologies that reflect heat and cold out, we can all enjoy warmer homes without extortionate fuel bills.
And now is the perfect time to enjoy some pre-Christmas offers coupled with the modern excellent window and door frames designs now on offer.
Modern Upvc double glazed windows and doors have come a long way. Many feature multi-compartment frames which help trap warm air and add to the all round insulation properties of the unit. Steel re-inforcement has made warping a thing of the past and modern composites mean discolouration went out with the Ark.
Extra features like locking handles, both ways opening and tilt n'turn styles, which make it easier to clean your windows from the inside are now readily available. Perhaps you need a window that will double as a fire escape? No problem.
And Owners of period properties can also enjoy the benefits of Upvc with quality sash style frames carefully designed to blend in with existing character features.
When Henry Ford said “Any colour – as long as it's black”, he could have been referring to windows (in the literal sense). White is no longer the only colour on the street. Until recently, you may have been offered Oak or Cherry even but now even that choice has been extended as modern materials mean a greater choice.
It's also made it possible for many Double Glazing companies to offer a combination of colours – perhaps oak on the outside but white on the inside would suit you better?
The Industry itself seems to have gone through a transformation as well with pushy, doorstep tactics (whilst still used by some) on the decline as window companies focus on customer care as a priority, and realise that a customer treated properly, will come back for other work later – conservatories, roofing and fascia etc.
WindowQuoter was set up to offer home owners the opportunity to get instant on line price guides for their double glazing requirements. You can enter your own window measurements, select the style of window – bay or bow, number and position of openers etc and receive an expectation of price there and then all from the comfort of your own home without the need for a salesman to call.
Later, we'll call you and just confirm that you were able to get your online quote. As part of our online service, we can then offer you the opportunity to get up to 3 written quotations for the work you want doing that will be valid for 6 months and come from approved, local to you, companies on our registered database of over 600 companies covering the UK.
It's a completely free service to you – the home owner – and you can be assured of receiving written quotations without any selling pressure as the companies we select will know that other companies will also be offering quotations. This means you get no inflated price tactics etc.
It's a service we've been offering to home owners for the last 7 years (we are industry leaders in providing online quotations) and we can now say that practically someone on every street in the UK has used our service.
If you avail yourself of our free service, then we'll email you details of your own secure login area so you can verify which companies we've passed your details onto. You can leave feedback on your experiences with that company and if you decide to accept one of the quotations from one of our recommended companies, then you can print off your own pre-filled deposit protection certificate. Another completely free service from WindowQuoter.
WindowQuoter from Price Engines – The family of home improvement 'quoter websites. To see our entire range of instant online home improvement 'quoter websites, click here to visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk.
Monday, 5 November 2007
Monthly Poll -
Last Months Poll Results
Last Month, we asked: Which time of year are you most likely to carry out Home Improvements?
Here's how you voted:
7% would wait until after Christmas
7% would wait for the Bank Holiday DIY sales
13% would wait until Winter
22% wait for the Summer sunshine
51% admitted if they wanted something, timing wouldn't stop them.
Watch this space for next months poll - "Which room do you consider to be the most important when looking for a new home?". To take part yourself, click here and enter your email address to receive our next newsletter.
Last Month, we asked: Which time of year are you most likely to carry out Home Improvements?
Here's how you voted:
7% would wait until after Christmas
7% would wait for the Bank Holiday DIY sales
13% would wait until Winter
22% wait for the Summer sunshine
51% admitted if they wanted something, timing wouldn't stop them.
Watch this space for next months poll - "Which room do you consider to be the most important when looking for a new home?". To take part yourself, click here and enter your email address to receive our next newsletter.
Buy-to-let: how to make your property most appealing
Buy-to-let: how to make your property most appealing to the rental market.
Getting a foot onto the property ladder is becoming more difficult so a growing number of people are looking to rent – and with new regulations announced this month affecting capital gains tax for landlords, the buy-to-let market looks even more appealing to investors. Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, looks at how to make your property most desirable to the rental market.
What’s new in the rental market?
The announcement from the government this month, that capital gains tax is set to decrease for landlords, has made the rental market look more promising for property investors. Buy-to-let investors will pay just 18 per cent in capital gains tax – down from 24 per cent last year. Rented homes are also in high demand as families are struggling to get onto the property ladder. The shortfall of good quality family homes for rent is noticeable, especially since the introduction of HIPs earlier this year. So how do you make your property more appealing to prospective tenants?
Identify your tenants:
Your main aim when decorating your buy-to-let property is to appeal to as many different tenants as possible, but it helps to have an idea in your mind as to the type of tenant you want to attract. The type of house you are letting will limit the options – obviously you’re not going to let a studio flat to a family of four – but consider the options when decorating. A young professional will be looking for a clean, modern space without too much fuss or clutter, whereas students may be willing to settle for a less modern house – however they will usually need it to come fully furnished. If you are letting your property to a family, it is worthwhile remembering that they probably have plenty of their own belongings so will only need the basics – cooker, washing machine, fridge/freezer etc.
Keep it simple:
Magnolia and white may seem like a bland colour scheme, but it is by far the safest option. You don’t want to put tenants off with outlandish colours! The more neutral a property is, the more tenants can personalise it with their own items – rugs, cushions, paintings – and then when the next tenant arrives, they can do the same. Remember you are not decorating this property for yourself, so you don’t have to like it! If you think it’s boring, it’s probably the perfect rental décor.
Not only will white and magnolia appeal to the most tenants, it is also the cheapest option – a litre of white paint can cost as little as five pounds! If every room in the house is painted the same colour, it is also easy to touch it up if it starts to look tired or to add a new coat between tenants. Matt emulsion is the cheapest option, but is probably best for use on ceilings as it marks easily. Soft sheen paint is slightly more expensive, but is more durable and easier to keep clean – best for use on walls.
Always go for white:
When it comes to fitting a bathroom in a rental property, always go for white – not only does it look clean, modern and fresh, it is also the cheapest option. A brand new white bathroom suite comprising bath, basin, toilet and taps can cost less than £500 and is one of the main things on a tenant’s checklist. An old-fashioned or coloured suite could make the difference between a potential tenant choosing your property or someone else’s. Most people will also consider a shower to be a standard requirement, but don’t worry, these can cost less than £50 and are easy to install. Remember to stick to the basics in the bathroom – most tenants only want it to be functional and are not worried about luxuries such as heated towel rails or Jacuzzi baths, however much you’re tempted!
When it comes to tiling the bathroom, don’t ruin all of your hard work going minimalist by choosing dark, overbearing tiles. White tiles can cost less than seven pence each, and it’s really not worth spending any more. Plain white tiles look clean and fresh and will complement almost any suite – it also means that tenants can put in any of their own bathroom accessories like towels and bathmats, without having to worry if they match!
Pay attention to the floor:
It’s no good having a fresh looking house if the carpets date back to the seventies! Recovering the floor doesn’t have to cost the earth and will make such a difference to actually letting the property. Plain cream carpets start at less than four pounds per square metre, but may not be practical for every room in the house, particularly if the front door opens directly into the lounge. Muddy boot-stains are the last thing you want on a brand new carpet! Laminate flooring is easier to keep clean and starts at less than six pounds per square metre. It can also be fitted anywhere throughout the house, except in the bathroom – this would probably be best carpeted, as tiling or lino can be cold! Tenants are unlikely to pay a higher rent for extras such as underfloor heating or luxury carpets – again it’s better to stick to the basics.
Furnishings:
Most tenants will expect rental properties to be let unfurnished – however students and some young professionals will need furniture. With students especially, it’s not worth spending a fortune – things will be spilled on it, it won’t be taken care of properly and you’ll lose out on costs. Remember students and other tenants won’t treat it like their own furniture because it’s not theirs – it’s yours. It is a good idea to take a deposit for all the furniture at the beginning of the lease and make sure you keep a record of what state it was in at the time – that way, at the end of the lease, you will know how each item has fared!
If you buy all of your furniture from one place, you may receive a discount or qualify for free delivery. Some furniture shops offer what is called a “rental package” which contains everything you need to furnish a home – beds, wardrobes, cupboards, sofas, chairs, dining tables etc. When choosing a package, again be mindful that you only need to provide the basics – tenants can add to your furniture with their own. You don’t need to provide fancy side-tables or CD-racks – these are optional extras which tenants can buy themselves. If you are letting to students, remember that they will need slightly different furnishings – desks and bookshelves are extras which may not apply to regular tenants.
If you are planning to let your property unfurnished, you will still be expected to provide the basic appliances. It’s worth shopping around for these as some stores offer discounts if you buy more than one appliance at the same time and again, some offer “rental packages”. It is at your discretion which appliances you consider to be a basic need, but a cooker, washing machine and fridge/freezer are a must! Some tenants will ask for a tumble dryer, but most won’t be put off by the fact that there isn’t a dishwasher!
Finally, always consider the rent you’re going to achieve when planning your décor and buy accordingly. Keeping things simple will reduce your initial outgoings and keep future maintenance costs low, ensuring you maximise your profits!
Getting a foot onto the property ladder is becoming more difficult so a growing number of people are looking to rent – and with new regulations announced this month affecting capital gains tax for landlords, the buy-to-let market looks even more appealing to investors. Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, looks at how to make your property most desirable to the rental market.
What’s new in the rental market?
The announcement from the government this month, that capital gains tax is set to decrease for landlords, has made the rental market look more promising for property investors. Buy-to-let investors will pay just 18 per cent in capital gains tax – down from 24 per cent last year. Rented homes are also in high demand as families are struggling to get onto the property ladder. The shortfall of good quality family homes for rent is noticeable, especially since the introduction of HIPs earlier this year. So how do you make your property more appealing to prospective tenants?
Identify your tenants:
Your main aim when decorating your buy-to-let property is to appeal to as many different tenants as possible, but it helps to have an idea in your mind as to the type of tenant you want to attract. The type of house you are letting will limit the options – obviously you’re not going to let a studio flat to a family of four – but consider the options when decorating. A young professional will be looking for a clean, modern space without too much fuss or clutter, whereas students may be willing to settle for a less modern house – however they will usually need it to come fully furnished. If you are letting your property to a family, it is worthwhile remembering that they probably have plenty of their own belongings so will only need the basics – cooker, washing machine, fridge/freezer etc.
Keep it simple:
Magnolia and white may seem like a bland colour scheme, but it is by far the safest option. You don’t want to put tenants off with outlandish colours! The more neutral a property is, the more tenants can personalise it with their own items – rugs, cushions, paintings – and then when the next tenant arrives, they can do the same. Remember you are not decorating this property for yourself, so you don’t have to like it! If you think it’s boring, it’s probably the perfect rental décor.
Not only will white and magnolia appeal to the most tenants, it is also the cheapest option – a litre of white paint can cost as little as five pounds! If every room in the house is painted the same colour, it is also easy to touch it up if it starts to look tired or to add a new coat between tenants. Matt emulsion is the cheapest option, but is probably best for use on ceilings as it marks easily. Soft sheen paint is slightly more expensive, but is more durable and easier to keep clean – best for use on walls.
Always go for white:
When it comes to fitting a bathroom in a rental property, always go for white – not only does it look clean, modern and fresh, it is also the cheapest option. A brand new white bathroom suite comprising bath, basin, toilet and taps can cost less than £500 and is one of the main things on a tenant’s checklist. An old-fashioned or coloured suite could make the difference between a potential tenant choosing your property or someone else’s. Most people will also consider a shower to be a standard requirement, but don’t worry, these can cost less than £50 and are easy to install. Remember to stick to the basics in the bathroom – most tenants only want it to be functional and are not worried about luxuries such as heated towel rails or Jacuzzi baths, however much you’re tempted!
When it comes to tiling the bathroom, don’t ruin all of your hard work going minimalist by choosing dark, overbearing tiles. White tiles can cost less than seven pence each, and it’s really not worth spending any more. Plain white tiles look clean and fresh and will complement almost any suite – it also means that tenants can put in any of their own bathroom accessories like towels and bathmats, without having to worry if they match!
Pay attention to the floor:
It’s no good having a fresh looking house if the carpets date back to the seventies! Recovering the floor doesn’t have to cost the earth and will make such a difference to actually letting the property. Plain cream carpets start at less than four pounds per square metre, but may not be practical for every room in the house, particularly if the front door opens directly into the lounge. Muddy boot-stains are the last thing you want on a brand new carpet! Laminate flooring is easier to keep clean and starts at less than six pounds per square metre. It can also be fitted anywhere throughout the house, except in the bathroom – this would probably be best carpeted, as tiling or lino can be cold! Tenants are unlikely to pay a higher rent for extras such as underfloor heating or luxury carpets – again it’s better to stick to the basics.
Furnishings:
Most tenants will expect rental properties to be let unfurnished – however students and some young professionals will need furniture. With students especially, it’s not worth spending a fortune – things will be spilled on it, it won’t be taken care of properly and you’ll lose out on costs. Remember students and other tenants won’t treat it like their own furniture because it’s not theirs – it’s yours. It is a good idea to take a deposit for all the furniture at the beginning of the lease and make sure you keep a record of what state it was in at the time – that way, at the end of the lease, you will know how each item has fared!
If you buy all of your furniture from one place, you may receive a discount or qualify for free delivery. Some furniture shops offer what is called a “rental package” which contains everything you need to furnish a home – beds, wardrobes, cupboards, sofas, chairs, dining tables etc. When choosing a package, again be mindful that you only need to provide the basics – tenants can add to your furniture with their own. You don’t need to provide fancy side-tables or CD-racks – these are optional extras which tenants can buy themselves. If you are letting to students, remember that they will need slightly different furnishings – desks and bookshelves are extras which may not apply to regular tenants.
If you are planning to let your property unfurnished, you will still be expected to provide the basic appliances. It’s worth shopping around for these as some stores offer discounts if you buy more than one appliance at the same time and again, some offer “rental packages”. It is at your discretion which appliances you consider to be a basic need, but a cooker, washing machine and fridge/freezer are a must! Some tenants will ask for a tumble dryer, but most won’t be put off by the fact that there isn’t a dishwasher!
Finally, always consider the rent you’re going to achieve when planning your décor and buy accordingly. Keeping things simple will reduce your initial outgoings and keep future maintenance costs low, ensuring you maximise your profits!
How to...Live like a celebrity
How to…..live like a celeb, at a fraction of the cost!
Celebrities often set the style boundaries for the rest of us, and not just when it comes to clothes, shoes and hairstyles. The celebs have now branched out into interior design. Open any glossy magazine and you will find this month’s hottest actress or greatest footballer – and his WAG – showing you around their luxurious home – usually filled with accessories you wouldn’t dream of being able to own. However some of the latest celebrity interiors are achievable in the average house – read on to find out how relax in a jacuzzi, wind down in the sauna, keep fit in the gym and then chill out in your own home cinema with drinks from the bar – in other words, how to live like a star!
1 – A perfect place for pampering
As with everything in the world of celebrity, designer labels are important, even in the bathroom suite! The latest name in bathrooms is Kohler, who designs luxury suites to suit any décor. Prices for a bathtub start at £2000 and can go up to £9000 for what’s called an ‘overflowing bathtub’, which is sunk into a bigger tank in the floor. You leave the taps constantly running and the water overflows into the bigger tank and is drained away. However if a Kohler suite is a little out of your price range, the company does produce lower cost alternatives! Kohler designs are sleek and modern, with bowl washbasins set on top of wooden units, Jacuzzi baths and cistern-less toilets.
Copying the design is easy – standard whirlpool baths can cost as little as £300, or £600 for a corner bath. Freestanding washbasins and units start at £65 for the smallest, rising to £265 for a larger, rectangular design. If you really want to push the boat out, you can install a home spa with a home steam-massage cabin. The most luxurious of these could set you back over £10,000, but again, there are lower cost options starting at around £2000. Visit Bathroom Quoter for an instant online quote now.
2 – Wind down after a long day in the sauna
A home sauna is a perfectly viable option and instantly gives you that star quality. As well as the garden and portable saunas available, you can go for the added luxury of an indoor sauna. You don’t need as much extra space as you think – a sauna can be fitted into even the smallest home. Models start at just one metre square for a single-person sauna, but there are also saunas available which can accommodate up to four people. You can also have your sauna custom-made to fit into a particular space in your home, or to accommodate more people. Indoor home saunas start at just over £1000, but can range up to £3000 for larger models.
3 – Work it out
Having a celebrity pad isn’t all about relaxing – how do you think the stars stay looking so fabulous? A home gym is a must-have, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Converting a room into a home gym couldn’t be easier – wood flooring and plain walls are all you really need, and then simply fill it with athletics equipment. If a gym is not for you, the other option is a fitness studio, with mirrored walls and a dance bar – really working out like a pop-star! To really give it that gym feel, a plasma screen on the wall will keep you entertained, and a stereo means you’ll actually have something to dance to! For a softer work-out, some celebrities are also installing what are known as ‘Pilates rooms’, which should be the ultimate relaxation space. Decorate in soft colours and accessorize with plenty of candles and soft furnishings.
4 – Let me entertain you!
The ultimate ostentatious addition to the average house would be a home cinema or bowling alley, but to a celebrity they are essentials. While a celebrity would have the entire theatre atmosphere in their home, complete with theatre seats, giant screen and popcorn machine, you don’t have to go quite that far to get the cinema experience! Home cinema systems start at £120 for a basic DVD and speaker system and go up to over £1000 for a full theatre package. Theatre screens can be bought for as little as £65 for a canvas screen, or you could go for a large – and expensive! – wall-mounted plasma. To complete the look, go for theatre-style recliners, which come in a variety of styles and colours. A group of three chairs costs about £3000, but one single theatre chair costs around £700. If you have the space, home bowling alleys can be easily installed for around £5000 for a single lane.
5 – Last orders at the bar please!
It’s amazing celebrities go out at all! No luxury home is complete without its very own bar. Bespoke home drinks bars can be built into almost any space and can be fitted with working pumps and optics, just like in a pub or nightclub. There are selected websites which will provide you with everything you need from a working bar to snooker tables, jukeboxes and barstools. A bespoke built bar complete with wood panelling will set you back around £3000 and working optic panel with four optics will cost upwards of £200.
If pool and snooker tables are your style, these can be expensive, but there’s all kinds of other things you can do. For around £4000 you can buy brightly coloured jukeboxes, while the classic arcade games will cost you around £2000. You can even keep the games coin operated, but this will costs you an extra £200.
Implementing just a few of these measures into your home will make it a talking point, and will really give you that celebrity feeling! Enjoy!
Celebrities often set the style boundaries for the rest of us, and not just when it comes to clothes, shoes and hairstyles. The celebs have now branched out into interior design. Open any glossy magazine and you will find this month’s hottest actress or greatest footballer – and his WAG – showing you around their luxurious home – usually filled with accessories you wouldn’t dream of being able to own. However some of the latest celebrity interiors are achievable in the average house – read on to find out how relax in a jacuzzi, wind down in the sauna, keep fit in the gym and then chill out in your own home cinema with drinks from the bar – in other words, how to live like a star!
1 – A perfect place for pampering
As with everything in the world of celebrity, designer labels are important, even in the bathroom suite! The latest name in bathrooms is Kohler, who designs luxury suites to suit any décor. Prices for a bathtub start at £2000 and can go up to £9000 for what’s called an ‘overflowing bathtub’, which is sunk into a bigger tank in the floor. You leave the taps constantly running and the water overflows into the bigger tank and is drained away. However if a Kohler suite is a little out of your price range, the company does produce lower cost alternatives! Kohler designs are sleek and modern, with bowl washbasins set on top of wooden units, Jacuzzi baths and cistern-less toilets.
Copying the design is easy – standard whirlpool baths can cost as little as £300, or £600 for a corner bath. Freestanding washbasins and units start at £65 for the smallest, rising to £265 for a larger, rectangular design. If you really want to push the boat out, you can install a home spa with a home steam-massage cabin. The most luxurious of these could set you back over £10,000, but again, there are lower cost options starting at around £2000. Visit Bathroom Quoter for an instant online quote now.
2 – Wind down after a long day in the sauna
A home sauna is a perfectly viable option and instantly gives you that star quality. As well as the garden and portable saunas available, you can go for the added luxury of an indoor sauna. You don’t need as much extra space as you think – a sauna can be fitted into even the smallest home. Models start at just one metre square for a single-person sauna, but there are also saunas available which can accommodate up to four people. You can also have your sauna custom-made to fit into a particular space in your home, or to accommodate more people. Indoor home saunas start at just over £1000, but can range up to £3000 for larger models.
3 – Work it out
Having a celebrity pad isn’t all about relaxing – how do you think the stars stay looking so fabulous? A home gym is a must-have, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Converting a room into a home gym couldn’t be easier – wood flooring and plain walls are all you really need, and then simply fill it with athletics equipment. If a gym is not for you, the other option is a fitness studio, with mirrored walls and a dance bar – really working out like a pop-star! To really give it that gym feel, a plasma screen on the wall will keep you entertained, and a stereo means you’ll actually have something to dance to! For a softer work-out, some celebrities are also installing what are known as ‘Pilates rooms’, which should be the ultimate relaxation space. Decorate in soft colours and accessorize with plenty of candles and soft furnishings.
4 – Let me entertain you!
The ultimate ostentatious addition to the average house would be a home cinema or bowling alley, but to a celebrity they are essentials. While a celebrity would have the entire theatre atmosphere in their home, complete with theatre seats, giant screen and popcorn machine, you don’t have to go quite that far to get the cinema experience! Home cinema systems start at £120 for a basic DVD and speaker system and go up to over £1000 for a full theatre package. Theatre screens can be bought for as little as £65 for a canvas screen, or you could go for a large – and expensive! – wall-mounted plasma. To complete the look, go for theatre-style recliners, which come in a variety of styles and colours. A group of three chairs costs about £3000, but one single theatre chair costs around £700. If you have the space, home bowling alleys can be easily installed for around £5000 for a single lane.
5 – Last orders at the bar please!
It’s amazing celebrities go out at all! No luxury home is complete without its very own bar. Bespoke home drinks bars can be built into almost any space and can be fitted with working pumps and optics, just like in a pub or nightclub. There are selected websites which will provide you with everything you need from a working bar to snooker tables, jukeboxes and barstools. A bespoke built bar complete with wood panelling will set you back around £3000 and working optic panel with four optics will cost upwards of £200.
If pool and snooker tables are your style, these can be expensive, but there’s all kinds of other things you can do. For around £4000 you can buy brightly coloured jukeboxes, while the classic arcade games will cost you around £2000. You can even keep the games coin operated, but this will costs you an extra £200.
Implementing just a few of these measures into your home will make it a talking point, and will really give you that celebrity feeling! Enjoy!
Timeline - Landscaping your garden and increase your home's value
Timeline: Landscaping your garden
A landscaped garden can increase a home's value over and above the cost of the landscaping itself. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an attractive garden can add five per cent to the value of your house. Gardens should not be seen as a chore but should be utilised as an ‘extra room’ or an opportunity to add a new dimension to a standard property – even a basic lawn or unattractive concrete area can be transformed into a beautiful and unique outdoors area.
If on the other hand, you are thinking about selling your house remember that the front garden is the first thing potential buyers notice and being confronted by an over-grown jungle can put people off completely. Here are the essential stages to getting the most out of your landscaping investment:
Stage 1 – Do you hire or do you DIY?
When it comes to landscaping, DIY could simply mean designing the garden yourself, choosing individual features or buying the exact materials or plants you want – DIY doesn’t have to involve a spade or a digger! Landscaping is usually labour-intensive and time consuming and in many instances it’s best to leave the hard graft to the professionals. Even though you may have an image of the perfect garden in mind, hiring a professional may be the only way to make your perfect garden a reality, as they have the design skills, talent and the equipment to transform your property. But how do you know which landscaping company is the right one for you?
Stage 2 – Researching landscape gardeners
A qualified landscaper is a builder, bricklayer, carpenter, metalworker, as well a horticulturalist with an understanding of soils, chemicals and climatic conditions. Different landscapers offer a variety of services and some focus on specific areas such as specialist stonework or garden lighting. However, one of the most important traits of a landscaper is the ability to listen and understand exactly what you want your finished garden to look like.
The best way to shortlist a handful of landscape gardeners from the hundreds of companies in your local area is through recommendation from family, friends or even garden centres. Alternatively you can spend time looking thorough the Yellow Pages and internet sites to find companies that have been approved by The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). Once you have found a few companies that you like the look of, find out what services they offer, what training and experience they have, ask for at least three references and, if possible, visit the locations of their work for yourself.
Stage 3 – Defining your ideas and, more importantly, your budget!
Ask yourself what you want to achieve from you garden and how much you have to spend. Maybe you want a safe area for the children to play? Possibly a beautiful display of flowers, trees and water features? Or do you just want a garden area that is simple to manage yet still attractive to look at? Landscapers can achieve any atmosphere or style of garden – the only thing you have to do is decide which one you want. Look to magazines and TV programmes for inspiration and ideas on what features are available. When it comes to cost, be realistic about your budget and stick to it, otherwise you could run out of money and end up with a half finished garden that looks worse than when you started! A basic one-day face-lift will cost around £200 but if you’re considering a complete transformation of your garden be prepared to receive a quote in the thousands.
Stage 4 – Quotes
Once you have an idea of how you want your garden to look, choose at least three landscapers that you get a good feeling about and ask them to come and see your garden so they can provide a detailed written quote, free of charge. It is important to remember that landscapers are usually not designers so they will need a thorough explanation from you to ensure the details in the quote match the style and finished product you envisaged. On the other hand, if your gardening dreams don’t match your budget, the landscaper should be able to suggest some less costly alternatives – you may be surprised at the range of quotes you receive, showing it pays to shop around.
Stage 5 – Supervision and the finished garden
Make sure the company provides a written contract containing every detail from the drawn up plans to the cost and payment structure. Being on-hand to supervise the work is the most effective way to ensure the work is being carried out exactly as you want. If a landscaper makes a mistake it could send the completion time over the agreed date so try to regularly check the quality of the work. When the garden is finished review the whole project there and then – it’s a lot easier to discuss any queries you have while the landscaper is standing in front of you.
Unlike other rooms in the home, a garden can have a range of uses – entertaining, cooking, playing, or just relaxing. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden make, sure you take full advantage!
www.gardenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your landscape gardener.
A landscaped garden can increase a home's value over and above the cost of the landscaping itself. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an attractive garden can add five per cent to the value of your house. Gardens should not be seen as a chore but should be utilised as an ‘extra room’ or an opportunity to add a new dimension to a standard property – even a basic lawn or unattractive concrete area can be transformed into a beautiful and unique outdoors area.
If on the other hand, you are thinking about selling your house remember that the front garden is the first thing potential buyers notice and being confronted by an over-grown jungle can put people off completely. Here are the essential stages to getting the most out of your landscaping investment:
Stage 1 – Do you hire or do you DIY?
When it comes to landscaping, DIY could simply mean designing the garden yourself, choosing individual features or buying the exact materials or plants you want – DIY doesn’t have to involve a spade or a digger! Landscaping is usually labour-intensive and time consuming and in many instances it’s best to leave the hard graft to the professionals. Even though you may have an image of the perfect garden in mind, hiring a professional may be the only way to make your perfect garden a reality, as they have the design skills, talent and the equipment to transform your property. But how do you know which landscaping company is the right one for you?
Stage 2 – Researching landscape gardeners
A qualified landscaper is a builder, bricklayer, carpenter, metalworker, as well a horticulturalist with an understanding of soils, chemicals and climatic conditions. Different landscapers offer a variety of services and some focus on specific areas such as specialist stonework or garden lighting. However, one of the most important traits of a landscaper is the ability to listen and understand exactly what you want your finished garden to look like.
The best way to shortlist a handful of landscape gardeners from the hundreds of companies in your local area is through recommendation from family, friends or even garden centres. Alternatively you can spend time looking thorough the Yellow Pages and internet sites to find companies that have been approved by The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). Once you have found a few companies that you like the look of, find out what services they offer, what training and experience they have, ask for at least three references and, if possible, visit the locations of their work for yourself.
Stage 3 – Defining your ideas and, more importantly, your budget!
Ask yourself what you want to achieve from you garden and how much you have to spend. Maybe you want a safe area for the children to play? Possibly a beautiful display of flowers, trees and water features? Or do you just want a garden area that is simple to manage yet still attractive to look at? Landscapers can achieve any atmosphere or style of garden – the only thing you have to do is decide which one you want. Look to magazines and TV programmes for inspiration and ideas on what features are available. When it comes to cost, be realistic about your budget and stick to it, otherwise you could run out of money and end up with a half finished garden that looks worse than when you started! A basic one-day face-lift will cost around £200 but if you’re considering a complete transformation of your garden be prepared to receive a quote in the thousands.
Stage 4 – Quotes
Once you have an idea of how you want your garden to look, choose at least three landscapers that you get a good feeling about and ask them to come and see your garden so they can provide a detailed written quote, free of charge. It is important to remember that landscapers are usually not designers so they will need a thorough explanation from you to ensure the details in the quote match the style and finished product you envisaged. On the other hand, if your gardening dreams don’t match your budget, the landscaper should be able to suggest some less costly alternatives – you may be surprised at the range of quotes you receive, showing it pays to shop around.
Stage 5 – Supervision and the finished garden
Make sure the company provides a written contract containing every detail from the drawn up plans to the cost and payment structure. Being on-hand to supervise the work is the most effective way to ensure the work is being carried out exactly as you want. If a landscaper makes a mistake it could send the completion time over the agreed date so try to regularly check the quality of the work. When the garden is finished review the whole project there and then – it’s a lot easier to discuss any queries you have while the landscaper is standing in front of you.
Unlike other rooms in the home, a garden can have a range of uses – entertaining, cooking, playing, or just relaxing. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden make, sure you take full advantage!
www.gardenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your landscape gardener.
Feature - New Kitchen in time for Christmas
Feature: New Kitchen in time for Xmas
Christmas - a time of parties and celebrations, eating to excess and culinary frustration when despite your best attempts, short of taking a hacksaw to the poor thing, the turkey refuses to fit in your old oven.
Of course, Christmas and New Year is a tough time for kitchens (all the best parties end up there you know) so if your kitchen looks like it might not last or you really want to impress visitors, then why not think about having a new kitchen installed. There's still time.
Kitchen Quoter can help you get an instant online quote for your new kitchen and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home, without the need for a salesman to call.
Simply visit KitchenQuoter, select your area of the UK and confirm your contact details.
Then you can enter your measurements, select options like base and wall units, style and if you want to include appliances.
Our clever website will then calculate an instant quote ranging from budget to luxury, to give you an expectation of cost.
It's a completely free service and afterwards, we can offer you the opportunity to get your quotation confirmed in writing by up to three local companies to you, vetted by ourselves and based on quality, price and localness to you.
No companies will call you without our first having obtained your express permission, however, our service could save you pounds as our registered kitchen companies save on traditional forms of advertising and so pass those savings directly onto you.
www.kitchenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your new fitted kitchen.
Christmas - a time of parties and celebrations, eating to excess and culinary frustration when despite your best attempts, short of taking a hacksaw to the poor thing, the turkey refuses to fit in your old oven.
Of course, Christmas and New Year is a tough time for kitchens (all the best parties end up there you know) so if your kitchen looks like it might not last or you really want to impress visitors, then why not think about having a new kitchen installed. There's still time.
Kitchen Quoter can help you get an instant online quote for your new kitchen and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home, without the need for a salesman to call.
Simply visit KitchenQuoter, select your area of the UK and confirm your contact details.
Then you can enter your measurements, select options like base and wall units, style and if you want to include appliances.
Our clever website will then calculate an instant quote ranging from budget to luxury, to give you an expectation of cost.
It's a completely free service and afterwards, we can offer you the opportunity to get your quotation confirmed in writing by up to three local companies to you, vetted by ourselves and based on quality, price and localness to you.
No companies will call you without our first having obtained your express permission, however, our service could save you pounds as our registered kitchen companies save on traditional forms of advertising and so pass those savings directly onto you.
www.kitchenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your new fitted kitchen.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Kitchen Quoter - fitted kitchen quotes - gets its own makeover
Kitchen Quoter - the site for instant online fitted kitchen quotes gets its own makeover.
Occasionally websites need updating. That could be anything from a complete re-design to a more subtle change like wording or additional pages etc.
Kitchen Quoter received a makeover yesterday with the addition of some new fitted kitchen pictures to help give visitors some ideas for their own kitchens.
The pictures were supplied by one of our approved companies – KS2 Design.
Our thanks to them for allowing us to use their pictures, which feature on both the home page and the design page.
If you'd like to get a quote for a fitted kitchen, its very easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Simply visit KitchenQuoter, enter your address details (prices are weighted depending in which area you live) and then enter your own room measurements and select options like floor and wall units, the inclusion of appliances and flooring etc and the timeframe you're looking to get the work done in and our clever online technology will give you an instant price guide for budget, standard and luxury fitted kitchens.
Click here to get your instant online fitted kitchen quote now. It only takes a few minutes but you could save pounds as our registered companies save money on traditional advertising and so pass those savings onto you.
Kitchen Quoter – part of the family of 'Quoter websites from Price Engines Ltd.
Occasionally websites need updating. That could be anything from a complete re-design to a more subtle change like wording or additional pages etc.
Kitchen Quoter received a makeover yesterday with the addition of some new fitted kitchen pictures to help give visitors some ideas for their own kitchens.
The pictures were supplied by one of our approved companies – KS2 Design.
Our thanks to them for allowing us to use their pictures, which feature on both the home page and the design page.
If you'd like to get a quote for a fitted kitchen, its very easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Simply visit KitchenQuoter, enter your address details (prices are weighted depending in which area you live) and then enter your own room measurements and select options like floor and wall units, the inclusion of appliances and flooring etc and the timeframe you're looking to get the work done in and our clever online technology will give you an instant price guide for budget, standard and luxury fitted kitchens.
Click here to get your instant online fitted kitchen quote now. It only takes a few minutes but you could save pounds as our registered companies save money on traditional advertising and so pass those savings onto you.
Kitchen Quoter – part of the family of 'Quoter websites from Price Engines Ltd.
Monthly newsletter delivery falters during sending
Email newsletter delivery falters during sending.
It emerged last night that many subscribers to our regular newsletter may have experienced difficulty when trying to follow any of the links on the current newsletter (sent 29th October 2007).
The problem was traced to our sending company switching server records during the send which has rendered many of the links leading to a dead end.
We'd like to apologise for this and just wanted to re-assure you that as soon as our 'carrier company' confirm they have resolved these server issues, we'll be re-sending the entire newsletter to you all.
If you did manage to get a working copy, and you'd previously un-subscribed, then please accept our apologies for troubling you again so soon. We would ask that you follow the un-subscribe instructions again.
Our monthly newsletter is a mix of topical news stories and features of general interest to Home Owners and is sent to a mailing list that gains 5,000 new subscribers every month.
This months issue covered topics like: Making your home attractive to the rental market following the surge in buy to let purchases, how to kit out your home like a celebrity at a fraction of the cost, how landscaping your garden could add 5% to the value of your home and our regular photo feature was themed around new kitchens for Christmas.
Monthly Polls, last months poll results and did you know soundbites complete the reader experience plus we've added a new feature that explains our service to home owners in a little more detail.
A reminder also that once the newsletter has been successfully delivered, we'll be repeating extracts from the features and news stories right here on this blog.
If you'd like to be alerted whenever anything is added, then our RSS Feed service is a great way to keep up to date with all the latest additions and amendments both here and to our service to home owners as a whole.
The Home Improvement Team.
It emerged last night that many subscribers to our regular newsletter may have experienced difficulty when trying to follow any of the links on the current newsletter (sent 29th October 2007).
The problem was traced to our sending company switching server records during the send which has rendered many of the links leading to a dead end.
We'd like to apologise for this and just wanted to re-assure you that as soon as our 'carrier company' confirm they have resolved these server issues, we'll be re-sending the entire newsletter to you all.
If you did manage to get a working copy, and you'd previously un-subscribed, then please accept our apologies for troubling you again so soon. We would ask that you follow the un-subscribe instructions again.
Our monthly newsletter is a mix of topical news stories and features of general interest to Home Owners and is sent to a mailing list that gains 5,000 new subscribers every month.
This months issue covered topics like: Making your home attractive to the rental market following the surge in buy to let purchases, how to kit out your home like a celebrity at a fraction of the cost, how landscaping your garden could add 5% to the value of your home and our regular photo feature was themed around new kitchens for Christmas.
Monthly Polls, last months poll results and did you know soundbites complete the reader experience plus we've added a new feature that explains our service to home owners in a little more detail.
A reminder also that once the newsletter has been successfully delivered, we'll be repeating extracts from the features and news stories right here on this blog.
If you'd like to be alerted whenever anything is added, then our RSS Feed service is a great way to keep up to date with all the latest additions and amendments both here and to our service to home owners as a whole.
The Home Improvement Team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
