Feeling the 'need for speed'.

Speed seems to have been dominating the headlines this past few weeks, but the new high speed rail link everyones been talking about isn't the only headline. Here at Home Improvement Quotes, we've got our own 'Speedy' news to share with you.

Our IT Guys have been busy improving the speed of your online quote experience by installing new, faster servers.

Work's complete and homeowners using our FREE online instant quote resources will notice a faster, smoother process as they enter a few, project specific details before getting their online quote.

Chocolate, A Royal Wedding and home improvements - it could only be Easter.

What a Bank Holiday! Hopefully, you were lucky enough to have a few days off and enjoy the Bank Holiday.

Did you spend it in endless queues of traffic or busy with paintbrush and tools?

If the thought of reaching for the tool box left you heading for the coast, then help is at hand.

Home improvement companies are currently offering some very competitive deals to earn your business. Everything from free fitting, tiling and appliances with new fitted kitchens to free blinds, flooring and furniture with conservatories.

It's worth taking a few minutes to sort through what's on offer though, before committing to one particular company or another. Weigh up how much real value an offer is to you and your individual circumstances - free flooring may sound nice but a glass roof for the cost of a polycarbonate one means you'll be able to enjoy your conservatory more throughout the year.

And a-rated glass over free cane furniture will make your conservatory easier and cheaper to heat in the winter, as well as contributing to your home's overall energy efficiency.

In the kitchen, free tiling could really finish your kitchen off but compare that with free appliances and compare the individual costings and value for money before making a snap decision.

The opportunity to compare offers continues outside your home. Driveways and solar panels in particular will often come with such tempting offers that you'll have to put your own circumstances first. An energy usage review before installing solar panels will show you what you can slim your present energy usage down to, so you'll know what size of solar installation you really need, rather than basing the system requirements on what you presently use.

And whilst driveway installers may be keen to offer discounts on one type or another of block, don't settle for a colour merely because it's on offer. With all home improvements, you'll be living with the finished job for a very long time so it's important to get it right first time.

Because paving samples don't usually give you a good enough idea of what a whole driveway will look like, why not ask if the paving company has any computer type simulations or even addresses of previous installations in the block you prefer, near to you.

Finally, don't forget to examine all your financing options when considering a major home improvement.

*This article first appeared in our weekly homeowner newsletter dated 4th May 2011. Click here to read the full newsletter.

photo credit: emily jones

Paying for home improvements

Smaller home improvements like re-painting or tiling cost relatively little but can have a dramatic effect on your home. And the costs involved should be relatively small and affordable.

But what do you when the improvement is going to cost a little more?

Whilst you should always use credit cards sensibly and never borrow more than you can repay, a 0% credit card could make paying up front for something like decorating or gardening materials easier.

And if the project is even larger, then a personal loan might make more sense.

Sainsbury's Finance reported one in five of it's loans, in the first half of last year, were to fund home improvement projects with the average loan amount being £9,225.

If you're planning on borrowing in such a way, to pay for a home improvement to add value to your property prior to a sale, then bear in mind that some loans may carry an early redemption penalty.

Many home improvement companies themselves will be able to offer their own credit facilities but it's always worth shopping around for the best or right deal for you and your circumstances.

Finally re-negotiating your mortgage with your present lender for funds for larger projects may be the way to go, but as Money Supermarket points out, consumers should be wary of upsetting the balance of equity in their property, which could make re-mortgaging or changing lenders later on difficult.

Of course, as with a secured loan, you need to think very carefully before taking on such a debt as your home could be at risk.

photo credit: hakan dahlstrom

Note: This article first appeared in our homeowner newsletter dated 4th April 2011. Click here to read the full newsletter.

VAT may have increased but you'd never know

The back end of last year was pretty poor for home improvement offers and good finance deals were hard to come by, however, the January VAT increase has galvanised the home improvement industry into action.

The January 'sales' are well and truly on as window, kitchen and paving companies etc all vie for your money and if you've been thinking of getting a quote, then there will probably not be a better time than right now.

Here's just some of the offers and deals we've seen being promoted by our network of approved home improvement companies.

From reductions of between 30% and 60% off windows, conservatories and kitchens to cash back and VAT freezing prices.

'free extras'

Some are offering free extras, like in the case of one home extension company offering to pay all your design, planning and drawing costs. And if you've already got them, then reimbursing you what you've spent.

You'll also find there's a great choice of 'like for like' deals which include free upgrades - many window companies in particular are offering a-rated glass for c-rated prices or glass roofs on your conservatory at no extra cost.

These are massive savings and in the case of the window glazing being uprated free, means you can make your home even more energy efficient without laying out anymore money.

And if all thats not enough, then many companies are offering buy now, pay later and 0% interest deals to tempt you to part with your money. One Orangery company were offering 3 years interest free.

Unlike the car industry which has seen sales slump since the end of the Government scrappage scheme last year, home improvement companies are seeing something of a resurgence in interest in big home improvements as homeowners decide to improve what they have already rather than move to newer properties.

And Government schemes could play a big part in home improvements during 2011 as the solar panel industry looks to increase on the number of installations carried out in 2010, where homeowners were able to use feed-in tariffs to earn money for the energy they created. 2011 will see the arrival of the eagerly anticipated Renewable Heat Incentives - similar to the feed-in tariffs but focusing on water and room heating via solar panels and ground source heat pumps etc.

'Green Deal'

The Green Deal will also stimulate insulation and property upgrading for many, where homeowners will be able to enjoy the benefits of insulation and new windows etc, without having to pay any installation costs up front. The upfront costs being met by industry who will 'claim' the money back via normal household fuel bills.

Whatever home improvement you're planning or whatever offer you're most attracted to, your first step should always be to get a range of quotations so you can compare, first hand, the companies operating in your area.

The Quoter family of websites can help relieve the stress and time wasting by giving you the opportunity to enter your own location and improvement project details before giving you instant online price guides there and then. No salesman calling round and all available online at a time to suit you.

photo credit: dave and leslie

2 great energy offers for May.

2 Great offers for the Bank Holiday:

25% off solar panels - solar energy promotion (click here)

The Government will pay you for the electricity you generate.

Save 40% on your heating bills - Boiler replacement offer - (click here)

More great offers on a range of home improvements can be found here. To take advantage of any of them and find out what offers are available in your area, login to any 'Quoter website and get your free online quote.

Great Double Glazing Offers for May...

2 more great offers we've come across from our network of double glazing companies this week.

Firstly, a 3x3mtr conservatory in white upvc with a dwarf wall and concrete floor from £6,495 installed.

Secondly, 6 upvc double glazed windows from only £995 fitted.

For more offers from home improvement companies around the UK, visit Home Improvement Quotes latest offers page - click here.

*Note - not all offers available in all areas of the UK. Offers subject to individual home improvement companies terms and conditions and may run for a limited period. Exclusions may apply.

2 Great Double Glazing Offers we came across...

Great offers like this and more available via the 'Quoter Family of websites. Just click here to get your instant online quote for over 17 different home improvement projects.

*Note - not all offers available in all areas of the UK. Offers subject to individual home improvement companies terms and conditions and may run for a limited period. Exclusions may apply.