Category Archives: Home Improvements

Home Improvements, News

How To Get The Best Deals On Home Improvement Materials

Finding affordable home improvement materials can be a daunting task.  You need to research and source good quality materials and products on a budget. Due to the supply shortage of construction materials, their costs have soared to new highs. Further, the inflation, rise in energy prices, and the Ukraine war have impacted negatively on costs.

By making the right choices, you can save money and boost the value of your home. Our home renovation experts have put together a few vital tips on how to save on materials without compromising on quality.

Make a list

Prepare a list by adding all the materials you need for the renovation. Some of the important things you should consider while preparing the list are

  • The need for electrical or sanitary work
  • Reuse of furniture or materials
  • Painting, flooring, roof repair, and other related work

When you have decided on the above factors you will know the materials you need. The designer or architect can help in providing info on what and how much you need.

Online shopping

Shopping can be tedious when you have to buy different materials from different stores. Going from one store to another can eat up your time and effort. One way to make it easy is to shop online. For instance, you can shop for bathroom supplies in London online and get good deals. Shops like Letta London offer affordable prices for top-quality products.

Further, the wide range of products here ensures you get all the required items in one store. Another benefit of online shopping is you can have the products delivered to your home.

Budget matters

A budget is crucial to ensure you do not overspend. Even if budget is not a constraint for you, setting a budget for the renovation materials is necessary. When you decide on the amount you want to spend on each project, you can know where you can spend less and the things that you can splurge on.

The money you save can help in doing any additional repair or maintenance work you need later.  Bathroom fittings, electrical materials, and roof repair are some of the important projects you should not cut corners on.

Using quality materials for these projects is vital. If you try to save money by using low-quality materials, it can cost you maintenance and repair charges in the future.  Moreover, it can affect other parts of your home creating expensive maintenance costs.

Buying at a discount

Getting the right materials for your home improvement project can become expensive even if you are careful about budgeting and creating a list. Using coupons and discount codes is a way to cut down costs. Search online for coupons on building material supplies.

An easy way to find discounts and codes is by visiting the social media account of the stores you want to purchase from. You can get good discounts during Christmas and New year. The best discounts are often provided during Cyber Monday and Black Friday sales. To save a substantial amount on costs, you can make use of these sales seasons.

Consider DIY

Choosing DIY for some of the projects can save you a considerable amount. Projects like painting, grouting, and tiling are good DIY works. You can find guides online for doing such projects and save money on contractor fees. The contractor fees are around £250 per day.

Managing the project, yourself can also save a considerable amount. But remember that it can take up plenty of your time and require you to make decisions that can impact the project. Moreover, some projects like plumbing and electrical work need the input of professionals. So do not scrimp on such renovation works.

Consider minimising changes

While deciding on renovation projects, try to reduce the changes you make to the building structure wherever possible. Taking down a wall to open the space may look appealing. But if the layout is already usable, you can save money on the changes if you keep such changes to the minimum.

Structural changes are the most expensive of the various renovation costs that UK homeowners face.  Similarly, avoid changes in the plumbing like moving the existing plumbing.  Other than changes like replacing outdated plumbing it is best to retain the existing plumbing.

Final thoughts

Budget is a big hurdle when you think of making improvements to your home. If you are not careful about the choice of materials and other essentials, you can end up overspending on renovation projects. Even the best-planned projects can easily go out of control.

We hope our tips on reducing costs will help you control the spending spree and choose the right materials. The tips guide you on how to prepare, choose, and find the best deals. You can get the best materials and improvements without overshooting your budget.

Home Improvements

The cost of living squeeze – home redecoration is in, social activities and restaurants to suffer

Staying in remains the new going out as new research reveals spending priorities are groceries and home redecoration

Results from a survey that looked at changing consumer behaviour amid the cost of living crisis has revealed that home really is where the heart is, with redecoration emerging as one of the lowest sacrifice areas as home owners look to cut back on other lifestyle factors in tough times.

Flooring retailer Factory Direct Flooring (FDF) unveiled results from its survey of more than 1,000 female respondents from across the UK, which highlighted how homeowners will prioritise their spend as the spiralling cost of living squeezes the nation’s finances.

Just 12 per cent of those surveyed indicated they would cut back on home redecoration – only beaten in the priority stakes by groceries, which just 6 per cent of respondents said they would sacrifice in hard times. Meanwhile, eating out is the most likely luxury to be sacrificed – cited by 53 per cent, with holidays and social activities following at 45 per cent and 43 per cent respectively. Some 94 per cent also stated they now expect to only buy items on sale or will look for sale items more.

Paul Hambidge, founder of FDF, said: “The pandemic and multiple lockdowns were the catalyst for a renewed focus on the home, and many people looked to improve their home or re-purpose their living spaces to cater for new multi-functional requirements, such as working or exercising space.

“The results of this survey highlight that despite the cost of living putting a strain on many household budgets, homeowners are reluctant to sacrifice home decoration and improvement. People clearly plan to continue spending the most time in their homes, and during this squeeze on pockets, restaurants and leisure activity providers are going to really feel that knock-on pinch. Key ambitions for many homeowners – which have taken on a new meanings since the pandemic – are making the home comfortable, attractive and fit for their lifestyles. For many, their home is their retreat, and in uncertain or tough times, it really is a sanctuary – as these results illustrate.”

The cost of living induced cut-backs are also impacting the shopping habits of those surveyed: 18 per cent are now likely to only buy reduced items, 75 per cent are comparing costs and looking for sale items more, and 65 per cent are comparing prices from up to three retailers before buying higher value items such as home interiors and furniture, and technology. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of the all-female survey respondents also claimed that they were much better than their partners at saving money for these kinds of high ticket items.

Hambidge concluded: “The results of this survey certainly echo our experience in terms of an unwavering consumer appetite for home improvement products, multi-functional rooms and heavily discounted products compared with the high street. As an online business with showroom and staff overheads negated, we can beat costs by up to 60 per cent. At a time when consumers are feeling the pinch, savvy shopping is on trend and we’re also seeing a lot of our customers choosing to spread the bill with our lay now, pay later PayPal plan.”

For more details, visit www.factory-direct-flooring.co.uk.

 

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Construction, Home Improvements

3 Reasons It Is Time To Upgrade Your Fuse Box

The electrical service panel in your home contains fuses and circuit breakers that control all the electrical appliances in your home. Of course, this panel will also malfunction sometimes, but it doesn’t mean you need to replace it. You must only upgrade it after looking for danger signs and reasons.

Here are the top reasons it is time for you to upgrade your fuse box by an electrician in Surbiton.

  1. Convenience

When you replace and upgrade your fuse box, it will provide you with more space for your electric panel. This means that you can add more circuits and split the circuits that were overloaded before. Besides that, it is also more convenient to reset your circuit breaker than to replace it with a fuse when there is overloading.

In the long run, upgrading your fuse box will offer you more convenience. Your home will draw power from circuits that will not be overloaded. So, be sure to look for signs that require an upgrade.

  1. Safety

You must keep your home safe at all times from fire hazards and electrical issues. If you have a fuse panel in the home, it means that it has been taking care of the electricity in your home for more than five decades now. That is why you must consider replacing the fuse box.

Such an old panel can lead to electrical fires, lost energy, poor connections, and much more. When you upgrade your fuse box, you will benefit from new safety practices that are crucial for the modern home. The upgrade will be better safety for your home and the people living in it.

  1. Save Money

The best part about upgrading your fuse box is that it will lower your insurance premium. An old and worn-out fuse box is an invitation for hazards, which is why the premium is low. When you upgrade, the company will know that you are taking the right precautions to ensure the safety of your home.

Once you let them know about this, they will lower the premium of your home. That is why if you want to save money in the long run, we recommend that you opt for upgrading your fuse box. This is especially true if you are living in an old him with outdated electrical appliances and other issues that require upgrades.

Final Words

These are the top three reasons you should upgrade your fuse box today. You will save money, enjoy better safety, and have added convenience in the home. Your fuse box will also feel less overloaded and will function optimally for many decades to come.

We recommend that you call a professional electrician in Surbiton to do the job and upgrade your fuse box. They will offer you the best advice on what you need to install in your home. Once you do, you can say goodbye to all the fire and electricity hazards in your home.

 

Home Improvements, Homeowner Advice

Own a property? Here’s how to Improve Your Curb Appeal

If you often find yourself home at the weekend and feeling bored, then the perfect way to cure this boredom and do something productive is to improve the exterior of your home. There are a number of ways as to which you can achieve this with some being easier than others. If you’re genuine about putting in the effort to improve your curb appeal, then it’ll definitely end up being worth your while. It’s important to remember that first impressions are very important, and the exterior of your home is the first thing that people see, this is why curb appeal is so important as you want to make a good first impression for visitors or neighbours when they see your property. If you want to upgrade your exterior aesthetic but you’re not quite sure of how to, then don’t worry, you’re in the right place as today we list some of the best ways to improve your curb appeal.

 

Trim the hedges and cut the grass

If you own a hedge in your garden or even have a garden with some grass in it, then this trick can make a major difference when you’re thinking of ideas to improve your curb appeal. This is also quite a simple and self-explanatory task, so not really something you shouldn’t not be doing. It’s obvious that your garden will look a lot neater if you spend some time making sure everything is kept clean and neat. If your grass gets too long or your hedge gets out of control then it can start to make your garden look very messy and rundown, totally ruining the exterior aesthetic of your garden. If you pay attention to your garden and make sure that everything is kept neat, then the outside of your house will start to look a whole lot better. Trimming and cutting your hedges and grass is an easy task and is definitely one you should consider, so go down to your shed, and grab those trimmers and lawn mower. Your garden is an important part of your home and shouldn’t be neglected, with many more ways you can improve your garden’s look, which leads us to our next point!

 

Plant some flowers

Why not visit your neighbourhood shop and get some lovely flowers to place in your front garden? There are just too many different kinds of flowers to even consider which ones require more frequent upkeep than others. Flowers are loved by many and appear lovely when displayed. Unquestionably, one of the better suggestions you could come up with for ways to improve your curb appeal is planting flowers. Take your time to decide what you want and what would work best for you and your house. Planting flowers can also demonstrate to others how much you value your house. It can be a smart option to get some hanging baskets if you don’t have any suitable locations to grow the flowers. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try something new because there are numerous shapes and styles to choose from, just like there are for the flowers. Who knows, perhaps gardening will turn into a new pastime for you.

 

Clean your windows

We do get that majority of the times when your windows are getting cleaned it’s by an actual window cleaner or by the weather climates giving them a decent washing, but at times it’s also good to go do it yourself. If the weather has been particularly bad or even nice and you’ve noticed a lot of sand and dust being blown onto your windows, then often waiting weeks for a window cleaner is worse than just going out and doing the job quicker yourself. It’s also important to note that a window cleaner doesn’t ever do the inside of your window which is just as important when thinking about the way you can improve the exterior of your home. All this takes is for you to get a clean sponge, some warm soapy water and then get going with wiping the window down, then your windows are clean it really will make such a big difference.

 

Clean out your gutters

There aren’t many suggestions for increasing the visual appeal of your home that are as crucial as cleaning your gutters. Given that moss and grass are protruding from your drooping gutters, your property will not only appear very bad, but a lot of problems might start developing. To put it mildly, solving these issues is not that simple. Repairing foundation problems and roof deterioration is highly costly. The risks of attempting to do a work like this on your own are perhaps also worth mentioning. To ensure the task is completed properly and effectively, hiring gutter cleaning specialists is unquestionably the wise thing to do. You may find gutter cleaning specialists by clicking here if you’re considering ways to increase curb appeal and you determine that cleaning out your gutters is a smart idea. If you’re considering ways to improve your curb appeal and determine that cleaning up your gutters is a good idea, you may find gutter cleaning specialists by clicking here.

 

 

 

Home Improvements, News

How to renovate your garden

Gardens can be the perfect place to spend your summers and springs in. If done right, gardens can make your house’s exterior look completely different and new. Landscaping using a garden is very common when it comes to making the exterior design look coherent and cohesive. Gardens also add depth to the house and its look, whilst making it stand out with the personality of the house owner. Here are some ways you can design the garden of your dreams without spending a lot of money.

Mood Boards

The first thing you need to decide when it comes to your garden is the kind of place you want it to be. This includes all the colours, designs, furnishings as well as overall aesthetic of the place. You can do this by designing a mood board that fits the way you see your garden. Social media apps like Pinterest and Instagram are a good place to start. Apart from the look, you should also consider the smells you prefer in your garden- some plants, herbs, and flowers give off very strong smells that you may or may not like. So, make sure the plants you pick correspond to the kind of smells you want in your garden.

Mood boards are a good way to go back and reference when selecting your plants and other decorations for the garden.

 

The Plants

The most important part , when it comes to renovating your garden, is the plants that you choose to incorporate. It is, therefore, essential that the flora you choose is not invasive to your local ecosystem. Rather than getting plants from different places, consider the native species. This is important for two reasons- Firstly, local flora will be able to survive completely, no matter the season, as it is native. Secondly, introducing other species may cause harm to not only the local plants but also the local animals and birds. When choosing your plants, pick a mix of evergreen plans and seasonal ones, so that your garden is always in bloom. . An easy way to ensure that all your plants get watered is by installing automatic watering systems using your gutters. For more information on this, click here.

Before you start choosing your plants, you will need to find out how much sunlight your garden is getting. Observe it during different times of the day. This will impact the placement of your flowers. Ideally, a south-facing garden is preferred. However, if your garden does not get a lot of sunlight, you can still get lots of plants, depending on other conditions.

 

Decide between hard landscaping and soft landscaping

Hard landscaping refers to the use of hard materials like concrete, wood, and stone in the landscape. This means that rather than there being more plants and grass, there are harder materials. This kind of landscaping is preferred in areas where water poses a concern. This is because hard landscaping has fewer plants and therefore, less of a need for watering. On the other hand, soft landscaping refers to the use of plants and grass in the majority of a garden. This is a good choice for those who live in areas with a lot of rainfall. Ultimately, deciding between the two when you renovate your garden depends on personal choice and personal aesthetics. No matter the choice, ensure that your garden aesthetic does not harm the nature around it.

 

The extra elements

The personality that a garden gets depends a lot on the extra elements chosen. This includes multiple things- from water features to the kind of lighting you should choose. The first thing you need to consider is the amount of space you have. If you have a small garden, it will be possible for you to introduce only smaller elements. The second thing you need to consider is the general weather and environmental conditions in your area. If you live in a place that often faces dry and warm weather, a water feature will be perfect. This is because water increases the number of negative ions in the air, making it fresher and more humid. The feature will also help in maintaining a cooler temperature in the garden.  Keep in mind when you renovate your garden that your elements match the environment around them.

On the other hand, if you live in a place that is usually colder, having a fire pit will be more beneficial for you. This will not only increase the value of your property but will also provide you with the perfect spot to curl up in the winter months. However, when installing fire pits, you need to keep several things in mind- the fire pit should not be in a place where there is direct access to the wind- this can be dangerous and can lead to a fire. On the other hand, it should also not be kept in a closed environment as the fire smoke can suffocate easily. The fire pit also needs to be taken care of by ensuring it is closed when not in use. This will prevent unsuspecting animals from falling and getting trapped in it.

 

 

 

Home Improvements

How to improve your home’s exterior

Updating the exterior of your home does not only boost your curb appeal but also improves the value of your home, which is especially important if you have plans to put your property on the market. It can be hard to detect what areas of your home exterior require improvement mainly because we don’t spend a large amount of time looking at the outside of our property if any really! It can be much easier to establish what needs improving on the inside of your home, so thankfully for you, we are here to help! Stay tuned as we list some ideas on how to improve your home’s exterior.

 

Redo the driveway

If your driveway is looking slightly doom and gloom, which we have to mention can be extremely common, then maybe it is time for a revamp. Monoblock paving driveways are very common nowadays and can add a fresh and put-together feature to the front of your home. Not to mention they are extremely beneficial for households with several cars! It’s time to ditch the outdated stone garden or broken slabs that you usually use as your driveway and opt for a cleaner look.

 

Add outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting is an immensely welcoming feature to add to your property. In the dark evening hours, it adds a warm and homely feel to the outside of your home rather than remaining in complete darkness. Not only do outdoor lights look aesthetically pleasing when attached to wall, walkway, or fence areas but it adds an extra level of protection to your property too. Burglars and intruders are twice as likely not to enter the grounds of your property when it is well illuminated. After all, would they want to get caught under a collection of bright lights?

 

Repair and clean gutters

Your gutters may not experience frequent problems, and if you are lucky, they will always continue to work the way they need to. Gutters effectively clear rainwater from the roof and help prevent damage to the roof, the interior of your home, or surrounding surfaces below that are likely to result from an overflow of excess rainwater. Alongside the obvious benefits, having clean gutters will improve your home’s exterior. After all, gutters packed with moss, leaves, branches, and other debris are not a good look. Click here for gutter cleaning and repair services.

 

Repair damage

The exterior of your home can be particularly prone to damage from a variety of factors. Most commonly this occurs from general wear and tear over time, and also unavoidable weather repercussions. When damage does appear on the exterior of your home, it is always best to get this fixed immediately to avoid further and more extensive damage. From chips in the window trims to broken tiles on the roof, repairing this straight away will automatically improve or maintain your home’s curb appeal. Never let the exterior of your home go downhill. After all, this reflects massively on the interior of the home too!

 

Add cladding

If you are looking to add some texture and dimension to your home, adding cladding is the way to go. Cladding can be selected in several styles, some of the most popular include timber, brick, stone, and render. The good news? Adding cladding to your property does not always require planning permission, even though adding it to even a small section of your home can give it a completely new look! To modernise the exterior of your property cladding is a perfect option.

 

Add artificial grass

If cutting the grass is becoming an extra task on your long to-do list, perhaps it is time to head down the artificial route. Artificial grass can look extremely aesthetically pleasing and can add a touch of vibrance to any space or setting. Not to mention, you can finally get rid of the old lawnmower that takes up an enormous amount of space in your garage or shed! Artificial grass is also perfect if you have kids or pets, or any hay fever sufferers within your household. When it comes to selling your home on the market, artificial grass can also act as a huge asset. Not only does it look pristine, but it requires zero maintenance which can be appealing to buyers. It’s a win-win!

 

Add outdoor furniture 

An outdoor living space is a perfect way to improve your home’s exterior. Not to mention, it is the ideal setting for outdoor barbeques and parties! A furnished area outdoors also adds comfortability and a homely feel to the property and makes any garden space look inviting. Ideally, you should situate an outdoor living space within your back garden area for privacy purposes, but that doesn’t mean to say that your front garden is out of bounds. Two chairs, a table, and a fit pit out the front could be the perfect meet-up spot with your neighbour or friend, and is great for people watching!

Home Improvements, News

Tips for moving into a new home

Moving house can be a stressful time. By the time the process is over, all the hassle will without a doubt be worth it in the end. Today we have compiled a list of tips for moving into a new home, some of these can be really helpful. A few small improvements can make a world of difference to your property, putting in that extra little bit of effort will be totally worth your while.

 

Focus on security

Pay attention to security, it is vital. Security is one of those things that are essential to a home. Doing whatever you can as soon as you can to upgrade your home in terms of security is very important, your home is susceptible to burglaries all the time. Despite “how nice” an area you may stay in, these things happen, so you should begin to take all the precautions necessary to avoid this problem. One of the most helpful things you could do would be to look into having CCTV installed around your property so that you can have constant surveillance. CCTV is basically a criminal deterrent, it’s no wonder that it’s becoming more of an essential addition to people’s households. Without CCTV the crime rate would no doubt be a whole lot higher. With security cameras, you can relax knowing that criminals would 9/10 times turn and walk away when they notice it. It would take a pretty dumb criminal to put themselves at such a high risk of being caught, making it really unlikely for a break-in attempt to occur! If you are looking to do your best to eliminate the risk of a break-in, don’t hesitate to click here for CCTV installations.

 

Incorporate lots of mirrors

Mirrors can work wonders, it’s a well-known fact that they can make your home look a lot more open. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to this decoration, not only is it pretty convenient to have a quick look at yourself in the mirror when you walk by, but it can make your room as a whole appear much more relaxing and inviting. Open spaces are the key to creating a nice atmosphere in your home and the best way to do this is to get some mirrors, it’s without a doubt one of the best tips for moving into a new home.

 

Focus on curb appeal

Curb appeal shouldn’t be something that you completely forget about. We understand that the aesthetic of the inside of your home might feel like your top priority but forgetting about your exterior can be a massive mistake that many people fall victim to. Forgetting about a factor as vital as your curb appeal can tarnish the effort you have put into other aspects of your home which is never a good thing. Even a little landscaping could be brilliant for your home. Doing something as simple as trimming your hedge could make your home look a lot nicer for yourself and any visitors you have. When summer comes around you’ll be glad that you took the time to show your curb appeal some love, sitting outside in the warm sun in the comfort of your own property is incomparable when you are content with your garden.

 

Get some smart speakers

You’ve most likely heard of smart speakers such as Alexa, these devices are becoming more and more of a common part of people’s households. Having your very own voice-controlled assistant is a great way to make your new home a lot more modern. These sophisticated little devices can do a whole lot more than your regular speaker, they can even order your shopping for you! Smart speakers connect to your Wi-Fi, which means that they are constantly updated with new information so that you can ask it any question you like. Maybe you would like to know what time it is? Maybe you would like to know what time your favourite football team’s game is at? Whatever you need to know, these smart speakers will be able to answer your question! Due to how much of a new craze these smart speakers are, incorporating them into your home is without a doubt one of the best tips for moving into a new home.

 

Hopefully, our shortlist of tips for moving into a new home is something that you can make some use of. We know that moving into a new home is something that may get on top of you in terms of stress. Although it can be a hassle, it’s a very rewarding process. When your home is finished and you are content with everything about it, all of your hard work will be worth it. Good luck!

Home Improvements, interior design

Outdoor designing techniques

When it comes to designing the outdoors, the techniques used for interior design can’t be used – neutral colors can look bad and having balance might make your place look a little weird. There are various outdoor designing techniques that can be used to not only look and feel good outdoors, but also to harmonize with other designs in the house. One of the simplest and most commonly used design techniques is to focus on creating a focal point, surrounding it with seating, and giving the room your own personality. There are many ways to achieve this goal. Here are some examples:

 

Create a focal point

Creating a focal point is very different when considering the outdoors. You can not go for the television or bookshelf or your art wall to be the focus, and instead, have to look for something that will not only fit the aesthetics but will also serve some functionality. Firepits and fireplaces are the perfect focal points for your outdoors, especially if you live in particularly colder climates. Not only are they amazing to curl up around in the winters, but they also make for the perfect get-together spot in the summer months.

Fireplaces have multiple advantages- they stop invasive bugs like mosquitoes, provide a focal point and also increase the resale value of the house. However, it’s extremely important that if you decide on getting a fireplace, you have fire alarms around your home to prevent any disasters. To get one installed by professionals, click here.

If you like cooking outdoors, adding a grill or a barbecue spot to your outdoor space is a good idea. They make a great addition to your backyard party scene and can be used to make your party more fun. You can also choose to feature a water feature such as a backyard waterfall in your landscaping. Water features provide a tranquil and calming atmosphere for outdoor activities. Water features can help improve air quality around your home and reduce stress.

 

Colour Scheme

Depending on the kind of colour scheme you have in your interiors, you can employ different outdoor designing techniques for choosing your colour scheme. One of the easiest ones is to go with hues that are similar to the ones in your outdoors- choose greens and colours based on what’s native to your place- does your outdoors grow a bunch of yellow flowers in the summer/spring? Choose something that compliments them. Going with the natural elements and using your outdoor colour scheme to complement it is going to make your place cosier and aesthetically pleasing. If you are planning on getting new plants, choose either evergreen flowers or the ones that are native to your place. This will avoid your outdoors from looking wilted in the autumn and winter.

You can also go for monochromatic colour schemes. These can vary from the neutral shades of black and white and grey to have a more polished and luxurious look to whites and greens and yellows for the boho-natural look. Using wooden furnishings in your outdoors is also a great way to make them feel more connected to nature- couches made from wood with a wooden table. Whatever colour scheme you go for, remember to choose fabrics that are safe to be used outside with all the different weather conditions, bugs and birds and animals.

 

Lighting

Lighting is an important component of outdoor designing techniques. Having good light at night makes you more safe while giving your outdoor area a warm and comfortable feeling. When selecting lighting for your outdoors, go for warmer tones. Choosing solar-powered outdoor lighting makes it easier to save money on your electricity bill, while being more sustainable towards the environment. Outdoor lights are made with materials that can withstand any kind of weather. If your backyard placement falls next to a wall, Wall placed lightning may be a good choice. If not, look for string lights or fairy lights. They look beautiful and feel more comfortable outdoors, giving the impression of a very mystical setting. You can also opt to build a roof over your space and place a light right in the middle like you would do in any of your other rooms.Building a roof also protects the place from harsh wind and rain whilst giving you the ability to enjoy rainy weather outside. A detachable roof or roof that can extend in and out is a good way to give your space different dynamics- you can enjoy the place in summer without the roof as well as in the winter/rain with the roof- making it the perfect nook for your outdoor space.

 

 

Home Improvements, interior design, News

Renowned Wolverhampton luxury interiors experts celebrate 40 years of success

A much-loved Wolverhampton independent luxury home improvement company has celebrated 40 years of success in style.

The Dayrooms of Tettenhall team toasted a major refurbishment and expansion with invited guests.

 

Director James Lloyd said the company’s leading reputation in designing, supplying and fitting high-end kitchens meant they maintained a full order book even in the darkest days of the Covid-19 emergency.

“We needed to celebrate not only how far Dayrooms has come in 40 years but also our recent resilience and vision and our exciting plans for the future.

“It was a fabulous event and we welcomed guests throughout the evening, with a showroom full of friends and supporters joining in to celebrate 40 years in style with a wonderful glass of fizz. Big thanks to caterers Lemon Grove who looked after us so spectacularly.

“It was very special to be able to mark our significant milestone with friends, supporters, loyal clients and suppliers. Our thanks go to everyone in our team and to Josie Hadley at Online Marketing Growth for all their hard work in making this happen.

“After recent challenging times, it meant a lot to get together and focus on the good stuff and what’s coming up.”

James added: “People stay with us. If they move home, they come back to us. Most of our work is repeat orders – with years in between. Our work comes through word of mouth and is due to the quality and staying power of our kitchen designs, as well as brilliant workmanship in fitting and attention to detail. One recent customer came back to us after 22 years for a new kitchen.”

Now, Dayrooms of Tettenhall has completed a significant revamp by doubling their kitchen showroom floorspace in a new location. They are also updating a bedroom showroom over the road, which is set to open this summer. It has also branched out into designing and installing home offices.

“We’ve opened up the showroom to create an open plan space and have installed fabulous co-ordinated kitchen displays which showcase the latest designs,” said James.

“There’s a brand-new look for the exterior too, which has been uniformed and modernised. We’ve updated the building inside and out.”

He added: “We’re always moving forward in all aspects of our business, while also preserving the values that have made the company the success it is today. It’s been a really tough time throughout the pandemic for everyone and the industry has had to tackle many supply issues, but we’re coming out the other side now and we’re looking forward to the future.”

Construction, Home Improvements, News

Telford Businessman nominated for ‘Scale-up Entrepreneur of the Year’ following rags to riches success

A Telford based businessman has been nominated for ‘Scale-up Entrepreneur of Year’ in the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards, after impressing judges with his rags to riches success story.

Facing spiralling consumer debt, Rob Stone developed the idea for Instaloft – now the UK’s largest installer of loft storage solutions – when scrolling through different franchise ideas before finding one for loft ladders.

Determined to build a successful business, Rob conducted his own research and found a company called Loftzone that had patented a raised floor system designed to protect loft insulation and meet relevant building regulations.

After watching multiple YouTube videos, Rob purchased some tools via a £200 credit card, created a basic logo and launched Instaloft via Facebook, despite his family and friends pleading with him to just get a job.

Instaloft was officially launched in October 2014 and within a 7-year period, Rob has successfully scaled the business from a ‘one-man band’ operating from a 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Telford, to a £14-million turnover empire, which now employs 127 skilled installers across 6 UK depots.

Rob explained: “I founded Instaloft during a very challenging time in my life, where I didn’t even have enough income to feed my family. Although I didn’t have experience in loft installations, the LoftZone solution made the process incredibly safe and easy and following my first few successful jobs, orders started to come in.

However, it wasn’t until I sprained both wrists when falling down the stairs in a customer’s home that I realised the real value of working on the business instead of in it. Unable to work, I hired my first employee to complete the installs and quickly realised that the more time I spent on sales and marketing, the quicker the business grew. With zero external investment, we have gone from £125K revenue in year 1 to £14 million at the close of year 7, which is just amazing.

Having built the business from incredibly humble beginnings, I am, therefore, delighted to be nominated for ‘Scale up Entrepreneur’ of the year and hope my story inspires other start-up entrepreneurs embarking on their own business journey.”

Founded in 2013, The Great British Entrepreneurs Awards acknowledge the journey of entrepreneurs and businesses across the UK, celebrating the incredible stories that have taken individuals to where they are today, regardless of company size or turnover.

Headquartered in Telford with regional offices in Essex, Reading, Peterborough, Newport and Wakefield, Instaloft is also a shareholder of LoftZone, after Rob acquired one third of the business to safeguard the future of the company.