Tag Archives: home improvement

Home Improvements, News

Hazlemere opens its doors inside the M25 with £100,000 showroom launch

A leading home improvement specialist has opened its first showroom inside the M25 as it looks to tap into growing demand for its range of products.

Hazlemere, which is led by Rachel Braham-Hill, has invested £100,000 into bringing the site on Swakeleys Road in Ickenham back to life, putting in a full selection of windows and doors and touchscreen digital displays that will be showcasing a portfolio of living spaces.

Two new jobs have been created with a further three to follow when a fitting team is introduced.

Benefitting from its involvement in the Conservatory Outlet network, the family-run company has seen sales rise despite tough trading conditions and is hoping that the launch of its third showroom will act as a geographic bridge between existing locations in High Wycombe and Welwyn Garden City.

“This is a really important move for the business and gives us an immediate footprint inside the M25,” explained Rachel.

“Ickenham is very affluent, and we had noticed we had started to pick up customers from this area, even though they were travelling to our other locations.”

She continued: “This made us eye a potential third site and, when this building came up, we jumped at the chance. It had been a home improvement showroom before but needed a lot of work, so we decided to rip everything out and refurbish it to exactly what we wanted.

“We now have a modern space that features a wide range of windows and doors, with experts on hand to talk potential customers through ‘on trend’ options and energy efficiency savings.”

Hazlemere has turned to Loretto O’Donoghue to support the roll-out of the new showroom, a move that will tap into her considerable industry experience and a 40-year connection with the site.

Her family had previously owned their own window and door firm that had been in Ickenham for more than three decades.

Loretto said: “I’m really pleased to be working with Hazlemere on this venture – it feels like I’m going back home to my roots.

“We have a fantastic range of windows and doors to show people and access to our wider living space displays at our other showrooms. Hopefully, my local knowledge can really pay dividends.”

Hazlemere, which was formed by 1985 by father and son team George and Stuart Braham, has been part of the Conservatory Outlet since 2011.

This relationship gives it access to comprehensive digital marketing support and best practice sharing across its 28 members. It also gives the company access to the latest window and door ranges being manufactured in the Network’s factory in Yorkshire.

Greg Kane, Chief Executive of Conservatory Outlet, concluded: “We are really pleased to see Rachel and the team expand into a third showroom and into an important geographic area that has lots of new opportunities.

“They have so much energy to succeed and we’re looking forward to continue to support the firm as it continues to grow and position itself as one of the leading retailers and installers in the country.”

For further information, please visit www.hazlemere.co.uk or www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

News

Yorkshire’s Conservatory Outlet says ‘Ola’ to two new retailers

The UK’s leading manufacturer of high-quality windows, doors, home extensions and conservatories has welcomed two new companies to its retail network.

Conservatory Outlet, which was formed in 2005, has taken the number of retailers it supplies to 29, with the arrivals of Ayrshire’s RMC and Dundee-based installer Ecofit, ensuring the Wakefield-based company now has a presence in every postcode in Scotland.

The formal announcement was made by CEO Greg Kane during the firm’s annual ‘Network Celebration’ and marks what has been a tough, but ultimately rewarding period for the home improvement sector.

Held at the iconic Esferic building in Barcelona’s Montjuic park, key stakeholders from the businesses that form the Network joined together to celebrate their achievements of the past year and discuss how to manage further supply chain pressures, energy price rises and fluctuating consumer demand.

They also discovered how Conservatory Outlet has invested £100,000 into a new academy to support staff with sales training and a raft of new measures being introduced to help facilitate growth, along with other initiatives and a look ahead at what’s in store over the next twelve months.

“Whilst many of our competitors took major casualties and lost many clients during the last two years, we’re been able to maintain all of our network – a fact we put down to the shared values of honesty, quality and innovation,” explained Greg, who is joined in the senior management team by MD Mick Giscombe.

“Not only have we remained intact, but Conservatory Outlet has strengthened our coverage in key strategic areas with the arrival of two of Scotland’s finest home improvement specialists in RMC and Ecofit.

“This takes us to 29 companies, with another new member set to be announced shortly.”

He continued: “I don’t think we’ve ever had two years like we’ve just seen, moving from the issues surrounding COVID-19 to supply chain disruption and, this year, massive price rises. Throughout this, our focus has remained on delivering new solutions, products and initiatives to drive leads for our retailers.

“Our marketing team, working with DigitalKOG, is helping members with new website content, social media, digital and in-person campaigns to make searching and purchasing the right options a lot easier.”

The Conservatory Outlet Gala Dinner was used to recognise some of the achievements of its members, with West Yorkshire Windows (WYW) celebrating 15 years in the network and Amber Home Improvements, Premier Windows and Conservatories and Mitchell Glass all marking their 10-year anniversaries.

Wycombe-based Hazlemere took two titles (Best New Living Space and Most Complex Design Installation), 5 Star the Best Window and Door Installation accolade and Archie Dootson of WYW taking the Apprentice of the Year award.

There was also time to highlight Trevor Malia as the Network’s ‘Unsung Hero’. He joined James Oliver Conservatories as an apprentice and now, 30 years on, leads a conservatory fitting team that works on all the company’s flagship and high-value projects.

Karen Clough, Marketing Director, went on to add: “Barcelona has been a fantastic trip and underlined the superb community and family spirit we have in the network.

“This was none more evident when eight of us – Joey Heaton (TWC), Stewart Kelly (Eden), Mervyn & Lindsey Stanley (ERG) and Paul Reid, Garry Myles and Sarah Boyle (all Ecofit) – decided to skydive from a plane at 10,000 metres. Together, we managed to raise more than £2,700 for the NSPCC and a further £900 for Prospect House in Swindon. It was a brilliant opportunity for the Network to come together and show support for some fantastic charities.”

Greg concluded: “This weekend has been amazing, arguably our best and most productive one yet.

“We pride ourselves on being a close-knit Network and being able to come together to discuss challenges, celebrate achievements and lay out a path for our combined and continued success is of real benefit to everyone involved.”

Construction, Construction News, News

500,000 jobs posted on My Local Toolbox totalling £750m of potential work for tradespeople

  • My Local Toolbox received its 500,000th job posting on the 25th of August 2022
  • The value of this work is £750m for tradespeople
  • Launched in 2018, My Local Toolbox helps homeowners to find trusted tradespeople in their local area
  • Their unique approach of partnering with a range of ‘find a tradesperson’ platforms enable them to pick the strongest trades from each platform
As of August 25th 2022, My Local Toolbox reached their 500,000th job post on their platform by homeowners looking for tradespeople.
Based on the budget homeowners specify when they post a job, approximately £750,000,000 worth of work has been generated over the last four years.

Table: Total value of jobs posted on My Local Toolbox since 2018 for the top ten trades (based on the budget homeowners specified when posting their job).

Trade  Total value of jobs 
Builder  £               356,915,750
Roofer  £               100,525,875
Plasterer  £                 49,175,625
Painter & decorator  £                 43,995,750
Electrician  £                 32,030,875
Gardener  £                 24,812,515
Carpenter  £                 19,324,000
Plumber  £                 16,270,000
Tiler  £                 12,077,500
Tree surgeon  £                 11,034,625

 

Mylocaltoolbox.co.uk was founded in 2018 by Adam Clark to help homeowners find great tradespeople near them, without having to endlessly trawl the internet.
Working in partnership with some of the UK’s leading ‘find a tradesperson’ platforms and receiving up to 100,000 visitors per month, they’re able to offer homeowners every trade imaginable.
It’s this unique approach that allows them to service the needs of homeowners, whilst also driving new business for local tradespeople. Over 10,000 jobs are posted every month.
The easy-to-use job posting platform ensures users get matched with the right trades who then get in contact with a quote, allowing homeowners to easily compare prices and, most importantly, pick the best people for the job!
From builders to roofers, to more specialist trades like asbestos removal and house clearance professionals, landscape gardeners and tree surgeons, My Local Toolbox is home to them all.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a local tradesperson or you’re a tradesperson looking for your next client, visit Mylocaltoolbox.co.uk for more information.

Adam Clark, Founder of My Local Toolbox, said: “We’re very proud to have reached this milestone. Over the past four years millions of people have visited our website and over 500,000 have posted a job to connect with quality tradespeople near them. This gives us confidence that our unique approach is the right way to best serve homeowners.”
Construction, Construction News, News

Fabricators call for an alternative approach to pushing price rises down the home improvement supply chain

Six leading fabricators of products to the home improvement sector have called for a halt to the ongoing practice of pushing price rises at the top down the supply chain.

Central Window Systems, Conservatory Outlet, Listers, Roseview, Prefix Systems and SolarFrame have joined forces to urge firms in the sector to work together to find new efficiencies and to combat the unending barrage of price increases being introduced – especially at a time when consumer demand is down.

Recent publicly available data shows that household spending has reduced by up to 50% compared to the same period last year and bosses believe the last thing consumers and retailers need to contend with now is a further rise in the cost of products.

“We’ve seen prices increase at exponential rates over the last two years and this has continued through into 2022,” explained Greg Kane, CEO of Wakefield-based Conservatory Outlet.

“The determination has always been there to shield our customers from these price hikes, absorbing what we can through improved efficiencies, working creatively with our supply partners and passing on what we must. We’ve held the line and absorbed all incoming increases throughout 2022 but there obviously reaches a point when this becomes unsustainable.”

Gary Morton, Managing Director of Central Window Systems, continued: “This isn’t just affecting us, but our industry as a whole and we must be as transparent as possible to act in the best interest of the entire sector. If these price rises continue, and are again forced down the supply chain, consumers will simply not engage.

“Enforcing more price increases during a market slowdown is entirely counterproductive and will do more harm than good in both the short and long-term.”

The recent proposal of price increases from the very top of the chain are due to take place in September and would happen just as the energy cap is set to rise again, with manufacturers and retailers set to be stuck in the middle with pressure from both sides.

These changes could exacerbate a suppressed market and be counterintuitive to campaigns promoting the financial viability of purchasing new, energy-efficient windows and doors or extensions for their homes.

Employing thousands of staff and amassing more than £130m sales between them, the six companies believe their involvement in both manufacturing and retail gives them a unique insight into consumer pain points and a worrying dip in demand that some firms in the industry are failing to see coming.

Roy Frost, Managing Director of Listers, went on to add: “As an industry, we have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to face countless challenges, but this barrage of price increases simply must stop.

“We’re not trying to single out particular suppliers, more a case of looking for a more sensible and collaborative approach that focuses on the all-important consumer at the end of the chain.”

Chris Cooke, Managing Director of Prefix Systems, concluded: “The industry needs those at the top of the supply chain to listen to the voice of consumer-led businesses and explore ways of absorbing some of the increases without passing them on.

“We are already doing this for our customers, using all the efficiency savings we’ve made to cushion the cost increases from above. However, this is only possible on the prices of the products Prefix has market control over.

“It is undeniably a tough trading environment, but this is a case of ensuring the longevity and long-term success of the sector.”

 

Construction, News

Hazlemere on course for record year after £100,000 showroom investments

An £100,000 investment in its two showrooms and the latest 3D design studio has seen a High Wycombe-based home improvement specialist secure a record year.

Hazlemere, which offers a wide variety of conservatories, orangeries, tiled roof extensions, double glazed windows and doors, has enjoyed a 37% increase in orders with sales on the retail side of the business now reaching £7.5m.

Part of the Conservatory Outlet network, the company has tapped into the change in purchasing habits brought on by the pandemic by introducing the latest flush casement windows to its range, as well as an extensive selection of new doors.

The firm is now setting its sights on further growth and is currently recruiting for eleven new jobs, including a production manager, sales administrator, living space sales consultant, conservatory surveyor and several window and door fitters.

“Nobody really knew what was going to happen during Covid-19, but we quickly realised that people, who were spending an increasing amount of time at home, were keen to tackle those delayed jobs or make improvements with their disposable income,” explained Rachel Braham-Hill, Managing Director of Hazlemere.

“The decision was quickly made to try to maximise this opportunity and we spent a lot of time and money upgrading our showrooms in Wellington Road in High Wycombe and at Welwyn Garden City.”

She went on to add: “There was also investment in new presentation software so we could showcase new designs and our involvement in the Conservatory Outlet network meant we had huge support with our digital marketing activity.

“All of this saw us accelerate retail sales from £5.5m in 2020 to £7.5m this financial year, with our commercial division also performing very well working with its local authority and education contacts.”

Hazlemere has come a long way since it was formed in 1985 by father and son team George and Stuart Braham.

The duo started from a small unit in Wooburn Green where they originally manufactured aluminium windows, adding UPVC to its range in 1992 and moving to its current HQ and showroom in High Wycombe.

They took the decision to join the Conservatory Outlet Network in 2011 and this accelerated the company’s growth, with current MD Rachel joining at the same time after completing her degree in event management.

Daughter of Stuart, she became Managing Director at just 28-years-old in 2018 and has navigated the business through the pandemic and to its current record year.

“There’s definitely a female touch at Hazlemere, with Jenna Ledward joining me on the senior management team as Head of Production, Purchasing and Goods In,” added Rachel.

“Our sector traditionally has been very male dominated, but this is slowly changing, and we feel we are helping to show females that you can have a fantastic career in our industry.

“I think it also helps to make Hazlemere a little bit different to our rivals. There’s an additional warmth and attention to detail that instantly puts the customer at ease and many of our clients come back to us time and time again.”

Developing the next generation of talent is extremely important for the company, with the latest round of apprentices now fully installed in production and installation.

This complements ‘Launch Pad’, an internal training programme that has been designed to help develop the careers of existing team members, so they meet their own individual aspirations.”

Rachel went on to add: “We’ve got some exceptional people in the business and, sadly, we’ve just had to say goodbye to one of the best, with Mark Austin stepping back from his day-to-day involvement as Director to enjoy retirement.

“He quite literally did everything at Hazlemere, working across all aspects of the business, including in the marketing team, retail sales and then into our commercial arm, generating significant revenue for us in the process. He will be deeply missed, but we hope he enjoys more days on his allotment, the golf course and spending time with his four grandchildren.”

Greg Kane, Chief Executive of Conservatory Outlet, concluded: “The team at Hazlemere has really utilised the collective strength of the network and our digital marketing expertise and this, alongside its own strengths, has helped it achieve significant growth.

“I’m delighted to see that Rachel is continuing the tradition of her father and grandfather and creating one of the best home improvement specialists in Buckinghamshire.”

News, North of England

100 North West jobs to be created by Gasqet.com following regional expansion

Gasqet.com, a marketplace for DIY and building supplies looks set to rapidly expand its workforce after establishing itself in the North West of England.

Founded during the pandemic, Gasqet.com provides construction firms and home improvement enthusiasts with a stronger, more sustainable alternative to traditional rubber washers.

Gasqet.com will create 100 jobs over the next three years across its sales, field service engineering and technology teams that it hopes will help it expand its hosting into more DIY brands, servicing and petrol stations.

A spokesperson for the company said the workforce expansion “reflected the trust the people of the North West had shown in the brand and the strong PropTech and ethical commitments in the region.”

The office jobs are set to be created within Gasqet’s Manchester headquarters, housing sales and digital technology departments.

It will also be the base for mobile field service engineers who service Gasqet’s fleet, who will be located across the North West including Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington.

Gasqet is also looking to recruit fleet engineers in Stockport, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Salford Quays.

The company, backed by well-known technology groups, is riding a wave of ethical production that is a core part of the UK’s Green Recovery.

Its AI technology helps select the most appropriate seals for a job and 3D prints it on-site or at the nearest DIY store.

The company aims to help solve the current shortage of supplies that has hit the construction industry and provide householders with sustainable parts that do not leave them vulnerable to hefty plumbing bills.

Rigorous testing has found that the washers are significantly more durable and have greater longevity than traditional washers, as well as being fully recyclable.

For further information visit https://gasqet.com/

Home Improvements, News, Property

Six considerations for creating your perfect ‘forever home’

Homeowners or buyers wishing to settle down in a ‘forever home’ can look to these six simple considerations when creating a house to call a home.

A ‘forever home’ is a property that suits requirements in the short and long term – so it needs to be a flexible space to fall in love with. Whether future plans are growing a family, downsizing and retiring, or making a return on investment, it’s important to consider how a living space can be shaped to meet specific needs and goals.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown has prompted many to consider whether it’s time to move to a new house or start improvements on current properties. When it comes to making your home work for you, the property experts at Stormclad have shared their thoughts on achieving your ideal ‘forever home’.

John Evans, managing director of Stormclad, said: “With everyone spending more time in their own homes, now is the ideal time to either carry out exciting upgrades on existing properties, or search for your next home, to improve your quality of living.

“Here at Stormclad, we have more than 20 years’ experience in helping our customers transform their houses into dream homes. Whether it’s deciding what can be done to a current property now, or assessing whether a new property has the potential for extensions and improvements in the future, we wanted to share our tips on ways you can add value and quality features to your home, that will last the test of time.”

Here are six things to consider for your ‘forever home’:

1. An extension to create space
Adding an extension is undoubtedly one of the biggest changes you can make to your home – whether you’d like to extend the kitchen, add a utility or study room, or an extra bedroom – there is plenty of scope for you to enhance your home with the additional space an extension provides.

An extension will almost always add value to a property, so it is well-worth the investment once you have done your research and secured planning permission.

If you are looking to buy a new home, consider whether there is potential to extend the house at some point in the future. Local estate agents will be able to offer you advice, and you can also look to other properties in the neighbourhood to see whether they have benefited from an extension, so you know that you have the option, if you decide it’s something you want.

2. Maximising the space available
For the interior of your home, consider where you can create spaces of value for yourself and your family. In these uncertain times, with many people staying at home and working remotely, it is important to create suitable, comfortable spaces for yourself and your household to ensure a good living quality for everyone. Quiet, tranquil spaces for relaxation and reading, a study for working, and a well-maintained garden are just a few suggestions when considering how to ensure your property is a ‘forever home’.

3. Outdoor space
An often under-utilised area of the home is the garden – whether you’d like to transform it into a children’s play area, a space for your pets or an alfresco dining and relaxing spot, there are easy ways you can improve your outside space for the long run.

If you want a dry outdoor space for your summer barbecues or winter fire pit, then consider adding a veranda to your property. Whatever the British weather has to throw at you, adding a veranda to the exterior of your home provides a stylish shelter from the sun and the rain.

4. Invest in upkeep and quality appliances
One of the easiest ways to ensure your house is a ‘forever home’ is to commit to a regular maintenance regime to keep everything running smoothly and looking and feeling fresh.

Adding a new layer of paint, deep cleaning carpets and investing in new blinds or stylish shutters are just some of the ways you can update and refresh your home quickly and easily, so that it remains a place you enjoy being. If you’re moving into a new home, these are simple steps you can take to stamp your own personality on a property straight away.

It is also worth investing in quality fixtures in the home – appliances and electronics such as ovens, fridge freezers, tech, heating controls and dishwashers are worth spending a little extra money on as their quality means they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.

5. Money-saving double glazing
Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home, with single paned windows capable of emitting around 84% of a room’s heat. To safeguard your home for the future, consider investing in double glazing to retain heat in your property and save money.

Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double-glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further.

Older windows can look outdated, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium, will transform the look of your home outside and in and continue to look smart over time.

6. A spacious conservatory
A brand-new conservatory extension is a great way to add a light and airy room to your home. The versatile space is ideal for a whole host of uses, and can function as a dining room, playroom, living area or home office.

This option may suit you and your family more than choosing a traditional extension, as it provides a space with a different feel to the rest of the home and helps to bring the outdoors in with plenty of natural light.

News, Property

SMART Balustrades expands product range as demand for outside space soars following lockdown

Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and house builders, handrail and balustrades specialist SMART Balustrades has expanded its services – adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Staffordshire-based SMART Balustrades experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from home owners and house builders looking to add outside space and new living areas to existing properties.

A recent report by YouGov found that 14% of home buyers now see a balcony as more important following the pandemic*.

Steel frame platform balconies are subject to planning, but can easily be attached to the walls of properties and are a cost-effective way to add additional space and value to homes.

David Hough, managing director of SMART Balustrades, said: “With housebuilding in the UK at a 30-year high and the impact of Covid-19 on our lifestyle choices, there is now a significantly increased demand for home improvements including expanding or adding outside space.

“As platform balconies are not part of the structure of a property, they do not eat into the internal space of the home, but rather create new living areas – ideal for outdoor living, entertaining and simply additional storage space.

“I think following the year we have had we are all a little more appreciative of our environment and nature, and the need to access fresh air when we can. Because of this people are looking for ways to create their own outside space at home – or even if they have an existing garden – a space they can access directly from a lounge or bedroom.

“These products are popular with both private home owners as well as developers of residential schemes; as they add coveted outside space but also increase sale value.

“Myself and the SMART Balustrades team are pleased to now offer platform balconies as part of our services and are already busy installing them on sites across the country.”

SMART Balustrades provides a range of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, as well as glass Juliet balconies, which are manufactured at its Burntwood production facility. The firm is part of the Unitech Group and its portfolio includes luxury hotels, universities, retail and leisure facilities, housing developments and private dwellings.

 

Homeowner Advice, News

Working from home again? Four smart home improvements to keep your home insulated

It’s starting to look like we will all be spending a little more time at home again over the next few months and with the colder weather approaching, it could be a costly time for home owners.

With more people working from home once again and curfews being introduced, it’s an opportune time to invest in insulating your home – not just to keep it cosy – but also efficient in terms of heat retention and cost savings.

John Evans of home improvement specialists Stormclad, said: “Over the last six months we have all spent more time at home than usual, and our homes now more than ever play a vital role in keeping us safe and secure as well as being the backdrop to home working, home schooling and everything in between.

“To ensure the home remains a pleasant place to be for all the family, temperature plays an key role and as it begins to get colder outside, it could be the perfect time to make home improvements to increase the homes thermal efficiency.

“There are a number of simple modifications you can make to your home to reduce heat which can be installed in a matter of hours, days or weeks.”

Draught-proofing

There are countless gaps in our homes that we usually never even think about. However, these are letting out the warmth from, and letting the cold inside. Often you can fill all the gaps and holes yourself with some simple DIY.

Internal doors are a good place to start when trying to cover drafts. You can buy removable draft excluders such as the classic sausage dog, or have a draught excluding door seal fitted underneath the door. Ensure you keep these shut as often as possible to retain the heat in each room, and to stop draughts coming through.

Replace windows with modern double glazing

Windows are one of the most prone areas to heatloss in the home. An old single paned window will emit around 84% of a room’s heat into the cold air outside so it is definitely worth the investment.

Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further.

Older windows can look outdated and deteriorate quickly, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium will transform the look of your home outside and in.

External door replacements

Older doors are prone to holes and gaps which allows draughts to enter the home. Doors can often become warped and unsettled in their existing frame, which means its time for an upgrade.

Solid wood doors are a popular choice as timber is a natural insulator, absorbing and retaining heat, as well as composite doors, which are a thick door made of a combination of timber and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – a robust thermo-plastic door skin.

Top tip: Ensure your door is fitted with a quality letterbox flap or brush, to reduce the amount of heat loss from the letterbox.

Conservatory refurbishments

Do you avoid this room in the winter because it’s too cold? Could this be your new home office? Making changes to your old conservatory can vastly reduce the amount of heat lost and make the space welcoming and usable all year round.

Older conservatories are often made with plastic polycarbonate roofs which have very little thermal insulation. Replacing the roof with high performance glass, a solid roof or a combination of the two, is one of the most effective improvements you can make to increase a conservatory’s thermal efficiency, which not just affects the conservatory but the whole homes thermal efficiency.