Everyone loves those late summer evenings when you can sit outside in the warmth and enjoy some peace and quiet, or entertain with family and friends. If you're lucky enough to have some garden space, you've more than likely treated yourself to some garden furniture, and a popular choice is wooden. It looks amazing in the showroom and when it's just been installed, but over time weathering can turn it silver or grey. Spring is ideal for taking a few days to clean it up and treat it so it's in excellent condition ready for those sunny days! Types of wooden furniture: These tend to be separated ..read more

With the constant chilly temperatures and presence of water everywhere - whether it be rain or that morning frost - and our efforts to keep our homes nice and cosy inside, buildings are at risk of suffering from damp. Structural damp is when moisture gets into a building (either from outside, or from a build-up of condensation/steam) and can cause structural problems, health issues associated with mould and damage to belongings. What are the signs of damp? Discoloured ceilings, clammy walls, stain marks on various surfaces, flaking paint or peeling wallpaper are common, as are mould patches ..read more

Don't hate us for saying it, but Christmas is fast approaching! At the time of writing this, we still don't quite know what the holiday season is going to look like for us all, but if there's one thing we know for sure it's people are getting their lights and decorations out as early as they can to bring some cheer to the final months of 2020. In this post we're taking a look at Christmas lights and how to make sure your display is safe as well as festive. Make sure you have the correct type of light. Retailers offer both indoor and outdoor lights, and many look the same. So why do you need ..read more

Everyone likes a bit of DIY - whether an amateur or someone who's been doing it for years. There's nothing like being able to look at a completed project and say 'I did that!', or get one of those niggling jobs done without needing to call in a professional. But according to NHS figures, DIY-related accidents that are serious enough to warrant a trip to a doctor's surgery or hospital can cost the NHS approx. £222 million a year. In this post we look at various tips to help keep you safe when you're considering that spot of DIY. - Read the instructions. If you're trying to fit or construct so ..read more

We're moving quickly into the winter months with the longer evenings and more unpredictable weather, and the garden is less of a joy to work in and more of a chore! To keep it in good condition and get it ready for spring planting, there are still some jobs to do over the next four months. December - Clean & maintain garden tools - Harvest remaining root crops such as parsnips, sprouts and late potatoes - Insulate outside taps to prevent freezing - Dig over empty borders ready for planting in the spring - Prune climbers and trees such as Japanese maples, roses, fruit trees and wisteria ..read more

Days are getting shorter and darker; the weather is turning and winter is definitely coming. The colder season can cause all sorts of problems for the home and garden, so here are a few maintenance tasks that should be on everyone’s winter checklist. Don't forget to consider security around your property too; read our previous post here. Interior - Check your loft insulation to make sure it's fitted correctly and you have the right amount. This could make a huge difference to your energy bills and mean your home is warmer over the winter months. Consult with a professional if you're not sure ..read more

You may already have seen Mags featuring on some of our social media posts, but if you haven't, here's a little introduction to her. She kindly agreed last year to come in and supervise the office whilst her human, Martin, goes out to work and has been a key member of our team since then. Read below for an insight into her daily routine! 9am - trained the girls in the office to have a nutritious breakfast ready for me to gain energy for the day. Spend about five minutes subsequently cleaning up. 9:05 - 11:30am - move around the office, warming areas of the floor to ensure even coverage and e ..read more

As the evenings draw in and the daylight hours shorten, the opportunities for petty theft and burglary arise. Now's the time to start thinking about security around your property to deter would-be thieves and trespassers and alert you to any unusual activity. Take a look at our list of ideas to help keep your peace of mind both when you're at home and whilst you're away. 1. Keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world. Smart security cameras can be accessed from an app and means you can see and even hear (in some cases!) what is going on in and around your property at the touch of a bu ..read more

Most of us who have attics/lofts keep them purely for storage, a dusty rarely used space that is home to Christmas decorations and old mementos that we don’t want cluttering up the house but can't yet bear to part with. We all want extra space but don't want to go through the hassle of moving, so look to maximising the space we have already. You may be surprised to know that converting your loft space may not be as expensive or daunting as you think! Should I convert my loft? Most houses are perfectly suitable - the minimum height you need for a loft conversion is 2.2meters; any lower and unf ..read more

With recent instructions from the government to go back to working from home (where you can), people are beginning to settle in for the foreseeable future and give themselves a more permanent 'office' space at home. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a dedicated room in the house but it is important to try and create the boundary between home and work. Here are our ten tips to keep you productive while working remotely! 1. Maintain your typical working hours. Many of us who work in an office environment will work from 9-5. Keep this routine up when WFH as this will make it easier to swit ..read more