Blogs

Homeowners waste over £100 on help for small DIY jobs

woman doing small DIY jobs

●     Two thirds (66%) of young homeowners (18-34 year olds) are planning a home improvement project this year

●     Three quarters (75%) don’t feel confident enough to put up curtain poles, blinds and light fixtures themselves

●     Younger homeowners are spending over £100 on getting a professional for a small DIY job they could do themselves

 

Younger homeowners are wasting over £100 on professionals for each small DIY jobs that they could do themselves.

Two thirds (66%) of 18-34-year-old homeowners are planning on completing a home improvement project this year, but new research has revealed the significant sums of money they are wasting by getting a professional in to do minor jobs.

Staircasing explained: moving up to 100% ownership of  your home

staircasing on shared ownership - wooden stairs

Victoria Galligan, Editor of Homefocus magazine, explains the term staircasing and how it means you can own ALL of your own home via shared ownership…

It’s understandable that the term “shared ownership” can make people wary at first – if you don’t own 100% of your property, it’s natural to wonder about the possibilities and have questions about what happens if your situation changes. 

Shared Ownership offers buyers the opportunity to purchase a percentage share of a property (between 25% and 75% of the home’s full market value) paying a subsidised rent on the remaining share. 

BBQ safety – an expert guide

BBQ safety – men at the grill in a garden

It's true: there’s nothing quite like dining under the warmth of the sun, in the great outdoors. It’s not surprising then that, when the weather is right, many of us jump at the chance to fire up the BBQ at every available opportunity – and if we have a heatwave like last summer then chances are you'll be doing this a lot this summer. BBQs can be a great excuse to bring friends and family together, but they can also be fraught with potential health hazards. Whether it’s ensuring food is cooked thoroughly and at the right temperature, or keeping people at a safe distance from the heat of the grill, it’s important to stay aware of BBQ safety so that everyone can relax and enjoy without risk of injury.

3 simple garden makeover tips

A gas BBQ is a great addition to any garden makeover

The rise of entertaining at home is apparent in the UK. Therefore, there’s a need to keep your garden space clean and tidy at all times. Admittedly, we aren’t all experts and we can often neglect our spaces during the colder months. In fact, the British public are wasting up to £672 million each year as we don’t know how to best look after our garden space. Here, with plenty of time to make sure you have your space in the best condition for the warmer climes, we look at how best to approach a garden makeover.

Creating the perfect reading corner with Oak Furnitureland

Oak Furnitureland bookshelf

There’s no better pleasure than curling up with a good book and getting lost in a fictional world – no matter how old you are! Here, Oak Furnitureland is sharing its top tips on how to create the perfect cosy reading nook within your home.

1. A statement bookcase is an obvious place to start. Somewhere to not only store and display your book collection, but somewhere that also inspires and relaxes you. Choose a shape, colour and style that you like and complements your home and the room it’s in. 

2. Tall bookshelves also work well to section a room up. If you don’t have much space or a separate room you can dedicate to reading, place a bookshelf sideways into the room to create the ideal room divider for some privacy. 

The rise of home entertaining

Home entertaining - a drinks table in a garden

We love to socialise in the UK. A good old-fashioned chinwag is something we love to partake in. However, we have been moving away from socialising in public in ​favour of bringing the party to our homes. In 2001, reports found that just over half of the UK’s adults would prefer friends come over to their house to socialise rather than head to a pub or restaurant. This figure had substantially risen to 75% by 2017. And with two pubs on average closing each day in Britain, the rise of home entertaining is clearly having an effect. 

But, what is so appealing about home entertaining? 

Winter is coming! Seven simple tips to winter-proof your home and save money

Seven simple tips to proof your home for winter

The last British winter was one of the coldest on record. With the days now getting shorter and the nights getting colder, Hitachi Personal Finance has put together a list of seven simple tips which means you can protect and prepare your home for winter, saving money while you’re at it.

Insulate your home

HOMEBUILDER OFFERS TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE WHILE MOVING HOME WITH CHILDREN OVER CHRISTMAS

David Wilson Homes Toddler Tip 5 - Get used to your surroundings

Leading housebuilder David Wilson Homes is offering Northamptonshire homebuyers its five top tips for moving home safely with young children over the festive period.

With a range of properties across the county that will be ready to move in before the big day, the developer wants to ensure people have a hassle-free move and keep their children safe. 

Jason Hearn, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes South Midlands, said:

Barratt Homes Donation Helps Pupils Reflect On Walk To School Month

Children wearing Barratt Homes vests

Pupils at Wixams Tree Primary School have received a donation of hi-vis vests from Barratt Homes to help them remain safe and seen as part of Walk to School Month.

Barratt Homes Northampton has given the school 35 of the safety jackets for their pupils to wear whilst walking to and from school, ensuring they can be easily seen on the roads as the darker nights draw in.

Walk to School Month runs for the duration of October and encourages pupils to celebrate the journey to school on foot.

The homebuilder’s development Willow Grove is located close to Wixams Tree Primary School and the donation of hi-vis vests is a part of Barratt Homes’ commitment to the education facility.