home advice

Moving or Improving your home

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I have posted so much content in relation to your home, and for good reason. It’s the hub of your entire life. It’s where you come home after a hard days graft and its where you enjoy the days off. Ultimately, it’s got to be the best place to relax, unwind and enjoy spare time with friends, family or just Netflix!

As we near the very busy festive period, we are once again struck with, ‘how in hell am I going to cope this year?‘ Whether it be space wise and fitting in your ten thousand aunts on Christmas Afternoon, or whether It be how your kitchen will cope under the strain of Christmas dinner. It may even be for New Years Eve. You would love to host a bash with friends and family but your home is just not up for it!

Yes, this time of year really can make you turn on your own home.

Whether this is the last year you have to struggle, or you can shoe horn some improvements quickly, there are ways around it, whatever your budget or your agenda. Here’s a couple of things to consider for your New Years improvements.

Read : Budget friendly kitchen upgrades

Consider : Move or improve?

This is the biggest question and for some its a straight answer. But, if you have currently a home bursting at the seams, but the opportunity to extend, than it’s no straight yes no answer I’m afraid. Improving your home, whilst may seem expensive, can work out to be much cheaper than making a move. Plus, it can give you the opportunity to make money on your current property and doesn’t take as much effort as packing up and moving sticks.

When considering whether moving, or straight up improving is the best answer, consider the current value of your home and whether improvements will be worth the cost. Many forget that properties do have ceiling prices and whilst spending tens of thousands of pounds improving and expanding may seem the best answer, it can work out money wasted, especially if you won’t get it back when you re-sell.

Up , Down, Side to side.

So, you’ve decided to improve where you are and not sure how? Well, many properties will give the opportunity to expand in many areas including loft conversions, single storey extensions, conservatories and more. One thing to bare in mind are things like building regulations and planning permissions. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of those, it may be wise to consider a single storey extension that is within permit whereby planning permission is not required.

Extensions which include fixed glass rooflights are in hugeee demand, and rightly so. They really make an impression to a room and look utterly stunning. You may consider using bi-fold doors which also give you the illusion of the outside in. If you’re moving up and don’t want to lose too much light, you may consider Walk on glass floors. They look fantastic and add a little quirk to any home. Choosing the right fixtures and design of your extension can make a hugeee impact on the new space you create within your home.

Moving & Improving

Nahh, you wanna move – you’re not that keen on the area and you just need more space! One thing to really consider, when you are moving is budget. Time and time again many will turn down a property because it doesn’t carry what they want, right now! Moving can include improving too. 3 Bedroom properties are more expensive than a 2 bed, although a 2 bed can carry the opportunity for expansion to include that much needed extra room. Taking this ideal when hunting for your next property might give you 1 : the chance to create a home perfect for you and 2 : a property that will return your investment. PLUS, the property that has less now, can be cheaper, giving you the money to do improvements right away. Essentially, these properties that have the ability to become everything you want and need should be considered and not written off.

I love this topic. Homes are sooo important and many of us can feel helpless when knowing what the best decision and move is for them. Truth is, only you will know the best decision, but hey, you could always do with some guidance right? So, let’s just say, this is defiantly something I will be expanding on in the New Year, ahead of property plans and improvements for 2019.

Are you struggling for space where you are?

You looking to move next year?

Lifestyle | Winter heating tips for New homeowners*

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Being warm and cosy in our home in the winter can be a little stressful for many of us!

Keeping our bills low and affordable, but refraining from freezing and making yourself ill can be a real balancing act, especially with gas and electric bills on the rise. There is nothing worse than not being able to heat your property efficiently, whether it be through financial overspend or boiler troubles.

That’s why, when I was contacted a couple of weeks ago to par-take in the #Winterwarminghelp campaign, I was all ears. There are plenty of ways you can heat your home this winter, without the stress of large gas bills or a broken / faulty boiler, and I’m gonnah outline a few here.

Smart Metres |

If you haven’t considered a smart metre before, it’s defiantly something worth looking into. It’s the newest way to track and monitor your usage of both Gas and Electric, as well as where your pennies are going on your utilities. It can literally change your living habits and save you money at the same time. If you would like to know where your money is going, and how you can cut your bills and usage considerably, get onto your current provider to know their schemes. Some providers offer their customers a smart metre for Free, whether you be a pay as you go customer, or on a tariff.

Boiler & Heating Cover |

There is nothing worse than when your boiler or heating is on the blink and you can literally smell the money you will burn just trying to get it fixed. There is also that small fear every time you turn the heating on or up, that it may not just work and go kaput. Butttt, if you’re clever and have boiler and heating cover, you never have to worry, nor at least about how much it will put you out of pocket. Gas providers offer their customers a pay monthly service in which can cover the boiler and heating system. Should anything go wrong, they will come on out and fix the problem for you right away. This paying monthly option can help relieve the stress of the winter months, and can mean your boiler and heating can be fixed in next to no time!

Active heating systems |

Whilst these may seem a little alien, because they certainly do to me, they can be the most useful and up to date pieces to add to your home, that could work out much more fruitful than initially imagined. So what is it? Well, its a system that allows you to control your heating and hot water from a app on a smart phone, tablet or laptop. You will never have to heat a empty home again, and can always walk in from work with a heating system just turning on in time for that long hot bath! Not only can active heating systems save you time and money, but the worry of having a cold home when you coming in from work. Many providers include systems like Hive within their tariffs at an additional monthly cost.

Shop around |

Do not be afraid to shop around for a good deal. It pays to ask around for the best price, and then go back to your current provider with other deals you have found. As with anything, shopping for new tariffs with other providers can knab you a ruddy good deal even with your current provider and can save you plenty in the long run!

So whether you are worried for the remainder of winter, or want to prepare for the next one, speak to British Gas  for the newest in technology and tariffs to find you one that will help in case of a emergency, or give you less stress of rising bills!!

Do you use any smart metres or active heating systems? 
 
Any advice for those who worry about rising heating costs? 
 
Start some natter in the comment section below! 

* This is a collaborative post with Contact Numbers Uk.