Electrician Archives | Page 2 of 2

Make Home Safe: Install a Security System

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

Making your home safe is easier than you think; by simply installing a security system you will make your entire property significantly safer for you and your family. If you plan ahead and choose the right system, it will be a cost-effective investment that will definitely pay off.

Although there are a lot of DIY security systems and solutions available, it’s always recommended to rather have a professional install your home security system to ensure that everything works as it should and to have a guarantee on the workmanship.

Here are a few key components to a modern home security system:

An alarm panel with keypad. This is the main panel and the ‘brain’ behind your alarm system. You can use the keypad to switch features on or off and you can quickly see if there are any problem areas in your home, or where an intruder might be.
Sensors. The sensors of every alarm system are at the heart of its security. It monitors your doors and windows for any motion and will sound an alarm when a door or window is opened. These should be installed at every window and door in the home.
Motion detectors. These are typically positioned in every room of the house, usually in the corners. It picks up any movement throughout the room and will sound the alarm when movement is detected. You can choose which motion sensors to ignore, for e.g. the ones in your bedroom while you are asleep.
Security beams. Beams are usually put outdoors to help detect any unwanted movement in your yard. You can have them trigger the alarm when movement is sensed or you can have a silent alarm warn you inside the house.
Cameras. CCTV cameras can be installed with your home security system to help you monitor your property. You can set the cameras to record as well so that you have footage available should something happen.

Most DIY systems don’t offer advanced services such as panic buttons, carbon monoxide monitoring or pet-immune motion sensors. To avoid the risk of your system not being properly installed, work with a professional security installer to handle your home security system.

It’s a proven fact that a home security system can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim of theft and it can give you the peace of mind you need when you are not home. Plus, installing a security system at home can also reduce your insurance premium so that’s always a benefit for any homeowner.

If you are looking to have a security system installed, visit HaMuch to find a reliable and qualified security installer in your area and make your home a safer place.

Summer Home Improvement: Ceiling Fan Installation

1st July 2018 Patrick Smith

With this warmer weather homeowners like you will want to be enjoying their home by turning it into comfortable, enjoyable spaces. You can make a few minor changes to your house to turn it into an enjoyable summer house, and one of the easiest ways to do that east to install modern ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans are not only great to keep you cool during the summer, but it can also help you to save energy on your cooling costs. This is why it is important to make sure that you choose the right type of ceiling fan and that they are professionally installed.

While ceiling fans the necessary completely cool down the room, it does help to circulate air throughout the house and this results in a lower temperature overall. Whereas an air conditioner requires you to have all doors and windows closed, ceiling fans are comfortable to use as you can keep the doors and windows open throughout the home.

Installing A Ceiling Fan

Modern ceiling fans come with a variety of options, including having the fan only, or with a light as well. Some of the standard ceiling fans consist of six plates and can easily cool down a standard room in no time.

When it comes to a roof fan installation, the process is not extremely difficult, however, it’s important to know the basics so that you can get it right the first time and safely, so you will always need to hire a professional certified electrician or ventilation engineer to do that. With Hamuch you can find electricians for your ceiling fan installation near you in few clicks.

They’ll start by measuring the ceiling slope, removing the old lightbox to install a fan brace, assemble and hang the fan, and finally wiring it and switching it on. Let’s go into a little more detail.

Measure the ceiling slope. They use a two-feet level against the ceiling and measure the vertical distance from the ceiling to the level. Then, divide that number by two and you’ll have the drop over 12 inches of horizontal run. This will help determining the blade diameter you need. Most manufacturers require that the blades of a fan be at least seven inches above the floor.
Install a new fan brace. Next, it’s needed to remove the old box in order to install a brand-new fan brace. The engineer will shut off the power before you start then remove the current electrical box loose from the framing with a block of wood and a hammer and pull the electrical wires loose from the hole.
Install the new box and wiring hanger. Now they’ll be able to feed the new wire through the clamp of the new box, position the box over the screws, and tighten the nuts. Crimp grounding wire around the grounding screw and tighten.
Assemble the fan. Finally, the engineer will assemble the fan and hang it. Place the motor right side up and thread through the downrod, into the mounting collar. Then assemble the wiring, and it’ll be ready to switch it on.

Installing an electric ceiling fan can be a great benefit to your home, especially during those hot summer months. That’s why you need to ensure that you have all the right tools available or work with an experienced contractor to turn your home into a cool environment that is not only cost-effective but energy efficient as well. Use Hamuch for all your home improvement needs.

Improve your property value: Rewiring your house

7th May 2018 Patrick Smith

Considering the vast number of electrical items we use around the house in our everyday lives, rewiring your house every few years is really not a bad idea. A proper full rewiring of your house would mean that the electrical wiring contained in each room of your house would be replaced. Ranging from the switches, light fittings to sockets, each will be removed and replaced with new ones. While rewiring your house might not increase property value per se, but it will definitely save you from picky buyers from noticing such issues and trying to reduce the price because of this.

As for getting a hold of reliable electricians for all of your electrical rewiring needs in addition to other professionals for your entire house renovating needs, installations and other miscellaneous requirements, be sure to check out hamuch.com. Find professionals from the comfort of your home!

The Background

Old electrical wiring can be harmful for your home, especially if you have young children around. In some properties, the construction implies that the walls cannot be drilled. In such cases, new wiring would have to be done through plastic trunking. This all falls under electrical installations.

You can get permission from your housing office to test electrical circuits or electrical fittings in your home in order to determine whether or not they should be rewired. Items such as security lights, electrical showers, doorbells, alarms and all other similar fittings that have been installed without permission can be tested and if they do not pass electrical safety tests, it can be disconnected.

When to Rewire and How Much?

You may be wondering, “does my house need rewiring?” and “how much does it cost to rewire my house”? In order to determine whether or not your house needs rewiring, it’s best to hire a professional to come and check out all of your circuits and electrical fittings. How often you need to rewire will vary house to house. A good interval between rewiring can range anywhere from one decade to two-three decades. The cost for an average home for rewiring can be anywhere from £2,000-£7,000. These details will need to sorted out with your housing unit or local electrical contractors.

The Time Required

On an average, rewiring your whole house can take 7-10 days to complete. If other areas of work are found while being inspected, it can take more than 10 days.

For safety precautions you will need to move aside all of your electronics, cover up certain home equipment and work out the details prior to the electrical work commencing. It’s always better to take extra precautions opposed to the minimum.

Post Rewiring

Once your home has been rewired, make sure to check out all of the circuits and fittings to make sure things are running smoothly and are hazard free.

Apart from major electrical needs, there are often minor electrical needs (i.e. electrical installations or electrical fuses), that pop up without warning on a regular basis. For such cases, it’s always a good idea to keep the number of an electrical contractor, emergency electrician or local electricians available in the house. Emergency numbers could be put up on the fridge or on a bulletin board.

Remember, safety is priority. It’s always better safe than sorry.

Getting a Smart Thermostat

27th March 2018 [email protected]

Purchasing a smart thermostat will help you set the right temperature throughout the day and in accordance to your daily schedules, making your life a whole lot easier; not to mention, smart thermostats save you heaps of time and money.

What is a Smart Thermostat?

If you haven’t heard about a smart thermostat, it’s basically a thermostat with advanced communication and connection features which allows you to set up automatic temperature settings based on your daily needs and individual schedules. Certain thermostats with Wi-Fi connectivity have advanced functions that can be made great use of.

Programmable or Non-programmable Thermostats

Smart thermostats can either be programmable or non-programmable. Programmable Thermostats can help you to set your house temperature automatically based on preset timings. This will help to conserve energy since the device will ensure minimizing the temperature while you are out of home and maximize the temperature while you are home. Non-programmable thermostats on the other hand require the homeowner to put it in the heat or cool mode manually.

Digital Thermostat are the new line of thermostats in the market that do not contain moving parts to measure the temperature. There are built in thermistors and resistance temperature detectors to measure the temperature. The overall built up of digital thermostats is different to old thermostats that require constant setting.

Different Types of Thermostats

The following is a list of several types of thermostats that you can consider purchasing based on your specific requirements:

Nest Thermostat – under non-programmable thermostats, this is considered the best smart wi-fi thermostat presently available in the market. This one is considered extremely intelligent and helps to save energy.

Honeywell Thermostat or Honeywell Wireless Thermostat – this smart wi-fi thermostat is similar to the nest thermostat but is available at cheaper prices. You can purchase the honeywell thermostat in different colours as well. When it comes to non-programmable thermostats, this thermostat is in highest demand as it is easy to set and has a smart look to it. The features of a simultaneous display of set temperature and current temperature, slide switches which make switching from heat to cool or vice versa easy and overall ease of usage make it a favourite among home owners.

Ecobee Smart Thermostat- this thermostat has the features of Nest Thermostat or Honeywell, except it is available in cheaper rates.

Central Heating Thermostat – these thermostats work to keep the house heated. There are a variety of central heating thermostats available in the market.

Warmup Thermostat – this thermostat, similar to central heating thermostats works to keep the house warm.

Smart Heating Controls – smart heating controls include connecting with your phone to make note of its location in order to control your heating. Basically, depending on how far or how close you are from home helps the app determine which temperature to keep your house in for your comfort. Certain apps need to be downloaded in order to keep your phone connected with the thermostat. Over 30% of energy can be saved using some of the smart heating controls.

If you haven’t purchased a smart thermostat yet, it’s time to consider switching to one to make your lives more comfortable. After all, the right home temperature can either ruin your day or make it complete. Last but not the least, keep all your heating systems running smooth by providing regular servicing. Find the best heating engineers near you ASAP with hamuch.com for quick and easy setup and installation of your thermostat and stay free of all the troubles and worries!

First time buyers: Top Five Tips to Avoid Homeowner Hassles

27th March 2018 [email protected]

Buying your first house can be a stressful experience. Once all of the legal dealings are out of the way, and you’ve popped the cork on your ‘welcome to your new home’ bottle of champagne, the reality sets in – everything from the bricks and mortar to the knives and forks are now your responsibility.
We at HaMuch have put together our top five tips to help make your first home run like a dream.

1. Find the essentials

When you first move in, it can be tempting to focus on where the TV will go and what colour the spare bedroom will be, first make sure you find the essentials. Locate your gas and electricity meters, the fuse box, and the stopcock on day one. Once all your boxes are unloaded from the moving van, you should take readings from your meters, as your suppliers will need this information, and it will avoid you getting over charged.
If you can find your fuse box in the dark and can access (and shut off) your stopcock valve quickly, you will be covered for most major emergencies. When you need the services of an electrician or a plumber, they will ask you where these are, so it’s handy to tell them straight away.

A fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper can help to make it your own

2. Put your own stamp on it

One of the best things about owning your own home is that you can decorate it the way you like. A fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper can help to make it your own. If you’re not keen to get out the pasting table or paint brushes, it’s worth finding a good local decorator who can work their magic on your walls and get the look you want.
If you peel back the paper to reveal a cracked or problematic wall, a good plasterer should be able to skim it for you, making it the perfect surface to paint. You can then hang your mirrors, pictures and shelves to your heart’s content.

Find trusted certified tradespeople in your area

3. Make friends with tradespeople

You’ve committed a lot of money to your new home, so it’s easy to become nervous when jobs too complicated for DIY need doing. Find trusted, certified tradespeople in your area, so you won’t need to worry next time your boiler needs servicing or you need a new plug socket.
Make sure your electrician is regulated to meet UK safety standards, your plumber is WIAPS approved and your gas engineer is on the Gas Safe Register. You can check all of this information from HaMuch when finding a tradesperson.

Double-glazing will also save your money long term on your heating bills

4. Check your security

When you first move in, it is worth making sure you’re happy that the doors and windows are secure. Consider changing the locks if the house is not a new build, or replacing the windows if they’re not double-glazed. This will make your home feel safer and give you peace of mind. Double-glazing will also save you money long term on your heating bills.
You may also choose to invest in a burglar alarm or security lights to help keep your home safe when you’re away. Make sure you choose a reputable company to fit these to make sure you get a reliable service.

A good local gardener on the case will help you fool the neighbour into thinking you're Monty Don with minimum effort

5. Consider the extras

If your house or garden is large, or if you’re working full time, think about hiring a cleaner or a gardener to help keep your house looking its best. It can lift your spirits considerably to come home to a spotless house, and having a cleaner to look after this for you can take a load off your mind.
Gardens can start to look drab without regular TLC, and if you’re not green-fingered, this can start to feel like a chore. Getting a good local gardener on the case will help you fool the neighbours into thinking you’re Monty Don with minimum effort.

HaMuch has more than 11,000 trusted local tradespeople who can help with every homeowner hassle.

DIY Disasters and How to Avoid Them

27th March 2018 [email protected]

Some of us are blessed with almost professional level skills when it comes to home improvements. People who can turn their hand to most repairs or renovations, and looking like they’ve been visited by the Grand Designs team, can be the envy of their less able friends
For others, though, DIY can be a DI-Saster, and end up costing time, money and heartache in the long run. Don’t let that put you off though. With some research, some careful planning, and sometimes a visit from the professionals, you can improve your home for relatively little cost.
Here’s the HaMuch guide to DIY disasters, and how to avoid them.

1. Paint

Painting the walls is a quick and easy way to spruce up your home, sometimes damage can be caused when we whip out the emulsion. A knocked-over paint can or a dripping brush can cause hundreds of pounds worth of damage to your carpets and flooring.
Make sure you cover the whole floor area under where you’re painting with a dust sheet, and be careful when moving ladders around near your paint, to avoid spillages. Alternatively, you can find a decorator through HaMuch, and they will do a professional job and clean up when they go.

2. Plumbing

Never, under any circumstances, attempt plumbing on your own if you’ve had no formal training. Even though the pipes and fittings may look simple from the outside, they are incredibly complex, and can cause severe water damage to your home if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you have a plumbing emergency, the best way to deal with it is to locate the stopcock and switch off your water to avoid flooding or water damage, and find a qualified plumber through HaMuch to make any repairs.

3. Electrics

Unless you have been professionally trained, you should never attempt any electrical installations yourself. Find a trusted, qualified electrician through HaMuch, and you will have the peace of mind that the new electrics are safe and up to UK standards.
Electrical disasters can occur with basic home improvements too, as, for example, many people accidentally drill holes through wires when hanging pictures or mirrors. Most DIY shops sell basic wire and cable detectors, that can quickly tell you whether it’s safe to drill or not.

4. Building Work

It’s the brave DIY-er who would attempt any form of extension or building work on their own. If you’re looking to make any big structural changes to your home, make sure you consult your local authority to see if you need planning or building control permission before you start.
You can find a trusted, local builder through HaMuch, who will be able to give you a quote as to how much the work will cost, and can advise you on any permissions you need to seek.

5. Central Heating

Installation, servicing and repairs of gas central heating systems should always be carried out by a Gas-Safe qualified engineer (formally CORGI). DIY installations can risk carbon monoxide poisoning as well as expensive damage to your home, so always find a trusted engineer through HaMuch.
To get the best from your boiler, get it serviced every 12 months to make sure it is still safe and working efficiently. This will save you money long-term on your energy bills, as well as avoiding potentially costly breakdowns.

How to Avoid Kitchen Sink Dramas

27th March 2018 [email protected]

House maintenance can seem like an endless battle with homeowners banging their heads against the wall when it feels like yet another repair needs doing, or the boiler is on the blink – again!

Whatsmore, homeowners tend to agree that finding the right tradesperson for a job can be a real challenge, and many people are left scratching their heads not knowing where to start their search or who to trust.

Here are three simple steps to find the right person for the job, avoiding the pain and strain of poor services, and instead feeling confident while the true professionals take care of your much-loved home.

1. Check and compare costs

You might have a quick job that will only take a couple of hours, or you may be considering a project in your home that will take weeks or months to complete. Likewise your budget may be tight and you need to get the job done on a shoestring, or you could have a big pot to play with to wave a magic wand, transforming your house.

Whatever your budget, you will want to check and compare costs quickly and easily. HaMuch allows you to simply check costs for jobs by the hour, and by the day. All the costs are open and visible on the website, there is complete transparency. So, all you need to do is search for a tradesperson in your area, and use HaMuch to compare the costs. Easy!

2. Check and compare availability

HaMuch has created a unique feature to make your life considerably easier when searching for available tradespeople.
With a cost-comparison feature to save you time when finding a service makes HaMuch stand out from the crowd. You can breathe a sigh of relief as the days of fruitless calls to unavailable traders taking you back to the drawing board time and time again – are over!

HaMuch has transformed finding an available tradesperson: one click, add your details, and the tradesperson will swiftly let you know their availability without the fuss.

3. Check credentials

Everyone has heard a ‘rogue trader’ story, or has watched programmes on the telly where people’s houses have been worse off for hiring the wrong person for the job. However, there is a quick and simple solution to get the very best people to work on your home and that is to check the credentials on the HaMuch website.

Simply search for the service you require in your area, click on a tradesperson and their credentials will appear alongside comments and ratings.

After your chosen tradesperson has completed their job, share your story by returning to HaMuch and rate their hard work, praise their performance with a high star rating and post a comment.

Checkatrade vs Rated People vs MyBuilder

27th March 2018 [email protected]

Comparison of Tradespeople Websites

On-line websites and Apps have changed the way we run our lives, Amazon is now the world’s retailer and while Uber has had a set-back, in London, it’s a safe bet that we will be using one Ride App or another instead of flagging down Taxis longer term.

Nowadays when we need a heating engineer near me or plumber near me how many of us still turn to Yellow Pages? How we find and select tradespeople is undergoing a similar revolution to retail and taxis with a range of websites offering new ways to simplify the process of selecting and communicating with electricians and builders (including Yellow pages with their online sister – Yell).

If you have used any of following tradespeople websites please give your feedback;

Websites	How websites work	Prices listed	Reviews listed
HaMuch	Tradespeople listed, customer contacts	Yes	Yes
Checkatrade	Tradespeople listed, customer contacts	No	Yes
Trustatrader	Tradespeople listed, customer contacts	No	Yes
Trusted Traders		No	Yes
Yell	Tradespeople listed, customer contacts	No	Yes
Local Heroes	Customer submits job, tradespeople respond	Yes	No
Rated People	Customer submit job, tradespeople respond	No	Yes
My Builder	Customer submits job, tradespeople respond	No	Yes

HaMuch

Customers see hourly and daily prices for tradespeople. Customers search and get a list of relevant local tradespeople ranked by cost. HaMuch is free to use, shows all contact details and other information such as business description, photographs and reviews plus some HaMuch tradespeople display discounts vouchers redeemable against call outs.

Very simple 3 step process;

Select Trade
Select more specific Service
Enter Postcode or Town