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Scourge of Festive Veg Causing Spike in Christmas Call-outs for Tradespeople

28th December 2018
christmas tradesman callout

From Brussel Sprouts blocking sinks to red-wine stained carpets and furniture, tradesmen at www.hamuch.com have revealed the most common reasons they’re contacted by panicking homeowners over the festive period.

The poll of 1,000 tradespeople from cleaners to plumbers has also revealed an 18% spike in the number of call-outs over this period, as people struggle to cope with the aftermath of the frenzied festive period.

Pete, a plumber at www.hamuch.com, said: “Homes have suffered over the Christmas period with blockages being a common issue. Dishwashers and sinks regularly need to be unclogged and the remnants of a festive dinner removed from the pipes….People can panic, particularly if they’ve tried to tackle the problems themselves but just end up making things even worse!”

What’s important to bear in mind is that a call-out over the Christmas period, particularly on the big day itself, can result in heftier charges than usual.

Tarquin Purdie, Founder & MD of pricing website www.hamuch.com said: “Accidents do happen and things can go wrong for no apparent reason, resulting in people needing to call in a tradesman.

“Household problems do not confine themselves to times when we are not relaxing at home with the family such as the festive period, and they even seem to spike during this period. This is probably because there is more demand on household appliances, more people using the house, and also there is more leftover food and rubbish to dispose of.”

Tarquin added: “The important thing to remember is that you can get a tradesman out over Christmas, but the call-out charge will be higher. Consumers should factor that in and decide whether any non-urgent issue can wait until after Christmas.”

Here are the Top Festive Aftermath issues identified by tradespeople at www.hamuch.com:

Upgrade Your House: Upgrade Your Bathroom – Design Tips

31st July 2018
bathroom upgrades

If you want to do upgrades to your house, your bathroom is often one of the best starting points. It is the one of the most popular rooms in the house, and one that will be used on a daily basis. That’s why you should carefully plan any bathroom upgrades and get the help of a professional if you want to do a decent bathroom renovation.

When renovating your bathroom, it is important to keep your budget in mind, to ensure that you can have a proper job done without compromising on quantity.

Here are a few great bathroom design tips from experts:

  • Try to stick to your existing layout, in order to avoid any additional costs to move plumbing around.
  • Think about how your bathroom will be used; if you love taking long baths, spend money on a decent bath to enjoy for years to come.
  • If you have a big family or entertain guests regularly, be sure to use quality fittings and never cut corners as this will easily start to show.
  • Keep an eye out for specials, even though it may take a bit longer to finish, it will save you money in the end.

Experts will also help you to save money when it comes to your walls and floors. They will show you different types of tiles that have a very realistic wood or stone effect but are much cheaper than real stone and wood. Plus, these tiles look great, they are very durable, and they come in a wide variety of designs that are perfect for your bathroom.

When it comes to sanitaryware, never go for cheap products; a cheap toilet for example, can often have a compromised flushing capability, which can lead to other issues down the line. An expert builder or designer can help you choose quality products for your bathroom renovation that will perfectly suit your specific bathroom layout.

If baths aren’t your thing, try to save money by purchasing a cheaper bath and rather spend time on a luxurious shower. If you don’t have space for both, you can choose to have a shower-bath installed that will offer the comfort of a both but the convenience of a shower.

Looking for a bathroom upgrade? Visit HaMuch to find an expert to help you upgrade your bathroom and improve your home.

How Much Does a New Bathroom Cost? Breakdown of Fees and Rates

18th June 2018
bathroom upgrades

Considering investing in a new bathroom for your home? Not sure how much it will cost? HaMuch breaks down the major costs to help you understand what kind of financial commitment you are making.

New bathrooms are one of the most popular areas of home improvement in the UK.

Spaces we spend much of our time in, with the potential to add great value to a property, renovations to bathrooms can have a major impact on the aesthetic appeal of a home. But, despite the fact they are often the smallest rooms in our house, improvements can still be costly.

So, how much does a new bathroom cost and is it affordable for you? Here, HaMuch breaks down the average cost of a new bathroom, looking at everything from individual item costs to fees and labour charges.

Average Cost of New Bathroom Fixtures

When kitting out a new bathroom, there are heaps of different fittings and fixtures you’ll need. Depending on your project, you may want to go for every item available, or pick up the bare essentials. Below is a list of everything you could possibly need:

Bath

  • Low range: £100
  • Mid range: £300
  • High end: £1000

Starting at £100, bath prices can rise to £1000 or more. More expensive baths are often made from higher-quality materials, are larger and feature bespoke designs.

Shower  

  • Low range: £50
  • Mid range: £200
  • High end: £1000

A basic shower fitted to a bath will cost you very little. However, prices start to spike as you consider larger options, multiple fittings and full shower screen setups.

Basin

  • Low range: £50
  • Mid range: £100
  • High end: £300

Basins are often inexpensive and you can pick up a nice design for only a little more than a budget option. Even high-end fixtures don’t tend to be much more expensive. This is due to the fact most are made of the same material; ceramic or porcelain.

Faucets

  • Low range: £20
  • Mid range: £50
  • High end: £120

A good pair of taps can be very cheap — the cheapest item on your bathroom shopping list. However, more appealing designs such as waterfall taps or a copper finish will set you back a little bit more.

Toilet

  • Low range: £50
  • Mid range: £200
  • High end: £500

If you are just looking for a simply designed, functional toilet, you won’t need to pay more than £50-£100. Prices can range up to the £500 mark, though, if you are in search of something a little more stylish.

Vinyl Flooring

  • Low range: £100
  • Mid range: £200
  • High end: £400

Cost of vinyl flooring is based off both design and floor space — usually by square metre. Expect to pay £15-30 per square metre, with the average bathroom space set around 8-10 square metres.

Counters

  • Low range: £60
  • Mid range: £150
  • High end: £500

As with all types of furniture, bathroom countertops and cabinets can be obtained for a range of prices. Simple flat-pack designs can be brought in for anything as low as £60. However, if you are looking for hardwood treated options, be prepared to pay much more.

Tiling

  • Low range: £200
  • Mid range: £800
  • High end: £2000

Tiling is the one place you’ll see most variance in price. This is purely down to the material used. Cheap tiles are inexpensive and doing entire walls will cost very little. Yet, the different types of materials out there is so varied that if you want something striking and unique, you could be looking at thousands of pounds

How Much Does A New Bathroom Cost? Don’t Forget Rates for Fitting!

When considering the average cost of a new bathroom, it’s important to remember that all your new elements must be fitted. This is something many opt for as a DIY project. However, we don’t recommend this.

A poorly fitted bathroom can be a nightmare scenario. Moisture has a habit of helping bodge jobs fall apart quicker than if they were in other rooms of the house, and the regular use means if not fitted properly, things can go downhill fast.

Getting in a professional tradesman to complete your new bathroom installation is recommended. But how much will this cost?

Labourer charges vary, depending on industry and experience. However, you are looking at around £100-£200 per day for your average professional bathroom installer. This will include the cost of plumbing work or electrical changes as needed.

Job sizes vary massively when installing a new bathroom, based not only on the size of the space, but also the scale of the job. Fitting a single bath will take a day, while a full refit on a large bathroom can take a month.

Labour Rates

Until a tradesman can come into your property and give you an accurate quotation based on what you need doing, it’s impossible to say exactly how much the price of fitting your bathroom will be. However, we can provide a rough estimation:

  • Single job: £150*
  • Small bathroom: £1500-£3000
  • Medium bathroom: £2500-£4000
  • Large bathroom: £3500-£5500

*This includes call out charge and the fitting of a single item, such as bath, shower or toilet.

Overall Average Cost of a New Bathroom

There are so many variable factors involved in the average cost of a new bathroom that it’s difficult to give a figure that works for everyone.

Instead, we suggest you use this blog as a basic guide, considering unique elements involved in your own project.

For example, you may have a medium-sized bathroom that will be equipped with budget tiles, flooring, basin and toilet, yet incorporate a high-end shower. Taking the numbers provided, you can build your own rough quote to help guide you in your search for the perfect bathroom.

Need to find a tradesman to fit your new bathroom? HaMuch is a directory full of local experts listed by their rates. Find competitive prices and get in the right person for the job here!

Home Improvement on a Budget: Install Water Filter

11th May 2018
Water filter installation for home improvement on a budget

There’s no question about water being a necessity in life. In fact, without water, there would be no life. When it comes to drinking water, drinking sufficient amounts of clean, hygienic water is key to remaining healthy. Water filters are being used all across the UK in order to bring fresh, great tasting water to you within the comfort of your home. Water softening is another method commonly being used to get rid of unwanted hard metal cautions that are typically found in water. Reverse osmosis is a modern method of technology for water purification, which uses a semi-permeable membrane in order to remove molecules, ions and other particles from drinking water.

Water Filter Options

There are different types of water filters in the UK for your home, ranging from main water filters, fridge water filters, tap water filters to water filter jugs. Fortunately with our available technology, we can opt to filter our water in jugs or straight out of the tap!

If you are looking for a good water purifier or water filtration system, there are numerous options out there that you can go with. Brita water filters are well known in UK households, providing a modern water filter for the home setting. Charcoal water filters use the method of carbon filtering, which uses a bed of stimulated carbon in order to get rid of impurities and contaminants through the process of chemical absorption. Alkaline water filters have the ability to not only filter your drinking water but also alkalize it. These filters do not hook up with a sink nor do they have variable ORP or PH ranks of water. Under sink water filters can be set up for those of you looking for something attached to the sink.

Then there are fridge water filters that conveniently remove any particulates or contaminants from the water that is put through the refrigerator’s water or ice dispenser area. Most modern refrigerators use a long filter cartridge that is fitted within the fridge, close to the grille. So it’s always a good idea to check out all of the functions of a refrigerator prior to purchasing. Inline water filters can be installed behind your fridge to help bring out better-tasting water and ice in your refrigerator.

Some of these water filtration systems or water softener systems require expert hands in order to avoid tampering with a refrigerator’s original settings. If you are uncomfortable working with equipment, it’s best to hire a professional who has experience with installations and other works that are similar in line. Many people want to get the latest water filter systems for their homes but are unable to due to feeling insecure about their abilities to install equipment. In fact, if you feel hesitant about upgrading your water filter system in the house due to not finding qualified men to get the installations done, make sure to check out hamuch.com. You are sure to find great wholesome deals on home professionals waiting to help you out with your installation as well as regular servicing in the future.

 

Improve your property value: Bathroom Renovation

9th May 2018
Impreve your property value with bathroom remodelling

Home is where the heart lies

Many will associate a person’s home with the person’s identity. As the saying goes, “home is where the heart lies”. A home is a person’s comfort zone, a place where their loved ones live and a safe haven of one’s valuable possessions. If the home is comfortable, the person residing in it will find ease and a sense of belonging every time they are home. Moreover, renovating your rooms and bathroom every now and then will increase your property value instead of undergoing depreciation.  

Your Bathroom- More than just a room for waste

Our bathrooms play an integral part within our homes. It’s nearly impossible to live without a bathroom inside our homes, in the 21st century at least.

Renovating your bathroom or giving your bathroom a makeover can be a great idea time to time. There are amazing bathroom designs, bathroom planners and bathroom renovations that come with outstanding bathroom decor available in the markets these days.

Bathroom Renovation

A bathroom renovation will imply getting the latest bathroom equipment for your bathroom and giving it a new look, even if it is a traditional one.

As for the price for your bathroom renovation, similar to all other forms of renovation, the price will be contingent on factors such as what kind of equipment you wish to use (i.e. the type of bathroom tiles or bathroom tiles design), whether it’s a small bathroom design or big bathroom design and the overall effort behind the full renovation.

The average cost of a new bathroom will range from £ 8000-£ 10000.

If you’re looking for great deals on reliable workers who can take care of your bathroom installation and makeover needs at wholesale rates, check out hamuch.com.

Opting for Something Small

If you don’t wish to change your full bathroom around, you can opt to change only one part of your bathroom in order to give it a “mini-makeover”. Perhaps your sink, or your bathtub, your tiles or even your toilet set. You’d be amazed at just how much change can come about in the overall appearance by simply changing an equipment within a room.

You can find small bathroom ideas on a budget if you get in touch with freelance interior designers. You may even wish to consider looking up different designs, coming up with your own combinations, purchasing one or two equipment and simply hiring someone to install. There are so many ways you can change your bathroom.

The bathroom ideas are growing in number as more and more people turn to modern bathroom looks. Of course, there are many who wish to stick to traditional bathroom designs as well. This can be catered to as well. It’s all a matter of preference and the type of bathroom look a family can relate to.

If you haven’t yet considered changing your bathroom around or giving it a makeover, albeit a simple one, do give it a thought.

Don’t be surprised if after the renovation you find yourself taking longer showers and spending an extra few minutes brushing your teeth every morning!

 

Improve your property value: Pipes Replacement

6th April 2018
Household water tap

When it comes to the property you own, there are points to keep in mind that go beyond it being a roof over your head. Your property is not only your home and comfort zone, but an investment that you are making for the long run. Whether you decide to pass on your property as inheritance or sell it for a profit later on in life is an open choice that is always available to you. As such, it is important to always keep in mind how to improve your property value. An old, worn down property probably won’t be worth as much as one that has been well kept and looked after properly, both internally and externally.

One of the main things to keep in mind when it comes to property value is renovation and remodeling. Renovation often includes plumbing. Plumbing is required from time to time in order to avoid drain clogs, worsening of house pipes, bad odors coming out of the pipes or any other such discomforts. In fact, one of the main ways of keeping your house hygienic is by ensuring your plumbing is done right!

Renovation Needs

Renovation implies getting partial makeovers done for your home or sometimes, full makeovers for your home setting. Hence, renovation costs will of course vary depending on the amount of work you would like to get done.

As for plumbing, whether it’s a simple leak that needs tending to,lead pipe replacement or getting rid of an old pipe, plumbers pretty much handle a range of works. Plumbers deal with sinks, the sewage and drainage. In order to get good plumbing, you do need to keep the money factor in mind.

Plumber costs are based on plumber hourly rates and at times plumber day rates. There are rated plumbers to re-plumb a whole house as well. It’s also a good idea to ask your plumber questions pertaining to their experience before finalizing any one plumber. Asking them to come and visit your house to see what they need to work on is also a good idea in order to ensure both parties are clear on the terms.

For all of your plumbing needs, and great rates on experienced plumbers, do check out hamuch.com for great deals on a host of works related to your home.

Considering Underfloor Heating

27th March 2018

Underfloor heating is the ultimate heating solution. Thousands of homeowners and customers all over the country are choosing to opt for underfloor heating these days due to its economical benefits in addition to the ambient temperature setting for the room. Once upon a time central heating was considered a huge luxury for homes. A misconception today, underfloor heating is looked at as a form of luxurious heat, except that underfloor heating cost is actually one that lowers the heating bills. Setup and installation is now easier than ever. Go to hamuch.com and find heating engineers close to you. Along with their expertise, obtain better prices (they’re all about wholesale deals!) and enjoy the added benefit of longer insurance too.

Things to Consider for Underfloor Heating

  1. Purchasing Underfloor Heating- In order to purchase underfloor heating components, you can head over to underfloor heating stores that should be available nearby. Try looking up the closest underfloor heating store near you or simply visit Hamuch.com to buy and install your preferred system and avoid all the hassle with ease!
  2. Underfloor Heating Cost– Underfloor heating is a great way to save you money in the long term. If you plan to use underfloor heating as your main source of heat, make sure to use it efficiently by ensuring good insulation. Initially, your savings may not seem much but over time, the savings do add up. The cost of the product itself and installation costs will be paid back within a short time and add to your savings. You will also be saving huge amounts of energy in comparison to normal heaters.
  3. Type of underfloor heating- electric underfloor heating and water underfloor heating.
    1. Electric or dry underfloor heating– this method involves electric heating mats that run on electricity and are placed underneath the top layer of the floor. Even though these can be less of a difficulty in installing and can be fit in cheaply, the ultimate costs to run them can be quite high, unless your source of electricity is solar panels.
    2. Wet or water underfloor heating– this form of underfloor heating is widely seen in recently built properties. Even though water underfloor heating may take a little more effort to fit in compared to electric underfloor heating, it is very compatible with modern day boilers and cheaper than electric underfloor heating in the long run.
  4. Installation- Many of us install electric and water heating systems ourselves seeing DIY videos online or simply reading the user manual. This is not only incredibly dangerous but also potentially hazardous to the system itself.  By law, there are certain parts of the fitting that need to be done by Gas Safe plumbers or certified and qualified electricians. Call in a professional if you are not too comfortable setting up things around the house. You definitely don’t want to try unknown settings with your boiler.
  5. Post Installation- After you have setup your underfloor heating, make note that there are underfloor heating thermostats available that allow you to set the floor heating temperatures automatically. Polypipe & Danfoss underfloor heating falls right under smart thermostats that are available in the market for customers who opt for smart thermostat heating.

Once you switch to underfloor heating, you may end up liking the new heating system more than your old one. For quick, regular servicing needs you can also visit hamuch.com to help you find the best specialist for your heating systems with full on transparency rates! Stay warm, stay happy, stay safe.

First time buyers: Top Five Tips to Avoid Homeowner Hassles

27th March 2018
Gas

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.