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Make Home Safe: Upgrading Locks

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

Everyone wants to feel safe in their own homes, which is why you should consider upgrading or changing your home locks for added security. As a home owner, you want to feel confident that your loved ones and your belongings are safe and secure, which is why so many people are considering installing additional home security measures.

When you think about locks for your home, you should not only think in terms of security but also the practicality of it. Home locks can also reduce your monthly insurance premium, which is an added benefit for any home owner.

Let’s take a quick look at the various types of locks you can have installed at your home:

Mortice Lock

These locks are generally available in two different sizes. To install these locks, your locksmith will measure the backset for your door to choose the right size lock. These mortice locks are considered to be among the best in the industry and often have double length deadbolts as well as built-in night latches for added security.

Euro Cylinder Lock

These locks are similar to mortice locks that also use cylinders; Euro cylinder locks are often used with PVC doors and they are available in different lengths. Manufacturers have begun adding an anti-snap feature to prevent criminals from snapping the lock with pressure.

Nightlatch

Nightlatches are recommended for doors with smaller backsets. These types of locks will usually be seen with a thumb turn attachment on the inside piece. It is slightly more vulnerable since it can be opened if you have a glass window in the front door. That’s why they are often used in conjunction with a mortice lock.

Apart from installing secure home locks throughout your home, you should also consider other safety measures to ensure you maximise your home security. Make sure you close all your doors and windows before you leave, including ones at the back and upstairs rooms.

There are different types of home locks available and finding the right one will generally depend on the type of door you have as well as the spacing between the edge of your door and the centre of the hole where your lock will be fitted.

A professional locksmith can help you to choose the best locks for your home as well as have them installed professionally and properly. It’s a great way to increase your home’s security and to give you the peace of mind you need in terms of security.

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

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: Building a Summer House

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

Summer is not only the hottest of all the seasons but it is also a time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time at the beach and simply relax and unwind at home. For some homeowners, this is also the ideal time to build the perfect summer house to boost your property and make the summer so much more enjoyable.

As summertime approaches, there are many great ways to build a summer house and add a very enjoyable space to your property. Not all building projects require a lot of money so if you do it right, it can be a cost-effective way of getting a large summer house this summer. Then, of course, you have to choose the right products and an experienced builder, especially if you have a limited budget.

Here are a few great benefits of building your own summer house:

Outdoor dining. With a summer house you can enjoy summer dining in your own backyard. It’s perfect for larger families too, as you’ll be able to spend time together in a great setting that is still close to home.
A hobby Room. Many home owners use their summer houses as a place to enjoy their favourite hobby. Whether it’s embroidery, sculpting or building, a summer house offers you the perfect space to enjoy your own hobby.
A home office. Not all summer houses should be simply for relaxing; you can also use your summer house as a home office to extend the functionality of your home. This will also save money as you don’t have to rent additional office space.
Entertainment area. Having a summer house built is a great way to entertain family and friends right at home. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard and entertain in your own space, without having to use your main house.
Space for the kids. A summer house is perfect for the kids as it’s close to home but also separate and designed just the way you want. You can be creative and choose your own style, which will perfectly complement your home and extend it at the same time.

Whether you love contemporary summer houses or a modern, unique design, you can easily have your own summer house built in your own backyard and create a space to relax, unwind and even entertain your friends and family. You can also choose an insulated summer house so that you know your house will have the perfect temperature all year round.

If you want expert help with building your summer house, you can find a highly experienced local builder from HaMuch to help you design and build the perfect summer home.

SUMMER HOME IMPROVEMENT: DRIVEWAY REPAIRS

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

If you own a summer home, you’ll know that your driveway will likely develop a few cracks in the concrete during its lifetime. These cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil movement and tree roots. When it comes to driveway crack repair you don’t have to break the slab and pour a brand new one, you can simply hire a technician to repair it.

Preparing the Surface

When your tradesman starts the driveway resurfacing, preparation is essential. He will start by using a pressure washer to clean the surface properly. This will remove any dirt, mold and mildew. He can potentially add a cleaning solution to the pressure washer’s reservoir to spray on the surface. Once the washing is done, a high-pressure nozzle is attached to ensure you clean the whole slab, including every crack, to remove all the dirt.

Filling the Cracks

Next, the technician will need to mix your concrete, making sure it has a thick consistency. He will pour it onto the concrete and use a flat edge trowel to force the mixture into the cracks. It’s important to ensure that it’s smooth and allow to dry overnight. Now it’s ready for a thin layer of driveway sealer that it will be applied with a rubber squeegee. This is a great driveway repair method for concrete surfaces.

The driveway will be ready for foot traffic after 24 hours.

Repairing an Asphalt Driveway

If your home has an asphalt driveway, you can easily get a professional for high quality asphalt driveway repair. Common problems include potholes and cracks, which are commonly known as spider web cracks or alligator cracks. You may also have an area in the asphalt that has sunk in the ground, commonly referred to as a sink hole.

Preparing for asphalt driveway maintenance starts with preparing the surface. Thoroughly cleaning the driveway from dirt and dust, either using a stiff bristled broom or a high-pressure washer. You tradesman will potentially also use a backpack leaf blower. Also he will remove any vegetation.

In order to’ repair potholes you’ll need new asphalt and a pothole tamper. You can cover a 30cm x 30 cm hole with around 4.5 kg of asphalt repair aggregate and your tradesman is the best person to give you advice on this based on their experience. The first thing he will check for is whether the whole goes down past the asphalt itself. If it does, he will fill the hole with sand first.

Next, he’ll heat up the asphalt around the pothole with a flame torch to help the aggregate bond with the existing asphalt. After pouring the aggregate into the hole; if it overfills a bit, he will use a flat head shovel or garden rake to level it out. Once the hole is filled, the pothole tamper is used to pound and flatten the asphalt.

Filling Asphalt Cracks

To repair cracks in an asphalt driveway, you need patch material, a sealcoat sealer and a squeegee. Your technician will pour the patch material into the repair area, using the squeegee to spread the material out evenly.

Repairing your driveway is easy if you can get a professional to take care of all your driveway maintenance as they know how to use the right techniques and materials. With this maintenance you will ensure that your driveway and your house as an extension will look as good as new, all year round.

To find a qualified tradesmen near you, visit HaMuch online and choose a professional to take care of your driveway maintenance and driveway crack repair.

A Guide To Rewiring Your Home: Breakdown Of Costs

23rd July 2018 Patrick Smitch

Reasons Why You Should Rewire Your Home (1)

If you are thinking of rewiring your home, you may be asking yourself what the benefits are and how much it will cost. It’s good practice to rewire your house if it is more than 50 years old. Your electrical wiring may need updating, especially if you are thinking of selling your home.

In this guide, you’ll gain more clarity on the reasons, benefits, and costs of rewiring your home.

Why Should I Rewire My Home?

If you are buying a home that was built a couple of decades ago, you might also want to consider updating the electrical wiring in the house. Over the years, the standard household power has changed significantly. 60 amps would have been enough years ago, but modern homes now require up to 200 amps to run HD televisions, computers, home automation devices, deep freezers, and air conditioners, along with other appliances, gadgets and gizmos.

Rewiring a home will also involve replacing worn out wires. Warning signs such as dimming lights, frequently blown fuses, frequent burning smells and electrical shocks tell you it is time for an update.

However, rewiring your home is not one of those home repairs that you can handle yourself. It’s messy and very technical work that requires the help of an expert electrician. You and your home will be safer if you get a professional to handle it.

What the Job Entails

The first step to rewiring a property is finding a qualified electrician. Electrical repairs and installations can be dangerous and should only ever be handled by a qualified professional. You can find expert home electricians in London using our database.

First, an expert electrician will conduct an electrical assessment of your home. This is vital as it helps them understand what work needs to be done.

Some homes will not need full rewiring: they will just require a few updates here and there. The full electrical assessment will reveal what work needs to be done. Some of the inspections carried out will include testing devices, inspecting the fuse board, switches and sockets, and checking the polarity of your electrical installations.

Once the inspection is done, your electrician will decide whether to carry out a total rewiring of your property.

The Benefits of Rewiring Your Home

There are a number of reasons to consider rewiring your home:

Safety: Outdated electrical wiring means that some of the wires may be damaged. This increases the likelihood of an electrical fire. An electrician will review your wiring to ensure fire accidents are not a potential hazard. Old wiring is also more likely to cause electrical shocks. Homes with such wiring problems see frequent cases of fuses blowing.

Convenience: Having your home rewired is a chance for customisation, as you’ll be able to choose where you want your power points. Many older homes have few power outlets and they are not always installed at the most convenience points. You will also get to incorporate modern switches in your newly rewired home.

Value: Rewiring a home will add value, as it reduces the risk that a homeowner will experience electrical problems for some time. Potential buyers will likely ask if your home has been rewired and, if it has not, they are well within their rights to request a cut in your selling price.

Materials Needed

Materials required for rewiring a house include electrical wires, mains power and power cable connectors, adhesive tape, junction boxes, double sockets, and fuse boards. The amount of materials needed will depend on the size of your home and condition of your current electrical system. This will impact the amount of money you can expect to pay.

The Cost of Rewiring Your Home

Just like the amount of money spent on materials is dependent on the size of the home, the total cost of rewiring a property is also dependent on its size. The extent of the job and the experience of the electrician you are working with will also affect the cost you can expect to pay. You may receive a variety of quotes. Every electrician’s quote will be a reflection of their professional references and how many years experience they possess. The hourly cost for rewiring a property can range anywhere between £15 and £80.

Average hourly and daily rates for electricians:

Location	Average Hourly Rate	Average Daily Rate
London	£44	£255

Are you looking for a qualified electrician near you? HaMuch can help! We list vetted, professional tradesmen on our platform, allowing you to search our extensive list of electrical wiring companies and electricians in London at your own convenience. We are transparent and upfront in pricing, meaning you won’t receive any nasty surprises.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garden Wall?

16th July 2018 Patrick Smitch

A garden wall doesn’t just offer privacy and protect your home’s boundaries — it can be beautiful and put your home in the spotlight too! Building a wall offers many more benefits besides, including added security and various possibilities for visibility and wind protection.

If you are thinking of building a garden wall, there are some considerations you need to make in advance. These include how big you want it to be, the materials you would like to use and the cost of the job. Ideally and for a clean finish, the architecture should also match the house and its current surroundings.

What the Job Entails

The first step to building your garden wall is to find yourself a handyman, as this is a huge job that requires the help of experts. At HaMuch, we can help you find quality, reliable bricklayer services in London, allowing you to pick the tradesman who is a perfect fit for your needs and requirements.

The next step is to build a foundation where the wall will sit. Every garden wall needs a foundation and it must be sufficiently deep and wide. The last thing you want to do is endanger the stability of your garden wall by building one with a shallow foundation. Not only will it undoubtedly cost you more in the long run, but it could also pose a threat to your family and any pets.

When measuring the foundation, one good tip to keep in mind is that the depth and width will always depend on the weight, height, and width of the wall itself.

Other Costs to Consider before Building a Garden Wall

Before going ahead with the building work, you may need to get permission from your local authority for the work to be carried out. If your wall is one metre or less in height, you shouldn’t have any problems. If higher than a metre, you may need a permit, which will bump up your overall budget.

Keep in mind that the garden wall should run along the edge of the property — you should calculate in advance the minimum distance it will be to any neighbouring properties or pavements. Again, there may be a strict set of rules by your local authority that you need to follow — so it’s always best to check beforehand.

Garden Wall Building Materials

Various materials can be used for building a garden wall, including natural stone, sandstone and limestone. You can expect to pay anything from £800 to £2500 for materials to build a wall that is one metre high by four metres long. This, of course, will depend on your preferred material.

Regardless of whether you opt for a small natural stone wall to compensate for height in the garden, an entire property enclosure with a sandstone wall or a wall of carved limestone, the end result is, in any case, a gem. Here are a few benefits of each option:

Sandstone Wall

Sandstone is an eye-catcher with its stunning reddish colour. The untreated stones tend to be of different sizes, which adds to its rustic flare. Sandstone creates a stable wall, which means less decomposition and maintenance work in the long run.

Natural Stone

A natural stone wall will compliment any environment and offers an aesthetic appeal. However, this option can prevent light from entering the garden. If you enjoy growing plants, you may find a natural stone wall will block out essential light. Some plants also like to benefit from the heat that radiates from a precast stone wall when it is too cool.

Precast Stone

Of course, your wall doesn’t have to made from natural stone at all. Precast stones are available in a wide selection of various finishes. Usually, these stones are manufactured specifically to look similar to natural stones. Thin adhesive layers of mortar are normally used in these types of stone, ensuring that the individual stones hold well and the wall does not break.

The Cost of Building a Garden Wall: Labour & Materials

Building a garden wall comes with various costs, from creating the foundation to the materials to the labour costs. The table below outlines the rough cost you could expect to pay for a one metre by four metre wall.

Labour Costs:

Description	Labour Costs	Duration
1 Metre By 4 Metre Wall	£1200	4 Days

How Quickly Can A Garden Wall Be Built?

How quickly the job takes will all depend the size of your desired wall and the experience of your bricklayer. It can take an average of three to four days to dig the foundation and lay the bricks. However, a qualified bricklayer can most likely get the job done faster.

Are you looking to build a garden wall in your home? HaMuch offers a comprehensive list of fully vetted, qualified and reliable bricklayers in London, allowing you to pick the right person for the job. Get your quote today!

Summer Home Improvement: Building a Summer House

10th July 2018 Patrick Smith

Summer is not only the hottest of all the seasons but it is also a time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time at the beach and simply relax and unwind at home. For some homeowners, this is also the ideal time to build the perfect summer house to boost your property and make the summer so much more enjoyable.

There are many great ways to build a summer house and add a very enjoyable space to your property. Not all building projects require a lot of money so if you do it right, it can be a cost-effective way of getting a large summer house this summer. Then, of course, you have to choose the right products and an experienced builder, especially if you have a limited budget.

Here are a few great benefits of building your own summer house:

Outdoor dining. With a summer house you can enjoy summer dining in your own backyard. It’s perfect for larger families too, as you’ll be able to spend time together in a great setting that is still close to home.
A hobby Room. Many home owners use their summer houses as a place to enjoy their favourite hobby. Whether it’s embroidery, sculpting or building, a summer house offers you the perfect space to enjoy your own hobby.
A home office. Not all summer houses should be simply for relaxing; you can also use your summer house as a home office to extend the functionality of your home. This will also save money as you don’t have to rent additional office space.
Entertainment area. Having a summer house built is a great way to entertain family and friends right at home. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard and entertain in your own space, without having to use your main house.
Space for the kids. A summer house is perfect for the kids as it’s close to home but also separate and designed just the way you want. You can be creative and choose your own style, which will perfectly complement your home and extend it at the same time.

Whether you love contemporary summer houses or a modern, unique design, you can easily have your own summer house built in your own backyard and create a space to relax, unwind and even entertain your friends and family. You can also choose an insulated summer house so that you know your house will have the perfect temperature all year round.

If you want expert help with building your summer house, you can find a highly experienced local builder you can trust from HaMuch to help you design and build the perfect summer home.

Summer Home Improvement: Garden Fence Ideas

9th July 2018 Patrick Smith

Adding a garden fence to your home is a great way of increasing its value and giving it a stylish look. There are different fences available, depending on your property type, layout and design. A garden fence can be a practical addition to your property as well.

Here are a few great garden fence benefits for your home:

It’s decorative. When it comes to fencing, you can be creative and have any fence installed that you want. There are different materials and designs available and your landscaper can give you tips on what will work best.
It increases security. A garden fence can add a measure of security to your home, especially if you choose a higher, stronger fence. You can choose a durable design and have a high fence installed to boost security around your summer home.
It creates a boundary. One of the main reasons why people install garden fences is to create a boundary for your property. It’s convenient, stylish and very practical. A summer house looks even better with a beautifully installed garden fence around it.
It adds privacy. You can also choose wood fence panels, which is a great way of adding both style and security. Privacy is becoming increasingly important as home owners want to know that they have privacy inside their property. This is also why you can install higher fences as opposed to smaller, wooden picket fences.

Garden fences can be very convenient and add a measure of style, security and privacy to home summer home. If you want to install a cost-effective fencing option, you can go with a PVC fence. When you install a PVC fence, you will enjoy an easy installation, optimal privacy and a variety of styles. Plus, it’s very affordable too. A PVC fence requires little maintenance over the years, so it’s the perfect choice for your summer home’s fence.

Working with a Professional

When it comes to installing a garden fence, it pays to work with a professional. Not only can you get excellent ideas but you can get tips on what the best option for your specific property will be. With so many great materials and designs available, you can be as creative as you want and get a reliable, durable fence that will last for decades.

Adding a fence can be a great way to add value to your home and increase privacy. But it can also be a way of enhancing your backyard and installing an entertainment area, or simply a landscaped garden to compliment your home.

With HaMuch you can find an affordable professional in your area to install a beautiful and very modern garden fence for your summer home.