Main Content RSS FeedFeature Article

Spring into action… it’s time for a home health check »

Plans and hard hatThe British weather can play havoc with the exterior of your home but with spring in the air, now is the ideal time to give your property an annual health check and plan any essential maintenance work.

Says Richard Diment, director general of the Federation of Master Builders, the UK’s largest building trade organisation: “Maintaining and improving the outside of your home is well worth the investment and will always make it more marketable. Most of the work can be undertaken by competent DIY enthusiasts, but some specialist work, such as roofing, window and pointing repairs should be left to professional builders.”

To help you keep your home in good shape, here are the FMB’s top tips for your spring home health check:

  • Start at the top – check the roof for any missing or damaged tiles or cracks in roofing felt. You are responsible if something from your property, for example a falling roof tile, causes damage or injury to passers-by.
  • Check guttering for any damage and clear away any blockages that may have accumulated over the winter months. Replace damaged or rusted cast-iron guttering with a modern alternative.
  • Check brickwork for cracked or crumbling pointing and replace before moisture seeps in. Read the rest

Main Content RSS FeedRecent Articles

Get the best from your builder »

Why do builders get a bad name? The truth is that for every bad story you hear there are hundreds of happy customers. So how do you get the best out of your builder? Improving your home doesn’t have to result in contractor chaos says the Federation of Master Builders, the UK’s largest building trade organisation. If you are about to start a major home improvement project, following a few simple guidelines to ensure that you get the best from your builder.

Check them out
Do your research. A building firm could be in your home for several weeks, so it is important that you trust them. Get references, which a good professional will be happy to provide, and check them out. If the builder claims to be a member of a trade association such as the FMB, check what that membership means and find out if they really are members. Scrutinise their credentials before going ahead. Don’t just rely on Yellow Pages, search for a vetted local builder at the FMB’s website, www.findabuilder.co.uk.
Read the rest