Online quotes for building home extensions - what will they think of next?

Came across this interesting little site that offers instant online quotes for having an extension built on your home.

Called simply ExtensionQuoter - you're invited to enter your address details and then proceed to enter your own approximate desired measurements, whether it's a single storey or double storey extension you're looking for and what you intend to use your new extension for.

The website then returns an estimate of what you could expect to pay.

We really like these online quoting websites - it does enable you to get a rough expectation of cost before you start having loads of tradesmen traipsing through your home, clipboards and tape measures in hand.

If you want to take your quote further, then the websites owners will call you back, confirm your details and offer to pass your details onto up to 3 companies, local to you, that offer the service you're looking for. No hassle, just written quotes.

Fabulous Photo Gifts.

As the last Christmas Photo Gift order leaves the workshop, our thoughts turn to Double Glazing...

As the last few Photo Gift orders leave the workshop today, we can take a few hours out to think about our own needs for a moment before diving headlong into our own last minute Christmas shopping for the children.

We've got a number of windows that to be honest let more draughts in than open door on an aircraft hangar so it's about time we did our bit to keep down fuel costs, do our bit for the environment and generally make our home life a little more comfortable and secure.

One thing we have discovered is that wherever you look, someone has a different opinion on double glazing and it's particular benefits, depending on the writer, they either centre around maintenance, security or environmental and energy saving issues.

Is it possible to have all 3? I spent a few minutes online trying to find out.

I came across a couple of interesting pieces and i've linked to one of them below.

If you're thinking about double glazing - for whatever reason and it doesn't have to be any more complicated than the fact that our present windows are falling apart or replacement windows, then I can thoroughly recommend the site below.

Home Improvement Quotes .co.uk - Double glazing - information and benefits of fitting double glazing - click here.

Home Improvement Blog has new URL

Thought I'd better just mention that some old friends have just moved their informative Home Improvement Blog over to a new URL - http://www.home-improvement-blog.co.uk - catchy isn't it?

Don't worry if you had the old url bookmarked - it will still re-direct but I find it's best to keep up to date with such things so head over there at some point and update your bookmarks.

If you're looking for anything from double glazing to fitted kitchens, bathrooms to exterior rendering, then their site really is for you - check it out even if you're only thinking of improving your home - get an instant online quote for the intended work, etc!

Finding a reputable tradesman is harder than it looks

It can be really hard finding a reputable tradesman or company to carry out any kind of home improvement for you – from a simple dripping tap problem to the larger projects like garage and loft conversions, driveways, double glazing and conservatories.

The best tradesmen are usually the ones that come recommended but, if you're new to an area, or you don't see your neighbours very often, then where do you find the recommended companies in the first place?

Luckily, I came across a website that seems to be addressing this problem. They have their own network of approved craftsmen, who have a high customer feedback score based on their own independent survey of home improvement companies.

Quite simply, they do all the work for you – their own advisers will visit you, agree the work and confirm a price. You can then either book and reserve the job there and then or you get your own login details to go back online and check availability of local craftsmen and reserve them for a later date.

I thin it's a really innovative approach to home improvement. They do all the work – finding the best craftsmen, booking the work, handling all the payments and liasing with the companies as the work progresses.

Here's a clip from their website- “Are you looking for a genuine craftsmen to improve your home? Real craftsmen aren't easy to find. They don't advertise because they don't need to. The quality of their work speaks for itself.
Real craftsmen work on recommendation, they're the home improvement industry's Best Kept Secrets. Now, thanks to the biggest ever online survey asking homeowners to rate home improvement companies, we've identified, inspected and selected the best installers to join our independent, nationwide network of elite craftsmen.”

As they say themselves... the best to choose a home improvement company is on the recommendation of others!

Click here to visit the All Craftsmen website.

Real Cash in the Attic with a loft conversion

Loft conversions - Convert your loft into a usable room - perhaps a spare bedroom with ensuite, perhaps a playroom for the kids, perhaps a home cinema room? whatever you decide, one of the things that's probably put you off is the fact that many modern homes are built with trussed rafters.

Recently when I was putting the xmas decorations away for another year, when i pushed open the loft hatch, i remember thinking 'there's no way you could convert the loft with all those trusses criss-crossing the loft space like a load of emlarged timber W's'.

They support the roof differently to a conventional roof where large beams on pillars support the weight.

This used to spell the end of a loft conversion but not anymore. New methods mean you can now safely have a trussed loft converted into a fully usable room.

This is just one of the features of a new online home improvement quote website I came across that offers instant online loft conversion quotes.

You type in your house dimensions, select the shape and style of the present loft - trussed or conventional and it will give you a 'ball park figure' for how much it will cost to convert your loft without a saleman having to call.

It's a great online service and if you're looking into the possibility of getting your loft converted, then it's a great place to start.

Click here to visit the loft space quoter now and try it for yourself.