HomeMoversPack 2020

Renovations
If you’re planning new projects, make sure
you ask the right questions
Homes of the future
Looking to build your own ultra-efficient
eco-home? We’ve listed a few key characteristics
you should include. P.14
Planning ahead
Ensure a seamless and stress-free move with
our helpful tips and moving day checklists. P.4
Interiors
Transform your home with these simple
style tricks
Gardening
Revamping your outdoor space on a budget
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HOME MOVERS PACK www.homemoverspack.co.uk 1
CONTENTS
Where do you start? ................................................................. 2
Numbers to remember ............................................................. 3
The ultimate home mover checklist ........................................ 4
Five common home mover mistakes...................................... 6
Six essentials to remember when moving home.................... 8
Choosing a home security system .......................................... 10
What is an eco home?.............................................................. 14
Energy saving tips for your new home ................................... 16
An easy guide to recycling ...................................................... 22
Smart home appliances to make your life easier ................. 26
Kitchen: Hub of the home? ..................................................... 30
Create a bathing sanctuary .................................................... 34
Build bathroom indulgence ..................................................... 36
How to make the most of your garage space ...................... 38
Simple ideas to freshen up your garden ................................ 40
Interior design tricks to transform your home.......................... 44
Five ways to add value to your home .................................... 50
Important questions to ask your builder ................................. 52

2
HOME MOVERS PACK
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Where do you start?
Moving house is notoriously
stressful, but it doesn’t
have to be that way! With
good preparation and planning
you can make it easier. It’s hard
to know where to start as there
are so many things to think about –
packing is just a small part of
the process.
The key to a successful move is
to ensure that you are as organised
as you possibly can be. Something
as huge as moving an entire family,
as well as the contents of a big
house, in one day is no easy feat
for anybody!
One of the most important things
to remember when moving house
is to plan ahead.
This guide will tell you everything
you need to know about what to
expect on the day, once you’re in,
and other important aspects such
as decor and furnishing ideas.
Sit down and take the stress out
of your move with these top tips on
making it go smoothly.
Above all, try to enjoy the
experience. It may seem, daunting
at the outset, but remember to
keep the reasons behind the
move in focus.
Once you’re all packed up
and have survived moving day,
everything else should start falling
into place with a little guidance.
Good luck!

NUMBERS TO REMEMBER www.homemoverspack.co.uk 3

4
PLANNING AHEAD
The ultimate
home mover
checklist
Moving day is finally here! You’ve planned, organised,
found the perfect moving company, packed everything
up, donated what you don’t need, and are ready to get out of
your old place and into your new home. However, there’s still
a few things left to do before you can say goodbye. To help
you out, we’ve complied a moving day checklist with a list of
things that need to be taken care of in the run up to - and on
the day of - your move.
2-4 Weeks before moving day
Packing
Throw away unwanted items
and begin packing two weeks
before the moving date. Think
of investing in some boxes and
moving kits.
Vehicle Registration
Send the appropriate section
of your Vehicle Registration
Document to the DVLA.
Bank
Notify your bank that you are
moving and ask to transfer your
account to a nearer branch.
TV Licence
Fill the change of address part of
your existing licence.
Credit/Store Cards
Notify your bank that you are
moving and ask to transfer your
account to a nearer branch.
Doctor / Dentist / Optician
You may need to unregister if you
are moving far away. Otherwise
notify a change of address.
Card Protection Insurers
Fill in the change of address
section of your last statement
when returning it.
National Insurance / DSS
Write to your local DSS office.
They will need your full name,
DOB, and National Insurance
number.
Mail Redirection
The Royal Mail needs five days’
notice for redirection. Do this at
the Post Office or online.
Schools
Notify your children’s schools of
their leaving date. Advise the new
schools as soon as possible.

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Local Authority
Notify all relevant authorities in your current
and new area.
Inform Relatives & Friends
Go through your personal directory and
send out change of address notices.
Subscriptions
It is important to inform all clubs, charities
and publications of your move.
Lofts
Check your loft to ensure that don’t leave
anything important behind.
Pension
Advise your local Post Office of your
change of address.
Pets
Make arrangements for pets to be looked
after during the move.
Hotels
If you need a hotel during the move,
remember to book as early as possible.
Telephone / Mobile / Internet Providers
Contact providers at least two weeks
before the move.
1 Week before move day
Flat pack Furniture
Begin disassembling any flat pack, you
have a good week before the move.
Keys
Ensure that they keys for your new home
are available.
Insurance
Notify your broker or individual insurance
companies of the change [Motor]
[Household] [Life Insurance]
Driving Licence
Complete section one on your licence and
return it to the DVLA. Or, do it online.
Survival Kit
Pack a box of the basics: light bulbs,
torches, toilet paper, kitchen roll, spare
cash, takeaway menus.
Milk / Papers / Window Cleaner
Settle accounts.
Water
Give at least 48 hours’ notice for
disconnection and re-connection of supply.
Fridge and Freezer
Empty, defrost and clean the freezer
and fridge.
Essentials
Pack and label a box of essential items
for your first night: toiletries, spare
clothes, towels.
Plants
Prepare to move them for the big day.
Children
Arrange for childcare on the moving day.
Parking
Work out where everything will park.
Arrange lift access if you are in/moving to a
black of flats.
1 day before move day
Washing Machine / Dishwasher
Empty, clean and disconnect the pipes. Secure the drum of the washing machine
Moving can be a really stressful experience. One way to ensure that everything
runs smoothly is to create your own moving day checklist. This can allow you
to streamline your moving day as you focus, making sure that you complete the
remaining things left to do. It is also a huge help so that you don’t forget anything
before you head to your new home.

6
AVOIDING MISTAKES
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Five most common
home mover mistakes
Whether you’re a first-time mover or you’ve done it before, moving is stressful and takes
lots of planning to accomplish; so it’s always advised that you take some time to
ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Many new homeowner mistakes can be easily avoided with a little preparation. Don’t let the
following potential mistakes dampen your excitement. Instead, plan ahead and keep these
tips in mind.
Ignoring maintenance
You would have done a walk-through with a
licensed inspector during the home buying
process, so you’re aware of what issues need
attention and which can wait. That’s not where
home maintenance stops. Home maintenance
includes tasks you may have never thought of
before, like cleaning the gutters, power-washing
the house, prepping your pipes for winter and
much more.
Making major renovations right away
Understandably, you’ll be excited to make this new
house your own by adding those personal touches,
but while small changes are to be expected, major
renovations should wait. Give yourself time to live
in the home, see how it feels, and determine what
larger renovations will look like as needs arise.
Forgetting to prep for your pet
With all of the other things to worry about, it’s
easy to forget that the family pet needs to move
too, and that’s one thing the removal company
can’t throw in a box! Visit your vet before
moving to make sure your pet is up-to-date
with all their current shots, tags, certificates,
and proper identification. If your pet will be
traveling by air or in a car a long distance, ask
about travel recommendations. Make sure you
carry the your pet’s papers with you, and when
you get to your final destination, reinstate your
pet’s routine and reward it with a special treat.
Not budgeting for additional expenses
Moving can be expensive but any veteran
homeowner will tell you that there’s always
more to budget for—and these issues seem to
pop-up out of nowhere, like a broken washing
machine right after you need to fix a leaking the
roof. Plan for the unexpected by putting away
extra money in case of an emergency.
Getting locked out
Being a new homeowner can make you more
susceptible to being locked out: you run out to get
something and realise that the new keys aren’t on
your old keyring. You walk outside with the trash,
forgetting that the new door locks behind you.
This mistake can lead to another one: choosing a
locksmith that’s not reputable. In your hurry to get
back into the house, it’s easy to forget to do your
research and listen for clues that something’s
not right.

8
MOVING ESSENTIALS
Six essentials to remember
when moving home
Moving to a new house is exciting and
stressful in equal measure. Whether you’re a
first-time buyer or you’re moving somewhere
bigger (or smaller), ensuring you have all the
necessary items is an essential part of helping
the process run smoothly and can be very
satisfying. But it can also be hard to keep on
top of all the things you need for a new house,
especially as a lot will depend on what you
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already have and what comes included with
your new home. Chances are that you’ll be
lacking in a lot of basic supplies when you’re
first getting settled.
Fortunately, we have a list of six crucial items
you’ll need when moving into your new home.
Don’t wait until you need it to go out and buy
it – some of these things can lead to some less
than desirable situations!
1. Paper products
Are all of your new bathrooms fully
stocked? Do you have sufficient
toilet paper, Kleenex, and paper
towels for your home? If not,
that should be the first thing you
purchase. If you’ve ever been in
a bathroom without paper, you
know why this should be at the
top of your list.
Additional paper products could
be things like napkins and paper
plates as well. Even if you have
dishes in your boxes, it could be a
few days before you’re able to get
to them. Thus, having a stack of
disposable plates and silverware
is always a good idea, unless you
plan on eating out for every meal.
2. Cleaning products
While your new home won’t be
a pigsty, that doesn’t mean that
it’s immaculate, either. In some
cases, you may want to pay a
professional for a deep clean, but
usually, you can take care of any
cleaning needs yourself.
Buy products that can help you
clean up your bathroom, your
kitchen, and your bedrooms.
Since these are the rooms you’ll
be using first, it’s essential that
you have the right equipment
to get them spotless as soon as
possible.
Also, don’t forget the
accessories necessary to clean
your new house properly. If you
don’t have a mop, buy one! Same
goes for scrubbing sponges,
cleaning rags, and toilet brushes.
Go into every room and make a
list of things you’ll need to get the
room clean from top to bottom.
3. Shelves and organisers
When moving, you’ll come to
realise how much stuff you have.
Unfortunately, that also means
that you need places to put that
stuff unless you’re okay
with everything sitting on
the floor. Although you
shouldn’t rush to buy
furniture, purchasing a few
end tables or bookcases
can be a great place to
start.
Overall, you
want to be able
to organise your
living spaces
as quickly as
possible so that
you don’t have
boxes lying everywhere
for weeks or months after
you’ve moved. Nothing
can be quite as stressful as
constant reminders that you’re
not fully moved in yet.
4. Seating
How many chairs do you have?
Chances are that it’s not enough.
Although you may want to wait
to buy furniture that will really tie
each room together, you still need
to have a place to sit.
One recommendation that
we have is buying cheap lawn
furniture first. Not only will this
be kind to your budget, but you
will still be able to use them after
you’ve found something more
permanent. Even if you don’t have
a yard, it’s always useful to have
folding chairs for when guests
come over, so you will want
them nonetheless.
5. Toolkit, nails, and wall hooks
Whether it’s to take apart a
bookshelf or put it back together,
you won’t regret having a
screwdriver and a hammer on
moving day. Once you start
unpacking, you’ll also want to
have wall hooks and nails on hand.
There’s nothing as frustrating
as being in an unpacking and
decorating groove, only to find
you have to stop and buy these
items.
6. Step ladder
Whether you’re short or your
new apartment has high ceilings,
a step ladder will be extremely
valuable during the early phases
of unpacking and is a musthave
for your new home. We
recommend something light and
easily portable.

10
PROTECTING YOUR HOME
Choosing a home
security system
From the big national brands with multiple monitoring centers
to DIY systems you can watch from your smart device, there are
hundreds of home security options available to choose from.
The best alarm system for your house makes life safer and
more comfortable without breaking your budget or feeling too
complicated, but how do you choose one?
First, you need to ask yourself a few questions:
• What am I protecting?
• How do I want to install it?
• How big is my home?
• What is my family’s routine?
• What is my budget?
Your answers will dictate which features you want, along with the best way
to install, and how big of a system you will need.
There are major differences between a burglar alarm and a home security
system; the latter provides additional benefits to help protect you and
your family, and it may be the better investment. Before signing up with
a company, it is important that you know what you are getting, what is
protected and how the system works.
A burglar alarm is the traditional type of alarm system that has sensors on
doors and windows. It will alert you as well as the authorities (depending
on your settings) that an intruder has entered your home. This is extremely
beneficial — but a home security system can also warn you about
environmental dangers, such as fire, carbon monoxide and even flooding.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 11
Security System Features
Before choosing one type of home
security system, ask yourself what
you want to protect. Do you want a
monitor for the little ones or monitors
to catch leaky pipes?
Security systems do more than
keep intruders out of your home.
They can also communicate with
your kids when they get home from
school or tell you when your Amazon
package arrived.
The right equipment package,
payment plan, and features for you
depend on what you want to do with
your system. In today’s market, there
are three main types of security
system packages available: home
automation, security equipment,
and environmental monitoring.
Smart Home Automation
Smart tech adjusts to your family’s
schedule and preferences. Home
automation can keep the lights on
while you’re out of town or let the
dog walker in while you’re out of
the house.
Security Equipment
Traditional home security devices
like burglar alarms, glass break
detectors, and outdoor cameras are
helpful if you’re worried about issues
like intrusion, theft, or vandalism.
Environmental Monitoring
Equipment like smoke alarms,
pipe freeze detectors, and leak
detectors fall into this category, and
it is advised that families with older
homes should look for these types
of devices.

12
PROTECTING YOUR HOME
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Professional vs. Self-Installation
Security systems have recently adopted cellular technology, making them
easier than ever to install without professional help. Naturally, there are
pros and cons to self-installed and professionally installed systems.
Professional installation can come with high installation fees, but you won’t
have to do any of the work. Home security companies will send a trained
professional to your home for a consultation and you will be able to discuss
your security priorities, budget, and expectations with a real person. These
professionals also offer product package bundling and years of industry
experience to put you at ease.
On the other hand, the best self-installed systems come directly to your
door pre-programmed and ready to go. These systems may not have
as many extra features as their professionally installed counterparts, but
they’re great for smaller homes that need the basics. Installation for these
systems is a breeze because most of the equipment sticks onto your walls,
doors, and windows.

14
GOING GREEN
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What is an eco-home?
Growing consciousness around environmental health has led to an increase in the building
and development of “eco”, “eco-friendly” and “green” homes. But what exactly is an
eco-home? There is no single definition, but in basic terms, an eco-home, by design and
construction, minimises its environmental impact. This could mean the house is designed
to use minimal energy and/or replaces the ecology lost when the house is built through, for
instance, including a green roof.
Here, we set out the key elements to creating an eco-friendly home.
When designing an eco-home, it’s worth deciding what you want to achieve: reduced
energy bills, a healthier internal environment or a more sustainable way of living, perhaps?
An eco-house could include some or all of the following:
Smart technology
Making your home a smart home can reduce your
home’s energy consumption without you having to
do a thing. These technologies are now becoming
increasingly affordable and effortless to install.
Smart thermostats can regulate the temperature
in your home and adjust this based on your daily
routine, turning the heat off whilst you’re at work
and back on before you’re due home. Similarly,
smart lighting can turn off lights you’ve forgotten
you left on or be programmed to your routine.
Insulation
Insulation is a key component of sustainable
building and creating a greener home. Improving
the thermal performance of your home will not
only help to dramatically reduce your bills, but
also your carbon emissions too. There is also now
a wide variety of natural, eco-friendly alternatives
to traditional insulation materials, which often
contain high amounts of problematic chemicals
and additives. Sheep’s wool, cotton, cork and
recycled plastic are all excellent insulators and are
renewable, non-toxic and biodegradable too.
Eco-home materials
Eco building materials are becoming more and
more popular due to a variety of reasons including
price and accessibility. Materials used can range
widely, depending on the scope of the project,
but can include timber, natural stone, slate, LED
lighting, solar panels and less of a focus on uPVC
and other plastics.
Plenty of natural light
South-facing windows provide natural daylight, and
the sun’s rays help keep rooms warmer in winter.
If you want more light, add insulated windows to
the home’s south side-unless you live in the desert
or an extremely hot climate, where more windows
could present heat problems. Shading windows in
summer protects against overheating.
Renewable energy
Solar, wind, water and geothermal are all renewable
forms of energy. Although installing solar panels
or a wind generator is a fabulous goal, it may
not be attainable immediately if you have budget
constraints. A great immediate solution is to buy
wind-generated or other renewable power from
your local utility-it may be as simple as marking a
little box on your energy bill to sign up

16
SAVVY SAVING
Energy saving tips
Moving home is an expensive time,
so it’s only natural you’ll want to
do everything you can to recoup on
some of that spending; and bills are
a great place to start. There are many
things you can do to reduce how
much energy you use and how much
you’re spending.
Electrical appliances are one of the
biggest costs towards your energy
bills. This includes white goods and
kitchen appliances such as tumble
dryers, washing machines, fridges,
freezers, ovens, hobs and kettles. But
buying an energy efficient appliance is
a great way to save energy and cut your
running costs.
We’ve put together a guide to show
you how energy efficiency ratings work
for various types of appliances, as well
as the small changes you can make to
your home and what you’ll save in the
long run.
Washing & Drying
The average UK household runs the washing
machine four times a week. If you’re a family
with a baby or young children, you probably
use it even more. That increases your energy
costs and can also add to your water bills.
It’s not just the washing that adds up.
Tumble drying clothes can also use a lot of
electricity, especially if your machine isn’t
energy efficient and needs to run for longer.
Tips for smart usage:
• Always try to put a full load into your
washing machine or tumble dryer, and
use economy programmes on your
washing machine for small loads or
washing that isn’t very dirty.
• Wash at 30°C. Modern washing
powders and detergents work just as
well at lower temperatures.
• A washing machine with a delay to
start the programme could lower your
energy use and save you money.
• If the weather is good, hanging clothes
outside is a great alternative to the
tumble dryer. It uses less energy than
a tumble dryer and you’ll need to do
less ironing.
• You can use a clothes rack to dry your
clothes indoors.
• Don’t hang your clothes over a
radiator – it causes condensation and
uses more energy in heating.
• Make sure your tumble dryer works
efficiently by checking the filters are
fluff-free.

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for your new home
Fridges and Freezers
Fridges and freezers are switched on 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. So it’s no surprise
they can account for 20% of the electricity
used in the average UK home.
Choosing an energy efficient fridge or freezer
can help cut your bills. They come in many
different shapes and sizes, which can affect
their energy usage. For example, upright
freezers are less efficient than chest freezers
as cool air drops out of an upright freezer
when you open the door.
All fridges and freezers come with an energy
efficiency rating. That rating is based upon
their size. So a smaller A rated fridge could use
less energy than a bigger A+ rated appliance.
You can compare how much electricity
different size appliances use by looking at their
total annual energy consumption. You’ll find
this on the bottom right of the energy label.
Tips for smart usage
• Don’t put your fridge or freezer next to
a cooker or in the sun. It will work more
efficiently if it’s kept cool.
• Make sure air can circulate around the
back of your fridge or freezer. Also keep
the back dust free.
• Load and unload your fridge or freezer as
quickly as possible. Don’t leave the door
open longer than you need to.
• Never put hot food in a fridge or freezer
as it uses more energy. Let the food
cool first.
• To keep food fresh and your bills down,
your fridge should be between 3 and 5°C.
Your freezer should be kept at -18°C.
• Defrost your fridge or freezer regularly.
Too much ice can stop them from working
efficiently.
• Check for gaps in door seals that could
let warm air in. Place a piece of paper
in the door, if you can easily remove the
paper with the door closed, then warm air
can get into the fridge.
• Use boxes or newspaper to fill gaps in
your freezer. This stops your freezer from
wasting energy by cooling air.
Ovens and Hobs
Cooking adds up to about 4% of the average
energy bill. However, the way you cook your
food can reduce your energy consumption.
Microwaves can be the most energy efficient
way to prepare a meal, as they heat the food
directly and reduce cooking time, but apart
from microwaves, you could choose to cook
your food in an electric oven or on a hob.
All electric ovens come with an energy
rating. Choosing the right one can be a great
way to save energy and money. An A+ rated
electric oven can consume 40% less energy
than a B rated one, and cooking on a hob is
often more efficient than using an oven.
Tips for smart usage
• Cut food into smaller pieces before
cooking. It may cook more quickly.
• Cook vegetables by using just enough
water to cover the food. Put a lid on the
pan to keep the heat in.
• Always use the right size of pan for your
cooking ring.
• Keep the lid on the pan as much as
possible to keep the heat in.
• Use pans that can divide into sections
and cook several items at once.
• Cook big batches of food together and
freeze what you don’t need that day. It’s
more energy efficient to use all the oven
space available.
• Don’t keep opening the oven door
while you are cooking. Simple cooker
maintenance keeps the glass clean, so
you can peek in when you need to.
Eco Kettles
The average UK household puts the kettle on
1,500 times a year, making it one of our most
used kitchen appliances.
But it’s estimated that we boil twice as much
water as needed each time we use the kettle.
That wastes time, water and energy.
An ECO kettle can help cut bills. In
fact, the most energy efficient kettles
can use 20% less energy than standard
electric ones.

18
SAVVY SAVING
Some models have a low minimum-fill line
or turn off quickly after boiling. Others have
a gauge or valve which releases a specific
amount of water into the kettle for boiling.
Typical energy efficiency label showing
coloured rating bands from green “A+++” at
the top to red “D” at the bottom
Energy efficiency ratings
If you’re looking for a new appliance, energy
efficiency labels can help you choose one
with a good energy performance.
The labels must be displayed on various
appliances, including:
• Washing machines
• Washer dryers and tumble dryers
• Fridges, freezers and fridge freezers
• Electric ovens
The labels show the energy efficiency
ratings in a range of colours. These go from
dark green (most energy efficient) to red
(least efficient).
Alongside changing the way you use those
major household appliances, there are
also a number of small adjustments you
can make to your everyday life that will end
up saving you money. Below are six easy
energy saving tips you can incorporate:
1. Switch off standby
You can save around £35 a year just by
remembering to turn your appliances off
standby mode.
Almost all electrical and electronic
appliances can be turned off at the plug
without upsetting their programming. You
may want to think about getting a standby
saver which allows you to turn all your
appliances off standby in one go.
2. Careful in your kitchen
You can save around £39 a year from
your energy bill just by using your kitchen
appliances more carefully. Use a bowl to
wash up rather than a running tap and
save £25 a year in energy bills.
Cutback your washing machine use by

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just one cycle per week and save £8 a year
on energy.
Only fill the kettle with the amount of
water that you need and save around £6
a year.
3. Get a head
If you’ve got a shower that takes hot water
straight from your boiler or hot water tank
(rather than an electric shower), fit a water
efficient shower head. This will reduce
your hot water usage while retaining the
sensation of a powerful shower. A water
efficient shower head could save a four
person household as much as £38 a year
on gas for water heating, as well as a
further £53 a year on water bills if they
have a water meter.
4. Take control of your heating
More than half the money spent on bills
goes towards providing heating and hot
water.
Installing a room thermostat, a
programmer and thermostatic radiator
valves and using these controls efficiently
could save you around £75 a year. If you
already have a full set of controls, turning
down your room thermostat by just one
degree can save around £60 a year.
Whatever the age of your boiler the right
controls will allow you to:
• Set your heating and hot water to come
on and off when you need them
• Heat only the areas of your home that
need heating
• Set the temperature for each area of
your home.
5. Get familiar with smart controls
Smart heating controls are the latest
innovation to help you control your
heating and understand your energy use.
They allow you to control your heating
remotely via a mobile app, meaning that
you can manage the temperature of your
home from wherever you are, at whatever
time of day.
6. Switch to LEDs
You can now get LED spotlights that are
bright enough to replace halogens, as well
as regular energy saving bulbs, and they
come in a variety of shapes, sizes and
fittings. If the average household replaced
all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost
about £100 and save about £40 a year
on bills.
Top alternative sources of energy for
homes
Solar panels
Solar panels top the list of the most
popular alternative sources of energy that
can be used in a home. Considering that
you can power your house with a few
panels if you’re looking for a small jump
in energy efficiency, solar is a good way to
start moving off the grid and consuming
a better source of electricity. There are
many advances in solar photovoltaic
technology and tax incentives to attract
more homeowners.
Costs of investing in solar PV has halved
in the past decade, so many people are
considering opting for solar panels on
their roof to generate their own clean and
renewable electricity.
Wind turbine
Using wind turbines to generate electricity
will greatly depend on where you live.
Installing small wind turbines in your home
is a great eco-friendly option for those
living in places with good wind speeds.
Geothermal power
Using geothermal power for heating and
cooling your home is a much more efficient
way of investing into energy efficiency.
Ground source heat pumps provide
consistent heating and cooling throughout
your house and are durable and efficient,
letting you reap their benefits for decades.

22
WASTE MANAGEMENT
An easy guide
to recycling
Recycling is crucial to the future health of our planet, and with
the UK’s overall recycling rates for everyday waste still below
Europe’s target of fifty per cent, taking better care of our
environment is now more important than ever.
Not only does recycling save
energy and conserve natural
resources, it also greatly reduces
the amount of landfill produced.
However, the recycling process
is not all that easy to follow –
with so many types of materials
and different rules from different
councils, it’s hard to remember
what goes where. This
uncertainty means that many
homes in the UK are putting at
least one recyclable item in the
general rubbish, dramatically
increasing the amount of waste
we produce as a nation.
Recycling at home should be
quick and simple. The simple
tips below will help you waste
less and recycle more.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 23
Reduce your waste
Cutting the amount of waste we
produce saves time sorting waste
and frees up valuable space in
our boxes, bins and bags.
Some options to help with this
include:
• Buying loose fruit and
vegetables
• Taking reusable containers to
a local butcher for meat
• Reading a newspaper online
instead of in print
• Using a reusable coffee cup
• Selling and buying used items
Maximise your space
To get the most out of your
recycling boxes, you should
make sure you use the space
effectively. Flatten cardboard
boxes and break down larger
pieces of card into smaller
pieces. You can also flatten
smaller boxes, plastic bottles
and drinking cans.
Carrier bags
Most large supermarkets have
carrier bag banks in store where
you can recycle your used plastic
carrier bags and remember to
take your ‘bag for life’ to the
supermarket with you.
Double up
Having a minimum of two
recycling boxes means you
can recycle more items and the
easier it will be for you to sort
your recycling.
Two in one
Most households have a bin
in their kitchen that they use
to dispose of waste. Why not
consider swapping this for a
dual compartment bin, or buying
another bin for recycling? Both
of these can be found at most
home retailers.
Go packaging free
You can buy reusable mesh pouch
bags for grocery shopping loose
fruit and vegetables. Try to avoid
buying items wrapped in plastic
packaging, card packaging is a
better alternative as it is easier to
recycle.
Common recycling mistakes
It’s easy to get confused about
whether or not certain items can
be recycled. You’re not alone!
Below are some of the most
frequently wrongly recycled
items:

24
WASTE MANAGEMENT
www.homemoverspack.co.uk
Foil
This is one of the most regularly
binned materials that can
actually be put in your recycling
— but make sure it’s washed
thoroughly first.
Plastic food wrapping
Some plastic wrappers can
be recycled at some major
supermarkets, whilst others
can’t. Always check the label.
Empty aerosols
Contrary to popular belief, these
can actually be put in with the
rest of your recycling.
Crisp packets
These tough, shiny packs are a
plastic‐metal hybrid that cannot
go in the recycling.
Wrapping paper
In most cases, it can be recycled
alongside other paper, but if it’s
dyed or contains additives like
glitter, it cannot be recycled. The
same applies to greetings cards.
Switch to brown paper and stick
to simple birthday cards!

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26
SMART SYSTEMS
Smart home appliances
guaranteed to make
your life easier
The best smart home devices
are an essential part of a 21st
century home. With them installed you
can now turn your thermostat up, lock your
doors, and play your music with a simple voice
command – creating a seamless, smart environment
that promotes functionality
Home automation is exactly what it sounds like: automating
the ability to control items around the house—from window
shades to pet feeders—with a simple push of a button (or
a voice command). Some activities, like setting up a lamp to
turn on and off, are simple and relatively inexpensive. Others,
like advanced security cameras, may require a more serious
investment of time and money.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 27
There are many smart home
product categories, so you can
control everything from lights and
temperature to locks and security in
your home.
Smart Home Hubs and Controllers
Before you start assembling your
smart home, it pays to think about
which smart home ecosystem you’ll
want to start with.
A hub serves as the centre of your
home automation system and ties
all of your devices together. Whether
you need one or not depends on the
type of components you’re using
and how many devices you want to
control.
Smart home hubs are able to
control many smart home devices
and systems, including smart
sensors on thermostats, lightbulbs,
outlets and switches, door locks
and sensors, doorbells, garage
door openers, energy monitors,
and window treatments/coverings
and sensors. They can also control
motion sensors, flood and leak
sensors, smart radios and speakers,
security systems and cameras,
smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors, irrigation controllers,
and fans, water heaters and other
household appliances.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting is one area of the smart
home that just about anyone can
tackle. It requires little explanation,
installation, and fiddling, and before
you know it, you’re enjoying the
lovely hues of your new smart light
bulbs, controlling them with just
your phone or your voice.
Smart lighting is great because
of the options you have at your
disposal: you can control them with
just your smart phone or with a
voice command.
These apps enable you to change
the brightness of the bulbs, and if
the bulbs have coloured LEDs you
can change their colours too. You’ll
often find that smart light systems
can also be accessorised with
additional items such as dimmer
switches or motion detectors.
That opens up a whole world of
possibilities, which you might call
light recipes: you might have one
light recipe for watching movies,
another for dinnertime, and yet
another for reading. Switching from
one recipe to another is as simple
as tapping a smartphone or yelling
at your favourite voice-activated
personal assistant.

28
SMART SYSTEMS
www.homemoverspack.co.uk
Smart Home Security Cameras
Smart security cameras designed for
both inside and outside your home
are a must if you want to know what’s
happening when you’re not around.
Unlike basic security cameras, which
store data to a small PC, or enterprise
systems that charge you for a
subscription package, smart cameras
use both cloud storage and a real-time
video feed. This provides you with the
flexibility to check on your property
whenever you like and wherever you
are.
A smart home security system can be as
simple as a central hub combined with
motion and window/door detectors that
alert you to movement in the house.
But if you like the idea of watching
what’s happening at home live on your
phone, or turning a lamp on from afar,
then there are other gadgets you’ll
need to look out for. Some systems are
only compatible with add-ons from the
same brand, while others enable you to
connect third-party components.
Smart Heating and Cooling
The best smart thermostat can make a
big difference to your home, giving you
more control, allowing you to automate
heating and cooling, and saving money
in the long-run. For those reasons
and many more, smart thermostats
have quickly become one of the most
important pieces of tech in your smart
home.
Smart thermostats are able to learn
your routines, like when you leave the
house in the morning and when you go
to sleep at night. But as smart as they
are on their own, you can also control
them from anywhere in the world
through your phone. This enables you
to adjust temperatures room-by-room,
and even lets you control your heating
using just your voice.
There are a wide range of smart
thermostats to choose from, and
different models each have their own
particular selling points.
Ultimately, to what extent you invest
in your smart home is really down to
you, and you can personalise it to your
level of comfort. The great thing about
smaller, cheaper smart devices is that
there’s zero hassle or commitment to a
more connected home.

30
YOUR NEW KITCHEN
Kitchen: Hub of the home?
You probably spend loads of time in
your kitchen, so it’s worth creating a
functional and gorgeous room.
For many people, the kitchen is the heart
of their home –a space for more than just
cooking. So it makes sense to invest time
and money to ensure it meets the family’s
needs.
If you’re thinking about starting from
scratch, it may be best to work closely with
a designer or architect to develop sketches
and floor plans that will help you meet your
goals for your dream kitchen. That way,
you’ll keep on track and on budget. But
there’s a lot you can do yourself...
Before you start
Draw up a plan Planning a modern kitchen
design involves numerous elements that
work together to make a livable, enjoyable
and inviting space in your home. Some of
the most important decisions you will have
to make are about the worktop, flooring,
cabinetry and appliances you will select. But
there are a few essential steps you’ll need to
take to ensure that your finished kitchen lives
up to your expectations.
Work out how much space you have to
work with: before drawing up your wish-list
of all the things you want to include in the
design, first measure the exact dimensions
of everything in your kitchen. In this way
you’re less likely to make fundamental
planning errors. Overcrowding your kitchen
with too much in the way of furniture and
appliances is a common mistake, as is not
planning enough storage. So, start off by
drawing up a list of the basic essentials your
Here’s our quick
guide to fitting a
new kitchen…
1
Out with the old
Remove the previous
kitchen but leave the
sink unit in place for the
time being – don’t mess
around with the plumbing
until you really have to.
2
Get filling
Fill any gaps with quick
setting filler, leave to
dry and sand down. Next,
sand the walls and ceiling
using fine sandpaper.
Vacuum up the dust then
wash the walls and ceiling
with sugar soap. Now paint
the walls and ceiling with
quality kitchen paint.
3
Wonderful wall units
Flat-pack wall units are
economical and easy
to put up. They should be
erected one at a time, using
their nifty little mounting
systems to get them in the
correct places on the wall.
Finally, fix the base units to
the wall using heavy-duty
screws.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 31
kitchen must have, the snazzy extras can be
added later if needs be.
Decide on a style Ideally, the look and
feel of your kitchen needs to reflect both
your personal taste but also your home. If
you’ve got a modern property with strong
architectural elements, a rustic, country-style
kitchen may look out of place, as will an
ultra-modern style in a cosy country cottage.
Make use of technology, which can help to
create a well-crafted design. For example,
you can download special kitchen design
software. Many people also refer to interior
design websites for inspiration.
Figure out the flow As
you pull together your
kitchen design, bear in
mind the flow – that
is the transition from
one room to the next. Ideally, what you’re
trying to do is create seamless flow, so
the adjacent rooms don’t look completely
different in terms of style.
Keep it practical Don’t forget your kitchen
needs to be practical. Try not to let yourself
become so immersed in its look that you
lose sight of the fact that the room needs
to be used to carry out all your day-to-day
tasks.
A well-designed kitchen will not only look
great, it will function just as well.
Renovating your kitchen step-by-step
If you’re DIY-savvy, you can save money
by installing some of the plumbing and
fixtures yourself.
4
Cut the water supply
Turn off the mains
then turn off the hot
and cold water valves that
feed the water tanks. In the
kitchen, undo all of the old
plumbing you can by hand
and cut the old tap pipes
off. Pull out the sink and old
worktop, and put the final
base unit in place.
5
Work in the worktop
This is not a job to
tackle on your own.
Measure and cut the
worktop to size using a
jigsaw with a down cutting
wood blade to avoid
chipping. If you’re going
to tile the kitchen, you can
leave 3mm-5mm either end
as the tiles will cover this
gap. Then measure out the
hole for the sink, you may
have a template for this.
6
Door duty
Now you need to fix
the hinges and doors,
their handles and the plinth.
The doors should slot nicely
into place, although some
adjustments will need to
be made to get them level.
Then put the plinth on,
this just needs to be cut to
length, a few mounting clips
placed in the right places,
and pushed on.
And that’s that!

YOUR NEW KITCHEN www.homemoverspack.co.uk 33
BRIGHTEN UP
The right lighting is essential for a bright, happy room
When possible, your kitchen design should incorporate natural lighting. A kitchen
needs to be practical, sociable and comfortable. Here are a few options for you
to consider:
Spotlights
Recessed into the ceiling
or on a track, these are
great for ambient and task
lighting.
Cupboard lighting
Glass fronted cupboards
lit from within by LEDs or a
fluorescent tube to create an
atmospheric look.
Over-the-counter lights
Task lighting which
illuminates what you’re
doing, but worktops can fall
into a shadow if you stand in
the wrong place.
00 00

34
BATHROOM INSPIRATION
www.homemoverspack.co.uk
Create a bathing sanctuary using
luxury materials and fab fittings...
1
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Your bathroom mirror doesn’t
just have to be practical, it can
be a style statement, too. Whatever
size your bathroom, go for drama
– steal an eye-catching mirror
from another room in your house
or invest in a vintage find and add
instant glamour by spraying with
gold or silver paint.
2
Give it some flannel
Head to the ladies room of
a smart hotel and you
won’t find damp towels to dry
hands – instead there’ll be piles of
luxurious hand flannels, each one
neatly rolled, often in baskets, on
the side of the basins. Follow suit –
it’s an easy touch and won’t break
the bank.
3
Sink and swim
The common bathroom sink
has come a long way from
being just a boring round bowl
to catch water. Deep, slick and
elegant designs come in a variety
of shapes and can transform your
room. Choose from free-standing,
wall mounted or counter-top.
4
Be choosy with your display
Storage is often at a
premium in bathrooms so it’s
understandable that some items
have to be on display. Make sure
anything on show looks good –
glass bottles, gathered in groups
of three, look classy – and you
can decanter most cleansing
products into them. Go for vintage
or modern, clear or coloured,
depending on taste.

36
BATHROOM INSPIRATION
Build bathroom
indulgence
When planning and designing
your bathroom, whether
large or small – the key starting
point is knowing what you have to
work with. It’s all very well having
your heart set on an enormous
freestanding bath – but if you don’t
have the room for it, no amount
of money will make it fit! It’s also
important to consider the waterpressure
into your property – you
will need a decent level of pressure
– 2 bar or above to operate high
flow rate shower options such as
body jets or large shower heads.
Once you’ve established how
much room you have and what
shower options are realistic – the
fun part can begin. There are
plenty of different options for every
aspect of your bathroom, so it can
be good to consult your plumber,
although don’t let them push you
into having fittings just because
they find them easy to install – a
bar shower is not for everyone!
Storage is often overlooked –
but you’ll miss it when your shiny
new bathroom is installed and
there’s nowhere to put the loo rolls
and spare towels. Storage can
be achieved in a number of ways
– from drawers in a vanity unit,
to tallboys and cupboards – not
forgetting the old faithful mirror
cabinet. Again, there are lots of
options available – it all depends
on what suits your room.
There are some fantastic focal
point pieces around – from brightly
coloured vanity units, funky radiator
designs and mirrors with lighting
effects , so enjoy yourself and
create a space that’s really yours.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 37

38
NOT JUST A GARAGE
www.homemoverspack.co.uk
HOW TO MAKE THE
MOST OF YOUR
GARAGE SPACE
When you picture a garage, you usually imagine
a cold, messy room full of storage boxes and
other items that have been left in there over the
years, but your garage space doesn’t have to
be this way. More and more people are using
their garages in new and creative ways, so why
don’t you? Being able to use the garage space
for other purposes can properly maximise space,
and you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice car
parking to do so.
First - declutter! Before you can fully take
advantage of your garage’s storage potential, you
will need to declutter. It’s important to be ruthless
in your approach if you really want to maximise
the space. Decluttering is your strongest weapon
in the fight against mess. After all, a tidy home
means a tidy mind!
Home gym
If you lead a busy life – and who doesn’t! – it can
be tricky to fit in regular time to go to the gym.
And if you feel unfit, a gym membership may do
more to discourage you than to help you work
out. Others prefer to do their exercises in peace
and privacy. Why not address all these issues by
turning your garage into a home gym?
Repurpose your unused garage and string up a
punching bag, stack up a few weights and add
an exercise bike. There is no need to buy a whole
load of expensive machinery, even just a yoga
mat and some weights will do just fine. What is
important is that you have that separate space
for working out at home.
Office space
We’ve already mentioned that creating an office
space within your home can add value to a
property, but if you simply don’t have the extra
room available in the house, utilising the garage
in this way is the perfect alternative. Having an
office slightly separate to the main house also
means more privacy and less noise when trying
to get work done.
Simple storage
Racking and shelving are great starting points for
organising your garage, so invest a little in durable
storage units in order to cope with the strain of
heavy items; you wouldn’t want to sustain an
injury due to structural concerns. This can help to
increase the floor space in your garage and keep
your possessions easily accessible, too.
You should also consider investing in ceiling
storage units as these can maximise the space
in your garage, and offer storage solutions which
don’t take up too much floor space; an excellent
system which means you can park your car and
store large equipment at the same time. Finally,
cabinets can be effective if you are thinking of
converting your garage as these hide the items
that the cabinets contain from view, making your
room look neater and cleaner.
Consider a conversion
If the garage space is going unused, you should
consider renovating or converting your garage
for a different purpose. For instance, garages can
make great entertainment or play rooms as they
are separate from the rest of the house and so will
be quieter and more private.
If you have a hobby that requires workshop,
garage conversions can also work well as they
will have the storage facilities needed and will
stop the rest of your house from becoming dirty
or damaged by practicalities like woodwork or
soldering. for instance.
Garages will most likely be under permitted
development for planning permission, but always
check the necessities and apply to get any
conditions removed should this be the case.

40
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Simple ideas to freshen
up your garden
If you think your garden could do with a bit of a freshen up but feel
daunted at the thought of such a project, then there are plenty of
manageable, do-it-yourself improvements you can make.
Clear lines and distinct edges give
your space more purpose, distracting
from the overall size of the garden.
The idea of adding multiple features
might seem like it will overwhelm
your garden, but if done properly, it
can actually have the opposite effect.
Make good use of different textures
and colours to break up the areas.
Experiment with alternate ground
materials such as decking, grass and
paving slabs to visibly separate the
space into zones.
For a low-maintenance option, ditch
the grass altogether and opt for a
mixture of stone and paving slabs
instead. Running a simple theme
through the space with a few select
splashes of vibrant colour can bring
the whole garden together. Laying
an uncomplicated asymmetrical
pathway will have the same effect. If
you can’t bear to part with the idea
of a lawn, a small strip of astroturf
produces the illusion of a lush green
patch, without the added hassle of
needing to be mowed and watered.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 41
Creating a focal point gives a small
garden a sense of purpose. It
doesn’t have to be a complicated
feature, something as simple as a
small water feature or strategically
placed oversized planter will have
a huge impact on the landscape. A
focal point is a structure that draws
the eye through the garden. It should
stand out in your space, without
overpowering or detracting from the
surrounding elements, but be sure to
consider its positioning carefully!
Benches, seating arbours and
pergolas also work fantastically as
focal points. They have the extra
benefit of offering additional planting
space as you can trail plants through
them. Garden Mirrors are a brilliant
way of introducing light and depth,
giving the illusion of more space,
while fire pits make great centre
points for those who enjoy outdoor
entertaining and barbecue hosting
during the summer months.
If you’re stuck for ground space,
then make use of your vertical
walls and surfaces by planting
them up with a variety of vibrant
plants, climbers and trailers.
Vertical gardening is the perfect low
maintenance solution for paved or
concreted spaces, saving the hassle
of digging out beds while allowing
you to add as much colour as you
like, without taking up your valuable
ground area. A ‘living wall’ will give
a fantastic sense of privacy and
conceal bland surfaces such as
fences and walls.
Correct positioning is imperative
when planting. If you are opting for
bright perennials at ground level,
placing the most colourful flowers
in the foreground of your garden will
cause the rest of the landscape to
recede into the background, making
the space feel larger.

44
DESIGN IDEAS
Interior design tricks to
transform your home
Designing your home should be a fun task
that you can devote your time to doing.
It is an interesting and exciting process
because you can experiment with different
styles and techniques. There’s nothing
quite like seeing your ideas come to life.
As such, the final result is likely to be
exactly what you wanted and something
you can always enjoy.
Designing your own home allows you to
explore all possible avenues to suit your
taste. But to achieve your objective, we’ve
provided you with some helpful tips we hope
will leave you inspired.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 45
Use of lighter and softer colours
for small rooms
Depending on the type of the colour
you use, your room will either appear
larger or smaller. Light colours are
known to make your room look
larger. In that case, you can paint
smaller rooms in lighter and softer
colours to achieve that feeling of a
larger space. In fact, darker walls
when painted in light colours will
help reflect natural light making the
room a little brighter. Whichever the
case, you can settle for brighter
and softer colours to create
an impression of space in your
small rooms.
Mix and match
Placing an antique table next to
your modern couch is an example
of mixing style periods. The same
can apply to fabrics and rugs, old
and new paints as well as various
kinds of furniture. It’s a great idea to
try out different designs. Provincial,
Parisian and French royal furniture
styles blend well with the current
designs in order to balance the past
and the present.
Create the illusion of space with
decorative mirrors
Mirrors in your room, regardless
of its size, will make the room
look bigger and also increases the
amount of natural light. The optical
illusion created by the mirror is the
main factor to consider when trying
to achieve that look. Mirrors can
be placed strategically across the
windows, or alternatively, you may
use mirrors in an artistic way to fill
blank wall spaces and also to add
dimensions to your room.
Ornamental plants to liven up
the room
Apart from bringing life into
your room, plants also create
microclimates in your house. Who
doesn’t need some fresh air to
breathe? You can decorate your
room with plants by placing them
on specific shelves. Besides, the
inclusion of plants in your room adds
colour and texture to accessorise
the space and create interest in
bare and disused corners.

46
DESIGN IDEAS
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Unused Items to transform the interior of
your room
Save your time and money by using those
household items that are not in use. They
can be silver platters or trays for use on
coffee tables, wooden items such as bowls
or boxes to keep jewellery in, old fabric
and materials which could be made into
cushion or pillow cases, and many more.
Add some decorations using those items
to enhance texture and add dimensions. At
the end of it all, you will be fascinated with
what you never thought could be ideal in
interior design.
However, not everyone is able to afford the
costs that come with redecorating a new
home. So what can you do if you’ve moved
into a home that isn’t really to your taste?
Rooms painted dark blue
If you’re worried about dark blue walls
putting off potential buyers, but don’t want
to lose the bold colour completely, you can
lighten the space by repainting just one of
the walls in a lighter colour, preferably the
one you see first as you enter the room.
If you won’t want to live with white, use a
pale grey, but neutralise the space and your
home should appeal to a wider audience.
Dark grey rooms
Give the illusion of a light, bright space
by adding a colourful wall collage. Keep
it cost-effective by rummaging through
charity shops for an eclectic selection
of frames and use postcards, prints and
wrapping paper for savvy alternatives to
expensive art.
Painted floorboards
If you have painted floorboards and can’t
afford to replace them with a new floor, then
rugs are going to be your best friend.
Original sash windows
Although original sash windows can look
beautiful, some people may be put off by
potential drafts and the cost of maintenance
in the future. Your best bet is to ensure your
windows are in great condition to show they
aren’t going to incur any immediate costs.
Give them a fresh coat of paint and make
sure they are all in good working order.
Open plan layout
An open plan layout was a huge trend a few
years ago, but many people love the idea
of separate rooms to give them more living
options. If you do have an open plan layout,
work hard with your styling and positioning
of furniture to create defined zones and
areas. Use plants, bookcases and screens
to ‘hide’ one area from another and give the
illusion of different rooms.

50
VALUABLE EXTRAS
Five ways to
add value
to your
home
Making home refurbishments can be a simple and effective way to add
value to your property and uplift your existing living space. Knowing which
home improvements to invest in isn’t always an easy decision, and as your
property is likely the single biggest investment you will make, it is not a
decision to be taken lightly.
To help with your renovation inspiration, here are seven top home
improvement trends that are popular right now.

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 51
1
A New Bathroom
Your bathroom is a room that the majority of your guests will see and is also the
place where you prepare for the day ahead or relax with a bath in the evening. It
plays a big role in your home and remodelling your bathroom can add value to your
property. If you want to revamp your bathroom and keep costs down, then choose
to keep your existing bathroom layout if it works for you, this way you won’t have the added
expense of moving pipes.
Think about your motivation for improving your bathroom in order to choose the best
options for you. If you are remodelling simply to add value to your home, then opt for
neutral, flexible and simple options that any future buyer could work with. If you have no
plans to sell and are looking to improve your bathroom for you and your family, then you
have the freedom to be a bit more creative.
2A Loft conversion
A loft conversion is a really cost-effective way to increase your living space and
depending on your property you might have a lot of choice on what you can do
with the new room. If you have a large loft with plenty of headroom, then you can
convert the space into almost anything you please. A popular option is to add an
extra bedroom to your home which can increase the value of the property by a fair amount
if done properly. If space and budget allow then it is also worthwhile considering adding an
en-suite bathroom to an attic bedroom.
3A Garden makeover
Spending more time on the garden will continue to be a popular trend. Having a
tidy, well-designed garden is a simple way to not only improve your outdoor space
but also add value to your property. Creating a garden that is an additional space
in your home for entertaining and relaxing, as opposed to just a large patch of
grass can add real appeal to a property. Think about freshening up your fences if they look
dated, and adding decking or a patio to create a nice space for barbecues and enjoying
the sunshine.
4A Home office
More and more people are enjoying flexible working and are working from
home more than ever. Whether you run your own business or work from
home regularly, adding a home office to your property can be a real benefit. If
you have the space available, then creating a home office is a fairly simple
renovation, and many people choose to convert spare bedrooms into office spaces.
If you don’t have the space already, then adding more space to your home with a
conservatory, loft conversion, or extension is a great way to add more value to your home.
Another popular option for home offices is to create a garden office by utilising any spare
outdoor space and building a cabin.
5An Extension
Increasing the square footage of your property is nearly always a money maker and
a well thought out extension can add a lot of value to your home. A well-planned
home extension has the potential to turn even the humblest of properties into a
comfortable and stylish home. With the right design you can create a wonderful
new space that not only transforms the way you interact with your living environment, but
also adds significant value to your property.
Costs for a single storey extension start at £30,000 with a double height extension
costing from £40,000 – so it pays to consider doubling up. Whatever you choose, pay
careful attention to the design and layout, as a poorly designed, oversized, ugly or badly
placed extension could devalue your property.
The golden rule is to ensure that the extension is in keeping and proportion with the
existing property and that the new space works well both inside and out.

52
DON’T FORGET TO ASK
www.homemoverspack.co.uk
Important questions to ask
your builder or decorator
When choosing the right builder or home decorator, there are some key issues you need to
think about. For example, it’s imperative that you arm yourself with some basic knowledge
first before choosing a specialist. Find out exactly what a tradesman’s process is going to be
and get a detailed quote from each tradesperson you’re considering.
Here we discuss these key points in greater detail.
Arm yourself with some basic
knowledge first
Before you invite any decorators round to
quote on your project, it’s worth doing a bit
of research yourself to find out what steps
typically apply to your sort of project. That
way, you’ll better understand the processes
they describe, and will be in a position to work
out who is taking the right approach to the job.
Choose a specialist rather than a
general handyman
When it comes to certain DIY or painting and
decorating work, a lot of homeowners choose
to do some of the work themselves - or hire a
general handyman. This can be in an attempt
to save money, or because they’re under the
impression that decorating is a fairly simple,
straightforward task that most people can
get to grips with. However, by opting for a
specialist, there is far less room for error,
therefore little need for corrections and will be
more cost-effective in the long run.
Find out exactly what their
process is going to be
It’s really important that you
ask each tradesperson you’re
considering exactly what their
system is going to be. Don’t be
afraid to ask them to take you
through each aspect of the
job step by step. If they’re
skilled and honest, they will
have no problem answering
your questions fully.
And if they are planning
to shortcut the proper
process, that will be
revealed.
Get detailed quotes from each person
you’re considering
Get at least three professionals to look at
your job, and ask them to each give you
a detailed quote, in writing, that itemises
and breaks everything down. That way,
you’ll be able to compare like with like, and
see exactly where your money is going. As
well as covering materials and labour - and
costing each aspect of the technical process
- the quote should also highlight any possible
additional expenses. This could mean the hire
of scaffolding, the moving or covering up of
furniture, or the disposal of waste.
It’s also important the tradesperson
highlights their charging structure in writing:
Do they charge per hour/per day, or do they
come up with a fixed price for the total job?
For large projects a painter and decorator
might ask for a deposit at the start; but never
pay the full amount upfront. Instead, wait until
the project has been completed, and you’ve
inspected the work.
Ask how long the job is going to take
It’s often about which tradesperson goes
through the correct decorating process, in the
right order. For example, a lounge or bedroom
would typically take a day to decorate. A
general handyman may not have the same
level of decorating experience to get the job
completed properly in a single day and will
charge for a couple of days’ work. That means
even if the day rate is cheap, the customer will
end up paying more overall.