It is crucial to the success of your home improvement or maintenance project to select a reputable tradesman or builder. The following advice is intended to guide the homeowner through the process of selection to ensure that the homeowners experience is a happy one.

Experience
It is likely that the proposed builder will have experience in his field from working on similar projects to yours in the same local area. So ask neighbours and other tradesmen if you know any if they have some knowledge of the proposed builder. An established builder will possibly be working locally to some extent and therefore will wish to maintain or build up their reputation locally. This is a good assurance that the builder will probably seek to do a good job for you and seek to gain follow on referrals as a result of your job.

Specific expertise
It is not always necessary as there are builders who have very good all round skills but you may wish to seek a tradesman with specialist experience of your project type. Such a tradesman will be able to understand more easily important issues such as specifications, materials and project scheduling necessary to meet deadlines

A local tradesman or builder will have more practical knowledge of local properties and issues relating to them.. Issues such as structural knowledge and local materials and construction of homes in and around yours. Generally, the more familiar a builder is with a style and type of home construction the better they can deal will problems that may arise. A local builder should also be able to offer advice on products and materials available locally.

Customer focussed service
Talk to your tradesman or builder about any issue relating to the project - they should listen to and understand your needs and concerns and help ease any concerns you may have.. In discussing costs your builder should also be able to advise you on ways to undertake the project to meet your budget.

Good communication is a key component in a successful customer/contractor relationship. Not only in terms of the customer/builder interaction but also ensure that you have a means to communicate effectively like telephone, email and fax. You may wish to prioritise your decision to hire a builder on issues of good communication and customer focus as these are key elements in the professional relationship and ultimately the success of the project. Your selected tradesman should be communicative and professional.

Good, reputable home improvement builders and tradesmen are essential to the success of your home improvement and maintenance project and will ensure that your project will be delivered on schedule, on budget and to an agreed specification. Choose builders and tradesmen with correct professional accreditations, insurances and references. Ask to see photos of past work and references from previous customers in your area and for similar project types.

As we always say, if your home improvement or maintenance project is undertaken by an unqualified builder or without a written contract then you may experience problems. Using a reputable tradesmen source like www.homepromatch.com will ensure that you connect with qualified and insured kitchen and bathroom fitters, rated and recommended by other local homeowners.

Take the time to review tradesmen reviews and ratings and meet the tradesmen before you make your choice. A little care taken at this time will pay dividends and reduce the possibility of you experiencing contractor problems. Decide on a specification and timescale and draw up a works contract with terms agreed between yourself and your contractor that you are comfortable with.

About The Author
An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com, an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK.

Find home improvement articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Many homeowners are opting to utilise existing attic space to accommodate expanding families or maximising value potential in their property.

However, extensions and additions can be expensive and time consuming to construct and can compromise the visual aesthetic of the house making the option of expanding ’upwards’ a more attractive option. Loft conversions allows you to utilize potential space. Instead of building an increased footprint for the house which will inevitably consume outside living space, loft conversions can be a very profitable and worthwhile home addition creating useable living spaces.

Consider this…..
Ask yourself what do you want to create? A new master bedroom with en suite bathroom? People are increasingly working from home, a new dedicated home office? An A/V entertainment area maybe?

And what compromises will a loft conversion necessitate? It is quite likely that head height needed in the loft conversion will dictate the useable space and it may not always be easy to increase head height as invariably this will require the alteration of the roof line externally and thus the obtaining of planning permission.

There may be vital structural members within the new useable space and these may compromise the integrity and function of that space though may in some instances add character and interest.

The floor too, originally only intended to retain the ceiling underneath will probably require strengthening too. These areas weren't originally meant to be living spaces, so consider what work needs to be done in order to facilitate your plans.

Planning permission
Whenever you add extra living space to your home, you will probably require planning permission. For this you will need to submit a planning application. Details of how to do this can be obtained from your local area planning offices. Perhaps your builder will be used to working on projects requiring planning permissions and so may be able to advise you on the process. Architects will be used to submitting planning applications for loft conversions as well as other home extensions and additions.

Once everything is in progress however, loft conversions are a very cost effective way to add liveable area and value to your home.

Bear in mind all issues you need to consider in constructing your loft conversion before you engage a builder or home contractor. Seek good advice and obtain the necessary permissions and you will create a worthwhile addition to your home. If your loft conversion project is done by an unqualified builder and without a written contract then you may experience problems. If your builder does not hold current public and employers liability insurances then you may well find yourself uninsured, out of pocket and liable for damage to adjacent properties.

Using a reputable tradesmen source like www.homepromatch.com will ensure that you connect with qualified builders and tradesmen, rated and recommended by other local homeowners.

About The Author
An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com, an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK.

Find home improvement articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Kitchens and Bathroom refurbishments are 2 of the most popular home improvement projects. Estate agents claim that these 2 improvements represent the greatest return on investment when its time to sell and move on.

We, as proud homeowners spend a lot of time in our kitchens and bathrooms. Consequently bathroom fitters have many design and installation ideas covering this important area of your home. Whether you want a complete kitchen or bath remodel or you're simply looking for new cabinet hardware and countertops, these contractors can add considerable value to your home and your quality of life.

Dealing with your kitchen and Bathroom installers

Before you contact a reputable kitchen or bathroom fitter have some budget plan decided. Together with your contractor you can discuss design and installation options that fall within your budget.
Its important to adhere to the budget as the variation in specification and prices for Kitchens and bathrooms are as diverse as houses themselves A reputable contractor will give impartial advice generally as well as being able to discuss in great detail design and installation issues.

Kitchen and Bathroom specialist or general builders?

Should you choose a dedicated bathroom or kitchen fitter or a general building team? The issue here is that the range of trade skills involved in refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom invariably involves carpentry, electrical, plastering, tiling, plumbing and decorating skills among others. So bearing this in mind, general builders are very suitable to this type of project and work in other areas of home improvement.

How to Find a tradesmen for your kitchen or bathroom project

As we always say, if your bathroom or kitchen project is undertaken by an unqualified fitter or without a written contract then you may experience problems. Using a reputable tradesmen source like www.homepromatch.com will ensure that you connect with qualified and insured kitchen and bathroom fitters, rated and recommended by other local homeowners.

Take the time to review tradesmen reviews and ratings and meet the tradesmen before you make your choice. A little care taken at this time will pay dividends and reduce the possibility of you experiencing contractor problems. Decide on a specification and timescale and draw up a works contract with terms agreed between yourself and your contractor that you are comfortable with.

About The Author
An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com, an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK.
Find home improvement articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Maybe you wish to add an elegant walk-in shower to your home or like the idea of the latest high tech shower enclosures. Whatever your style there are many options available to you and your plumber or bathroom fitter can help you decide what is possible with your installation and present plumbing system.

Your plumber will be able to advise you on the water pressure available to you and how this will affect your options. Generally speaking, most showers require a minimum water pressure of 0.1 bar though most manufacturers recommend anything from 5 to 5 bar water pressure. Thus ensuring that the carefully designed shower heads deliver water in the way they were designed. Choose fittings such as shower heads and thermostatic controllers that work with the maximum water pressure you have at your disposal.

Should you choose a fixed head or an adjustable rail system? Many people like the clean look that fixed shower heads give. The supply pipe work is hidden behind the shower in a ‘wet wall’ giving a contemporary and clean look. The downside is that the head is set at a fixed height and probably not at the optimum height for everyone in the household. An adjustable rail will allow the shower head to slide up and down a rail fixed to the wall. This allows the shower head height to be set at the optimum height for most people.

Many modern shower heads now incorporate an adjustable dial which enables the user to set different spray patterns and body jets can be added to a shower system to create an ‘all over’ experience. The choices are many for todays homeowner consumer.

Period style shower heads too are readily available to suit many shower thermostatic and none thermostatic systems. The traditional English shower rose is experiencing a new blast of popularity. Its combination of a drenching but less pummelling shower and stylish looks appeal top many. But take note that some of the larger shower roses (and these can available up to 300mm) require a minimum pressure of 3 bar.

If you are unsure about the pressure available to you then your plumber will be able to advise you on this and your options regarding raising the water pressure artificially through the fitment of a pressure pump. Remember too that hot water pressure supplied by combination boilers is dependant on the mains water pressure and the water pressure at your shower head will be this pressure. Conventional, non-combi set ups allow for raising of water pressure more easily.

As always If your bathroom project is done by an unqualified plumbing contractor without a written contract then you may experience problems. If your plumber does not hold current insurances which may be needed in the event of creating a water leak then you may well find yourself uninsured and out of pocket and liable for water damage to adjacent properties.

Using a reputable tradesmen source like www.homepromatch.com will ensure that you connect with qualified and insured plumbers and bathroom fitters, rated and recommended by other local homeowners.

About The Author

An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com, an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK.

Find home improvement articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Good, reputable home improvement builders and tradesmen are essential to the success of your home improvement and maintenance project and will ensure that your project will be delivered on schedule, on budget and to an agreed specification. Choose builders and tradesmen with correct professional accreditations, insurances and references. Ask to see photos of past work and references from previous customers in your area and for similar project types.

Choosing a professional builder allows you to benefit from held tradesmen insurances and the setting of a small works contract. A builder or tradesmen who does not accept working to a contract if requested to do so or cannot provide proof of adequate insurances is worth avoiding.

A good home improvement contractor will be able to advise you on the more important aspects of your project and help you avoid the common pitfalls experienced by an average home DIY ‘r or enthusiastic amateur.

Your builder will be able to provide design and material options with you that are specific to the home improvement trade they specialise in and offer impartial advice gained from, often, many years of experience. They will probably be able to obtain such materials at trade prices, passing on savings to you. They will be used to liaising with your architects and designers if you have them to ensure the smooth transition of the project from drawing board to completion.

Whether your builder may have his own dedicated team of tradesmen or select from a pool of sub contractors he knows and trusts according to the project type and complexity. A sub contractor will need to carry the reputation of the main contractor so this should ensure that the right people are chosen. In either case your builder will effectively project manage the specialist work, ensure the workmanship and take control of payments to them on your behalf.

There are thousands of reputable home improvement and maintenance tradesmen operating in the UK who will complete your project on time, on budget and to the agreed specification.

About The Author
An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com
http://www.homepromatch.com is an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK. Find home improvent articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx

Choosing a builder or tradesman who is not qualified, insured or comes customer recommended can result in project delays, cost overruns and an altogether forgettable customer experience.

Should you ever be approached by a tradesmen to do work on your home, often called cold calling, refuse any offers. Such people are likely to be uninsured, unqualified , unregistered and a risk to the security of your property and funds.

If your home improvement project is done by unregistered or unqualified contractor and without the necessary permissions you could well be made liable to dismantle the works and effectively lose all monies spent.

If your unqualified builder does not hold current insurances which is likely in this situation there will be no public liability or employers liability insurance to protect the public, yourself or indeed all the project workers. You could ultimately be liable if things go badly wrong.

It is unlikely too that reputable or good subcontractors will be working for the uninsured or unqualified builder. Resulting in a reduction in the overall project workmanship. High quality professional builders and tradesmen rely on and use other similarly reputable sub contractor tradesmen and visa - versa.

Sadly there are many stories of disreputable builders and tradesmen tarnishing the good reputation of the many thousands of great home improvement builders operating in the marketplace. Always make sure that you hire recommended, insured and qualified contractors. Using an online “word of mouth” service like www.homepromatch.com matches you with qualified, insured and vetted builders and tradesmen together with customer ratings Your project risk is minimised and the customer - builder experience is likely to be more satisfactory.

About The Author
An experienced trade professional, Nigel Beswick writes home improvement and maintenance articles for www.homepromatch.com
http://www.homepromatch.com is an online resource connecting homeowners with vetted and customer recommended home improvement tradesmen and builders throughout the UK. Find home improvent articles to save you time and money, get helpful tips and advice and design inspiration at http://www.homepromatch.com/Articles/List.aspx