Tips for planning home maintenance
Don ’ t wait until an emergency ! Make maintenance plans , and schedule these around tradespeople ’ s busy times .
Some tradespeople are very busy at certain times of the year – which can be very frustrating when you ’ re trying to get hold of one !
It ’ s no surprise that good quality roofers are in demand after a storm , and that central heating engineers are in short supply during freezing spells . These are the emergency times when everyone in their trade is busy , and you can be sure that roofers and central heating engineers who care about customer service will be looking after their regular customers first .
Some tasks require dry , mild weather to be completed – particularly exterior painting . Decorators may have jobs stacked up in advance .
Plan ahead ! Get your central heating serviced over the summer , and get your roof examined and maintained every few years – ideally during the summer . If you have an open fireplace or hearth , get your chimney swept before the autumn rush – sweeps tend to be busy right through until after Christmas , likewise for woodburner installations . If you know your fencing is unstable , call in an expert before it gets blown down in a storm .
The frequency of these tasks will vary according to usage ( chimneys , boilers ), or the age , condition and materials of your roof .
Gutters and drains should be checked and cleared twice a year ( spring and autumn ) to prevent clogging . Blocked gutters can lead to damp problems and damaged brickwork , potentially costing thousands . A seasonal gutter clean of tree debris and moss helps prevent this problem .
While clearing your gutters , why not also check the condition of your exterior paintwork , and your rendering ( exterior plasterwork ). Exterior painting or plastering will be much easier for your chosen contractor to schedule over the summer when ( hopefully ) there is less rain to disrupt progress . Cold weather in the winter means slow progress for external work on your buildings , particularly when condensation forms on walls .
Where do the recommendations come from ?
The businesses featured here have been recommended by local people like YOU ! Readers of this guide , Parish magazines , local newsletters , friends and colleagues at places of work . People from the local community who appreciate good quality , trustworthy service . We need your feedback ( good and bad ) about businesses we feature and businesses we don ’ t , to ensure the high standards of those listed in our publication . No business is accepted without prior recommendations or adequate references , and we exclude businesses when we are aware of malpractice or bad workmanship .
The difference between ‘ value for money ’ and ‘ cheap ’
Businesses featured here are not necessarily the cheapest around . They have been recommended for providing high standards of customer service and for using good quality products .
Saving money in the short-term might cost you more in the long-term , especially if you have to pay for the same job to be done twice because your chosen supplier cuts corners to keep the price down . Have you ever bought cheap bin liners ?
If you use a smartphone or a tablet to access the internet , we recommend that you save Our Local Expert as a bookmark NOW . There is a dedicated page for ‘ Emergency Trade Services ’ such as local recommended 24 hour plumbers , electricians and locksmiths – you never know when you might need them .