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.
Accessibility
See Mobility.
Accountancy, Tax and Self-Assessment
1. Accounting On Us
Bookkeeping and Admin Services
01395 273587 / 07736 297848
[email protected]
www.accounting-on-us.co.uk
Bookkeeping and admin work as-and-when you need it
by friendly, experienced MiCB qualified bookkeeper. Helen
Buck is flexible to the needs of your business, allowing
you to do what you do best and to forget the bureaucracy.
Serving a wide range of business types and sizes. ‘Excellent
& reliable service, Takes all the hassle out of some of my
company paperwork...very professional and helpful, great
value for money.’ Helen is happy for you to speak with
satisfied clients.
2. Easterbrook Eaton Ltd.
Chartered Accountants and Statutory
Auditors
Old Fore Street, Sidmouth 01395 516658
8 Jesu St, Ottery St Mary 01404 812555
[email protected]
www.easterbrooks.co.uk
Easterbrooks aim to provide the very best accounting,
taxation, and associated services in a friendly and
efficient manner, ensuring that you are able to understand
the complexities of today’s modern business environment.
They are Chartered Accountants who help with
business start-up structure and development, Company,
partnership and personal self-assessment tax returns,
payroll, and retirement and inheritance planning. Speak
to accountants who are approachable and understand
business and personal requirements with NO charge for
the initial meeting.
3. Redwoods Chartered Certified
Accountants
2 Clyst Works, Clyst Road, Topsham, EX3 0DB
01392 877200
[email protected]
www.redwoods-accountants.co.uk
Friendly, professional advice for businesses and individuals
on all areas of tax, accounting and self-assessment. Their
excellent website offers free-to-access, helpful advice,
tools and calculators, with monthly bite-sized updates on
tax changes that might affect you or your businesses. Free
initial consultations, easy access from the M5, free parking.
‘They understood my needs quickly, saving me money, at a
good price’.
4. Ian Roper
37 Fore Street, Sidmouth, EX10 8AQ
01395 515828 / 07970 791795
[email protected]
www.ianroper.com
A personalised service ideal for small businesses, retired
and semi-retired individuals, and a specialist service for
landlords. Personal tax, tax returns, VAT, year end, tax
planning. You are treated personally – Ian takes the time to
understand your needs, offers out of hours appointments
and is available on his mobile.
Aerials – TV and Satellite
See also Digital TV.
Many aerial installers have a set rate for the first hour even for a
simple fix, so be sure you are aware of their terms when you book
an appointment.
Aerial Care South West Ltd.
01395 320233 / 01404 480114
07442 500410
[email protected]
www.aerialcaresouthwest.com
Local family business since 2000 for setup, installation and
repair. Digital TV, extra TV points around your home, BT TV,
Freesat, Freeview, Sky installation, digital TV aerials, TV wall
mounting, aerial repairs, satellite installation. Same day
service, 7 days a week, free estimates, no call-out fee, no
hidden costs, no VAT, OAP discounts, credit cards accepted.
6. Aerial Installations
01395 488591 / 07912 609344
[email protected]
Same day service for aerial and satellite installations.
7. Astra Aerials + Satellite
01395 512346 / 07770 957307
[email protected]
www.astra-aerials.co.uk
Established for 23 years serving all your TV, FreeView,
FreeSat, DAB and FM Radio, Sky and aerial needs. SmartTV
installation to your internet, flat-screen TVs installed and
explained, multiple points around the house and more.
Friendly and professional. Free quotations and no call out
charge. Fully insured.
8. PAK Aerials (Est. 1964)
01395 516777 / 07791 336953
[email protected]
www.pakaerials.co.uk
Aerial installation and servicing, satellite, Freeview and
Digital TV. Supply and fitting of live streaming boxes
for unlimited streaming of sports, movies etc free from
subscription. Aerials to all rooms, HD distribution around the
house. Curing 4G interference problems. Repair and advice
on playback. All work using high quality materials and
products. RDI qualified digital installers. CAI plus members
(all staff Police checked). No call out charge. Recommended
as ‘punctual, professional, friendly, efficient, and clean’.
5.
Aga and Rayburns
LSJD
01363 82338 / 07813 967390
[email protected]
www.lsjd.co.uk
Luke Dennis has over 10 years experience servicing
Agas and Rayburns. Also selling re-conditioned Agas; flue
installations and fitting woodburners; oil tank replacements.
Lower prices due to lower overheads than larger suppliers.
GASsafe, Oftec and HETAS registered, serving all of Devon.
9.
Air Source Heat Pumps
See Renewable Energy.