Finance

Sealed Unit Double Glazing: Kind To Your Wallet, Kind To Your Planet Content Supplied by Zenith

Hardly a day goes by without the news reporting stories of either energy companies raising prices or an environmental disaster devastating peoples’ lives.

How to Buy at an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains the tactics of the auction room as well as what to do if you’re successful. To read David’s introduction to auctions and how to prepare for them click here

How to Prepare for an Auction

More and more properties are coming up for sale at auction in the hope of a quick sale. Here David Snell explains how auctions work and how to prepare for one. To read David’s guide to buying at an auction click here

New FIT Rates

An update on the new FIT Rates from Editor-In-Chief Michael Holmes following the recent government announcement

Home Renovations: How does it impact your home insurance premium?

If you’ve decided to start planning a renovation, then it’s vital that you’re aware of the insurance implications. It’s highly likely that the home insurance quote you may have obtained for your existing contents insurance policy won’t include cover for renovations, so the best thing to do is contact your insurer and use a comparison site to make sure that their extended cover is competitive.

How to Gain Control over your Gas and Electricity Price - Advertisement Feature from First Utility

What you don't know can hurt you. This is especially true when it comes to your gas and electricity prices. The gas and electric companies make a tidy profit over and above your usage costs because of lack of interest in how much gas and electricity you actually use each month.

Utility companies often send their customers estimated bills and these bills are calculated using a complex formula. Few people fully understand the process and just pay the bill they receive. There is however, a technology that can make you aware of exactly how much gas and electricity you use each month. It is called a Smart Meter. Installing one can save you a significant amount of money each year.

Homeowners Urged to Avoid taking Risks by Sainsbury's Home Insurance

In the following video Michael Holmes, Editor of ‘Real Homes’ Magazine, advises on what you can, and should never, save money on when it comes to renovating and how to ensure you identify and select qualified tradesmen

Making Money from Renewables: A User's Guide

A raft of Government schemes are beginning to make people consider how much money their home could – literally – generate using renewable energy. Tim Pullen provides a guide to assessing which route, and technology, is best for you

Green Deal: Is it the Real Deal?

The Green Deal – due to be rolled out in autumn 2012 – will see loans offered to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their houses. We asked Gregory Barker, the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, just how it will work

What Insurance Do You Need? - Advertisement Feature

This advertisement feature from Home Quote Direct explains some of the options available for insuring your home.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 3

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 3, Melanie covers planning consultants, quantity surveyors and plumbers.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 2

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 2, Melanie covers solicitors, designers and structural engineers.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 1

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 1, Melanie covers builders, project managers and electricians.

Funding a renovation project - advertisement feature

Bringing a dilapidated property back to life can be extremely rewarding, but arranging the finance to purchase a property and fund the renovation work needed can be challenging. BuildStore, self build and renovation finance experts, explain the options.

Cut Costs Not Quality - Part One

Whilst DIY can save you £1,000s, a canny self-builder will also look to reduce material costs, without making big compromises on quality. Melanie Griffiths reveals the best areas to target. Read Part Two

Weather the Storm - Advertisement Feature

Having adequate home insurance is all the more important as bad weather can strike at any time of year. This advertisement feature from Sainsbury's Home Insurance explains why you need home insurance, and how to protect yourself against bad weather.

A Guide to Reclaiming VAT: Conversions, Renovations and Extensions

Building your own home, converting a barn and some renovation projects are zero-rated for VAT purposes. So how do you claim your money — and maximise your savings? David Snell, who has carried out dozens of returns, explains.

Pre-Start Essentials: Mortgages

There are three unglamorous but essential things you will need to sort out before self-building or renovating. Jason Orme examines mortgages, stage payment schemes and renovation mortgages.

Extending Your Home: Part One

An appropriately designed extension will maximise both your living space and the resale value of your home, but who should draw up the plans, who should undertake the buiilding work and how much will it all cost? Clive Fewins answers all these questions and more.

Extending Your Home: Part Two

An appropriately designed extension will maximise both your living space and the resale value of your home, but who should draw up the plans, who should undertake the buiilding work and how much will it all cost? Clive Fewins answers all these questions and more.

How to Cut Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Uncertain economic times like these offer great opportunities for self-builders and renovators. But it is well worth reassessing your project to see where you can save financially without compromising on the overall quality. Michael Holmes explains how.

Cutting Costs: Reducing Labour Costs

Uncertain economic times like these offer great opportunities for self-builders and renovators. But it is well worth reassessing your project to see where you can save financially without compromising on the overall quality. Michael Holmes explains how.

Cutting Costs: Reducing Material Costs

Uncertain economic times like these offer great opportunities for self-builders and renovators. But it is well worth reassessing your project to see where you can save financially without compromising on the overall quality. Michael Holmes explains how.

Money Pit or Gold Mine? How to survey old houses for renovation - Part 2

You've seen an old house you like the look of and think it has potential, but how can you tell if youve spotted a renovation bargain or a wreck riddled with hidden problems? Michael Holmes explains

Why Pay VAT on Renovations?

Mark Brinkley looks at why a new bathroom or kitchen costs 17.5% more in a renovation than in a new build?

How to Halve Your Renovation Costs

How to renovate your home without spending a fortune.

How to Finance Your Renovation

If you have fallen in love with an old property in need of renovation or conversion, or want to improve your current home, where can you borrow the money you need? Michael Holmes explains your options.

Renovators - Your Insurance Questions Answered

Failing to take out adequate insurance cover for your renovation, conversion or extension project could prove a false economy if things go wrong, warns Michael Holmes