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Plastering and skimming the best way, repairing cracks in walls and ceiling July 26, 2010

Plastering and skimming

Plastering is a term that you builders will use to explain a clean smooth walls and ceiling ready for painting and you will often but what you need to know is the plastering is not the actually final smooth wall but skimming is the final product

 Your plastering and Skimming Company will apply a 2 ’sets’ or coats, applied in quick succession during the same session.

Your professional plasterer will then apply a second coat is smoothed as it hardens, to give a smooth finish similar to eggshell texture. The wall and ceiling may take a number of days to dry and must allow enough time for that before starting and other work, during the drying process the wall will appear darker in the areas that still retain some moisture. Once dry and pale, it’s ready for decorating. You take the advice professional painters and decorators on the best way to paint the wall after skimming or plastering

Choose an experience plastering and skimming company in London is very important to achieve long lasting smooth walls and ceiling

Plaster repair/Cracks and Holes

The cracks in the ceiling or walls that you see can be  as a reslts of stress points or more serious issues in the building structure, repairing cracks in plaster is not a simple job, you hire a professional plasterer to assess the severity of the cracks and apply the appropriate building materials

By firstbuilders | Posted in Plastering and Skimming, Tilling and Painting | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The most popular Types of Loft Conversions and house Extensions in London July 26, 2010

Popular Loft Extensions: Dormer Loft Conversion

This option can only be achieved if the existing loft space is of insufficient size for the proposed conversion, The design will maximize your headroom for the staircase and add new good size room or rooms

You can also add additional bathroom or en suite, your Builders in London can advise you on the best option for the type of house you have, choosing the right Builders that have experiences team of Plumbers, Electricians, Bathroom fitters will help you to achieve your dream loft conversion at a reasonable cost

 Popular House Extensions : Rear Extensions

Extending your house to add extra kitchen space or a living room will add value to your house even at the current house market situation

The benefits of loft conversions and House Extensions

Generating extra space in your loft will add a value to your house and most importantly adding space to your life that can be used for a variety of everyday living activities: office space, extra bedroom, playroom and storage

Many families in London also use it to generate extra house income by renting a self contained studio flat but you have a cleaver design to achieve the level needed for that

Choosing professional builders in London will help keeping your cost down and get you value for money

By firstbuilders | Posted in House Extensions, Kitchen and Bathroom, plumbing and heating | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Under floor heating systems can provide a real alternative to traditional heating systems July 19, 2010

Using under floor heating can provide the needed heating to many locations at home, most people are only familiar with using the system in bathrooms but you can also use the system as the main heating system for your home

Under floor heating can be installed powered by electric supplier or heated water supply, the system tubes can be installed under floor between joists, under tiles or weed floor

Most of the systems can be controled using thermostats to each heated area

Your under floor heating fitter or plumber should be able to advice on the best option to your property

By firstbuilders | Posted in Electrical Installation, plumbing and heating | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Advice on Upgrading your Boiler and Central Heating System July 19, 2010

The type of heating system you choose maybe determined by your property and the areas you live in, there are a number of heating systems and boilers to help you save money on the heating bill

Keeping warm in winter can be really expensive if you are still old boiler or bad radiators system, you Gas Safe Registerred Plumber should be able to advice on the best options for your home

The Main types of Boiler and heating systems are:

Conventional Boilers

Conventional boilers are generally used in conjunction with a hot water cylinder and roof tanks and radiators. You can find that available for oil or gas, floor standing or wall mounted

Many people do not have the space needed to accommodate the water cylinder so that system may not suite every home

Megaflow system- delivering more hot water

The system works based on a mains pressure system takes water directly from the mains and supplies it to both the hot and cold systems. You again need a space to have your hot water tank

Condensing Boilers

Very efficiency system that works very well but again may not fit all type of properties

Combination Boilers (Combi Boilers)

The perfect solution for small space, no need for hot water tanks and you run all your heating and hot water from the boiler direct

Condensing Combination Boiler (Condensing Combi)

This system gives you the extra efficiency of a condensing boiler as well as the advantages of a combination boiler

By firstbuilders | Posted in Gas Safe Registered | Tagged , | Comments (0)

How to Cope with : wiring or rewiring your home July 4, 2010

Electricity can be one of the most dangerous things in the home and if you need to know why you just read the following statement from NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting), about 12,500 fires a year are caused by faulty wiring

 Hints and Tips

 You must make sure you hire a qualified Electrician to do the works

Have a plan and take your electrician advise seriously and remember that there are limitations on the number of sockets that can be run off an electricity supply.

The cost of your installations is very much depends on the number of sockets, spotlight, lights, tv points, telephone point and all your other extra supply point your require and budgets can soar if you suddenly decide to increase or change your plans

 Electrical  Installations requires running wires, opening new channels in walls and ruin that lovely wall papers so be prepared to do some decorating works once your electrician is finished so, when booking the electrician also think about booking in a decorator for a week after the job is due to finish.

By firstbuilders | Posted in Electrical Installation | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

How to Cope with : Fitting a new Kitchen in your house July 4, 2010

Installing a new kitchen can take anything from one to three or four weeks depends on the size of your kitchen, the preparation works required before the start of the installation and that can be extremely disruptive to your normal every day home life

Having a new kitchen is certainly a worthwhile investment that adds value to your property and makes your kitchen the real heart of your home

Tips and Hints

Your kitchen fitter will remove your old kitchen and that  means a lot of dirt and dust

Some of the old houses when that process takes place the walls gets exposed and the plaster could be revealed which contribute to a big percentage f the dust created ( my advise is to buy good quality dust sheets and cover as much surfaces as possible starting with covering the door or halls leading to your kitchen, if your hire an experienced kitchen fitter or professional builders they will most luckily follow that advise)

 Recycle your old Appliances, why not contact your local council and get some advice on the best way to recycle your old kitchen appliances or ask your kitchen fitter for advise

Pack ahead and make sure you label everything so you can find that tea mug when you really need to have your mooning cup

Know your local fast food stores for a quick lunch or a late dinner

Laundry, remember that your washing machine may be in that kitchen and your works uniform or that lovely dress you need for an important meeting must  be washed, so be prepared !!

By firstbuilders | Posted in Kitchen and Bathroom | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Installing a new boiler June 11, 2010

Central heating is still by far the cheapest and the most efficient way to keep warm in winter, but  unfortunately there are still many of us using old boilers that not only bad for the environments but also expensive to run

Replacing your old boiler must be a priority if you have just moved to a new property or hoping to save money on your gas bill, a high efficiency boiler and heating system with good controls can save you up to around 30% on your bills per year.

 Whether you’re considering installing your first central heating system or replacing your old one, make sure you your fitter is a Gas Safe Registered.  

Your Gas safe engineer will be able to advice on the best system for your property so make sure you consult with them first before buying your new boiler

By firstbuilders | Posted in Gas Safe Registered, plumbing and heating | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Adding new bathroom or en-suite June 11, 2010

Many families suffer daily with the availability of just one bathroom or toilet facilities in the house or flat they live in ( especially during the morning rush hour ), Adding a second bathroom, en-suite bathroom, toilet or a shower room is not only an investments in your comfort but also a great investments in your property

 The market has all sizes, shapes and design to fit your available space, your bathroom fitter will be able to pick the right materials for your available space

The possibility of adding a new bathroom or en-suite is endless but you must consider the one major factor in deciding the location of the new bathroom or toilet

 Drains and plumbing

You Bathroom will have to be connected to drains and plumbing. Sanitary fittings must be connected to a soil stack which is 100 mm (4in) diameter vertical pipe leading to an underground drain at an inspection chamber ( the manhole) The gradient of the drain should be neither too steep or to shallow, otherwise the possibility of blockages might occur, your plumber should be able to advise on the best sloution

Where it is not possible to connect directly to the manhole, there are other options available such as Saniflo - http://www.saniflo.com that can serve a new shower or bath tube

By firstbuilders | Posted in Kitchen and Bathroom, plumbing and heating | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

Building Regulations: Party Walls June 7, 2010

In England and Wales work carried out on a part of your property which adjoins your neighbours, must comply with the Party Wall Act 1996.

A party wall is any wall on the boundary line of two or more properties and includes garden walls as well as the walls of buildings, when you are carrying out work that will affect the structural strength or support function of the party wall or might cause damage to the neighbouring side of the wall you must officially (normally in writing) notify your affected neighbour.

The notice must be served at least two months before the intended start date of the work, giving details of the work to be carried out, But most importantly, no work may start until all neighbouring parties have agreed in writing to the notice.

The process is simple but is some cases you may need to seek advice from your building control office, a party wall surveyor or an architect

You could ask your Local Builders for advice

By firstbuilders | Posted in House Extensions | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Building, maintenance and refurbishment services in London June 7, 2010

First Builders qualified tradesmen service  including, build a house extension, Plastering , tiling, painting and decorating, update or renovate your bathroom, house, kitchen, living space or an office.

 First Builders quote service is completely free and all works is reasonably priced

 Our staff are experienced in all aspects of house renovation worksin London: plumbers, carpenters, painters and decorators, bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and builders

By firstbuilders | Posted in House Extensions, Kitchen and Bathroom, Plastering and Skimming, Tilling and Painting, plumbing and heating | Tagged , , | Comments (1)