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  4. The Top Ten: Jobs To Get Your Home Autumn Ready - Part 2

Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

Homeowner Advice

The Top Ten: Jobs To Get Your Home Autumn Ready - Part 2

Last week we looked at the top five jobs that you should get done before winter hits. These tend to be outdoors jobs, which need to be finished before it becomes too cold or wet. Here are the five next most important jobs to get ticked off your to-do list this month.

Last week we looked at the top five jobs that you should get done before winter hits. These tend to be outdoors jobs, which need to be finished before it becomes too cold or wet. Here are the five next most important jobs to get ticked off your to-do list this month.

  1. Check the heating. It happens every year: there’s a cold snap, everyone puts their heating on, and the unlucky few realise that the heating isn’t working properly. Even if you have the number of a tried and tested plumber on speed dial, if you wait until the coldest day of the year to call them, you can guarantee that they won’t be free for a while. Get your boiler serviced now so that you can make sure you enter the cooler months without any nasty surprises.
  2. Sweep your chimney. Like the boiler service, the chimney sweep is something that should be part of your annual routine. You might be super organised and have had your chimney swept at the beginning of spring, but you still need to get it swept now. A build up of soot isn’t your only risk; birds’ nests and other debris could be lurking in the chimney. Don’t forget to order a load of well-seasoned mixed wood, too.
  3. Check your roof. Now is the time to have a quick look at your roof and see if you can spot any cracked, damaged or missing tiles. If you notice damage, contact a trusted roofer ASAP – remember, ask for at least two quotes for complete peace of mind.
  4. Clear the guttering. While you’re on the roof, have a look at your guttering and clear out dirt, moss, leaves and any other debris. If you notice any damaged guttering, get it checked out by a professional before heavy rains arrive.
  5. Insulation. If you don’t have adequate loft insulation, now is the time to think about it as you will see an immediate saving on your heating bills. Insulation isn’t just good for your wallet, it’s good for the environment and is an easy, low-cost way of you reducing your carbon footprint.

If you get those ten jobs done by mid-autumn, you will be well and truly ready for even the coldest winter! If your home maintenance to-do list is dauntingly long, why not call a trusted handyman (or woman) to come and do multiple jobs for you? It will save you time and could prevent long-term damage to your property.

Was this useful? For more tips and advice, or to share your autumn maintenance routine with us, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or Twitter.

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Looking for more homeowner advice advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

  • What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

    Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.

  • Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

    Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.

  • Should I renovate my home or move house?

    There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.

  • What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

    A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.

  • What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

    Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.

  • What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

    If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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