Homeowner Advice

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

Basic Home Maintenance for a Smooth Christmas: Part Two

14th December 2024

Last week, we discussed maintenance jobs that can help to remove some festive stress. This week, we check off those final things on your festive to-do list.

Christmas can be a stressful time of year at the best of times, but when things go wrong at home, that stress is multiplied. Last week we discussed maintenance jobs that can help to remove some of the festive stress and prevent a festive disaster. This week, we check off those final things on your festive to-do list.

Inspect Your Roof

Winter storms (as well as summer ones!), rain, and snow can take a toll on your roof, and a damaged roof can cause major headaches during the holiday season. Before Christmas, inspect your roof for any signs of damage, such as cracked or missing tiles, leaks, or moss buildup. If you’re unable to check the roof yourself, it’s worth hiring a professional roofer to assess its condition.

Repairing any issues now will help prevent water damage, leaks, or even collapsed ceilings later, particularly during periods of heavy snow or rain.

Check for Drafts and Insulation

Drafts and poor insulation can make your home uncomfortable and lead to higher heating costs. Before the winter chill sets in, check windows, doors, and any gaps around your home for drafts. Seal any gaps with draught excluders or weatherproofing tape, and ensure your loft and walls are properly insulated to keep your home warm and cosy. This will also help you avoid the nightmare of heating bills skyrocketing over the Christmas period.

If you are concerned about your insulation, get in touch with a specialist to advise on appropriate insulation steps and associated costs for you.

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Safety should always be a priority, particularly during the holiday season when there is an increased use of cooking appliances and fires, not to mention thousands of fairy lights. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working correctly. Replace the batteries if necessary, and ensure your detectors are in the right locations—near the kitchen and on every floor of your home. These small devices can be lifesavers, offering early warnings in case of fire or dangerous carbon monoxide levels.

Not sure about your fire safety? The Fire Service usually offer a free home check – get in touch with them to make sure your home is safe all year round.

Clean and Declutter

With family gatherings, decorations, and extra holiday meals, your home is likely to get busier over Christmas. To make the festivities easier, take the time to clean and declutter in advance. This can involve everything from wiping down surfaces to organising your living spaces, making sure there’s enough room for guests, and safely storing holiday decorations. A well-organised and tidy home will not only create a more pleasant atmosphere but will also reduce the risk of accidents or damage caused by clutter.

No time? A contract cleaner can work their magic while you get on with everything else on your to-do list!

By taking a few simple steps to maintain your home before the holiday season kicks off, you can avoid costly and stressful disasters. Ensuring your heating, kitchen appliances, chimney, roof, and safety devices are all in good working order will allow you to enjoy Christmas with less worry and more time spent with loved ones.

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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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