Homeowner Advice

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

Storm Safety - Be Prepared

24th October 2018

When spring approaches, it's easy to imagine warmer days – but March winds and April showers may not have finished yet! The storms that sometimes strike the UK can wreak havoc on homes, roads and railways. Even if your home has escaped unscathed, the storms could have caused some invisible damage, making your home more vulnerable to the weather. Make sure your home stays secure with these simple checks.

Check Your Roof

Your roof may seem intact after the storms, but a small amount of unnoticed damage can lead to serious problems if left untended. If you have a secure ladder and feel confident, take a look at your roof yourself, to see if there are any obviously loose, damaged or missing tiles. To be 100% sure, it is worth contacting a reliable local roofer. A professional roofer will know what to look for and should be able to fix minor issues cheaply and quickly, saving you stress and money down the line.

Secure Your Guttering

Just like your roof, your guttering is susceptible to damage from storms. You may not notice it at first, but cracked or damaged guttering can cause serious damage, leading to damp, and mould. It is a good idea to check your drains too; if your drains are blocked or obscured but your guttering is working fine, you could end up with a flood. If in doubt, call a specialist, who will be able to check and, if needed, repair fascias, soffits and guttering.

Strengthen Your Fencing

Many UK homeowners woke up after a storm and noted, with relief, that their garden fences were still standing. Many, however, woke up to find their fences damaged or even blown away. If you were one of the lucky ones, don’t get too excited; hidden damage could have been done to your fencing that will make it more vulnerable to the next batch of strong winds. Check your posts are secure – look for loose joints, rotten posts and any other sign of damage. If you do notice any weaknesses, get them fixed as soon as you can; if you need help, check out the trusted fence specialists in your area.

Check Your Chimney

Your wood reserves may be low and you may not even be planning to light the fire for months, but it is still a good idea to get your chimney checked out, particularly if you haven’t had it looked at for a while. If your chimney is cracked or damaged and letting in water, the problem will only get worse over the next few months. If you have had a stormy winter, get your roofer to take a look at your chimney while he is up there checking your tiles and guttering.

Your home works hard to protect you from the elements, so make sure you do your bit, too, to prevent costly damage and leaks further down the line.

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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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