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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for October 2014

Help re. electrical work in the Loft
I recently had a couple of lights, light switch and electrical socket installed in my loft by my builder as part of some refurbishment work I am doing in the home. I have 2 questions 1. Do the light, light switch and electric socket have to be fire and water resistant or need to comply with safety regulations in any way. I…
Energy Efficiant Kettle?
I'm looking for an energy efficient kettle, basically one that boils water cheaply! We drink a lot in our house and need a new one. Thank you in advance Greg
Howdens Burford v Benchmarx Oxford
Anyone know how the quality of these two ranges compare and what the price difference is please ? Thanks
rewiring questions
We have just bought an old house (c.1950) and I am considering getting it rewired when we get the keys. It currently has an old metal fusebox which has had the fuses replaced with circuit breakers. Can anyone give me any advice on how long this would take? I have been told the price would be between £2-3k? It's a 3 bedroom…
where could i get the large cloth to protect flooring when u paint the wall?
i am thinking of painting my wall. Where could i buy the large cloth for protecting the floor/ furniture?
Next furniture delivery
Hey, Has anyone had a Next furniture delivery any time lately? I've got a slot on Monday from 7 - 1 the guy on the end of the phone said the drivers 'normally' phone when they're leaving their previous delivery, put he didn't fill me with confidence. Can anyone confirm that this happens/should happen with Next? Really…
Burglar alarm systems
Hi, Wondering if any MSE's have any advice on burglar alarms. I'm going to work offshore next year and the wife would like one for when I'm not here. Looking at options of bell only, remote panic button, monitored or not monitored. Any advice on makes or companies etc. Looks like ADT should be avoided?? Thanks, Marco
Bath Chain
Can anybody recomend a bath plug chain thats cheap but doesn't rust ? thanks
Grants for Conservation Area Houses
Hi everyone We have recently moved into a conservation area (our first home :j) and need to repair/replace our sash windows. I have searched for grants that might be available to help towards the cost of replacement as our energy bills will be through the roof due to the amount of holes there are in the frame (a sock is…
Back of house looks dated, pebble dash can i get it rendered?
I'm soon to be moving into a lovely semi detected in a quiet village where i grew up. The houses are all 1930's build, lower half red brick, and first floor/upper half is pebble dashed. I'm guessing I cant change the appearance from the front, but the back has had a 2 story extension, and a single story one next to it and…
Back of house looks dated, pebble dash can i get it rendered?
I'm soon to be moving into a lovely semi detected in a quiet village where i grew up. The houses are all 1930's build, lower half red brick, and first floor/upper half is pebble dashed. I'm guessing I cant change the appearance from the front, but the back has had a 2 story extension, and a single story one next to it and…
Changing locks after moving day
I'll be moving within the next few weeks and want to change the door locks (for obvious reasons). Is this something I'd need a locksmith in to do? Or something I can tackle myself? I remember years ago busting a lock on my old flat front door, and it cost me about £70 for a locksmith who was there for about 10 minutes! :(
Element for old bar heater
Are these easy to replace? I see my exact heater on Ebay but its like £70 cheapest new, love this heater as unlike a fan heater it heats up any room very fast, and is pretty much silent(apart from the odd expanding metal like sound when it turns off or on) I have reasonable DIY skills, never built any furniture but able to…
Help with location of valve on gravity fed HW system
I have an elderly oil boiler which has gravity fed HW and pumped CH. (Photos below of pipework) I found this really useful pdf with some helpful diagrams, my sytem looks like the diagram on p5 (although I don't know if we have 2 tanks in the loft) www.heating-and-plumbing-solutions.com/AddCont.pdf (if you click the link…
LED Candle E14 Light Bulbs
Looking to buy 15 LED Candle Bulbs, E14 warm white for 3 new lounge lights. Looking at ebay I've heard all about the cheap Chinese versions not lasting too long and some being dangerous. However, come across these London based bulbs and not sure if they are any good. They come with a 1 year warranty.…
Underfloor heating in just part of an open plan room?
Hi, Currently building an extension. We will have a large kitchen diner set about 0.9m below what will become a new family room (currently existing kitchen diner). The new space on the lower level will have 11ft ceilings. Would it be a no-go to put UFH in the lower level and standard rads on the upper level. My thinking is…
Tarkett Modern Living sheet vinyl
We have a large living/dining room and want to replace the carpet that has been down since the 90s ( we've only lived with it for four years, it's an ex rental) We have 2 dogs and often foster for a local charity too, so we're looking for something robust and waterproof, and definitely not carpet or laminate. I have looked…
Sleepshaper Memory Mattress
Has anyone tried the sleepshaper memory mattress before? I life the Revitalise memory mattress which instore are £300 for double types; the same sleepshaper branded ones are £200 online. I called sleepshaper who said they make both under same name. any recommendations or feedback welcome thanks
Tiling help!
Having just had a new kitchen fitted, I am now getting the walls partly tiled, the bit between wall and base units and above the sink on the other side. I have a cream kitchen with dark wood worktops and have chosen cream brick-style tiles. The tiler has come and stuck them all on the wall today and will come back and…
Plumbing - Can you overheat a solder ring joint
It may not sound like it from the question, but I have done a reasonable bit of DIY plumbing in my house using ring solder joints and have been sucessful to date (ie, not had one leak yet). However, the one I'm about to do is causing me some concern. I need to put in an elbow joint on the gound floor of our house under the…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

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