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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for January 2016

Flat roof fire rating hell..
Hi, I'm looking for advice on a problem I don't know how to resolve. We had a kitchen extension three years ago: an existing 'galley kitchen' one storey extension was expanded with a garden room added and a new much bigger roof. We're now trying to sell the house but it appears we never get building regs final sign off…
Wood storage shed with doors
Hi all - Last summer I purchased a wood storage shed - the normal kind without doors - and in all this rain we've had my wood is absolutely soaked! I'm considering putting some doors on after not being able to find any that have doors, and I'm wondering if there's a reason for that? Do doors cause mouldiness or something?…
Horrible rendering - what should we do?
We recently bought a small mid-terraced house. Unfortunately, it has a horrible, lumpy render, painted in an even more horrible salmony colour. The paint is also cracking in lots of places. We obviously want to do something about it, but are limited budget-wise. We have had some quotes for just repainting that come to…
moisture soaking through utility room wall
Hi folks Well, having spent a small fortune these last two weeks on a new roof and door for my utility room (£2.5k) I'm hoping finishing this room won't cost me too much more, so advice would be appreciated please. The problem with the room is that the walls are single-layer red brick and inside there's no insulation or…
Fire doors for blocking sound?
I'm aware how expensive and disruptive noise reduction work can be, and how much it depends on sound frequency. I think I have a fairly constrained problem: my walls and floors (concrete) appear fairly effective at blocking sound transmission, but the (internal) doors much less so: they are extremely lightweight and have…
Strong fumes from new oil boiler
We've just had our oil boiler replaced 2 weeks ago, it's a grant combi boiler now installed which replaced an ageing firebird, the old one was leaking kerosene slowly, despite a few initial teething problems with the grant (a small leak which was sorted) it's been working fine but when it's on I notice an awful strong…
Need ideas for contemporary skirting/architrave combo's in white
Hi, Few renovations going on. Need some inspiration here. Looking at replacing skirting and architrave and looking for an elegant and contemporary finish. Any ideas? Ta
Removing wallpaper
Hello What is the most effective/easiest way of removing wallpaper that is on an interior flat wall on plaster-board, please? Many thanks
Crazy Novice Toilet Plan
Erm, so neither my husband or myself are in any way DIY people, but we've had an idea and I want to ask you clever people if it's a totally stupid plan. All our toilets are the same - the ones with round hinges going into holes. We clean them all the time but have noticed that there is often rancid yellow/brown muck…
Washing machine brands? Cheap vs pricey
I need a new standalone machine. I've been looking and there seems to be 3 groups: £200ish - Beko, Zanussi, Indesit etc - 1 year warranties £300 - Bosch, Hoover, AEG - 2 year warranties £350 - Samsung - 5 year warranties How long do machines typically last? I'm a bit of an environmentalist so prefer not to buy things cheap…
Kitchen Planning
Changed post to reword and to make it shorter. Will repost it, thank you.
Rust spots on new wood stove
Hi does anyone out there have rust spots on the top of their wood stove? We've had a new one installed for only 2 months and it looks like below. Thing is there is no evidence of water dripping down (everything around it bone dry). Thanks!
Dishwasher - reduced depth
Hi All, Does anyone know of a 600 wide integrated dishwasher that has reduced depth. The maximum space I have behind it is only 520mm. Someone must make one, but I cant seem to find one. Many thnks Jason
Howdens kitchen / almond sinks
Hi all, I've read a number of reviews about Howdens and the Latona appliances and they have been a massive help, so thank you to all for that. The one thing that I can't find much information on are the Latona sinks and taps. Has anyone got any thoughts or experience on them? We are looking to buy the 1.5 composite sink in…
Kitchen quotes
Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice. I'm replacing my sad old 90s kitchen in my flat and I've been getting some crazy quotes. At least, I think they're crazy so I'm looking for some guidance on whether they really are. The kitchen is galley style, consists of 14 units and I'm replacing all of the appliances. Spec is…
Care of wooden kitchen worktops
I wonder if anyone can advise me. We are having a new kitchen installed soon,and am trying to decide on what type of worktops to get. I always assumed we would get laminate worktops,mostly due to expense of real wood.Now that we have started looking (in Wickes,where we have ordered kitchen from),I can't actually find a…
3D Floor
I want a 3D floor put down in my downstairs toilet, a mine shaft or a cavern or something. I dont want a sticker, I want someone to come round and "paint" it on or however they put it down. A quick google doesnt seem to have much around in terms of companys that do this kind of thing. Anyone had one done or have a…
wwyd with £6000
Hi everyone, We are looking at improving our home. We have an old tank type central heating system, the windows and doors are drafty and we are also short on living space. Ideally, moving would be our best option, but is absolutely impossible for us at the moment and the foreseeable. We have been accepted for a small loan…
Can I knock wall down down to conservatory & turn into kitchen without planning
Hi guys looking for advice we current have a single brick conservatory which is damp and freezing and we access it through the kitchen back door (kitchen is single story extension as well) my questions are Can I change the plastic roof to a normal flat roof I intend on pretty much knocking conservatory down and rebuilding…
Very tall(3 meters) bookcases
Hi all, This is a pretty trivial thing I guess but its driving me slightly mad... My new flat has heigh ceilings (3 meters) and I want to have a wall of bookcases on one wall as I have so little storage as the rest of the flat is small. The wall isn't strong enough for shelves so a bookcase (secured to the wall in a few…

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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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