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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for June 2021

Where to start with renovating bathroom (not DIY)?
This is something I've put off for a couple of years since moving. But I really need to get the ball rolling on renovating my bathroom. Including ripping out the existing toilet, sink, bath/shower and replacing them, tiling the walls, floor. I also currently have low water pressure to the shower which I need rectified in…
Is it worth buying a new energy efficient cooker?
Hi everyone, I hope I am posting in the right place. I have an old electric fan cooker, it is at least 20 years old but more likely to be older than this as it was here when we moved in. Our electric bill has always been a lot higher than our gas bill despite having gas central heating (gas heats the hot water as well). I…
Worcester Bosch 28i boiler banging noise
Hi everyone,Moved into the house in December 2020 and ever since then there has been a banging noise from the boiler. It's so loud, especially at night it scares the dog! To us humans, it's just very frustrating! Had British Gas out twice, they have checked the boiler and can find nothing wrong with it, so just wondering…
Removing sandstone patio - Tools required?
Hi all, the previous owners laid a vast amount of sandstone patio. I'd guess the patio has been down at least 10 years. Some of the slabs are loose and most of the pointing is now blown and it all looks very untidy. I'd like to get it all up, my plan is to re-lay some of the patio but most will be repurposed (Mix of…
Funding an extension
Hi all, we are actively looking at a double story side extension on top of our existing garage. Average quotes we've had so far is between £25-35k. Besides the obvious paying an extension off in savings, what are the other ways to pay for this Thanks in advance Darren
Quote for 3m x 3m Metro tiles - is this fair
Hi, we had a builder quote over £600 to tile 2 walls for our new build kitchen. Supply and fit white metro tiles area 3m x 3m. Is this reasonable or are they adding an uplift due to postcode. Have tried getting other quotes but its difficult for small jobs to get quotes.
Acorn stairlift service costs
My late father had an Acorn stairlift installed a number of years ago. In October last year he paid over £800 for his annual service and breakdown cover for the following 12 months. Within a few days (less than a week) he was admitted to hospital and sadly died 10 days later. Acorn insisted that the £800 was not…
New Patio am I being unreasonable?
Hi Guys, I am looking for a second opinion here, I want to know if I am being too picky.... I asked a landscaper to extend my current patio, they have not yet finished but I have queries regarding the following; I have noticed the following issues when I compared the new patio to the old patio.... 1) A lot of the paving…
Rusty Chimnea (dont want to paint)
Hi folks, just wondering if there is another option for my rusty chimnea other than to paint with jet black stove paint. When I wirewool the rust away, unde the rust there is the original finish which is black but with bits of brassy/bronzy colour showing through (was like this when new) and if I paint over it ill lose…
Replacement (external) timber window sill
I'm trying to source a replacement sill for a sash window, but it's proving a bit trickier than I thought to find something "off the shelf" cut with a suitable profile. This sort of thing: https://www.builderdepot.co.uk/70mm-x-145mm-hardwood-meranti-box-sill but from somewhere which is either Edinburgh-ish or will deliver…
Loft hatch opening
We’ve moved into a new house. We understood there was a loft hatch and it had fold up ladders. Unfortunately on looking, they’ve not left any info (or a tool) that might help us get in. Tried with a mop pole but not joy. Before I have to get ladders, anyone recognise this/can advise?
Howdens
Hello! I'm wondering if any of you are tradesmen who have worked with Howdens before? I have just had a kitchen installed with a Howdens kitchen. When I got the quote I hadn't secured a builder yet but they gave me quote on the account of some I was consdiering and I asked if this was the lowest price and if I'd get the…
Free Market Appraisal.
Hi We are in the throws of finishing off our extension, painters completing this week, patio being tiled over the weekend etc. Now, obviously I wouldn't mind knowing what the house is now valued at and whether I have got a reasonable uplift in houseprice for the money that we have spent. Although we have absolutely no…
Insurance discussion pls
I am looking to get my insurance sorted out and, seeing as you lot have some great logical thought processes, I wanted to start a discussion about the necessity of insurance in the scenario where you’re unlikely to be put in financial poo if an issue arose.. obviously buildings insurance is a given to cover for the highly…
Loft ladder carpet protection
Hello all. I think I am posting in the correct forum. We had a semi loft conversion so I can work up there. Still has a fold down ladder and we want something to protect the carpet as when it's down all day the carpet has marks and we worry it'll get ruined. I bought a rubber mat but it stinks so it may have to go back.…
Breach of lease by joint freeholder
I hope someone may be able to help! Apologies if this is not a suitable thread to post this on. We own the ground floor flat in an Edwardian house which has been converted into three flats. The new owners of the first floor flat moved in and have relocated the kitchen from one area into what is the lounge to make it into a…
Help - advice needed for solid conservatory roof and side windows
Hi I hope someone can help. I have a massive 6m by 6m lean to polycarbonate roof conservatory and want to replace with a solid roof. Question 1 is do I need planning permission? Second I have had a quote from a supalite roof provider for the roof £19800 only (Edwardian style). The quote for the roof and the windows (these…
DIY Brickwork
First post. I was thinking about building a garden wall in the rear garden. A good friend has offered to give me some old bricks which she has in her garden. Has anybody on here done any DIY bricklaying and is it difficult? I am interested in learning a new skill. The wall will be about 6 meters long and 1 meter tall.
Bath - Steel?
Old fibreglass bath has cracked so need to replace it. I notice that there are now Steel baths available, are these any good, would a steel one be stronger than firbeglass? It is going to be a tight fit as it looks like the existing one is probably 700 x 1700 but very tight fit and almost recessed into the wall at one end.…
Advice on complaint procedure - help
Hey there, hoping for some advice. I’ve had a complaint open with Homeserve for over two years. They damaged the wall in my house when they installed a new boiler and didn’t tell me. After that, they ignored my complaint, lost my details in a site move, repeatedly failed to update me, blamed me for not answering my phone,…

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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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