Property and Home with Phil Spencer 2013 by kat.mccann

PROPERTY & HOME WITH PHIL SPENCER

INTERIORS

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LOCATIONS

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RENOVATIONS

Home Property &

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GARDENS

In association with NHBC

WITH PHIL SPENCER

Cosy Style

on a shoestring www.celebrityangels.co.uk

ways to cut your

Winter Fuel Bill

Buying Abroad:

‘need to know’ checklist WINTER 2013

GUEST EDITOR

PHIL SPENCER

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Plus

Top DIY ps from Craig Phillips CELEBRITY ANGELS WINTER 2013 | £2.95

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Contents

12. Keeping ahead of the game

Property guru Phil Spencer tells us how to be marketsavvy, and reveals what he thinks is the secret to his own career success.

PRO PE R T Y

CONTENTS

RE NOVAT IONS

40. Craig Phillips: DIY dynamo

Expert advice from top TV handyman Craig Phillips on which DIY jobs to embark on to put more value into your property.

22. A home away

44. Renovation Rules

26. Location, location, location

48. Matt Allwright: Avoid rogue traders

33. For sale!

54. Watch this space

Increasing numbers of Britons are taking the plunge and buying abroad - make sure you’ve got all the bases covered before you sign on the dotted line.

Whether you’re getting on the ladder for the first time or looking for your next purchase, we’ve got the lowdown on the top UK property hotspots for 2014.

Want to get top dollar for your property when it’s time to sell up? We’ve got the tips to show you how.

If done right, renovating your property can be a great way of increasing its value - we’ve got all the advice you’ll need to get started.

Employing trustworthy tradespeople can be a difficult business. We asked Matt Allwright to show us how to spot the scoundrels and get the job done right.

Feel like you don’t have room to swing a cat? Find out how to create more space in the home you have. PROPERTY & HOME WITH PHIL SPENCER 7

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CONTENTS

IN T E RIORS

58. Open Fires for winter

From the best range cookers to the hottest multi-fuel stoves on the market, get inspiration on this stylish and eco-friendly heating option.

64. Which wood you choose?

Always fancied a hard wood floor? Find out which option is the best fit for your budget.

66. The great cover up!

Warm up hard floors with our selection of soft and cosy rugs.

68. Heat beneath your feet

Underfloor heating offers an alternative way to keep your home toasty warm this winter.

70. Go retro

Vinyl or lino, it’s up to you but retro resilient flooring is making a comeback and the choice is better than ever!

73. Cosy style...on a shoestring!

Giving your home a winter makeover doesn’t need to cost the earth.

79. Kit out your kitchen

A great kitchen is the beating heart of any home but it takes careful planning to get it right.

HOM E & G A RDE N

82. Fuel your savings

With temperatures rapidly falling, we’ve got some great tips on how to avoid your fuel bills rising.

90. Winter warmers

These comforting seasonal recipes will be sure warm your cockles this winter.

98. A winter garden

From winter vegetables to flowering plants, find out how to transform your outdoor space and make the most of the winter season.

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CONTENTS

celebrity

PUBLISHER & CEO Kevin Harrington EDITOR Annabel Ross FEATURE WRITER Kathryn McCann

104 We think about a healthy diet and lifestyle, but what about your home home? Get tips on how to make improvements to the environment you live in.

122. Competitions

Your chance to win fabulous prizes.

123. 15 minutes with...

Sustainable architectural designer and presenter Charlie Luxton reveals how you can build your dream home without breaking the bank.

124. Product guide

Enhance your home with these top products and quality services.

ADMINISTRATORS Linda Young, Jessica Samuels

COVER IMAGE © Hugo Philpott

N E E D TO K N OW

The must-have tools every household needs.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Helen Shaw

Living with a disability shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your home the way you want.

118. Toolbox

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Joanna Harrington

WITH THANKS TO Phil Spencer

108. A mobile home

Get expert advice on how to get the best deal.

DESIGNER Juliana Martinhago

CONTRIBUTORS Phil Spencer, Eleanor Tucker, Anne Heckendorff

104. How healthy is your home?

115. Shopping for home insurance

SENIOR DESIGNER Reneta Bozhinovska

122

Property & Home with Phil Spencer Celebrity Angels Linton House 39-51 Highgate Road London NW5 1RT Tel: 020 7871 1000 Fax: 020 7870 2010 For sales enquiries call: 020 7871 1000 All material in Property & Home with Phil Spencer magazine is wholly copyright and reproduction without the written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The views expressed in this publication are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Celebrity Angels. The information in this publication is carefully researched and produced in good faith, however, neither the publisher nor the editors accept responsibility for any errors. The Celebrity Angels Series is published in the UK under licence by Damson Media Limited. Damson Media Limited is registered in England and Wales under registration no. 07869300. Disclaimer: Dear Doctor with Dr Chris Steele has been produced as a family health guide. It does not constitute professional medical advice. In no way does this publication take away your responsibility to seek professional medical advice should you have concerns regarding your health. Please visit your GP should you require professional medical advice.

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interview

Keeping ahead of the game Property guru Phil Spencer has been offering us expert advice on getting ahead in the property industry for many years now – with hit TV series’ such as Location Location Location and Phil Spencer Secret Agent, this man certainly knows his stuff when it comes to buying, selling or just having a nosey round the market! Find out about the exciting new projects he’s got up his sleeve, and what he thinks is the secret behind his career success. “Buying your first ‘piece of England’ is a very big moment in life, so why wait? Get on with it – as long as you can raise the deposit!”

What is the property market in the Uk looking like at the moment? is it strong? the market in the UK is always very polarised, meaning that different regions, areas and even different price brackets can behave independently from one another; it’s very easy to get confused. Headlines in the media about UK house prices can be very misleading because they are usually a mass average figure. in reality, what’s happening to two bedroom flats in Fulham may well have no bearing on what’s happening to five bedroom houses in wandsworth. what is relevant to people who are looking to buy or sell their property is local market knowledge. Generally speaking though, the market is strong and there’s much more confidence in it now than there has been, even since the beginning of this year. People are feeling better about the economy and the mortgage market is improving. is it still Worth it to try and get on the property ladder? or is it better to rent these days? i’m very much a fan of trying to get on the property ladder and controlling your own environment. you want to be able to make decisions on what you do with the property

you live in – it’s your home, and that’s a very special place. Buying your first ‘piece of england’ is a very big moment in life, so why wait? Get on with it – as long as you can raise the deposit! What shoUld people look for in their first property? your first-time home is not forever but financially speaking, the longer you can live in the property the better off you’ll be in the long term, simply because of the costs of buying and selling, such as stamp duty; the less times you move the better. So bear this in mind when buying your first property. Be clever about what you buy so you can aim to stay there for a while. think how your life might change in coming years. Buy somewhere that’s flexible and can evolve as your needs of it evolve. For example, a spare room is always great to have – it can initially be used as an office or games room, but can easily be converted into a nursery in the future. is it a good idea to bUy a property yoU can develop? Anything you can do to add value to a property is a good thing. So if you invest in a something with the potential to be made bigger in some way, that should stand you in

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good stead for when you sell it. remember, every property has a ceiling price – don’t put more money into the property than you can hope to get back from it. What are your thoughts on the government scheme to help firsttime buyers? there are two parts to the scheme. it was initially set up to help the construction industry (to provide new growth on the market as well as jobs and so forth), and at first the scheme only applied to those wanting to buy ‘new build’ properties. it’s

worth bearing that in mind because it originated from a business perspective, not from a consumer perspective. now it’s been rolled out to older properties. i do support anything that will help the property market – what helps first-time buyers inevitably helps everybody else because if you don’t have first-time buyers at the bottom of the ladder, nobody else can hope to move on. But we need to be mindful of when the scheme ends in a few months time as it’ll have a big impact on prices. the problem with the scheme is that its short time span encourages a ‘peaks and troughs’ type of

“Remember, every property has a ceiling price – don’t put more money into the property than you can hope to get back from it.”

movement to the market (sharp bursts in small timeframes), but what we really need is a bit of consolidation and stability. What are the best organisations that can help advise When buying a property? it depends what you’re trying to find out – if you’re trying to look for local market information then the ricS (royal institute of chartered Surveyors) have a very good website. Several of the big estate agents have research departments too. the council of mortgage lenders is another organisation that can offer some helpful information, as can the land registry. then there are property ‘portals’ such as Zoopla, and all of those sorts of websites have online Q&A articles that offer helpful information on the property market. it really just depends on what you’re looking for. there is an Association of relocation Professionals (ArP). i was involved with them earlier in my career, and they are an organisation of ‘buying’ agents who look after buyers (as opposed to estate agents who are employed by, and have a vested interest in, the ‘seller’). What do you think about the importance of organisations such as the nhbc (national housebuilding council) Who help to set the standards for neW and neWly converted homes across the uk? What are the benefits? they set industry standards. if you look back to past decades such as the ‘70s and ‘80s, regulations were not as well monitored as they are today and architectural standards weren’t as good as they should have been. i remember blocks of flats put up in the mid-80s property boom very cheaply, and they were very poorly built; 30 years on, no one really wants to buy them, and this shouldn’t happen because once they’re built we have to live with them! So organisations that ensure industry standards are constantly challenged and pushed are absolutely fantastic. we’ve got a far better building industry now than ever before because of them.

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“It’s a lot of fun working with Kirstie…I don’t think we’d have lasted this long if it wasn’t really good fun.” What should you look for When vieWing a property to ensure it keeps its value long-term? look for local improvements to the area, either in the form of transport, shopping areas, gyms, cinemas, new pubs etc. if money is being invested in those areas it’s a good possibility the local property market will pick up in that area too. Also, look out for new blocks of flats or big property developments being built – the big house builders will have researched demographics for the area and if they think it’s worth putting a few million into a building project, then rest assured they’ve done their sums and you can be confident that it’s an area worth investing in. What is your advice for someone thinking of buying a property at auction? Don’t expect to get a ‘deal’, they don’t exist anymore. However, there’s a better choice of property at auction now than there has been in the past – it used to be flats above shops or repossessed buildings that were available through auction, but it’s not like that anymore. you can find perfectly good family houses to buy at auction these days. it’s a very ‘immediate’ process, you exchange contracts there and then, and put down your 10 per cent etc. in other countries buying property at auction is very common, for example in melbourne, Australia, about 95 per cent of property is bought and sold in this way. it’s good because it’s a very transparent process, and very quick. What about buy-to-rent? is that a good option? What are the benefits/pitfalls? it’s all about the maths, and needs to be a completely unemotional decision. when buying, don’t let yourself be swayed by whether or not you like it from a personal perspective – you don’t need to like it. i think some people struggle with that. Also, don’t forget that a return on a property comes in two forms: one is your annual yield (which you’ll gain from the property through rent charges) and the other is

capital growth; your preference on this will have an impact on what you buy. Also, make sure you take hidden expenses into account, such as loss of earnings if the property lies vacant for a period of time – if you don’t have a tenant in the property for a month every year, it might turn what could have been a good investment into a really terrible one. think very carefully about your target tenant (all will have very different requirements), pick one that suits you and choose a property to suit them. What’s it like to Work With kirstie – are you as competitive as it appears in the shoW? we both want to do well and also help our buyers in the show, so if we’re individually

successful it’s easy to show off about it! But we do also like to help each other out when things get challenging. overall it’s a lot of fun working with Kirstie – we’ve done 16 series altogether, and i don’t think we’d have lasted this long if it wasn’t really good fun. that’s a long time to have Worked on one shoW – What most interests you about it? it’s a very satisfying thing to help somebody find their perfect property. to meet someone who tells you about the property they’ve been dreaming of, and all the features they’d love it to have, and then being able to deliver that to them and see their eyes light up. i’ll never tire of that, it’s a great buzz. And then, if you can save them

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DiD you always fancy the iDea of being a tV presenter? no. when location location location was in its preliminary stages of planning, i was originally called in as a consultant to discuss the show’s format, not to present it at all. they basically just told me that they wanted to make a show on the ‘thrills and spills’ of people buying property, but that they didn’t know anything about it and could i advise. they also met with Kirstie and one other candidate who were both contacted in the same way. then it turned out they couldn’t find a presenter who knew anything about property, and so the opportunity came about for a screen-test, and that’s when Kirsty and i actually met for the first time. is it harD for you to finD people to take part in the shows you work on? no not really, mainly because they get a lot

out of it. Particularly on location location location – i remember a particular series where, out of 12 episodes, we put in ten offers. not all of those became deals, but most of them did, i think about eight in the end. So it was quite a successful series - our success rate is probably about 85 per cent, but it’s down to an awful lot of research. Do you get annoyeD with people when they Don’t like the properties you’Ve founD for them? not at all. it’s their money, and ultimately their choice. of course it can be frustrating when Kirstie and i genuinely think we’ve found someone their perfect house and they don’t see it that way, but i don’t let it get to me because it is ultimately their money we’re spending. you’re so passionate about the property market – what DriVes you? we all need to live somewhere, and when we want to buy something new, most of

“It’s a very satisfying thing to help somebody find their perfect property.” us want something either bigger, better or different to what we currently have. the search for this can be such an emotional experience, and very rarely straightforward. it’s very unusual for someone we work with to view a property we find them and say: “that’s it! that’s 100 per cent what i’ve been looking for!” it’s almost always a mixed response, where people weigh up their options between viewings before making a decision. So it’s never straightforward, and often very personal – to be at such close quarters with someone going through that process is, for me, a privilege. i also love how every search is different, and piecing together the jigsaw of requirements for each individual buyer is a challenge that fascinates me.

IMAGES © HUGO PHILPOTT

money on top of it, by doing a deal on the property that they wouldn’t have done on their own, that’s the ultimate goal.

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property

Top TIps look for a property where the resale demand will be high!

A Home Away Increasing numbers of Britons are taking the plunge – buying aboard and banishing any notion of post-holiday blues. Whether you’re after an investment opportunity or sun-soaked getaway bolt-hole, ensure you’ve got everything covered before signing on the dotted line.

ost financial crisis, the UK housing market remains in a bit of a slump, with slow growth in areas outside the capital’s booming property bubble. However buying abroad still remains as an exciting prospect for many Britons, whether this is purchasing a pad in one of our european neighbour’s such as Spain, France, italy or Portugal or opting for a venture even further afield.

Location Location Location Before you start looking, it’s worth having a few preferred locations in mind, and a basic checklist of your preferences, i.e. do you prefer living in a town or in the country, inland or at the coast, and do you want to

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PROPERTY

HOTSPOTS LanguedocRoussillon region, France Jalon and Orba Valleys, Spain Tavira and the Eastern Algarve, Portugal Puglia, Italy Fethiye, Alanya, Altinkum and Bodrum, Turkey Other emerging locations include: Mongolia, West Africa, Brazil, and North Dakota, USA.

LOCATION CHECKLIST!  Do I want a property close to

home or far away, in an emerging or exotic location?

 Do I want to live in the town or in the country?

 Do I want to be inland or on the coast?

 Do I want to be isolated or in the thick of everything?

 Do I want to be close to

local facilities, including public transport, bars, shops, restaurants and local health and education services?

PROFESSIONALS AND PAPERWORK

It goes without saying that the help of qualified professionals is a crucial factor when purchasing property aboard. You will need both a professional real estate agent and an independent lawyer, with excellent command of English and the native tongue, who will be able to deal with the endless stream of paperwork, rules and

“The help of qualiﬁed professionals is a crucial factor when purchasing property abroad.”

be isolated or in the middle of everything? Take into account proximity to facilities including public transport, good schools, local health and social services, shops, bars and restaurants. According to Richard Wray, Editor at The Overseas Guides Company, lots of Britons are discovering new areas within established Mediterranean destinations. “The lingering economic downturn and nervousness around the stability of banks has made Brits less adventurous when it comes to buying property in more exotic or emerging markets. In France, for example, the Languedoc is becoming increasingly popular ¬– it’s more affordable than the Riviera, gets lots of sunshine, has great air links and is close to the Pyrenees.”

regulations exclusive to each location. “Identify and stick with one good estate agent,” says Stephen Lahiri of Lucas Fox International Properties. “If you do this, he/she will effectively act as a buying agent. They will then be able to work on your behalf and show you all properties that are appropriate. This will cost the same as having multiple agents, as the commission is simply split between them. If not, the risk is that you have agents focusing on playing off against each other and trying to take you to other areas rather than truly identifying the best property for you.” The paperwork involved in a purchase will depend on whether you are buying a property as a home or as a holiday-let or ‘business’ purchase. “You will have different insurance policies and different mortgages (and mortgage

requirements)”, explains Terry Hobbs, Network Distribution Manager at EcoHouse group. “If you are using the property as a holiday let, you will normally have different tax implications, and in some cases you may even have to set up a company, or at the very least employ the services of a rental management company, to be able to let the property.” You also may need to obtain a rental license from the local town hall, and there will be income tax to declare.

COUNT THE COST

Additional costs to the property’s agreed purchase price will vary depending on which country you decide to buy in. And some costs such as notary fees, payable in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal will be unfamiliar to UK buyers. Other costs may include agency fees, legal fees, registry fees and mortgage costs, as well as transfer tax if you purchase from a private individual, or VAT and stamp duty if you decide on a new build. “Transfer tax is a key payment which varies from country to country,” says Richard. “This is usually levied on the tax rateable value of a property, or in some cases on the value of a property and its age. Italy’s buying costs are particularly high thanks to buyers typically paying towards estate agency fees, usually around 3 per cent of the purchase price, with the vendor paying the same. However annual council tax is considerably less than in the UK.” In total, additional costs in France and Italy will work out at around 15% of the purchase price, in Portugal around 10%, in Spain between 8 and 10% and in Turkey between 7 and 10%. Most importantly, when it comes to costs, ensure all your bases are covered. Most pitfalls occur when buyers fail to

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PROPERTY

COSTS Additional costs to the property’s agreed purchase price vary from country to country. FRANCE – 15% of the purchase price ITALY AND PORTUGAL – 10% of the purchase price SPAIN – Between 8 and 10% of the purchase price

consider every possible cost of buying and maintaining their property. The most common overlooked cost is the exchange rate fluctuation between agreeing a price of property in euros and completing the purchase a month or two later. There are also furnishing costs, rental management, and cleaning fees to think about. The good news is that exchange rate fluctuation can be managed using a currency transfer specialist says Richard. “ Specialists such as Smart Currency Exchange are always advisable when exchanging and sending currency abroad to pay for a property. They offer much better exchange rates than high street banks and have clever ways of allowing you to secure an exchange rate when you find a foreign property, so you know how the price in sterling won’t change before you complete the purchase.”

“Most pitfalls occur when buyers fail to consider every possible cost of buying and maintaining their property.”

WAIT! DON’T BUY ABROAD BEFORE CONSULTING OUR TOP FIVE CHECKLIST:

1. Open an account with a currency transfer specialist. It’s free to do so, comes with no obligation and means everything’s in place to send money abroad before you need to pay a deposit or complete on your foreign property. 2. Find and appoint an established bi-lingual lawyer with a proven track record of helping other people in the country/region you are purchasing in. 3. Work out a realistic budget, taking

into account additional buying fees and taxes, on-going ownership costs and potential currency movement. 4. Select one or two licensed, English-speaking property agents with good local knowledge and experience in assisting British people. 5. Get familiar with your chosen area, talk to property owners, and experience the local facilities. Take your time placing oﬀers.

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TURKEY – Between 7 and 10% of the purchase price

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PROPERTY

Bath

Location, location, location Property & Home reveals your top property hotspots for 2014.

ollowing years of frozen or falling figures, UK house prices are finally hotting up. A trend first sparked off in the capital continues to spread further afield with increased activity everywhere in the country. Even better news is that this surge in buyer interest is set to continue, with an expected increase of seven per cent in 2014. Resulting from a successful combination of the government’s Help To Buy scheme, the Funding for Lending scheme (allowing banks to borrow money more cheaply) and the fact interest rates are to remain at record lows for the forseeable future – there has never been a better time to invest your money wisely. Here are our top predictions for the next year:

Bath “The cultural centre of Bath is becoming an increasingly popular destination in the UK for both British and International property buyers,” says Bobby Hall, Partner in the Southern Countries for The Buying Solution. “ In my opinion the influx is due not only to the accessible travel links such as Bristol airport and the road and rail links to London, but also the security residents feel in Bath, a World Heritage Centre. The real estate is undeniably beautiful in its consistency of stone and the region has been nourished by natural hot springs, iconic attractions and great shopping.” Bath has experienced an upsurge from both British and International buyers as a reflection of the new developments and increasingly cosmopolitan feel in the region with planning applications for new luxury hotels and casinos and an increase in the number and popularity of food and literary festivals. “The once forgotten Kingsmead area is also being regenerated with the undergoing planning and development of a new £16 million Gainsborough spa hotel and an £11 million Premier Inn,” adds Bobby. “Bath University has an international reputation for teaching and research excellence; it is going from strength to strength. For these reasons, Bath seems to be increasingly on our buyer’s radars.”

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Oxfordshire

“In terms of a savvy buy-to-let investment for 2014 I would tip Bradford in Yorkshire, home of the new Westfield Shopping Centre where demand for urban apartments is high and Liverpool, where below market value properties can still be purchased, yet above rental yields achieved.” Ray Withers, CEO of Oxford based Property Frontiers.

Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield As London prices continue to soar, the prices in the Home Counties appear to be increasingly good value. One such option in this area is Beaconsfield, where there are easy transport links into London and exemplary schooling for all ages. According to Nick Mead, Partner in the Home Counties team for The Buying Solution: “London residents are moving out of the city having made tremendous gains over the last few years. They may never have dreamt of getting such great value for money in the countryside by comparison.” He continues, “Commutable Home Counties towns such as Beaconsfield provide an easy compromise, especially given the size and scale of homes and gardens that they offer in comparison to London.”

BUY-TO-LET TIP

Oxfordshire Other property hotspots in the Home Counties include Surrey and Oxfordshire. “The city of Oxford itself is set to rise above the national average, but anywhere within a few miles of the new Oxford Parkway North station that will run into Marylebone is a good option,” says Ray Withers, CEO of Oxford based Property Frontier. “Kiddlington, Wolvercotte and North Oxford (North of the A40) are all good bets.” Homes within the £750,000 – £2m market are especially popular, with young families making an early decision to move out of London due to the competitiveness of the market. “Strong interest remains across all the Home Countries and I see this attention increasing in the year ahead. Buyers are still discerning and price sensitive but there is always strength if there is competition,” adds Nick. PROPERTY & HOME WITH PHIL SPENCER 27

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HOTSPOT TIP “Guildford is another hot location for 2014. The notorious bottleneck on the A3 seems to be disappearing and I think prices there have been quite stagnant since 2007, but this could all change in the next 12 months.” Ray Withers, CEO of Oxford based Property Frontiers

Woolwich

Nine Elms O ther possible propert y hotspo ts for 2014 include:

Battersea

Worcester, Wes t Midlands Rotherham, Yo rkshire Hythe, Kent Cambridge Manchester

“In my opinion, having watched the UK market closely in 2013, the fringes/outer zones of London will be ones to watch,” says Ray. “With Crossrail continuing apace, locations on the new west – east line will be a good bet, for example Custom House or Woolwich in the east where prices remain affordable at present.” Other areas in London that appear to be a good bet for investment include the new development of Battersea and Nine Elms. At circa 195 hectares and bigger than Hyde Park, this is the largest regeneration project in central London and will provide 16,000 new homes and an investment of circa £1 billion to new infrastructure. “Of particular note is the proposed extension of the

Northern Line which will include two new stations at Wandsworth Road and Battersea Power Station and will dramatically reduce journey times to The City and The West End,” adds Jonathan Mount, Associate in the London team at The Buying Solution. “With the improvements to transport links, the impending move of the US Embassy, high-end residential schemes with river views, luxury boutiques and restaurants, new schools and landscaped parks it is no wonder that investors have their eyes keenly focused on this area in particular.” Indeed at the launch of Battersea Power Station earlier this year, all 866 homes were snapped up in a very short space of time.

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Woolwich, Battersea and Nine Elms

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renovations

Renovation rules! Renovations, if done right, are an excellent way to add permanent value to your home, or make a profit on an older property.

Budgeting for all costs

Set yourself a budget early on and stick to it. it makes sense to get a steer from your local estate agent before you begin planning to ensure you are making changes that will actually add value to your home. And that the cost will be less than or equal to the amount it adds onto its value. whether you are employing builders or embarking on a Diy project, home renovations quite often end up going over budget. it’s worth building in some contingency funding to safeguard any over spending from affecting the whole project –around 15 - 20 per cent of the total cost is a good guideline. this amount can cover unforeseen hiccups such as problems with the house that need urgent attention. one of the most common causes of over spending is upgrading to higher-priced fixtures and fittings than you originally budgeted for, so once you have chosen your

“It’s worth building in some contingency funding to safeguard any over spending from affecting the whole project.”

price range, be careful not to go overboard with your purchases. A great way to cut costs – if you have the time and energy – is by doing the decorating yourself; you could actually save around £8,000 on the typical house. other cost-saving methods include putting your project out to tender, guaranteeing the lowest price, or exercising your negotiation skills. in this current economic climate, building contractors in many areas are short of work and may be willing to give you a good price. “For major renovations or extensions it is always wise to get a professional Quantity Surveyor involved early on to ensure you put together a realistic budget for the job,” says charlie laing, of charlie laing cost & Project management. “they can help you pull together a full specification for the works,

“For extensive renovations you will need to make a successful planning application to your Local Planning Authority (LPA).”

IMAGES © 123RF

hether you’re a budding property developer, or a homeowner who wants to increase the value of your home, undergoing renovation work can be a very profitable endeavor indeed. But before you begin, don’t get bogged down in all the rules and regulations – Property & Home provides an overview of everything you need to know about implementing a successful renovation.

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so that the brief is clear from the outset and nothing is missing. our experience is that investing a few hundreds of pounds in professional advice up front can save thousands of pounds later on in the project.”

Asking for permission

Anything involving the creation of a new building, extensive changes to an existing one, or changing the use of your building, will usually require consent from the local planning authority (lPA) through making a successful planning application. this depends on the size of the project and the level of Permitted Development (PD) rights afforded to or still remaining on a property. if in any doubt about whether you need

planning permission – ask! if you do the work without getting permission, you can be served an ‘enforcement notice’, ordering you to undo all those changes you have made. it is illegal to ignore an enforcement notice, but you can appeal against it. the material considerations taken into account in deciding a planning application can include the layout and density of the building, design, appearance and materials, government policy, nature and listed building conservation, previous planning decisions (including appeal decisions) and loss of light or overshadowing.

getting the right people

now that you have the permission to build

“Get at least three quotes for the total job, not for a day rate.” and the budget in which to do it, the next stage is bringing those plans to life. you might already have enlisted the help of an architect to help with planning permission, design and building regulations, but architects can also help with choosing builders and staying within your budget. in any case, you must make sure you are dealing with professionals. rogue tradesmen are more common than you think, in fact one in five Britons have been victims of a botched job, which could end up costing over £1,500 to repair. Do get recommendations from friends as well, but you should also do your own research into a firm and make sure they are registered with a trade body such as the national Federation of Builders or Federation of master Builders. Get at least three quotes for the total job, not for a day rate, but beware of going for the lowest quote, if its considerably cheaper there may be a reason why, i.e. something crucial may not be included. if in doubt about whether the quotes are reasonable in relation to the work you want done, enlist the help of a website such as checkyourPrice.com, which will give you a better idea. make sure you draw up a contract in plain english, signed by both parties before the work begins. Free, ready-to-download contracts are available from the Federation of master Builders. Finally, don’t pay up front, only when the job is completed. you may have to pay a deposit for some specialist materials but make sure you hold onto the bulk of your money until the project is finished and you’re satisfied with the level of quality and workmanship involved.

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INTERIORS

Open ﬁres for winter

Mendip – Enamel

£1 48 5 M E NDIP S TOV ES LT D

MULTI-FUEL STOVES A multi-fuel stove will not only add a warm and cosy focal point to your living room, but it’s also a more eco-friendly heating option. They can be pricey to install, but could save you hundreds of pounds off your electricity and gas bills in future years. Here’s our pick of the best products on the market.

Ecoburn - Plus 11

£1 , 1 49 A R A DA S TOV ES .COM

Aarrow Stratford Multi-fuel Boiler Stove

£1 359 S TOV ESA REUS .CO .UK

Multi-fuel convection stove

Esse – 200XK

£1 , 2 45 ESSE

£1 471 M O RSØ

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INTERIORS

Indesit S-range freestanding cooker

£ 711 A SDA

RANGE COOKERS

Walmsler Creative Series Range Cooker

PRIC ES FRO M £ 269 9 WA L MSL E R .CO .UK

Solid and durable, a range cooker could literally last you a lifetime; they’re also efficient and a good ecofriendly option. Striking in both design and style, choosing the right one for you will ensure that your kitchen is truly the heart of your home.

Victoria Traditional Dual Fuel Cooker

PRIC ES FROM £19 9 9 SM EG

Wood-burning Rayburn

PRIC ES FROM £ 49 95 R AY BURN -W E B .CO .UK

Dual Fuel Range Cooker

£ 89 9 JO H N L E WIS

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Which wood you choose? Homeowners opting for a hardwood floor can choose between solid or engineered wood. But which one best fits your budget?

Wider planks, darker woods and oiled finishes are big this season. Short, wide panels in a lighter shade will open up a small room and make it seem larger, while a three-plank floor also creates an illusion of space. On solid wood, look for the Forestry Stewardship Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s label which guarantees that it comes from a sustainable source.

he main difference between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring is the composition of the wood panels. Solid wood is cut straight from a tree and then cut into flooring panel dimensions according to size, whereas engineered flooring is a more complex product. It consists of real timber pressed into two or more layers, and many different thicknesses, into one plank. The layers running in different directions make engineered wood more stable than solid wood.

TOP TRENDS

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“Solid wood is extremely durable and can last a lifetime if maintained properly.”

“Engineered wood ﬂooring is a more practical choice thanks to its versatility and suitability with concrete subﬂoors.” WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR BUDGET?

IMAGES © 123RF

SOLID WOOD FLOORING

Solid or real wood flooring is typically made from a single piece of wood with a thickness of 18 - 20mm. Available in naturally sustainable sources such as bamboo, pine, oak and cherry, it can be oiled, lacquered or unfinished and is extremely durable – lasting a lifetime if maintained properly. For an au-natural finish to your home, you really can’t beat real wood that comes in varying shades of light to darkest brown, adding warmth, richness, colour and texture to any space. It also adds character with wear and tear over time. If your room needs a new look after a few years, the top layer can even be sanded down and re-stained. Solid flooring is also available in different lengths, meaning it can be suitably matched to make the best of any size of room. For example, if you have a smaller space, lighter, shorter boards will make it seem larger. Solid wood is water resistant but should be sealed if you want to use it in your kitchen or bathroom.

ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING

Engineered wood flooring is a more practical choice for many homeowners thanks to its versatility and suitability to conditions solid wood is incompatible with – such as concrete subfloors, basements and under-floor heating. In general, engineered wood is better protected and pre-finished compared to real wood, and its bevelled edges give it a more attractive appearance and a tighter fit. It is designed to reduce any moisture problems associated with conventional hardwood floors. The layers block moisture and the core maintains the stability of the plank. If you want to use engineered flooring for you kitchen or bathroom choose boards with a lacquered rather than oil finish. When compared to solid wood panels, engineered panels are longer and wider, making them more suitable for homes with a contemporary look. In fact, engineered wood flooring is the most common type of flooring used today.

Although engineered wood flooring is generally more expensive than solid wood, overall, engineered floors are still the more cost effective choice. It is definitely easier and cheaper to install than real wood, in fact some DIY homeowners even choose to install their own engineered floors. However, notwithstanding installation, the final cost will ultimately depend on the type of wood you go for, for example, when it comes to more common hardwoods, solid wood flooring may actually work out to be more cheaper overall, although it will still take longer to install. Additionally, if you’re after a wood floor that will withstand the test of time and a lot of foot traffic, it’s definitely worth investing in real wood as the panels are thicker, last longer and can be sanded down and refinished in the future.

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renovations

The Great Cover Up! Hard floors don’t have to be cold and unwelcoming. Have a cosy affair with this selection of great rugs.

Heriz rug in burnt orange

£ 470 louisde poor t e re .com

Damask rug in taupe

£175 a spac e .co .uk

Peacock Stem

£12 0 sa bic hi .co .uk

Beans

£ 35 0 pl a n tat io n rug .co .uk

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Seagrass Herringbone in Cherry Goat hide rug

£16 8 c rucia l-t r a ding .com

£ 75 a dv e n t in o .co .uk

Rose rug

£1 49 m a rk sa n dspe nc e r .co m

Multi-violet vintage rug £ 45 0 n a k e n .co .uk

Specsrug

£12 0 sa bic hi .co .uk

Bubbles

£2 5 0 pl a n tat ion rug .co .uk

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INTERIORS

Heat

beneath your feet!

During the colder season, underfloor heating offers an alternative way of keeping your home toasty warm.

ELECTRIC OR WATER?

There are two main types of underfloor heating systems: electric underfloor heating, also known as a dry system and water, pump-driven, underfloor heating, also known as a wet system.



Provides warm, cosy ﬂoors during cold winter mornings.

A large system can remove the need for bulky radiators, providing extra space and a clean decorative ﬁnish.

It’s a good selling point, which can

push up your property’s resale price.

It is thought to be a more eﬃcient

way of heating a room (if that room is well insulated) as a result of the way the heat is distributed.

There are a lot of ﬂexible options

available for diﬀerent ﬂooring types.

ELECTRIC UNDERFLOOR HEATING

A series of electric wires are fitted beneath the flooring, usually on top of a layer of screed to ensure the surface is completely flat and a layer of floor insulation that keeps the heat travelling upwards rather than down. Electric floors are compatible with nearly all-flooring types and easier, cheaper and quicker to install than the wet heating system. You will need a qualified electrician to connect the system to a mains supply, and fit a sensor to connect to

Underﬂoor heating results in a

more consistent temperature than radiators, as a larger surface area is heated up.

A ﬂoor surface heated using

underﬂoor heating needs a much lower temperature to achieve the desired room temperature.

Competent DIY-ers could ﬁt their own underﬂoor heating.

IMAGES © 123RF

nderfloor heating systems – which sit beneath stone, tile, wooden or carpeted surfaces – can work as a substitute to radiators for delivering central heating in the home.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING: THE PROS

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“Water-based underﬂoor heating is ultimately the costlier option of the two.”

ow?n n K u d Yo ating ca o

Di derfloor hleternative ttive

a fec Un good an ef m be a tors as g syste n i a t i a d e e ra hom ral h cent or your f

UNDERFLOOR HEATING: THE CONS



Although underﬂoor heating can

distribute heat well, it does take longer to heat rooms compared to other heating systems. Though it will also take longer to cool down.

Underﬂoor heating is not suitable for positioning under ﬁttings or furniture; therefore it can restrict the layout of a room, or require re-laying if you’re redecorating.

Not all underﬂoor heating systems

will provide enough heat to replace radiators. Smaller systems can keep your ﬂoor warm but won’t be able to heat up the rest of the room.

It can be pricy to install maintain

and run – especially if it supplements your main heating system. For these reasons it is generally seen as a luxury rather than a home heating essential.

“If you are a conﬁdent DIY-er, you should be able to lay a readyto-roll electric mat yourself.” the thermostat. This enables you to control the temperature as you please and turn the system on or off. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) does not recommend this form of underfloor heating for large areas, as it is expensive to run – particularly as it is not beneficial to use in conjunction with an off-peak electricity tariff. Overall electric underfloor heating is cheaper to install than a wet system, with heating mats starting from around £75 per square metre. You will then need to include the cost of insulation board, screed and heating controls as well as a labour charge for the work of an electrician. However if you are a confident DIY-er, you should be able to lay a ready-to-roll electric mat yourself, making a saving on this particular cost.

WATER UNDERFLOOR HEATING

A water-based underfloor heating system can also be installed beneath stone, tile, wooden and carpeted surfaces. With this option, a series of pipes connected to your boiler circulate hot water throughout the floor, heating the entire surface area. Although suitable for use beneath most floors, you must remember to leave enough space to fit the piping. This may mean that a floor will need to be elevated, and is the reason why most water-based underfloor heating systems are installed with new floor constructions, where the floor can be built with enough room to support the pipework. According to the Energy Saving Trust, water-based underfloor heating is more energy efficient than radiators and costs less to run. With this system, heat is more evenly distributed and water is used at a lower temperature. However it can be an expensive option, and you will need a heating engineer or underfloor heating specialist to complete the installation. Costs could run into thousands of pounds depending on the system, and with efficiency savings relatively low (around 3% or £20 a year on energy bills), water-based underfloor heating is ultimately the costlier option of the two. PROPERTY & HOME WITH PHIL SPENCER 69

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INTERIORS

Lino is back! The flooring of choice in the 1950s, linoleum is enjoying a resurgence once again thanks to economy-minded homeowners.

inoleum floors have been used in homes since the mid 19th century after being invented by Englishman Frederic Walton. They peaked in popularity in the 1950s due to their affordable price tag and the fact they are available in a wide range of colours, sizes, thickness and designs, making them suitable for almost any décor.

TOP TIP Lino is low maintenance and only needs a wet wash once a week with mild detergent.

A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE

Created with a mishmash of ingredients including linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, limestone and cork dust, lino is a lot cheaper to install than its more costly alternatives ceramic tile and hardwood. Most linoleum floors can be scored and cut to the exact fit using a razor, whereas tiles need to be cut with a tile cutter to create the exact fit around edges or corners of rooms. There is also no need for grouting as lino is self-adhesive and can be attached directly to the existing floor. If you want a certain ‘look’ to your room, lino even offers textured surfaces ¬– imitating marble, granite, wood and stone.

GREEN IS GOOD

Most people choose water resistant linoleum flooring for their kitchens and bathrooms, where water spills are common and can be easily mopped up without causing any long-term damage. Lino is low maintenance, and only needs a wet wash once a week with a mild detergent to prevent it from acquiring a yellow or dingy looking film. For environmentally conscious buyers, linoleum is one of the greenest flooring choices around, excelling in all areas of installation, cleaning, interior affect, and its ability to be reused, recycled and reincorporated into the environment.

DAMAGE DILEMMA

The biggest disadvantage to installing lino is its softer surface, which tends to be less

durable than harder alternatives such as marble, stone or wood. It can be scratched or scarred by dragging heavy objects such as tables and chairs across the surface. Ideally then it will need replaced as soon as possible to prevent moisture from getting underneath the floor. In recent years lino has also garnered quite a negative reputation for being ‘cheap’ and ‘oldfashioned’, and this could possibly make it a less desirable material when it comes to assessing the value of your property. It has been blamed for making rooms look ‘cold’ and ‘institutional’, but this will ultimately depend on which colour, or texture you choose.

GO VINYL

For bolder, patterned designs, which add a kitsch, fun element to your home, opt for vinyl flooring, a close relative of linoleum. New advances in technology are providing this type of flooring with a much greater aesthetic, textural and functional quality than ever before. Some brands of vinyl flooring come with a ‘click’ system, removing the need for messy glue and creating a ‘portable floor’, which can be taken up easily in the case of moving home or if homeowners simply fancy a change. The biggest difference between linoleum and vinyl is the materials used. Vinyl is a synthetic product made of chlorinated petrochemicals whereas lino is all natural.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VINYL AND LINO THE DURABILITY of lino means it can last for 30-40 years where vinyl cannot. VINYL PATTERNS are printed on the surface, lino’s colours go all the way through. LINO REQUIRES MORE UPKEEP than vinyl. An acrylic coating upon installation and then again annually. MANUFACTURING VINYL ﬂooring is a sophisticated and complex process; the creation of lino is much simpler. LINO can be used on countertops and backsplashes where vinyl cannot.

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interiors

Go Retro!

Whether you decide on vinyl or lino, here’s our selection of the best resilient flooring on the market.

LIVYN Essential Click Reclaimed Oak light Grey

£ 26 . 9 9 / m2 w w w.quic k-s t e p.co .uk

Artesia 099 from the Bubblegum & Liquorice Collection £16 . 9 9 / m2 w w w. av e nue floors .co .uk

Spot Red by Cath Kidson

Click Raven Barbados Hallway

Barcelona 749 from the Stonemark Collection by Leoline,

£ 42 . 9 5 w w w. h a rv e y m a ria .co .uk

£ 63 . 35 / m2 w w w.urba n e liv ing .co .uk

£2 3 . 9 9 / m2 w w w. l eo lin e .co .uk

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INTERIORS

Kit out your kitchen A great kitchen is the beating heart of any home but it takes careful planning and preparation to get it just right. MEASURE UP

When you’re planning a new kitchen, getting the right measurements is extremely important. Be meticulous to ensure everything can fit perfectly within the space you have. Measure from the floor to the ceiling, from the corners to the doors and the distance between walls. Calculate the size of doors and windows, as well as the height and distance of each from the floor, ceiling and edges. Record any major architectural features, as well as small features such as pipes, radiators, ventilation, and special angles.

THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAIL

Note the location of existing electrical sockets, switches and water and gas connections. But don’t sweat the small stuff as these can all be moved to suit the layout of your new kitchen. All you need to do is mark down the approximate position of where you would like to have these new

“ The ‘work triangle’ is the imaginary line between the kitchen hob, sink and refrigerator.” outlets, switches and connections placed within the new layout.

THE WORK TRIANGLE

The ‘work triangle’ is what kitchen experts call the imaginary line between the kitchen hob, sink and refrigerator. The trick behind a successful ‘work triangle’ is to position these points in your kitchen, ensuring they are all not too far from each other and not too close either. In total, the line between these three points should not exceed six metres in total, with an ideal distance of 90cm between each point. When deciding on the layout,

TOP TIPS WASHING ZONE – Your sink is an important focal point in your kitchen. It should be located close to your fridge for food preparation and close to the hob for draining purposes. COOKING ZONE – Place your oven and your hob beside the sink and worktops to avoid crossing the kitchen with hot pots and pans. STORAGE ZONE – You will need storage for all your food – cupboards and worktops for dry goods, and a good-sized fridge for chilled or frozen produce. Keep plenty of space free for storing kitchen accessories and appliances.

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PICK THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Cabinets, drawers and shelves are all essential as they form the backbone and determine the shape of your finished kitchen. With such an important function, it is better to invest in quality materials that will stand the test of time. To obtain an optimum amount of storage space in your kitchen you will need: base cabinets for pots, pans, utensils and plastic jars; corner cabinets for dry goods; a variety of wall cabinets and high cabinets. The most visual element will undoubtedly be what doors to go for – the most important element in the overall appearance of your kitchen. Whether you’re after a minimalist look or a warm cosy one, choose carefully between glass, solid wood, lacquer and melamine. Other products that will make your kitchen complete include handles, worktops, wall panels and lighting.

“Cabinets, drawers and shelves determine the shape of your ﬁnished kitchen.” GET ENERGY EFFICIENT

Approximately 40% of your household energy consumption takes place in the kitchen, where you can also make significant energy savings. Whether you’re re-doing your current kitchen or making it from scratch, invest in energy efficient appliances, which are better for both the planet and your pocket. The best way to do this is to only buy ovens, dishwashers, fridges and freezers that are energyrated A or better. Other tips for a more energy efficient kitchen include using an induction hob rather than a glass ceramic or gas hob, cooking in pots with a lid on that are the right size for your cooktop and using energy-efficient kitchen lighting. Finally, reduce your water bills by more than 30% with water-saving taps and by using an A-rated dishwasher instead of washing by hand.

MAKE YOUR NEW KITCHEN AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ONE: 

Only buy appliances that are energy-rated A or better



Use an induction hob as opposed to a traditional glass ceramic or gas hob



Keep the lid on when cooking



Make sure you’re using pots and pans that properly ﬁt your cooktop



Use energy-eﬃcient kitchen lighting



Install a tap with an inbuilt water-saving function



Don’t do your dishes by hand

IMAGES © 123RF

it is useful to think of the kitchen in terms of zones, with a storage zone, a washing zone and a cooking zone. This approach will help to ensure you end up with an efficient and practical kitchen, able to cope with the demands of everyday life.

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HOME & GARDEN

Fuel Your Savings

With the nights closing in and temperatures going down, the price we pay for fuel inevitably starts to rise. However its not all doom and gloom – follow these simple tips and you could end up saving a fortune. DRY OUT AND DEHUMIDIFY If condensation is a problem in your home, it could be worth investing in a dehumidifier. Wet air is more expensive to heat than dry air, and a dehumidifier is a cheap way to radically reduce the amount of moisture. It is best to buy one that removes at least ten litres of moisture a day.

GO FOR DOUBLE-GLAZING “Approximately 20% of heat in your home is lost through windows and doors,” says property developer and television presenter Sarah Beeny. “Not only do double-glazed windows provide extra security and added value to your property, they can cut heat loss by half. A rough guide for pricing sets doubleglazed windows at about £300400 per window, but it’s always worth getting multiple quotes.” Keep thick curtains over windows to reduce heat loss at night, but make sure these are pulled back in the daytime to warm the house through natural light. Radiators should remain uncovered when the heating is switched on.

BE SMART TO SAVE MONEY It should go without saying that you only need to heat the rooms in your home that you use. If you have a box room or guest room that is empty, make sure you turn off any radiators to avoid wasting gas and electricity. However if you go away for a few days over the Christmas break, don’t forget to leave your heating on a low setting, or set it to come on a couple of times a day, to prevent your pipes from freezing and then bursting.

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HOME & GARDEN

REFLECT THOSE RADIATORS Use a metal radiator reflector or place laminated foil behind radiators on external walls. This will reflect heat normally lost through the wall back into your home. It’s also worth fitting thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature in each room. Both items cost little, are easy to fit, will improve comfort and help cut your bills over the winter. £30 - 40 should give you enough laminated foil to fit up to ten radiators. Bleeding your radiators will also make them more efficient, as they work better when any air has been removed. This can be done by using a radiator key, however if you are unfamiliar with DIY, a qualified tradesman can always provide help.

DON’T LET THE DRAUGHT IN Draught excluders around doors, windows and openings such as letterboxes will eliminate cold draughts and help to insulate the house avoiding heat loss and saving warm air. This means that less energy is needed to heat the home, which could save households up to £55 per year (Energy Saving Trust). Draught excluders should be placed around doors, windows, loft hatches, letterboxes and even keyholes. They can be bought from DIY and hardware stores and make for a satisfying and easy DIY job. If you have a disused fireplace you may also want to consider a device such as a chimney balloon ¬– a cheap and effective solution to stop warm air escaping, and draughts coming back down your chimney. “Fitting one will make an immediate and noticeable improvement to the warmth of that room and can easily be removed by deflating the balloon if you want to use the fireplace,” says Oliver Heath, energy saving and renewables expert.

CLEVER PAYMENT How do you pay for your fuel? Did you know that paying your bills by direct debit or moving to an online or duel tariff can save you up to £100 a year? Remember to always submit actual meter readings as opposed to relying on estimated bills. It’s also worth having a shop around the main energy suppliers, as there are still good deals to be had for gas and electricity. Reassess your bills, and consider how much energy you typically use. This will enable you to see whether it would be beneficial to fix your energy prices for a year, or see if there are cheaper deals altogether. Most suppliers will offer combined rates for gas and electricity. Use sites such as Which? and Moneysupermarket for good utility comparison and advice.

GET THE TEMPERATURE RIGHT The optimum temperature to keep your home warm is between 18°C and 21°C. By turning your thermostat down by even 1°C you could actually reduce your heating bill by around 10%. “If your home is well insulated it would be worth considering setting your thermostat to around 17°C so that when you return home your system won’t have to work too hard to reach your desired comfortable temperature,” explains Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester, Bosch Group. “Alternatively a programmable room thermostat will do the job for you.”

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TOP TIP Just 2mm of limescale build-up in pipes could add approximately 20% to your heating bills - try to find ways of preventing it where possible.

INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE!

How do you pay for your fuel? Did you know installing a water meter will enable you to keep an eye on your own usage, and provides peace of mind that you are not paying above the odds for your water. “If you don’t have a water meter installed by your supplier then your bills are most likely estimated according to the size of your house,” explains Sarah. “While this may be on point in many cases, you may be overpaying.” If you live in a hard water area, you could be also paying higher fuel and maintenance costs as a result of limescale build-up in your pipes. In fact, just 2mm of encrusting limescale adds approximately 20% to your heating bills! The good news is that there are many ways to prevent limescale from forming, including water softeners, chemical descalers and electronic water conditioners.

BIG UP YOUR BOILER It is important to take good care of your boiler, make sure it’s serviced regularly, keeping it safer and more efficient. This will prevent breakdowns and reduce your energy bills. If your boiler is really old – usually around 15 years or more – it will only be 60% efficient, meaning that for every pound spent on fuel, 40p is wasted. “Older boilers are also likely to have a standing pilot light, which could cost in the region of £50-60 per year just to keep it going,” says Martyn. “In money saving terms, upgrading to a high-energy condensing boiler along with appropriate controls, could see you cutting energy bills by around £235 (source EST) and saving over one tonne of CO2 each year.” As temperatures are dropping, now is a great time to double-check everything is working fine before you get caught out by a sudden freeze.

IMAGES © 123RF

WORK OUT YOUR WATER

Make sure your water tank, pipes and house are all fully insulated. You could be losing a lot of heat through walls and through the attic or roof, so make sure cavities are properly insulated. The same goes for your pipes ¬– burst pipes are a huge problem throughout the winter period, and are all too frequent during a sudden cold snap. To help prevent this from happening, ensure all pipes are properly insulated using lagging, which can be bought cheaply from most DIY shops. On the other hand, hot water tanks are prone to heat loss. “Hot water tank insulation should be 75mm thick for optimum energy,” says Sarah. “Fitting a British Standard jacket around your cylinder will cost you a mere £15 and will cut heat loss by over 75%, saving you around £45 a year.” The good news is that there is Governmentsubsidised insulation available under the Government’s Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) – eligibility is based on postcode, household benefits and the type of house – but if it’s approved, you could save up to £140 a year on heating bills.

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HOME & GARDEN

T H E C HIM N E Y SH E E P

The Chimney Sheep The Chimney Sheep is an affordable and environmentally friendly chimney draught excluder made from 100% sheep wool. Proven to save the average homeowner up to £74 a year on their heating bill by stopping the loss of 4 percent of household heat through a chimney. FRO M £1 5 W W W.C HIM N E YSH E E P.CO .UK R A DFL E K R A DIATOR RE FL EC TOR

Warm Up! Keep the winter chill at bay with the help of these hot products

SA N TA FE SH U T T E RS

Radflek Radiator Reflector Radflek radiator reflectors reflect 95% of the heat emitted from the back of the radiator back into the room. This means that the radiator maintains its operating temperature and uses less energy with a lower load on the boiler. £21 . 9 9 W W W. R A DFL E K .CO M

M E ACO DD 8L DE H UMIDIFIE R

Wooden shutters

DD8L Dehumidifier

It is estimated that up to 50% of heat disappears out of windows, but made to measure shutters or wooden venetian blinds reduce this statistic significantly. They could be as effective at conserving heat as doubleglazing.

Wet air is more expensive to heat than dry air and high humidity makes a house feel colder than it actually is. A dehumidifier can remove this humidity, and help to cut energy bills.

FRO M £11 5 W W W. SA N TA FESH U T T E RS .CO .UK

£179. 9 9 W W W. M E ACO .CO M

C HOP - C LOC

Chop-Cloc Chop-Cloc is a unique energy saving device that saves consumers up to 30% on their heating bills, without any difference in temperature. It is a low cost, fast payback device, and completely complimentary with a range of other measures including insulation. £ 69. 9 9 W W W.C HOP - C LOC .COM

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home & garden

Winter warmers

These comforting seasonal dishes will be sure to warm your cockles this winter.

To start

Nut Wellington Ing re dIe n t s

M e t hod

350g short crust pastry all butter

onion Glove of garlic 25g butter 1 conference pear Juice from one lemon 150g Spinach 75g Pecan 75g Hazelnuts 75g Almonds 50g fresh bread crumb 1 egg beaten Pinch of cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp ground coriander Salt and Pepper

neatly line a 450g loaf tin with half the pasty and pop in in the fridge to chill. 2 . Peel onion and garlic, dice and sweat down in the butter until softened. 3 . wilt the spinach in a hot pan and set aside in a colander. 4 . Peel core the pear and chop it roughly and dress in the lemon juice, set aside. 5 . make the stuffing by chopping the all nuts coarsely and mixing in the egg and breadcrumb and spice. Add a splash of milk if the stuffing is too stiff. 6 . Stir through the pear and season to taste. 7. layer half the mixture on the bottom of the lined tin. 8 . Squeeze out any excess water from the spinach and lay on top of the nut stuffing. 9. Place the remaining stuffing on top of the spinach. 10 . role of the remaining pastry and neatly crimp on onto the top of the loaf. 11 . Decorate with leaf using remaining pasty. 12 . chill the loaf for a few hours or leave in the fridge overnight if you are making on christmas eve. 1 3 . Bake at 180oc for 40mins until golden brown. 1 4 . Allow to stand for 5 minutes before removing and slicing.

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home & garden

To Start

Chestnut Soup Ing re dIe n t s

200g packet of organic chestnuts

M e t hod 1.

150g celeriac 120g carrots

150g butternut squash 120g onions 2 cloves garlic

3. 4.

1ltr vegetable stock 100ml double cream 2 tbsp sherry 2 tbsp light olive oil Sea Salt Black pepper

5. 6. 7.

Scrub and/or peel all your vegetables (apart from the chestnuts), cut into even sized chunks and place in a roasting tray with a little olive oil and seasoning and roast at 180oc for around 35mins, or until caramelized and golden. Heat your stock in a saucepan adding your roasted vegetables (you should have around 220g following roasting) and the chestnuts and bring to the boil. reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15mins. remove from the heat and use a hand blender or liquidizer to blitz the soup till its smooth and velvety (if you are using a table top liquidizer be careful to cool the soup properly before blending). return the smooth soup to a clean saucepan and bring gently up to the boil. remove from the heat and add the double cream and sherry. taste and adjust seasoning if necessary and serve with some chopped crispy bacon or toasted croutons. ProPerty & Home witH PHil SPencer 91

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home & garden

The main event

Salmon, Pea and Prawn Pie with a Crispy Potato and Pancetta Topping Ing re dIe n t s

600g fresh salmon fillet, skinned 250ml full fat milk 1 bay leaf

M e t hod 1.

4 peppercorns 200g prawns, peeled and cooked 100g smoked salmon trimmings Grated rind of 1 lemon

350g frozen peas 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 3 tbsp chives, finely chopped Sea salt and black pepper

For the topping:

3. 4.

1 kg floury potatoes, such as maris Piper 50g butter 2 tbsp crème fraiche 70g sliced pancetta Sea salt and black pepper

For the white wine sauce: 50g butter

50g plain flour 250ml white wine 250ml double cream Preheat the oven to 200°c/Gas mark 7

Place the salmon fillet in a medium saucepan, add the milk, bay leaves and peppercorns and season with sea salt and black pepper. Place the pan on a low heat, bring the milk to a simmer and simmer for 2 minutes, then switch off the heat and cover the pan and the fish will continue to cook. meanwhile, peel the potatoes, cut into bite size chunks, add enough water, just to cover the potatoes and put on the hob to boil. lower the heat to simmer and cook the potatoes until tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander, return them to the pan and mash them, adding the butter, crème fraiche and season with sea salt and black pepper, set aside. remove the salmon, strain and reserve the cooking liquor, when the fish is cool enough to handle, flake the fish. to make the white wine sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan, on a medium heat; don’t let the butter go brown. when the butter is just melted, add the flour over a medium heat and stir well with a wooden spoon to a smooth paste, then add the cooking liquor from the fish, this time use a small whisk to incorporate the liquid then add the wine, a little at a time and whisk well again. turn down the heat and add the cream, whisk well again and cook the sauce on the lowest setting for 3 minutes. remove from the heat; add the cooked salmon, prawns, smoked salmon, grated lemon rind, peas, shallots and chives to the sauce, season with sea salt and black pepper. Place the fish mixture in a buttered ovenproof dish, spoon over the mashed potato, making sure you cover the surface of the dish. cook in the oven for 25minutes and then remove from the oven and lay the slices of pancetta on the top, place back in the oven and cook for a further 10-15 minutes, until the pancetta is crispy and golden brown. Delicious with crusty bread!

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HOME & GARDEN

Quick Tipwn the

The main event

to bro Take time . You want ll lamb we autifully it to be be wn, giving golden-bro at lovely, ot th your hotp ed ra ca melis r. u flavo

Simple and hearty – this is comfort food at its British best It’s very simple. Fry the lamb chunks in olive oil until thoroughly browned. Meanwhile, in a casserole dish, gently fry the onion and garlic in butter until softened. Mix in the flour well to make a roux and gradually add in water and flavour with Knorr Lamb Stock Cubes to make your stock. Add in carrot, celery and browned lamb to the stock. Top with a layer of sliced potatoes. Cover and bake in the oven for 2 hours. ING RE DIE N T S

2tbsp olive oil 20g butter 2 onions, roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped

M E T HOD 1. 2. 3.

5. 6 7

1.5kg lamb neck fillet, cut into large chunks and trimmed of any excess fat 30g flour 1dsp tomato puree 1ltr water

2 Lamb Stock Cubes A touch of gravy browning (optional)

3 carrots, peeled and chopped into large pieces 2 sticks celery, put into chunks

2 bay leaves A few thyme sprigs or rosemary sprigs 750g potatoes, peeled 25fl oz clarified butter or ghee or 20g butter and 1tsp olive oil melted together

13 14

Pre-heat the oven to 140C fan, Gas Mark 3. Pour the olive oil into a large frying pan and set to heat through well. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large, heavy casserole dish. Add in the onion and garlic to the butter and fry gently, stirring often, to bring out the onion’s natural sweetness. As the onion softens, add the lamb chunks to the hot olive oil in the frying pan, placing them in one layer in the pan, and fry until brown, checking them every so often. Now add the flour to the softened onions, stirring in vigorously with a wooden spoon. Add in the tomato puree, mixing in well and fry, stirring, for 1–2 minutes. Add in around a quarter of the water, mixing it in to dissolve the roux. Continue adding the water in 4–5 stages, mixing well between each addition. After all, you don’t want it to be lumpy. Now add in the lamb stock cubes, crumbling them in. Add a touch of gravy browning if using and stir in. Stir until the cubes have dissolved and simmer gently. Meanwhile, after the lamb has been frying for around 5–6 minutes, turn the pieces over and fry for a further 5–6 minutes until golden brown on both sides. Add the carrot and celery to the simmering Knorr Lamb Stock. Add in the browned lamb to the stock, fitting it snugly into the casserole dish, then the bay leaves and thyme. Cut the potatoes in half, then slice into 5mm-thick slices. Place the potato slices in a bowl and toss with the clarified butter or butter and olive oil mixture until coated. Layer the potato slices, overlapping them as you do so, on top of the lamb. The natural starch within the potatoes helps them stick together. Cover the casserole dish and bring the mixture to the boil. Bake, covered, for 2 hours in the oven. Serve.

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home & garden

After hours

Mixed berries mulled wine Ing re dIe n t s

1 large orange 125g / 4 Â˝ oz caster sugar 6 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks Âź tsp freshly grated nutmeg 1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways 2 bottles red wine 50ml / 2floz brandy 200g / 7oz mixed berries

M e t hod

Pare the zest off the orange in thin strips and squeeze the juice. Place the orange zest and juice in a large saucepan with the sugar, spices and vanilla pod. Add just enough red wine to cover the ingredients. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly until the wine has reduced and become syrupy. 2 . Add the rest of the wine, brandy and the mixed berries. Gently simmer for two minutes, do not boil. Serve in heatproof glasses. 1.

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HOME & GARDEN

The current cold snap is no excuse to neglect your garden. From winter vegetables to flowering plants, ensure your outside space looks good all year long.

t may look like nothing much is happening in your garden at this time of year, but in fact the dormant season is the perfect time to get busy. Reflect on the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gardening successes and failures, prepare for the season ahead and enjoy displays of evergreens, winter flowers and attractive barks.

DIG OVER YOUR SOIL

Springtime will be all about digging and preparing your soil, as long as the ground isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t frozen or waterlogged after a harsh winter. To ensure your soil is in top shape for the warmer months, loosen it by digging and forking, then remove weeds and add compost or manure to improve the structure. Create a moisture and food reserve for plants and refrain from treading on the ground as much as possible.

LOOK AFTER YOUR LAWN

Your grass will grow at a much slower pace during the winter months, so mow less often and raise the height of your cut. This is the perfect time to prepare sites for new lawns, as turfs can be laid from late January onwards. If you have drainage problems spot them now and consider how the situation can be improved. Refrain from treading on a frost covered lawn, as this will cause irreparable damage to blades of grass, and will start to look untidy as it thaws.

Your wint e

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HOME & GARDEN

COVER YOUR CROPS

It’s not the snow, but the process of melting, thawing and freezing again during the winter season that causes damage to our plants. Therefore, one of the best things to do for your garden is to top it off with mulch or plant it with a cover crop. Decomposed leaves in particular create great mulch. Collect them in a plastic bag and store each year, as you will always need mulch over the winter to add nutrients to the soil and protect perennial plants from the elements. Straw and wood chips can also be used as alternatives to decomposed leaves. Good cover crops include winter rye, mustards and red clover.

STORE AND PROTECT

Now is the time to drain and store hoses, water cans, sprinklers and terra-cotta pots that have no use during the winter months. If not, the water inside them will freeze, causing them to burst or crack open. Wash out pots and seed trays in preparation for spring sowing and planting, and sharpen up those garden shears. Spades, forks and other garden tools will need a good wash and oiling to prevent rust, and the wooden handles can be cleaned and protected with linseed oil. You may also want to bring some of your plants inside during the winter to protect them against the elements and brighten up your home.

THE BIG CLEAN UP

Winter is the perfect time to give your garden a thorough tidying up. Remove fallen branches, sticks and debris from beds, paths and lawns – especially material that’s affected by wet winter weather as this could cause damp problems to underlying plants. Prune and shape those shrub roses, removing branches that are dead or diseased. Spruce up your garden path by giving it a good sweep and clearing away moss, lichen and weeds to make space for the new season.

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HOME & GARDEN

WONDERFUL WINTER FLOWERS

Crocus tom. ‘Whitewell Purple’

Flowering in February and March, this crocus can be naturalised in thin turf and under deciduous trees. The flowers have deep yellow stamens and purple flowers with white backs. On a cloudy day they stay tight shut but once the sun comes out they open up to reveal their beautiful interior. Beloved by early bees, it is possible to see queens covered in their pollen as they dive into each flower.

Iris reticulata

Various forms of this beautiful iris exist in blues and purples. They flower at the end of January and make about 15cms in height. The depth of colour is astonishing at this time of year and it is worth planting a few of these every year, either in containers or into beds with well-drained soil.

Galanthus flore pleno

This is the double version of the more familiar snowdrop Galanthus nivalis. From above it seems quite similar to the normal form but closer inspection shows that the skirts (or outer petals) of the flower look fuller than usual. Turn the flower upside down and you can see that it is packed with petals.

Eranthis hyemalis or Winter Aconite

The herald of spring and the first up in January is this pretty looking, buttercup coloured flower above a ruff of green. It does especially well under the canopy of a mature, deciduous tree and will seed itself about when happy. The best way to distribute the seed is to trim the tops off the 15cm high plants when they start to die off around April time.

Pulmonaria rubra ‘Redstart’

An unusual form of pulmonary, most have spotty leaves and tend to have blue or white in their flowers. This is a peachy pink colour and the plants are especially good grown on alkaline or limestone soils like ours. Bees love the early nectar and it is an exceptionally good ground cover plant for the back of a border under shrubs.

Although most people don’t associate winter with beautiful blooms and perfect produce, a little planning and creativity can transform any garden into a stunning display of colour, texture and eyecatching beauty. Ursula Cholmeley, Gardening Director at Easton Walled Gardens, shares some of her favourite winter flowers:

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HOME & GARDEN

Parsnips BEST WINTER VEGETABLES A little care and attention, as well as preparation earlier in the year, can ensure that these vegetable varieties thrive over the cooler months.

A perfect accompaniment to hearty winter dishes such as roast dinners, stews and casseroles. Need little maintenance and can be left in the garden until youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to use them.

Lambs lettuce

This is a good salad bowel filler that is undemanding, easy to grow and tolerates both low temperatures and low light levels.

Purple sprouting broccoli

Broccoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high vitamin content and anti-cancer agents make it a popular crop. Purple sprouting broccoli is especially hardy and lasts well over winter for a spring harvest.

Garlic

This is an easy crop to grow. Plant a minimum of one inch below the surface, with a distance of one foot between each clove.

Wild rocket

Another easy to grow crop that adds a lovely pepper flavour to salads. Late summer sowings can be harvested throughout the winter if the plants are protected by cloches or similar.

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HOME & GARDEN

Living with a disability shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your home the way you want. Property & Home investigates the help available.

A mobile home Y

our home is a place where you ought to feel relaxed and at your most comfortable – free to move around and do as you please. Those coping with a disability may feel restricted and increasingly dependent; becoming frustrated and upset by difficulties faced by previously straightforward tasks. However, this needn’t be the case. There is plenty of support and help available out there to ensure you can create a much more mobile home.

ADAPTING

The first stage towards domestic bliss will be an assessment by a professional, usually an occupational therapist from a hospital or sent by social services. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to assist them in overcoming the difficulties of living with disability caused by aging, accident, physical or psychological illness.

This begins in the home, and can range from small jobs such as grab rails or half steps, which encourage a feeling of independence, to extensive changes such as separate wheelchair access. There are plenty of options for adapting your home. In the kitchen for example, you can install a halogen hob, use pullout worktops and foldaway ironing boards, and buy easy-to-use handles for cupboards and drawers. Appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher can be positioned within easy reach, and worktops can be lowered to 10cm below the elbow. In the bathroom, you can put down non-slip flooring, install grab-rails for the shower and bath, and purchase adaptations to raise the height of the toilet. It is worth considering an electric shower or thermostat, where the temperature of the water can be easily monitored and fixed at a safe temperature. For split-level houses, stairlifts are a great option. “Installing a stairlift provides the user with freedom and

independence, says Lea Dobby, Managing Director, Otolift Stairlifts LTD. “Many of our customers have had to resort to sleeping downstairs and using commodes as they can’t access bathrooms and bedrooms. A stairlift installation can become the difference between being re-housed into a bungalow to being able to stay in your own home.” It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but social services, your local council and the environmental health department are all on hand to provide the assistance and support you need. They have the facilities and the budgets to help and depending on your disability; the adaptations needed in the home may be extensive and very costly. The more work that needs done, the longer it may take to have it approved and carried out. For major changes, it is important to get all the help you can – usually in the shape of a disabled facilities grant or a low cost loan from one of the providers mentioned above.

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NEED TO KNOW

Did You K

now ?

For majo r to the h adaptations o be eligib me, you may le for a disa facilities grant of bled £25,000 up to .

TOP TIPS FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY OR POOR VISION, a portable or permanent ramp should be installed at the front door. Ramps should have handrails, a non-slip surface, and unexposed edges.

FUNDING

A disabled facilities grant can be up to £25,000 per home for those necessary improvements, but is usually means tested. For those who can afford the cost, it is still worth bearing in mind that some work to increase mobility, such as installing a lift between floors or increasing wheelchair access by adding a ramp, can be done at a VAT rate of zero. This will save 17.5% on the overall cost, which can be quite a significant saving on an extensive overhaul to mobilise your home. The cost will also depend on whether you are planning a house move within the next few years, or whether you have no plans to move at all. If you can see yourself staying put for the foreseeable future, it is worth investing in the best quality materials to transform your home, such as wheelchair ramps made of concrete. On the other hand, chose wood for a less permanent option, which will give you more flexibility if you are thinking of making a move.

IN THE HOME, the focus should be on the ability to move freely from room to room and from downstairs to upstairs. Ramps can be used where necessary, using mini-ramps in doorways. Hallways should be kept clutter-free. FIT HANDRAILS AROUND THE HOME, at a height that suits. An occupational therapist should be able to help with this. Ideally everything the individual needs should be on the ground ﬂoor, however if there are stairs, consider adding a stairlift or handrails depending on the severity of the disability. DOORWAYS should be wide enough to accommodate two people at a time, providing enough space for a wheelchair, or for someone to provide assistance. IF THE INDIVIDUAL SUFFERS FROM DEMENTIA, it is best to avoid doors that are self-shutting or lockable on the outside. They can become confused and distressed if the door shuts and they are locked in.

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HOME & GARDEN

Mobile makers

Reclaim your independence with the best home products on the market

Lightweight Transit Wheelchair

Grab bars

Grab bars by Mira Showers ensure safety when showering and facilitate independent living. Made from premium stainless steel, the grab bars, which are available in three diﬀerent sizes, also come with quality grade stainless steel ﬁxings to ensure durability.

The Lightweight Transit Wheelchair has been designed with maneuverability and quality in mind. Constructed to an excellent standard, it is packed with a host of useful features; including cable brakes, a built-in lap belt, and swing away footrests. B E T T E RLIFE H E A LT HC A RE .COM

MIR A SH OW E RS .CO .UK

The Otolift ONE

The Otolift ONE stairlift is designed for narrow and steep stairs. This stairlift can be placed along the inner curve of your staircase, while the stairs remain safe to use. Perfect for narrow, steep staircases, you can even keep your banister. A high quality ﬁnish whilst remaining sturdy and reliable, this is functionality in its most elegant form.

The Advance ATL Flex

OTOLIF T.COM

Endorsed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind, due to its usability and safety features. These include tactile raised areas, a large colour contrasted rotary lever with a large loop, a large on/oﬀ button, backlit buttons and an audible click on the temperature lever. A phased shutdown ﬂushes hot water from the tank, making it safe for the next user.

Dycem non-slip mats

Dycem non-slip Mats are the ideal kitchen companion, enabling independent cooking and dining. Eﬀectively gripping items in place and holding them up to a 45-degree angle to prevent any possible spillages. Circular mats are available in 14cm or 19cm diameter, or rectangular at 18cm x 25cm, 25cm x 35cm or 38cm x 45cm. DYC E M - NS .COM

MIR A SHOW E RS .CO .UK

B E T T E RLIFE H E A LT HC A RE .CO M

IMAGES © 123RF

Bellavita Ultra Light Bath Lift

The Bellavita is an ultra modern bath lift, lightweight at only 9.3 kg and available at 6cm seat height, it is designed for the users ultimate comfort and safety. It has built in safety controls and a lightweight, fully waterproof ﬂoating hand control. Easy to install and dismantle for storage and transportation purposes.

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need to know

Sustainable architecture is so important because of global climate change. Building and construction

15 minutes

witH CHarLie Luxton

Charlie Luxton is a sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More4’s Building the Dream. He reveals the best energy-saving products, the design trends for 2014 and how you can build your dream home without breaking the bank.

contributes to 50 per cent of developed countries co2 emissions, and with these emissions rising at unprecedented levels, reducing them is one of humanity’s biggest challenges.

I first became interested in sustainable architecture after working in Ethiopia and seeing firsthand the effects of deforestation and localised climate change. i come from a post

war generation of parents and in our household we were taught that waste was not good and buildings should be efficient.

For a home to be sustainable it needs to be insulated and have a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery System – this should be a top

priority when building and significantly renovating a property. Draft proofing is also very important. A lot of energy is lost through drafts.

The projects we’re working on at Charlie Luxton Design are really exciting. we are currently working on

some very affordable and sustainable housing using traditional techniques that we want to develop as a system model and then hopefully roll out.

It’s difficult but not impossible to make older buildings more energy efficient. i live in a 200-year-old

want to see a mass increase in the amount of new housing being built. we have the slowest self-building rate in the world, and twice as low as anywhere else in europe.

You can easily build a decent home with £100,000 – £200,000.

thatched cottage and we reduced the carbon emission by 80 per cent. the main challenges are the walls as this is where 35 per cent of energy is lost. walls need to be internally or externally insulated.

this is not an issue; the issue is access to land. land is a key thing and the government needs to provide more of it to first time buyers and builders. if self-building is easier and cheaper, more people will do it.

The Hook Norton Low Carbon project (HNLC) was set up by an incredible team of volunteers. it has

There are plenty of ways in which homeowners can make energy savings this Autumn/Winter. Seal up

funded sustainable home improvements for 65 houses, the local school and the local Baptist chapel. we have a biodiesel car pool and we’re currently exploring community energy projects with the local brewery.

For 2014 we need to see more mass self-build and community scale self-build. current housing

developers are not building enough houses that are good enough and both the government and labour say they

your windows and make them draft free, get your boiler serviced or if its over eight years old think about replacing it. make sure pipes are lagged properly in your water system and fill your cavities – loft insulation should be at least 300ml. ‘To hear more from Charlie Luxton, visit The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show from 27-29 March 2013 www. homebuildingshow.co.uk. Standard tickets are £12 if booked before 3pm on 26 March 2014 or £16 on the door. Under 16s go free’ ProPerty & Home witH PHil SPencer 123

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