Knowledge Base
Property advice that actually helps
Researched, UK-specific guides for every stage of homeownership — from buying and surveys to retrofit, planning and major works.
Improvement & BuildTree Assessment: Identifying Signs Your Property Needs Professional Tree Removal
Key signs a tree may need professional removal include fungal brackets on the trunk, a sudden change in lean, dead or hanging branches, root heave, and visible cavities or decay. Before instructing any works, check whether the tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area restrictions with your local planning authority, as unauthorised removal carries an unlimited fine.
Buying & MovingCouncil for Licensed Conveyancers: Professional Standards and Regulation
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is the regulatory body for licensed conveyancers in England and Wales, established under the Administration of Justice Act 1985. It sets conduct standards, maintains a public register, runs a compensation fund to protect client money, and operates a consumer redress scheme. Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers can handle residential conveyancing, but each answers to a different regulator.
Improvement & BuildHow to Find and Hire a Loft Conversion Company
To hire a loft conversion company, get at least three quotes from TrustMark-registered or FMB-member firms. Confirm they handle building regulations approval and structural calculations, ask for references from completed loft projects, check public liability insurance, and ensure a written specification covers what is and is not included in the price before you agree anything.
Surveys & InspectionsKey Questions for Informed Property Viewings
At a property viewing, ask specifically about structural movement, damp or water ingress, the age and service history of the boiler and electrics, whether any extensions obtained building regulations sign-off, and the seller's chain position. In England and Wales, sellers are not obliged to volunteer information about defects, so direct questions and a professional survey before exchange are essential.
Energy & RetrofitWhich Household Appliances Consume the Most Energy?
Tumble dryers, fridge-freezers, and electric showers are typically the biggest electricity consumers in a UK home. Running a tumble dryer costs around £1.20 per cycle at current rates. Appliances left on standby can add £35–£55 annually. Switching to lower wash temperatures, running full loads, and eliminating standby power saves most households £50–£100 per year without any capital outlay.
Improvement & BuildRetaining Wall Design and Installation for Landscape Features
A garden retaining wall holds back soil on a sloped plot using concrete blocks, stone, or timber. It must include drainage — typically a French drain and weep holes — to prevent pressure build-up behind the wall. Walls over 1 m high may need Building Regulations approval under Approved Document A. Any wall above knee height is best designed and built by a qualified landscaper or groundworker.
Buying & MovingStorage Solutions and Container Rental Options for House Moves
When moving house in the UK, temporary storage options include self-storage units, portable storage containers delivered to your door, and removal company storage vans. Costs vary by volume, location, and duration. Most people need storage for days to weeks when completion dates do not align or renovation work delays a move-in date.
Improvement & BuildConservatory Roof Insulation Installation Costs
Conservatory roof insulation costs typically range from around £1,500 to £4,000 for internal insulated panel systems, or £8,000 to £25,000 or more for a solid tiled roof replacement. The right approach depends on your existing roof material, the conservatory's size, and whether you want year-round usability. Always check whether a solid roof conversion requires building regulations approval.
Improvement & BuildLiving Wall and Green Wall Installation Costs
Living wall installation in the UK typically costs £150–£500 per square metre for modular systems, rising to £800–£1,500 or more for bespoke irrigated designs. Indoor and outdoor costs vary significantly by size, plant species, irrigation type, and whether a specialist installer or landscaper carries out the work.
Buying & MovingDoes Your Conveyancing Solicitor Need to Be Local?
No law in England and Wales requires your conveyancing solicitor to be based near the property or your home. Most transactions are now handled digitally by email, secure portal, and post. Local knowledge can occasionally help for leasehold blocks or complex planning histories, but is rarely a decisive factor. Any SRA- or CLC-regulated firm can act nationally.
Improvement & BuildAssessing Suitability for Loft Conversion
Most loft conversions need a minimum ridge height of around 2.2 metres, adequate roof pitch, and sufficient floor area to be practical. Trussed-rafter roofs cost more to convert than traditional cut-timber roofs. Most standard conversions in England are permitted development, but building regulations approval is always required for structural work, fire safety, and stair access.
Surveys & InspectionsFire Safety in the Home: Assessment and Protection
Most UK owner-occupied homes are the homeowner's responsibility to make fire-safe, while landlords have a legal duty to carry out fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Key steps include fitting interlinked smoke and CO alarms, keeping escape routes clear, checking electrical installations, and understanding the fire-resistance of your property's construction.