Even in the current climate, home improvement is still a great way to add value to your property.

In a study commissioned by HSBC, property experts offered their opinions on the financial benefits of adding a conservatory or new windows to a home. Interestingly, the experts rated building a conservatory as one of best ways of increasing the value of a property.

On average a conservatory will add more than £7,000 to the value of a property. New windows also rated highly offering an average of £4,000 to the value of a home.

Contrary to popular belief, nearly half of the experts claimed that redecorating or re-carpeting a home would add little or no value.

Obviously we’d warn against people undertaking home improvements purely for the potential increase in their home’s value; but nevertheless we think it’s an excellent side benefit!

Plus, there’s really no better time to think about a Conservatory or replacement Double Glazing, but hurry - our lowest ever prices offer can’t last forever!

Image credit Chris Isherwood

If you’re considering improving your home with a conservatory, double glazing, extension etc obviously the price you pay will be a key consideration, particularly given the current economic climate.

However, according to recent research by Lloyds TSB there has been a 16% increase in the number of ‘botch’ jobs by rogue traders in the last 12 months - possibly as a result of people being more price sensitive; and therefore going for the cheapest quote.

It seems however, that many homeowners are being penny wise, but pound foolish, and they are now having to foot the bill to correct the work undertaken by unscrupulous tradesmen.

Lloyds TSB’s research suggests that on average it costs an additional £1,250 in remedial works to repair a poorly installed conservatory - a sobering thought indeed. Particularly when you consider that these homeowners were looking to save a few hundred pounds - but actually end up spending far more.

Sadly nearly a third of victims admitted that they failed to check up  on workers’ qualifications, or even seek references from previous customers.

Top Tips to Avoid the ‘Cowboys’

If you’re looking to undertake home improvements - be it having double glazing or a conservatory fitted, or getting your home extended avoid the ‘cowboys’ and check out our top tips:

1. Don’t assume that anyone who can afford to advertise will be OK - adverts in local directories / newspapers etc aren’t particularly expensive, and these publications offer you no guarantees about the businesses who advertise in them. If you’re looking for double glazing or conservatories then check that your chosen supplier is FENSA registered.

2. Get at least three quotes so you can compare prices.

3. When getting quotes make sure you’re comparing like for like so you can be sure that the cheaper quote isn’t down to lower quality materials being used.

4. Do some background checks - e.g. check that they are registered with FENSA, check how long they’ve been in business, look around online for adverse reviews etc.

5. Ask for references - and make sure you follow them up!

6. Any reputable company or individual will offer guarantees for their work. Make sure your chosen supplier does too.

7. Get a written and signed agreement detailing the work which will be undertaken, the cost, how long it will take, when work will commence and how much you have agreed to pay.

8. Agree up front payment terms - e.g. deposit and payment on completion and include dates. Never pay the full amount in advance.

9. Trust your gut. Often your instincts will be correct - if you don’t feel comfortable, then find someone else to do the work for you.

10. If it seems too good to be true - it probably is!

Obviously if you are considering replacing your windows, or getting a new conservatory, we’d love the opportunity to quote. Browse our website to view our range, drop into one of our show centres, call us on 0800 666 444 or book a home visit.

Image credit a.drian

How you decide to furnish your conservatory will ultimately depend on how you plan to use it, however within this article we will provide you with some ideas of how to make best use of your conservatory, and give some handy hints and tips on how to furnish it.

Conservatories as Dining Rooms

Many people elect to use their conservatories as dining rooms - which can be a lovely way of enjoying your garden even when it’s a little too chilly to actually eat outside. Alternatively in the Summer months you might elect to eat outside, and then move into the conservatory for post dinner drinks as the temperature drops.

If you’re planning to use your conservatory as a dining room there are a vast number of options open to you - many people elect to furnish their conservatories with furniture which can be easily moved outside when it’s warm enough, but looks equally at home inside.

Traditionally people have used rattan, cane and wicker furniture in conservatories, but there’s absolutely no need to be tied to these materials - you can create a lovely modern look with glass and chrome, or a more traditional cosy look with wooden furniture.

Conservatories as Offices

Some people elect to use their conservatory (or part of their conservatory) as a home office. If you’re considering this there are some fantastic solutions out there which enable you to hide your home office away once you’ve finished working. Make sure you’ve plenty of storage for papers, files and so on; and consider using a laptop rather than a desktop computer; as it’s much easier to store. That way you can use your conservatory in your leisure time - rather than using it purely as a working space.

If you are considering working in your conservatory, bear in mind that at certain times of day the bright sunlight may make it difficult to see your computer screen. As such it might be worth investing in some quality blinds. SEHBAC have a fantastic range of blinds so there’s bound to be something to suit you.

Conservatories as Living Rooms & Play Rooms

Many people elect to use their conservatories as additional living rooms and/or play rooms for adults and kids alike! Here the possibilities are endless - a conservatory can be a great place for that pool table you’ve always wanted!

Likewise a conservatory can make a fantastic living room - think comfortable sofas, arm chairs, bean bags - and a glass of wine with friends. Again it’s a lovely way of feeling like you’re outdoors even when the Great British Summer conspires against you!

Conservatories for Hobbies

If you like to paint, or are into arts and crafts a conservatory can be a great place to indulge your pastimes. The light will be fantastic for any kind of artwork, and again you’ve the benefit of feeling like you’re out doors.

Similarly, if you’re a keen gardener you can use your conservatory to grow plants which couldn’t normally be grown here.

Multi-Purpose Conservatories

Want to do a bit of everything? No problem. there are some fantastic furniture solutions out there. Choose a folding table, or choose a table which you can extend with additional leaves - that way, when you’re not entertaining in your conservatory you’re not stuck trying to manoeuvre around a large dining table.

Similarly, clever office furniture can allow you to hide away your workspace so you can use your conservatory for fun too!

Here at SEHBAC we’re committed to ensuring that you get the very best out of your conservatory. Our advice is always to plan ahead - so if you’re thinking about having a conservatory built, think carefully about how you are going to use the space. Our staff will be happy to talk through the options in order to come up with the best solution for you.

Why not call us on 0800 666 444, or book a home visit.

Increasingly, consumers are thinking ‘green’ and are looking for more information on the environmental impact of their purchases. As such, many people are concerned about the use of PVC, and as such seek alternative materials for their replacement windows and doors; or if they are planning to have a conservatory built.

However, a recent press release from PVC Aware aims to highlight the environmental creditials of PVC, and address the concerns of those consumers. 

Jon Skinner who chairs the PVC Aware committee says “PVC’s environmental credentials are well proven, but as yet, they are little known, in part because the majority of the tests are relatively new. Equally, few people are aware how recyclable PVCU is. The double benefit is that it has environmental advantages and is affordable.”

The Facts about PVC:

1. It’s 100% recyclable.
2. It’s manufactured using 57% chlorine (sea salt) and a comparatively small amount of oil.
3. Very low maintenance (i.e. unlike wood, it never needs re-painting!)
4. The PVC Industry has committed to recycle 100% waste by 2010.
5. Old PVC window frames can be recycled to fabricate new ones - with a minimal impact on the environment. Plus, PVC window frames may be recycled up to 10 times - offering a potential lifespan of more than 350 years!
6. PVC windows are energy efficient and will help you cut your carbon footprint and your utility bills.
7. PVC is available in a wide choice of colours and finishes so you’re bound to find something to suit the style and character of your home.
8. PVC manufacture releases very few dioxins into the air. In fact the average European PVC plant would need to run non stop for 30,000 years to produce the same level of emissions as are released on a single Bonfire Night!
9. PVC is totally inert in the environment.
10. Today’s advanced PVC products already include a high proportion of recycled content.

The good news is, that today’s advanced performance PVC windows and doors can deliver significant energy savings. As such they can play a positive role in making homes more sustainable by cutting carbon emissions, not to mention heating bills. And while glass remains the most important single factor in window energy efficiency, PVC remains far more thermally efficient than alternative materials.

Here at SEHBAC we offer a wide range of PVCU double glazing, doors and conservatories. We’ve over 38 years experience and we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and providing them with the ideal solution for them.

We’d be happy to talk to you, and explain the options further - why not give us a call on 0800 666 444, request a brochure so you can view our full range, arrange a home visit or get a quote today.

PVC Aware is an organisation set up to promote the sustainable values of PVC as a material for window frames and other building applications. They are committed to implementing and promoting procedures to ensure that all off-cut and post-consumer PVC material is recycled into new products, thus preventing waste.

All images, and stats from this post were sourced from the PVCAware.org website.

SEHBAC launch a brand new TV advertisement for Spring/Summer 2009, to promote their range of conservatories and double glazing products. You can view the advert below.

Gary Emmerson from SEHBAC says “In the current climate, with many electing to ‘improve not move’ - a new conservatory is an ideal solution, providing additional flexible living space. You can use your conservatory as a living room, a dining space, a play room for the kids - the possibilities are endless.”

The adverts are running throughout March, April and May in various primetime slots on ITV1 in the Anglia South region.