Members consult us for home maintenance help because:
- We have the experience to know what needs doing and when.
- We can suggest the right people to contact, even in an emergency.
- We can find a handyman, no matter how big or small the problem.
One of our home experts Roberto Crovini says: 'People service their cars once a year, but most of us tend to be less attentive when it comes to house upkeep. We've created a checklist of regular jobs so members can go through it and tick off what they'd like done.' If the job can be outsourced, we can put you in touch with the best gardeners, fix-it men, window cleaners and electricians.
A lot of the work members want done involves fixing other people's botched jobs. Sorting out a minor issue early, whether it's a defunct smoke alarm, leaking roof tile or badly fitted light-switch, tends to stop it turning into a major problem. We have long-standing relationships with tradesmen of all types. We check references and professional credentials when we add new contacts to our books, so we have more reliable access than individuals do to good-quality work. If anything does go wrong, we will get involved to ensure that the problem is fixed.
Here's a list of potential jobs that will keep your home in good working order:
Every week
- Cleaning. We can advise on hiring a cleaner and make sure that monthly jobs, such as cleaning the fridge and bathroom tiles, are part of the job description.
Every month
- Test smoke alarms and fire alarms.
- Clean external windows.
- Weed, plant and do garden upkeep (or employ a gardener).
Every three months
- Clean internal windows.
Every six months
- Test burglar alarm.
Every spring
- Get carpets, curtains, furniture, upholstery and bedding professionally cleaned. We can advise on specialist cleaning companies.
- Some members like to have their paths, patios and decks pressure washed once a year.
- Clean and treat wooden fences, gates, decking, sheds and garden furniture.
Every autumn
- Service the boiler. Ask us about what other inspections are needed to make sure you have working heating and water throughout winter. We can arrange jobs such as gas-fire inspections, chimney sweeps and flue checks (all legally required for rental properties).
- Book a tradesman to clear gutters and drainpipes of leaves and debris.
- Test or install external lights and motion sensors.
- Cut back, prune, clear and prepare garden for winter.
Every few years
- Electrics should be checked using an NICEIC-registered contractor.
- Keep an eye on exterior paint and pointing, and carry our remedial repairs (the earlier this is done, the smaller the job tends to be). The same applies to slipped tiles on roofs and splits, bubbles and puddling on flat roofs.
