Posts made in January, 2016

You’ve heard all the stories – about a friend who engaged builders on a neighbour’s recommendation and how the home was left in a semi-demolished state while the contractor absconded with the down-payment. For all the tales of woe there are also many tales of excellent builders who have a satisfied base of repeat-customers who simply did their homework better. If you select a building contractor in Rickmansworth by seeing a signboard as you drive-by or hearing a vague reference of a friend’s cousin having gone into the building business, chances are you’ll get what you deserve. Your home is your castle and any building work should be conducted with absolute care, in partnership with the most reliable general contractor you can find.

How to go about choosing an excellent building contractor in Rickmansworth

If you’re partnering with a small or medium-sized firm, the contractor will not employ all their tradespeople on a full-time basis, but they should have established who the best people are and have them on speed-dial. The general contractor is then responsible for managing all the sub-trades and getting each trade in at the right time to ensure that the agreed schedule is concluded satisfactorily. If there are problems, the contractor needs to make another plan very rapidly – the inconvenience should not be something that you would need to handle (including any additional costs).

Looking for an experienced and competent contractor with an excellent track-record is essential. A contractor should have a portfolio of projects to show you and should be happy for you to contact his previous clients. It’s also recommended that you choose a contractor who is accustomed to liaising with architects and fully understands how to translate your blueprints into a building schedule.

Your contractor will need to obtain all the necessary permits for you and should also see to the scheduling of any inspections that should take place. The contractor will agree on a payment schedule with you, according to the completion of certain milestones, and he would be responsible for the payment of the sub-contractors. In essence, a good contractor is your one-stop shop, your point of contact, and the person who makes sure that the entire project runs smoothly. You can click here to get more details.

Conducting references with former clients

This is truly an important part of choosing and will go a long way to assist you to make the right decision. Ask about the size of the project the contractor worked on and how the job went. Find out how good the contractor’s communication was, and how often he was actually on site to supervise the work. If possible, ask how the contractor’s work compared with others that the client may have used in the past. Enquire as to the quality of work, any cost over-runs, and whether the work was concluded by the proposed deadline.

If you investigate thoroughly, you will be able to find excellent building contractor in Rickmansworth. Malrose has a superb reputation and a long list of highly satisfied customers.

MOT tests are standard for vehicles if you’re living in the UK. The acronym is well-known for any car-owner, although hardly anyone knows what it stands for. Actually, MOT used to mean Ministry of Transport, and it was this department that monitored all vehicles using the roads. The department has long since disappeared, but the term MOT has endured. What it means is that your vehicle needs to be tested on an annual basis to ensure that it continues to meet road safety and environmental standards. New cars are presumed to be in good condition, so it’s only after a car reaches the third year of its registration that MOT testing is required by law. It’s essential that this test is carried out not only for safety but because hefty fines of up to £1,000 can be levied if you are found driving a vehicle that doesn’t have a valid MOT.

What to do if you need MOT testing in Totnes

Your MOT lasts for a year. The earliest you can be re-tested and receive a new certificate is a month (minus one day) before the current MOT runs out. Thus, if your last test was conducted on the 24th February, you can apply for a new certificate on the 25th January the following year. You would most likely want to do your MOT testing locally, and there are numerous garages where this MOT testing in Totnes can take place. You can find out if the business has a nominated MOT tester on-site. This tester will have been authorised by VOSA – the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, which is a government body. The tester will carry out comprehensive checks on your vehicle. In some situations, the garage may allow you to watch the test from a designated viewing area, but you will not be allowed to interact with or interrupt the tester. If you’re observing, you’ll see that checks involve the interior, under the bonnet and under the vehicle as well, and that the results are being recorded. You can click here to get more details.

Once the test is completed, you will receive a report from the tester. If you have allowed the garage to do a pre-inspection first, the chances are that your vehicle will pass the test. Sometimes there are things that a tester picks up that are not serious enough to fail the vehicle, but the items will be mentioned to you so that you can keep an eye on them and take the necessary safety steps during the year.

Completing annual MOT testing in Totnes is essential for all vehicle owners with cars older than three years. Monnington Motors Ltd has a branch in Totnes, and their trained MOT testers can assist you.

All vehicle owners in the UK are aware of the importance of MOT testing. If you’re not already mindful of the requirements, this test produces a certificate of roadworthiness that shows that your car has been tested for safety and for environmental compliance. New cars are exempt, and testing needs to be done only following the third year after the car has been registered. Thereafter, MOT testing is required on an annual basis. Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate is not only dangerous but can incur a hefty fine. Without it, you also cannot renew your road fund license, and an insurance claim might be compromised, particularly if there is an injury. Something else to bear in mind is that the MOT testing system has recently been computerised. This means that police and mobile camera units can check remotely whether your car has a current MOT certificate, so it really is advisable to make certain that your vehicle is legally compliant.

Having MOT testing completed in Torquay

If you live in Torquay, it would usually be advisable to have the test done locally. Chances are that you have a good relationship with a local garage for services and repairs to your vehicle, and you should find out whether this business is an authorised MOT test station. In order to be authorised by VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) the vehicle technicians will have undergone strict training. There are different classes of vehicles (which include petrol, diesel and some hybrid engines) so you would need to ensure that your garage has authorised testers for your particular car. Most garages have testers for Classes 4 (ordinary cars), 5 and 7 vehicles. The staff at the garage you choose will be able to give you guidance as to their suitability for your testing. You can visit here to get more information.

Planning your MOT testing in Torquay

Some vehicle owners like their garage to conduct a pre-inspection. If you have any areas of concern, this might be cost-effective as you need to pay for the MOT test, even if you fail. Once the necessary repairs are done, you would need to pay again for the follow-up test. If you enquire from garages in your area, you may find that some offer a free MOT re-test if they’ve completed the necessary work to get your vehicle up to standard. MOT tests take about an hour to complete, so most car owners stay on-site during the process.

Failure means that you get a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ and then you have two options. You can appeal the result if you feel your car should have passed or, if your current MOT certificate is still valid, you can drive it away. If the MOT certificate has expired, you need to take the vehicle for immediate repairs, and not have it on the roads.

Having MOT testing in Torquay is essential for any vehicle owner. Monnington Motors Ltd has a branch in Torquay that can ensure your vehicle is properly tested.

Car servicing is not the scary thing it used to be. Those who are unfamiliar with the workings of a car were worried when they needed to take their vehicle in for a service as they felt that the mechanics could do almost anything they liked and charge as much as they wanted, and the car-owners would be none the wiser. Fortunately, modern cars are largely controlled by electronic devices, which means that an engine management system can diagnose problems quickly and efficiently. If you live in Totnes and are in need of car servicing, you should enquire from local garages whether they have the sophisticated computer equipment needed for your model of car. The engine management system needs to be properly serviced to ensure that you keep getting correct information about what problems might occur with your car.

What engine management system servicing entails

Modern technology provides endless superior solutions to make cars more fuel-efficient and to improve the driving experience, but it also means that more things can go wrong. Most cars have fuel injection systems, throttle sensors, and air flow meters. Some even have oxygen and crankshaft sensors, and all of these need to be operating effectively. Should any of these systems be malfunctioning, your car’s service will highlight the problem. If your engine management system if working effectively, it means that your car will generally be running smoothly and all systems will be properly monitored.

Choosing a garage for car servicing in Totnes

The price and the length of time of your service will depend on whether you need a simple oil change and filter service or whether this is a high-mileage comprehensive service. Regardless of what you need, you should ensure that the garage you go to has well trained technicians and that they attend regular courses. Technology is constantly advancing so you need to make certain that the employees at the garage you visit are at the top of their game. Motor Industry Codes of Practice are in place to protect the consumer so it’s a good idea to check that your garage subscribes to these. It’s also very helpful if they have registered MOT testers and that their technicians have Automotive Technician Accreditation.

Depending on the type of service, your brakes and shock absorbers should be checked. Not only are these essential for safe driving, but could also lead to a failed MOT test if they are faulty. Most cars now have air-conditioning so it’s important to make certain that your system is running smoothly. Your car battery, tyres, and exhaust will be checked during a comprehensive service. A problem with the exhaust can often lead to reduced efficiency and could cause a failed emissions test. Other areas such as your gearbox and clutch should all form part of total engine checking, and any faults should be picked up in an engine diagnostic test. Click here to get more information.

Having your car serviced in Totnes can be made easy if your garage has well trained technicians and up-to-date computer equipment. Monnington Motors Ltd has a branch in Totnes and has been offering auto services for many years.

Dry rot can sometimes be referred to as brown rot and has the ability to destroy any type of wood inside or outside of your home. Dry rot takes place when there is decay in the wood and any other structures made of wood caused by different types of fungi. Fungi are caused by excess moisture and can be prevented. The fungus has the ability to break down the strength and stiffness of the wood. Weakened wood then becomes brittle and unappealing to the eye.

Identifying Dry Rot

Dry rot has the ability to spread very quickly so it is important to catch it early. Once the fungus spreads, it has the ability to make the wood disintegrate completely. Here are some ways in which you can identify dry rot before it spreads:

* Check your home for areas of wood that are shrunken and sunken.

* Check for fungus that appears as if it is cotton wool and has droplets of water on the surface of it.

* Cracks or darkened areas in the wood structure.

* Look for wood that has a skin-like growth that looks like a mushroom that is grey or silver in colour. You may also see patches of yellow or purple and may peel easily.

Dry Rot Prevention

There are a number of ways that you can prevent dry rot from destroying your home. You need to try to limit the amount of moisture that gets to the wood areas of your home. Here are some preventative methods that can be used to help keep dry rot from spreading:

* Make sure that your wood siding is properly installed by a professional who specializes in dry rot in Glasgow.

* Have your roof checked at least once year to prevent and identify potential dry rot, mould, or water damage.

* There are occasions in which dry rot can be caused by plumbing leaks. Consistently check for toilet and sink leaks in your bathroom and kitchen.

* Make sure that your attic, bathroom, and kitchen have the appropriate ventilation. Lack of ventilation has the ability to put too much moisture into the air which can cause dry rot.

* If you have an outdoor deck, make sure that it is sealed properly.

The first step to preventing dry rot is being able to identify it. Once it is identified it can easily be treated with the right level of professionalism. Click here to know more.

Richardson & Starling are experts in preventing and treating dry rot in Glasgow.