New Homes Archives - HomeQuoteDirect

clean your guttering

Posted on 29th June 2016

Why it is important to clean your guttering regularly

Even though they’re “out of sight and out of mind” for the majority of the time, your gutters actually play a huge role in the structural integrity of your house, and keeping them clean is a great way to avoid the potentially costly expense of gutter repairs.
Gutters have one job: to guide rainwater off your roof and straight down the drain. Despite their importance, though, it can be all too easy to forget about them until something […]

Families missing out as homes remain empty

Posted on 29th June 2016

Families missing out as homes remain empty
Local councils and housing associations in the Black Country are missing out on huge amounts of rent because of void properties. This is despite a waiting list that totals thousands of people.
A void property is one that has recently become empty and is waiting to be re-let. Insurance companies are also missing out as these empty properties mean families will not take out cheap home insurance until they move into the house.
Dudley Council could have had an extra £352,000 […]

86% Of British Homes are under insured

Posted on 28th April 2016

A leading insurance provider has revealed that the vast majority of British home owners are running the risk of their property being under insured. They should choose a policy provides cover for the full reinstatement value, said the insurer.
It is argued that property owners should obtain a professional valuation for insurance purposes. Any valuation provided by a bank or estate agency is unlikely to give a fair reflection of the cost of rebuilding a home.
Mike Colmans, a leading insurance expert, said, ‘having accurate sums insured […]

Controversial drilling procedure may affect home insurance premiums

Posted on 3rd November 2011

Homeowners in the North West of England may find themselves paying higher home insurance premiums in the future as scientists working for a drilling company admitted that that their gas exploration activities probably caused the two minor earthquakes that hit the region earlier this year.
Geological risks associated with fracking
Workers for the Cuadrilla Resources Company have stopped their controversial method of extracting resources from the ground, known as fracking, until more tests have been carried out. The process which involves the injection of water and chemicals […]

Super fast broadband plan brought forward

Posted on 1st November 2011

In what should prove to be great news for homeowners across the UK, British Telecom (BT) has announced that it plans to bring forward the date when the majority of homes in the country have access to super fast broadband.
Online shopping experience will improve
The plan to bring forward access to fast broadband will help households across the country in many ways, not least for those looking to save money and time. Super fast broadband will enable consumers to shop online more comfortably and should make […]

Sunny Side Up – Go Solar with HomeQuoteDirect

Posted on 27th October 2011

With the cost of solar panels dropping by almost 60% in the last three years, sustainable energy in the guise of solar photovoltaic panels are now becoming an affordable option for homeowners and householders in the UK.
Buying an option for the comfortably well off
There are two distinct ways properties can benefit from solar heating. The first option is to pay for the system yourself and benefit from the Feed in Tariff (FIT) set by the Government, which on a 3 WP system should return around […]

Is it a post code lottery when it comes to insurance?

Posted on 6th October 2011

While most homeowners realise the value of a good home insurance policy, it is doubtful that many know how much the premiums of a policy depend on the geographical situation their home is in.
Riot torn London and Channel Island haven come out best
According to a recent report by a well known home insurance comparison site the difference in an identical policy from one area of the UK to another is staggering. In many cases the differences in prices are also very hard to understand. For […]

The ultimate DIY job

Posted on 29th September 2011

Every year in the UK around 15,000 couples take on one of the most testing challenges a relationship can experience. No it’s not entering a Mr & Mrs contest, nor is it listing each other’s faults, it’s more serious than both of those, it’s building their own home.
A rewarding challenge
At a time when mortgages for first time buyers have never been harder to find, it would seem ludicrous that couples should actually think of going out, finding a loan provider and taking out new home […]

Comfort is the key – furnishing your property

Posted on 1st September 2011

When it comes to furnishing a new home there is little more that’s important than creating a comfortable main living space. It is the place where the family come together most often and where comfort encourages relaxation and openness.
Make sure it fits
The seating in this room is crucial and worth spending a little extra on to get right. It is important to choose a sofa that will look good and be proportionate in your living room, so take careful measurements and make sure that what […]

Parents prepared to pay over the odds to live near a good school

Posted on 25th August 2011

A report by one of Europe’s largest banks suggests that home hunters are prepared to up their budget if it means securing a place in a good school for their children.
Budget breaker
The report by Santander bank revealed that people preparing to move home or buy for the first time have a set idea on just how much they want to spend when it comes to buying the home, organising household insurance, and paying council taxes, but they are prepared to go well over budget for […]