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Top tips for selling your home in the new year

top tips for selling your home in the new year

January is a notoriously long month, with Christmas a distant memory, payday seems like it will never arrive, and the weather postpones numerous activities.

One thing we can rely on in January however, is the fact that people are still selling and buying houses, whether that’s due to high divorce rates this month or just simply because it’s a fresh start to the year.

The new year is also a great time to get your home ready and prepared for selling in the spring, a popular period for buyers, who have managed to get through the winter slump and are excited to view properties in the light of day again.

So what can be done to increase the likelihood of selling your home in the first quarter of the year? Here at Cloudy2Clear, we’ve created a handy guide for ensuring your property is as appealing as possible for buyers.

Aesthetics

As much as we don’t like to admit it, it’s hard for us to see past poor decorating, dirty carpets, and clutter. If a house looks like a home, it’s easier for us to imagine ourselves living, eating, and enjoying life there.

Staging your house for a sale is important if you really want to give buyers as much opportunity as possible to envisage themselves living there. How do you go about doing this?

Declutter rooms by only keeping what you need. Everything else can be thrown away, donated, or put into a self-storage unit. If you have friends/family with spare rooms or garage space, then you could even ask them to save on storage costs.

Clean thoroughly and keep on top of it. You never know when you might have a viewing and if you’re not prepared, you could put people off with dirty dishes in the sink and dog hairs all over the carpet.

Smell is incredibly important. Think about when you’ve viewed properties in the past, or even when you’ve walked into a building and noticed an odd aroma. If there’s an unpleasant greeting when potential buyers open a door or enter a new room, then this an immediately creep into their subconscious. Bad smells equate to something being off.

Keep decoration neutral. Grab a bucket full of magnolia paint and go to town. Remove any gawdy ornaments or artwork, as even though this is your taste, it might not be everyone else’s. Make sure your bed is made well, with a scatter of cushions, and ensure that any damage to walls, such as knocks and children’s scribble, is covered up and repaired.

Sort out any repairs. These include:

  • Repairing failed double glazing – misty or cloudy windows can be instantly off-putting for potential buyers and can also lead people to believe they will have to pay for entirely new double glazing, which is expensive and a big job. Getting the experts in before you start having viewings can potentially save you grief in the long-run.

 

  • Missing kitchen or bathroom tiles – although insignificant and doesn’t affect the structural elements of a property, missing tiles or broken slabs can add up. If potential buyers notice more than one minor repair, their renovation list becomes longer and they’ll only see the costs mounting up.

 

  • Broken fence panels – gardens are often forgotten about when it comes to selling your home in the winter, but buyers are still looking at this as an asset. Broken fence panels, dead plants, and broken slabs can put a buyer off immediately due to the amount of work they think they need to complete.

 

  • Stiff locks, handles, and hinges – if you have a savvy buyer looking around your home, they will be thorough in their viewing, so may open windows and outer doors for security purposes. If you have broken locks or loose hinges, this can deter them from looking any further.

Do you have any handy tips on selling your home successfully in the new year? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter and we might update this guide and include them!

If you do have any failed double glazing or window repairs that need completing before you sell your home, contact the experts at Cloudy2Clear today for more information.

 

How to find the cheapest energy suppliers in 2019

cheapest energy suppliers 2019

If winter has you feeling down, January has felt like it’s lasted around 97 days, and the weather has you feeling cold, then it’s time to make a change for the months to come.

Energy bills around this time of the year can be extortionate, especially because we’re using more fuel by cooking warmer meals, turning the thermostat up, as well as not wanting to leave the shower in the mornings.

So, what can be done to reduce your energy costs? For one, you can hunt around for a better deal, but instead of trawling each company’s website or calling unhelpful customer service lines, check out some of our top tips for finding the cheapest energy supplier for your home or business this year.

 

1. Don’t stay loyal to one company

Just because you’ve been with your energy supplier for a solid ten years, does not mean that your loyalty will be rewarded. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, with suppliers upping your bills each year, without query or question from yourselves. Although the thought of switching energy suppliers regularly sounds like an inconvenience, it’s actually much easier to do this nowadays, as well as being much more cost-effective.

 

2. Use monthly direct debits to pay

With other costs, such as car insurance, it can be beneficial to pay the amount in one go, saving you interest over the months, as opposed to paying by direct debit each month. However, this is different for your energy bills, and companies actually prefer it if you pay monthly, by direct debit, rather than quarterly, or by cheque. This is because it’s much easier for the energy companies to process and saves admin hassle. If you think about it, it’s better for you too, meaning you don’t forget to pay your bill and know exactly when it will come out of your account each month.

 

3. Check your postcode

If you’re really keen on saving money on your energy bills, you could move house. Although this sounds like a ridiculous way to reduce your costs, it’s been confirmed that energy companies change their tariffs based on postcodes, so it may be beneficial in the long-run to choose an area to live that doesn’t charge inflated amounts. Expensive areas include Cornwall, Devon, and parts of the Midlands.

 

4. Utilise energy comparison sites

With the internet at our fingertips, it’s relatively easy to find a new energy deal at a much lower cost. The best price comparison websites include:

Simply Switch
uSwitch
MoneySuperMarket
Compare the Market

Remember, these aren’t the only energy price comparison websites out there and it’s important to check out a fair few before you make a decision on which one to go for.

Switching energy suppliers is still the best way to make a substantial saving on your energy bills, regardless of whether your current tariff has been capped or not. Websites, such as Money Saving Expert even monitor your tariff for you and send you alerts when they think you should switch again, so you really don’t have to do anything at all!

For more hints and tips on how to save energy in your home, check out our blog article and contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today to see if we can replace any failed double glazing, or repair your faulty locks, handles, and hinges.

Energy saving tips for the winter

energy saving tips for winter

 

1. Keep doors and windows closed

As your grandma would say, “Were you born in a barn?” When you enter a room, make sure you shut the door behind you, keeping draughts out and heat in. Ventilation is important in both bathrooms and kitchens, but try to install an extractor fan, rather than keeping windows ajar.

 

2. Use only the rooms you need

If you’re finding that you have a room or two that are rarely used, such as a spare bedroom or office space, then make sure you keep radiators turned off in these areas. Heating rooms that don’t require it is a massive waste of energy.

 

3. Store bottles in the garage or in outside storage

Especially during the Christmas and New Year, we tend to have more food and drink in our homes. Storing bottles in your garage or outdoor storage units will keep them cool, but also means you aren’t overfilling your fridge, or having to run an additional one. Chin chin!

 

4. Wear extra layers

We don’t want to end up sounding like your parents, but before you turn the thermostat up another notch, why not grab a jumper or blanket and layer up? Before you spend money on heating costs, take a look in your wardrobe for cheaper insulation.

 

5. Boiler servicing

Having your boiler serviced can ensure it runs as smoothly as possible throughout the winter months, increasing efficiency and saving you energy.

 

6. Use LED Christmas lights

Light-Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, are much more energy efficient than older style Christmas lights, so make sure you buy new this festive period.

 

7. Invest in thicker curtains or blinds

Time to update your home? You can do this easily with new curtains or blinds that really set a room off. When investing in new furnishings, make sure you take into consideration thickness, as a good quality pair of curtains can block out any annoying draughts, as well as keeping the heat in. You could also invest in a winter duvet to keep you warming throughout the night.

 

8. Repair any faulty locks, handles, or hinges

Noticed that you can’t quite get that window pulled shut? This is probably because you have faulty locks, handles, or hinges, which won’t go away without being repaired. If you’ve put this job off because you think you need the whole window replacing, think again. At Cloudy2Clear, we can complete these smaller tasks without having to take the entire unit out.

 

9. Use a timer for your central heating

Want to wake up or come back to a warm home? Instead of worrying about energy bills by leaving your central heating on 24/7, use a timer switch to ensure that your heating only turns on when required. With advances in technology, it’s easier than ever to control your central heating, even from your mobile phone!

 

10. Utilise heat from the sun where you can

Keep your blinds and curtains open during daytime hours, especially if it’s sunny. Gaining extra heat from the sun is a free way of keeping your home toasty. Keep them closed at night however, to eliminate any excess draughts.

 

11. Draught proof

This can be both a small or a large job. Insulating your loft or attic is a great way to keep precious heat in, saving on energy costs, but can be an expensive method. Use draught excluders along the bottom of your doors is a great and cheap way of keeping draughts at bay.

 

12. Turn down the thermostat

We’re not saying to put a complete ban on using the central heating, but if you’re feeling comfortable in your home, then why not knock the thermostat down by a few degrees? You’ll find that you won’t even notice the difference – except perhaps on your energy bills!

 

13. Be cooking efficient

Simple tasks such as cooking can actually have a big effect on the amount of energy you’re using. By keeping lids on pots and pans, food will boil quicker, and less water vapour will occur. You should also ensure that you’re using the correct size ring on your hob for large and small pans, as this can waste energy.

 

14. Repair failed double glazing

If you’re looking for a more effective way to save energy in your home, why not consider getting your failed double glazing repaired? If you’ve noticed that your windows are misted up or cloudy, whether standalone, in double glazed doors or conservatories, then they could also be affecting heat loss in your home. Contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today to speak to our helpful team.

 

See our other posts on cutting your energy bills: 4 Ways Businesses Can Save on their Energy Costs This Winter and How to Reduce Energy Bills.

Autumn window maintenance tips

There’s no doubt about it; Britain has some of the most unpredictable weather, as well as some of the most miserable.

It’s so important that we ensure our homes are well looked after and maintained effectively, both from a longevity and security point of view. Below, we’ve outlined some of our top tips for maintaining your windows during autumn, and into winter too.

autumn window maintenance tips

 

Improve insulation

Invest in some heavy curtains for these colder months as it will be a small change with a big difference. With a proper lining and thick material, curtains can actually provide more than just privacy and darkness, but also warmth and insulation. Think about blinds too; multiple layers of insulation will not only keep draughts out, they’ll contribute to locking in warmth and keeping your heating bills down as the weather gets colder.

Here at Cloudy2Clear, we also provide insulating glass when repairing any failed double glazing or even if you’re just looking for an upgrade.

 

Repair faulty locks, handles, and hinges

Windows that don’t quite shut properly, or those that can’t open for ventilation to reduce condensation, can be a hinderance throughout October – March. Ensuring that you check each and every window for stiffness, sticking, or broken / faulty locks is an important window maintenance task. This will prevent unnecessary draughts, improve security, and make sure you have that all important ventilation, especially when you start putting the central heating back on.

reparing locks, handles, and hinges

 

Clean away mould

Mould is an annoyance, as well as potentially affecting yours and your family’s health. Making sure you remove this safely and effectively is important for not only the aesthetics of your windows and home, but also for the ongoing health and well-being of your family. You can prevent mould from growing by removing moisture from your windows regularly; keeping furniture away from windows; and using ventilation techniques, such as extractor fans and keeping a window open when cooking or showering.

mould on windows

 

Protecting frames and seals

When preventing or removing mould during the autumn, make sure you use the correct cleaning products and techniques to avoid unnecessary damage. Scouring pads may seem like a good idea, but they can break up your seals, potentially causing your double glazing to fail, as well as damaging the look of your uPVC frames.

how to maintain your windows during autumn

 

Streak-free shine

That watery, autumnal sunshine can magnify the smears and streaks on your windows. For clear glass that will be the envy of all your neighbours, check out our top tips for cleaning your double glazed windows. Cleaning them on regular basis will stop a build-up of residue throughout the autumnal / winter months when the weather becomes more erratic.

 

Repairing failed double glazing

Although we can repair cloudy or misted up windows any time of year, autumn is particularly popular for our customers as it allows them to get all of those home improvement jobs out of the way before Christmas comes around (only 9 weeks to go!).

steamed up double glazing

If you’ve noticed that your windows are becoming increasingly condensed, or have stiff locks, handles, or hinges, contact your local branch of Cloudy2Clear today for more information. With autumn in full swing and winter just around the corner, it’s the perfect time of year to treat your windows to a bit of TLC.

Top three window and door faults to look out for

Even with modern window products and materials, faults can be common. Although many issues are usually harmless and won’t affect the effectiveness of your double or triple glazing, some can become bigger problems in the future, so it’s important to look out for them and be aware when they need addressing.

condensation

 

Windows and doors not opening / closing properly or sticking

Although you may view this as an inconvenience more so that a serious problem, if you have difficulty opening your windows or shutting them, this may make them more susceptible to thieves. Even a slight gap in a window can catch a burglar’s eye; it’s simply not worth putting the job off.

uPVC windows and doors are notorious for expanding and contracting during very hot, as well as very cold, weather. In the UK, our weather conditions can change at the blink of an eye, so if your windows and doors are sticking uncharacteristically, it’s worth making a note of the climate before you make any assumptions about ongoing problems with your windows and doors.

bad weather affecting windows

However, most windows stick or don’t close properly because of the locks, handles, or hinges (and if you’re really unlucky, all three!). Not being able to open your windows properly can lead to poor ventilation throughout your home, which could lead to black mould and other unpleasant problems.

mould on windows

At Cloudy2Clear, we offer a comprehensive window lock repairs service for these particular assets; just contact your local branch today to arrange a free, no obligation quotation. We would recommend you call the experts before you try and fix any issues yourself, as sometimes this can worsen the problem and be more expensive in the long run.

 

Condensation between the panes

Not only can condensation between the panes of your double glazed windows affect your view, it can also affect the energy efficiency of your windows. It can be tempting to leave this kind of issue; after all, you might think it’s only the view from your window that you’re missing out on, but there are potentially more serious issues at stake.

condensation

Blown double glazing could lead would-be thieves to believe you’re lax with your security as you don’t look after your property as well as those who have faultless windows. Fully-working double glazing can actually be seen as a deterrent to criminals. You’re more likely to have a working alarm system and will have locked all your windows with keys.

Misty or cloudy double glazing, in the form of condensation between the panes, also could mean that you’re at risk of losing heat from your home, reducing energy efficiency, and potentially increasing your electricity or gas bills over the winter.

gas bills increase over winter

 

Dirty windows and window maintenance

We know – cleaning your windows inside, and especially outside, can be a laborious and time-consuming process and not something you’re going to look forward to doing. However, window maintenance is extremely important for ensuring the longevity of your double or triple glazing, as well as deterring burglars.

Clean windows are an indication that you look after your home, you’re up on your security, and you’re proud of your assets i.e. you’ve ensured that your home is protected.

You can read our window maintenance guide here for more information on how to prolong the life of your double or triple glazing.

To address the issues above, see our range of window services below:

Double glazing repairs
Double glazed door repairs
Insulating glass
Conservatory window repairs
Caravan window repairs
Locks, handles, and hinges
Broken window repairs
Velux Window Repairs
Commercial window repairs
Soundproofing & noise reduction