Owning your own home

5% minimum and usually 4.5 multiples for a joint-application.

As somebody in the middle of purchasing with a 5% deposit one thing I was unaware of before starting the whole process is that on those terms you're kind of a second-class buyer. You're seen as risky because the tight margins you're working with offer no slack if the property is undervalued by the lender or (even worse) your actual/final mortgage offer is lower than the Decision In Principle you've successfully obtained.

Old hat if you've been through it all before I'm sure but those factors were new to me as a first-time buyer.

@diable love the "Key Feature: Not haunted"!!

Not from Costcos but the brand is Lifetime which is made in the good 'ole U. S of A. They also do a version that's more shed like which you can add sections too to make it as big as you have space for.

The guy who delivered it usually installs them too and said he had one to keep a few vintage scooters in as it stays dry inside.

thanks. I got my place before they brought in the new rules. those multiples are a real pain

Kerb Appealz.

Best estate agent name ev. ar.

4real

@diable love the "Key Feature: Not haunted"!!

I'm out then.

Has anyone used an excellent roofer who will work in East London?

Our neighbours need new guttering at the front and have been told we should replace ours as well, as it all runs into a downpipe in our front garden. We like our neighbours but would like a second opinion/quote before we throw money at them.

Cheers.

Question no. 452325:

Double glazing, who's good/bad?

Had a quote from Crystal for £1900 for two largish casement windows. I would prefer sash but they would be more like £3500, apparently.

Almost all the companies are let down by installation so it's hard to recommend one. I've used sash windows london ltd. for a property I was tasked with maintaining, the window quality itself is pretty good. Price will depend on size I would think. 2 1m x 1m sahes in a dormer with scaffolding supplied for access cost £1100 each in Feb. 2015.

The roofers always complain about the window installation and the window guys about the roofing. If they're not going in a roof or dormer it should be more straightforward but don't rely on them to make good the decorating with any particular skill or attention to detail and you won't be disappointed.

Both windows are around 1.5x0.8m and approx first floor in normal brick walls, although one is on stairs above sloped roof side return. Cheap but secure and not total cowboys is the main requirement, couldn't care less about looks/matching/etc as it's the back of the house and we're moving on soonish.

Call them and get a quote 020 3553 1848, they have a good rating on checkatrade and they were friendly and the windows are decent.

I can't help with recommending someone but look for a tradesman that will be fitting it themselves rather than having a team of fitters or a salesman and you've a much better chance of getting a good job done.

Don't go with Crystal windows - go on mybuilder and get someone from there.

Whereabouts are you based?

I've got a guy who came to look at our gutters, seemed decent but didn't actually do the work.

inbox>

Also did you have a recco for a chippy?

Not really, we had one do some work for us but we weren't blown away. What are you needing done?

Want some shelving/wardrobe's made. Bloke we'd had has gone quiet...

@Fox has some lovely wardrobes, and @Dammit has some great shelving.

We'recommend having some shelving put up around our fireplace in November, by someone I used to work with and definitely trust to do a solid job, but I'm not sure how much flair they've got.

I've got the design drawn up and sized and have the wood to make them but not tools/expertise.

If anyone has an E.London chippy then I'm all ears :)

Hackney Wick, we've used it (and similar) for other jobs but they're a lot smaller.

Good point, this is what I told Mrs Hammer regarding the price (not paying for adverts/promo people in every B&Q/etc).

Reckon it is a good trade off against a large company warranty?

No, the warranties are worth shit, they phoenix the business every few years to get around it.

I got a quote from 2 nationwide installers and 2 local builders - local builders came in c.40% cheaper and were the guys who would be doing the work.

Unless a warranty is insurance backed then it's not worth the paper it's written on. And finding someone with insurance backed guarantees is very hard and you'll pay for it.

Personally, I would use the FENSA register to find someone local
http://www.fensa.co.uk/asp/member_search.asp

Or of course post a job on MyBuilder.com to pay my wages.

Got the tree surgeons in today getting rid of these bastards

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That house wall looks a bit curvy...