Posts Tagged ‘tips’

As a property investor and landlord, the chances are you’ll need to call on the services of a builder at some point in your career. When time is money, finding a reliable builder can make a considerable difference, so here are some useful tips for finding a good builder.

Business, trade directories and local directories, such as the Yellow Pages or locally produced free publications of tradespeople, are a good starting point for finding a builder in your local area. Browse through the ads, select a couple that you’re interested in, then give them a call to obtain more details. In your initial phone call, ask plenty of questions, such as the work they typically do, if they’re currently available and average costs of work. If you’re keen to see some examples of their finished work, then don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials too.

Where possible, arrange a meeting with the builder and see if they’re willing to offer a free quotation for the work you need to have carried out. First impressions are good, but you can often get a better idea of what they’re like and how they operate by meeting up. If they promise a quotation, but it takes weeks to occur or never appears, then you can move on to finding someone else.

Personal recommendations for builders are always good, especially if it’s from someone you know who’s recently used the services of a builder. This can help give a more accurate picture about how good the work was, how personable the builder was and how quickly and efficiently they got the job done.

There are a lot of websites where you can find details of builders, but one of the more reliable options is Checkatrade. Anyone registering on the site has to be vetted first, plus they are monitored on a regular basis through customer feedback, so there’s a much better chance that you’ll get a reputable worker and not a fly-by-night rogue trader.

First impressions are important, especially when you’re putting your property on the lettings market and want to attract tenants. Research suggests that potential tenants make their mind up about a property within 30 seconds of entering the property. To ensure your property makes a great first impression, here are 10 top tips on preparing your property for viewing.

1. Make sure the area around the front door, or entrance to the property, is clean and tidy, as this is what prospective tenants will see first.

2. Keep any garden area, hedges, shrubs or bushes well maintained. Having the grass cut and the hedges trimmed makes a good first impression.

3. If you’re redecorating your property, opt for neutral colours. Neutral colours are preferable for property lets, as it keeps things simple and streamlined. If tenants want more colour, it can be added easily by using furniture and furnishings.

4. If you’re furnishing or partly furnishing a property, then choose good quality, but affordable, items that will last well, but not be a major disaster if you have to replace them.

5. Choose flooring with ease of cleaning and durability in mind. Laminate flooring, for example, looks good and is easy to keep clean.

6. The kitchen is regarded as an important room by many tenants and you can never have enough storage, so make sure there are plenty of cupboards.

7. Give careful consideration to what appliances you put in the kitchen. Even if you’re letting it unfurnished, a cooker is a good staple to have.

8. Good lighting is important, especially when tenants are viewing. Pop in some well placed lamps if it’s a dark day.

9. Ensure the property is clean and tidy. When you’re letting it again after a tenancy has ended, don’t forget to get it thoroughly cleaned first.

10. If the property has a garage or shed, make sure these spaces are clear and free from clutter. But if you want to encourage your tenants to cut the lawns, then do leave a lawnmower to hand!