Terrys Fabrics Summer Living Feature Launches Onsite

Following the success of the Spring On Trend guide, Terrys Fabrics has launched its Summer Living Guide which informs homeowners on the latest trends for summer and how to achieve them in the home for less.

Terrys Fabrics is renowned in the industry for its expert advice on decorating the home according to the latest trends. For spring 2012, the fabric specialists put an On Trend guide in place online at TerrysFabrics.co.uk which outlined trends for the season.

With summer upon the nation, Terrys Fabrics has launched its Summer Living guide which tells homeowners how to transform their homes for less. Whilst British Summertime may not the sunniest, people are always looking to escape to warmer climates. This season, Terrys Fabrics offers homeowners tips on how to bring the sun and great outdoors into the home with home decor.

Introduce a fresh look to the home with the addition of colour, style and fabrics to accessorise rooms in the home. This season, bright colours like orange, red and yellow are bang on-trend. Match with cool blues and whites to ensure colour stands out to get the attention it deserves.

Choosing a summer theme is a great way for homeowners to introduce summer into their homes. Nautical, seaside and woodland themes have always proven popular whilst many take inspiration from flowers and leaves.

Terrys Fabrics has plenty of advice on how to achieve a summer trend for less. Visit the site to find out more about summer 2012 trends and to browse the wide range of products including curtains, cushions and bedding. Click here to navigate straight to the site.

Photo to Canvas Offers Customer Service Second to None

Photo to Canvas has always prided itself on its premium canvas prints and friendly customer service. In recent months, the team have stepped up their commitment to customers and made a series of enhancements on site which look to further improve the site.

The team at www.photo-to-canvas.net may be small but they are big in personality and are always happy to help customers looking for advice on creating their canvas prints.

Photo to Canvas offers a service which allows customers at home to upload their personal photographs and turn their cherished memories into stunning canvas prints. There are a number of custom effects and other options which help make prints all the more special and Photo to Canvas are always willing to offer their advice on how to make a print look its absolute best.

The easy upload feature that the team have upgraded makes uploading photographs easy. Photographs can be uploaded in a matter of minutes and turned from photographs to photo canvasses.

The team will help individual customers choose the best options for their print, whether it be with custom effects or choosing borders. Once customers are happy with their prints, the team will ensure that all orders before 2pm are delivered the next day, for free.

All canvas prints are made with bright white cotton canvasses, 1.5 inch frames and high quality inks for the very best results. To back up their promise of quality, the team provide customers with a ten year guarantee on their new prints.
The team are always happy to help so customers with a query should not hesitate to contact. To browse the full range of products which are available at Photo to Canvas, Click here.

Professional Probate Instructions Continue to Fall

For the last few years, official figures released by the Probate Service have shown that applications made for a Grant of Representation (usually a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration) by solicitors have fallen for the last three years (2008 to 2010). Professional applications fell by 4% in 2010 and by 9% and 10% respectively in 2009 and 2008. Numbers have declined by 30% in total since 2006.

The firm Title Research, which published the Probate Service statistics, suggests a number of reasons for this trend. It can partly be explained by a gradual rise over the years in applications from private individuals, who have decided to administer the deceased’s estate themselves rather than using a solicitor, either through personal choice or for reasons of economy. However, private applications actually fell by 1% in 2010.

Other contributing factors could include a more relaxed attitude from banks and buildings societies towards the need for a Grant of Representation, and an increasing number of estates falling below the £5,000 threshold under which Probate is not required.

A Probate expert at The Co-operative Legal Services, comments: ‘Without a doubt, there are a number of reasons for the decline in professional Probate applications. This certainly isn’t solely due to an increase in “DIY Probate” over time. Having said that, with today’s tough economic climate, it is likely that more people will try and handle Probate and administer estates themselves in the next few years.

‘If any mistakes are made on the legal, tax and administrative responsibilities involved in Probate, this could prove extremely costly to put right. For example, undervaluing an estate could lead to you having to pay a large fine as well as the extra Inheritance Tax liability. I would recommend all executors of a Will – or next of kin in cases of intestacy – to seek legal advice before applying for the Grant of Representation, and consider appointing a professional to administer the estate on their behalf.’

The Co-operative Legal Services’ Probate experts offer free advice and support on the Probate process, executor duties and related issues such as intestacy.

What to Look for in a Conveyancing Quote

Conveyancing is a highly competitive business with a wide choice of available services and an equally wide range of prices. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to find yourself buying what looks like a cheap conveyancing service when, in fact, the end price will be inflated by hidden charges.

A conveyancing quote should have two parts:

1. The conveyancing solicitors basic fee to cover the time spent dealing with your transaction. This could be a fixed fee, an amount linked to the value of your property, or an hourly rate. Hourly rates should be avoided. The basic fee should include some company overheads such as insurance, postage and phone calls, as well as time spent dealing with your lender and filling out paperwork. If items like these appear in the small print, steer well clear.

2. The disbursements involved in your transaction, such as Land Registry fees, searches and Stamp Duty. These should all be itemised so you can see the total amount you will have to pay for the conveyancing service. If the services are not itemised or again, if ‘added extras’ appear in the small print, it may be best to look elsewhere.

When scrutinising the small print of your conveyancing quotes, look out for abbreviations, which are sometimes used to help conceal extra charges. A common example is ‘PI’ or ‘PI contribution’, the PI standing for Professional Indemnity insurance. This is an overhead and should be included in the solicitor’s basic fee. Another common abbreviation is ‘TTF’ for Telegraphic Transfer Fee. This fee will apply if amounts of £60,000 or more are being transferred, for example, if you are redeeming your mortgage. However, if the amount is less than this, the BACS system can be used for free.

The Co-operative advises: ‘Moving house is stressful enough without the worry of unexpected extra conveyancing costs. That’s why it’s important to use a reputable and reliable service that offers free advice and a “No Move No Fee” guarantee.’

The Co-operative Legal Services works with conveyancing solicitors who offer free advice on moving home and free conveyancing quotes.

Get Expert Advice Urges Trade Body As Flood Alert Remains

A trade body which specialises in managing damp in buildings is urging property and home owners affected by the recent floods to get in touch for professional advice on repairs.

The Property Care Association (PCA) suggests householders affected by water damage get expert help on how to care for their homes.

Steve Hodgson, general manager of the association, said: “Members of the PCA’s Flood Remediation Group can offer professional advice on repairs.

“Their expertise will greatly reduce the possibility of future problems.

“It may also be possible to use products and techniques that will allow a building to be repaired and reoccupied before the fabric of the building is completely dry, without compromising the repair or living conditions.

“In our experience, problems with repairs relating to flooding are common - but may only surface months or years after the property is repaired.

“In areas such as Hull, which suffered catastrophic flooding in 2007, we have seen some householders suffer because contractors with little or no understanding of the effects of water in buildings carried out remedial work.

“Homes were repaired and then around six months later householders were dealt a double blow because the property became blighted by damp and they have to leave their home again for more repairs to be carried out.”

The PCA is a member of TrustMark, the scheme supported by government to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.

To join the Association, contractors are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted.

To find out more log onto the PCA’s website www.property-care.org

Double Glazing Prices Customers Profit from Money Saving Offers Online

As the nation continues to feel the squeeze, homeowners across the UK are seeking new ways to save money at home. In an attempt to help the planet and save on energy bills, many are choosing to invest in double glazing. The team at www.doubleglazingprices.net outline the benefits of installing double glazing in the home, not only to reduce carbon footprint but also gas and electricity bills.

According to reports, 43% of all greenhouse gas emissions are as a result of inefficient homes. Looking to help low income families make home improvements to ensure their home is more energy efficient; the government has backed the Green Deal programme. Subsidies will be given to households who cannot afford to make the improvements and then the money will be paid back out of the savings from energy bills.

Installing double glazing insulates the home by trapping air between layers of glass. The trapped air works as an insulator and reduces the loss of warm air escaping from the home. In turn, homeowners will reduce the amount they use their boilers and radiators and as a result, energy bills be decrease.

This comes as news of the ears to homeowners who have suffered from rising energy costs and what’s more, Double Glazing Prices is looking to help customers save money on initial installation prices too.

The innovative quote system in place online at DoubleGlazingPrices.net offers customers the opportunity to find the best possible prices from local suppliers. The team will scour customers’ local areas for the most trusted suppliers, each of which hold a FENSA or CERTASS qualification, proving their worth in the industry.

DGP works hard to balance low prices and premium quality so that customers can rest assured that they are getting the best possible service. The team are always happy to help and will inform customers on all they need to know regarding benefits of double glazing, energy efficiency and how to save money on energy bills. Click here to find out more.

Psychological Trend for Selling More Property ... Door Handles?

First impressions really count when it comes to potential buyers or tenants arriving for a viewing at your property.

What’s often overlooked by property owners and landlords is that the first close up view anybody has of your property is the front door – the first impression actually begins there.

There’s no second chance for first impressions, so ensure all aspects of the first impression are catered for. Detail is paramount.

Huddersfield based door handle specialists simplydoorhandles.co.uk reveal an important and so often overlooked ‘insider’ way of helping to sell or rent a your house – change the door furniture!

Managing Director James Gumersell of has noticed a strong pattern among ‘in the know’ customers who are in the property market:

“In our experience it’s the little things about homes that matter and they all seem to add up in the minds of potential buyers and tenants” says James. “Changing tired, weather beaten old front door knockers, numbers, and letter plates to shiny new versions is the starting point for getting the edge”.

Psychological Warfare
“New kitchen cupboard doors with brand new handles are low cost way to make an old kitchen look like new” say James, “and replacing UPVC door handles with the latest versions is so much cheaper and easier than most people think”.

In a guided tour of a property brand new handles on both external and internal doors too can keep up positive perceptions associated with attention to detail and a good standard of upkeep in properties.

Subtle influences can be very powerful he explains. “You’ve heard the adage about making a house smell homely by baking bread and that’s an olfactory advantage. Quality door handles or locks are a tactile advantage and make a house feel secure and well built”.

People not only look at door handles, they come into physical contact with them as well, an important psychological factor many people don’t know about yet.

“Door furniture is a powerful quality symbol, make no mistake. Look at the gates, lettering and door handles of beautiful, high value properties and you’ll see what I mean.”

Both business people and consumers alike involved in selling and improving houses can gain a lot from investing a little time on simplydoorhandles.co.uk, which offers a huge array of choice and information from beautiful door handles to locking products for those with security in mind. Call 0845 094 6224 or visit the Simply Door Handles website for more information.

Bissell and Febreze get together to bring you fresher cleaning

BISSELL, Experts in Home Cleaning™, have announced the launch of an exciting new partnership between BISSELL and Febreze – resulting in the pioneering Febreze filter range for the BISSELL Floors & More™ vacuum range. Available from July, the BISSELL Floors & More is the UK’s first vacuum cleaning range to include Febreze filters for odour elimination and freshness while vacuuming.

BISSELL, the World’s No.1 brand in vacuum cleaning appliances*, introduces the Floors & More range to bring a fragrant touch of cleanliness to UK households. Now you can clean carpets and freshen your home at the same time with ease - all while eliminating odours and reducing allergens. The range will come as a welcome arrival for pet lovers and busy households who will now be able to save time eliminating odours while cleaning.

The BISSELL Floors & More vacuum range is available in Upright and Multi-Cyclonic Cylinder versions across three different models, The Floors & More, The Floors & More Pet and The Floors & More Family.

The BISSELL Floors & More range and separate Febreze filters will be available from Argos, Currys, www.bisselldirect.co.uk and all good electrical retailers from £179.99 from July. For more information on the BISSELL range of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, steam cleaners and sweepers visit www.bissell.co.uk.