Advice

More and more property owners have chosen to invest in a solar panel system for their property, and a solar panel installation has indeed become an integral part of the UK landscape. Solar panels are a popular choice for many property owners in the UK looking to decrease their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills. But there is more to it than meets the eye, and when you partner with an excellent solar panel supplier and installer, you will reap more benefits. This is why choosing an installer should never be taken lightly – on the contrary, choosing one should be done with utmost care. Selecting a reputable solar panel installer is crucial to ensure the installation is safe and, more importantly, truly effective. So how can you properly select a solar panel installer in the UK? Here are some crucial factors to consider. 

• Check their certifications and accreditations 

Before you hire a solar panel installer, the first thing you have to do is check their certifications and accreditations. For instance, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme or MCS is the UK's scheme for quality assurance when it comes to installations involving renewable energy. Installers who are certified with the MCS have undergone the strictest and most rigorous training. In addition, they have been audited to ensure they meet the industry's required standards. Check if a prospective installer is MCS-certified by visiting the website or looking for the MCS logo on the installer’s website. 

• Read their reviews and check any references

Another important step in choosing an installer – especially for commercial solar panels - is to read online reviews about the company and check for references. Search for reviews on websites such as Trustpilot, Checkatrade, and more. These reviews can give you an insight into the installer's reputation and whether or not their customers are generally satisfied. Additionally, ask the potential installer to give you references from previous clients. If you can, communicate directly with their past clients and ask about their general experience with the installer.

• Compare quotes

The experts recommend getting at least three quotes from different installers to compare their rates and prices for different services. But be cautious –remember that you will get what you pay for, and quotes that seem too good to be true often are! A reputable installer will provide you with a detailed quote that includes the labour, the cost of materials, and any additional charges or fees.

• Ask them about their installation process

Before hiring an installer, understand the installation process and how it works first. For example, you should know that a good installer will often carry out a site survey to assess the suitability of your property for a solar panel installation. They should also give you a detailed plan for the installation (including the number and size of panels, their positioning, and the expected output).

• Consider their experience

Finally, you must also consider the installer's experience. A good installer will have several years of experience installing solar panels, and they would even have a portfolio of completed projects. In addition, they should be forthright and knowledgeable about the latest innovations and technologies and should be able to provide you with a bespoke service suited to your needs. 

Some people are born to shine. They are full of beauty, excitement, and charm. And most of the time, their personality is reflected in their wardrobes, accessories, and rooms. If you are one of these people (or aspire to be one of them), it’s time to give your bedroom a little makeover to make it look more glamorous. However, you must be extra careful in adding sparkles, glitz, and shine to your interior design, and you don’t want it to look suffocating and over-the-top. Remember that too much of anything can lead to disastrous results. The key is to find the proper balance between the elements. Here are some tips you can follow to add extra glamour to your bedroom:

Make big statements

Do not be afraid to go bold and loud with colours and patterns. Choosing the right colour pattern is a big part of setting up a room's overall ambience and mood. You can look for inspiration in magazines or websites, but whatever pattern inspires you, always follow the 60-30-10 rule. This simple rule dictates that you should use a three-colour palette. Use the most dominant colour to decorate 60% of the room, the second colour to decorate 30%, and the last colour should be used as an accent to the remaining 10%. If unsure of your choices, refer to the colour wheel or ask an expert’s advice.

Play with shapes

Different shapes can infuse a lot of personality in your bedroom. Avoid typical and boring furniture and look for pieces with unique styles and more character. You can look for furniture with many angles, uncommon structures, playful curves, and interesting visuals. Adding elegant decor items like vases, mirrors, and silk lampshades is the easiest trick. Experts suggest that you stick with three repeating shapes and patterns to give your bedroom a sense of uniformity and cohesion.

Let your room shine

A room won't be considered glamorous if it doesn't shine. Adding enough shine factor can make your bedroom demand attention. There are several ways to make this work. First, you can play around with your lighting elements. Hide a bold light fixture above the bed or study table to make a statement. Then, incorporate more metals and crystals to create a mesmerising visual illusion. Finally, ensure that enough natural light can shine over your room. This will give your room a refreshing feel.

Balance is the key

Adding glamour to your bedroom can be exciting and fun. However, it would help if you resisted the temptation to over-design your space. Adding too many pieces, using too many colours, and having too many elements can be overwhelming and confusing. Focusing on the room's beauty will be hard if too many elements are vying for your attention. The solution is finding a sense of balance that suits your taste and style. It would help if you took a moment to step back and assess the appearance and ambience of the room before taking another step.

Final thoughts

There are a lot of glamorous items you can find. However, the real challenge lies in putting everything together.  

If you are planning to sell your house, in the next few years, you need to start thinking about upgrading it. It would be a mistake to wait to do so, just before you put the sign “On Sale.” The truth is, you will never get back the whole amount of money that you invest. But if you proceed a few years before, you will benefit from the changes and get a better sales price, as well. Here is what you need to upgrade.

Add More Natural Light to the House

Windows are the first thing that you need to upgrade on your house. There are many reasons to make that decision. The first one is to add new entryways for the sunlight to come in. No one wants a dark house anymore. There is a need to unite the house to its environment, as well. And so, the kitchen and the garden should be linked through a wall of glass with bifold doors from retailers like Value Doors. This way, you will be able to enjoy natural light and the fresh air coming in. One way or another, when buyers come into your house and they are flooded by light, as they walk into the kitchen, you will have increased your chances of selling at a great price by making your home a place they would want to live and entertain. To know what a good price is, in your neighbourhood, you have to look at the sold prices land registry, which will enable you to compare your house to others similar as yours, close by.

Review Your House Energy Efficiency

Since we are talking about windows, this is also where you need to start, in order to maximize your house energy efficiency. In today’s world, wasting energy is almost criminal. It helps destroy the environment, and we live in times of restrictions. Not to mention the high cost that you have to pay, if your house is indeed not well isolated. And so, you need to remove the older window models and put in aluminium windows with tempered glass plates. The larger the windows, the more light will come in, and the less you will need to use electricity. Energy loss often comes from the roof. That is where you need to continue the work. Call upon a specialist to make a diagnosis, so that you know where your house is losing heat. If it goes outside from the top, then you need to add isolation products to seal it tightly. All these changes on the house will translate into money savings on your energy bills. Therefore, if you have made the repairs a couple of years before you sell, you will have regained a good part (if not all) of the extra costs, and you will have lived in a more comfortable environment. This is definitely a win-win situation for you and your family. To close this article, let us remind you that the two most important rooms in a house are the kitchen and the bathroom(s). Therefore, if they are not up to par, that is where you will need to invest some money, if you want to sell your house at the best price possible.