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If you are making home improvements and looking forward to getting the job done, then it can be frustrating when you have to wait longer than expected.

However, there are some very good reasons for the delays that are outside the control of the home improvement companies you employ.

MyGlazing.com asked Ben Wallace, Senior Technical Officer of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) just what is causing work to take longer than usual.

How has the Covid pandemic affected the supply of materials for home improvement companies?

BW: Firstly, it has clearly taken a huge toll on human health and that is the most important thing to protect. However, from a business perspective, it has had serious economic effects and affected companies in different ways, losing staff, suppliers and products that were pre-Covid readily available.

The GGF being the main trade body for the glass, glazing and fenestration sectors has received many reports of extensive delays within the supply chain. Not just in home improvement but throughout the construction industry.

Naturally, companies have to try to respond to the current situation on multiple fronts at once. Firstly they have to protect their workers and customers safety. Then they have to safeguard their business from closing altogether as they come under increasing strain from the shortage of materials as well as labour.

This of course doesn’t help homeowners wanting to get work started and completed, but you should consider that companies are struggling during these unprecedented times.

Besides the pandemic, which other factors are affecting homeowner’s and home improvement companies?

BW: As well as Covid-19, other disruptions have slowed down the supply of materials to make and supply home improvement products. This includes shipping container shortages, factory fires and the recent blocking of the Suez Canal. In addition, there is currently a global shortage of many materials used for home improvement products including plastics and glass. These shortages are mainly down to the emerging markets in China and India requiring more as they develop their infrastructure and housing. The scale of the demand in these countries is enormous. The glass shortage in the UK has been primarily to the manufacturing plants closing some lines for essential repairs and maintenance. Fortunately, these are being re-opened soon.

All of the above factors have led to factory shutdowns, sharp price increases and production delays across the construction sector.

Is there any good news on the horizon?

BW: Yes, the glass and glazing sector has bounced back relatively quickly under difficult circumstances, and homeowners are continuing to invest into their properties. With the heightened supply chain awareness and knowledge Covid-19 has brought, it will better our position companies to manage through any future challenges that may emerge.

What advice would you give homeowners?

BW: I’d advise homeowners who are making home improvements to ask the company they are employing to provide an accurate timeline and inform of any potential delays. Be aware that prices could fluctuate in the next 18 months as things try and settle down, so it’s advisable to get prices and dates for completion established early and in your contract. Ask companies directly if the prices and dates they provide are achievable and also ask if they offer deposit indemnity insurance. This will give homeowners peace of mind if they are putting down a deposit.

It is wise to invest in home improvements as the property prices continue to increase and homes are being adapted in many different ways whether it be for leisure or work, however, patience and understanding is required for what is a challenging time for all. 

Recent research we commissioned uncovered that 85% of UK homeowners want to make changes to their property in the near future. This is mainly due to people spending more time in their homes due to the current lockdowns, as well as more people working from home, with many looking to make their living space more suited to a working environment.  

Home improvements are increasing however, when it comes to whether or not home improvements are allowed, it can be challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving Government guidelines.

Here for your convenience, we’ve digested the rules for different regions across Britain and Ireland, along with some tips for safely having tradespeople working in your home.

Advice for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

As we find ourselves in another national lockdown, many are asking themselves if the latest Government guidelines allow tradespeople to work in their home – and the answer is yes. Tradespeople are able to conduct work in homes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as long as the Government safe guidelines are followed, with all relevant measures being implemented and precautions taken.

To ensure maximum safety for all parties, it’s essential that your tradesperson carries out a comprehensive health and safety risk assessment for the job and briefs their entire team on the guidance/risk assessment. It’s also worth insisting that tradespeople working in your home are wearing all relevant PPE, especially if they are likely to be within two metres of another person during the job. It is essential that they plan their breaks in advance too, provide their own food and drink, and that they take breaks outside, or in their own vehicle, wherever possible.

If it’s a large job, such as a renovation or extension, you should consider hiring a portable chemical toilet but, if this isn’t possible, the bathroom should be cleaned by the last person to use it between every use.

As opposed to face-to-face meetings for the upfront planning, consider digital consultations, and establish the ground rules from the outset to maintain a safe environment for everyone. It’s also worth noting that no work should be carried out at a household that is shielding or isolating, unless the work is to repair a direct risk to the safety and security of the household.

Advice for Scotland and the Republic of Ireland

In Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, tradespeople can work in peoples’ homes, however the work must be essential and cannot be solely for cosmetic purposes. For instance, builders, plumbers and utility engineers carrying out essential maintenance which is required for the property to continue safely functioning is allowed. However, work solely based on aesthetics, such as remodelling the interior of your home, should be postponed until local restrictions are eased.

If the work being carried out is essential, to ensure maximum safety for all parties, it’s vital that your tradesperson carries out a comprehensive health and safety risk assessment for the job, briefs their entire team on the guidance and follows all Government guidelines, including social distancing measures and wearing PPE.

If you do want to get ahead on non-essential work, look to digital consultations via a video conferencing platform to plan the work you are looking to have completed, once restrictions are eased. That way, when it is safe to do so, you’re getting ahead of the rush as we’re anticipating a surge in home improvements once lockdown does lift – ahead of the spring, which is typically the property market’s busy period.

Working safely with tradespeople

There are lots of measures that you can implement to ensure your home is as COVID-secure as possible, while tradespeople are working in the property.

While the rules vary by region, in all circumstances it’s critical that all of the correct health and safety measures are implemented to mitigate any risk. To ensure maximum safety for all parties, it’s essential that your tradesperson follows all Government guidelines and implements strict measures for both their own and your safety. This includes:

• Carrying out a comprehensive health and safety risk assessment for the job and ensuring they brief their entire team on this (an example can be viewed/downloaded here)
• Wearing all relevant PPE, including gloves, masks, visors/goggles, protective footwear, overalls and hard hats
• Following social distancing measures of at least two metres
• Asking your tradespeople to plan their breaks in advance, providing their own food and drink, and taking breaks outside, or in their own vehicle wherever possible
• Hiring a portable chemical toilet – particularly if it is a large job, such as a renovation or extension
• Ensuring the bathroom is cleaned by the last person to use it between every use (if it isn’t possible to hire a portable chemical toilet)
• Pivoting to digital consultations via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, for the upfront planning
• Ensuring everyone in the property is regularly using hand sanitiser
• Ensuring your tradespeople know which parts of the home they can and cannot enter
• Asking your tradespeople to bring their own cleaning products and cleaning down any surfaces they’ve touched at the end of each day
• Leaving some anti-bacterial wipes in the room they are working in, for added safety
• Ensuring the area they are working in is well ventilated throughout the project
• Establishing the ground rules from the outset to maintain a safe environment for everyone

For further advice on safely having tradespeople in your home during the pandemic, check out our safe guide for homeowners here.

Read our article on Local Lockdown, can you have tradespeople in your home?

Lockdown rules are increasing around the country. In most places, you can still have guests in your home and as long as you’re wearing a mask or face covering, most leisure facilities are no longer off-limits. But for some places across the UK where there is a rise in the risk of spreading COVID-19, local lockdown rules have been put in place and an often asked question is: “If the place I live is in local lockdown, what are the rules around hiring tradespeople and home improvement companies to work in my home?”

First of all, let’s look at how many people were planning on making renovations to their home following lockdown? Recently Myglazing.com conducted research with 1000 homeowners. The results told us that over a third (36%) are planning to make upgrades to improve the look of their property in the coming months. In the North West, where most local lockdown measures have been implemented, this figure rises to 44%. But wherever you are in the UK and whatever lockdown rules you need to adhere to, the Government has stated that you can still have companies in your home to carry out improvements providing they adhere to the safety guidance.

What rules should tradespeople I hire follow?

Whilst it’s perfectly fine to have tradespeople in your home, a lot of people aren’t clear on the Health and Safety practices tradespeople should follow. To answer this question, and more, we have created our Safe Guide for Homeowners, explaining the rules and how you can stay safe whilst having work done on your property. The rules for letting home improvement companies into your home, whether or not you’re in local lockdown, are:

• A Tradesperson can continue work in a domestic home, providing that the Tradesperson is well and has no symptoms of COVID-19.
• A Tradesperson/Company should notify all homeowners in advance of arrival.
• If a meeting with a tradesperson or company is required it’s advised to have discussions about the job in an outdoor space such as the garden, porch, driveway or terrace.
• On entry to the home, Tradespeople should wash their hands using soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Tradespeople should wash their hands regularly, particularly after blowing their noses, sneezing or coughing, and when leaving the property.
• Where facilities to wash hands are not available, hand sanitiser should be used, and Tradespeople should carry this with them at all times.
• Tradespeople should maintain a safe distance (at least 2 metres) from any household occupants at all times.
• Where social distancing might not be possible then it’s advised that tradespeople wear face coverings/masks.
• Tradespeople/Companies should ensure good ventilation in the area where they are working, including opening the window.
• No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless the work is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as an emergency glazing or repair.

No work should be carried out by a Tradesperson who has COVID-19 symptoms, however mild.

What does the British public think about this?

We also asked homeowners for their thoughts on the safety measures they’d like tradespeople to adopt before entering their home. Almost half (48%) of homeowners said they would request that tradespeople stand two metres away from them at all times, with a further one in five people saying they would want external hires to wear face coverings, gloves and a full protective suit. Only 5% of those surveyed admit to not expecting any Personal Protective Equipment from tradespeople.

Having work carried out on your home at the moment doesn’t have to be stressful – quite the opposite in fact! As the days are still long and hopefully drier, now is the perfect time to plan and carry out your dream home improvements. And if you are planning on making your house into your dream home, we’d recommend giving our Safe Guide for Homeowners a read to make sure you’re fully up to date on how to keep you, and any home improvement companies you hire, safe: https://www.ggf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GGF-Safe-Guide-LR-1.pdf

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If lockdown has got you dreaming of moving into your dream house then you definitely aren’t alone! In fact, when we surveyed over 1,000 homeowners across the UK, 2.3 million of you were making upgrades to your home with a view to selling. And now that stamp duty is being paused on properties up to £500,000, even more people in the UK may be looking to put in an offer on their dream property.

So, where in the UK is most likely to see an influx of properties entering the market? If you’re looking to buy in Plymouth then you might be in luck as one third of those surveyed admitted to making changes to increase the value of their home, so well maintained and upgraded properties may be entering the market. Elsewhere in the UK, more and more homeowners are investing in home improvements to increase the value of their home. Our table below highlights where the home improvement hotspots are:

• Plymouth (33%)
• Sheffield (27%)
• Norwich (21%)
• London (20%)
• Glasgow (20%)
• Nottingham (17%)
• Liverpool (17%)
• Manchester (16%)
• Newcastle (16%)
• Cardiff (14%)
• Birmingham (11%)
• Edinburgh (9%)
• Leeds (7%)
• Bristol (7%)
• Belfast (6%)

If you’re looking to sell, you might want to make some quick fixes to spruce up your home and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. It might seem that making home improvements and social distancing are mutually exclusive, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some ways you can make fairly quick upgrades to your home and convince potential buyers that your house could be their dream home:

#1 Your first impression

Standing in your front garden clapping for the NHS every week is sure to have instilled some front door envy amongst a few people. If you’re looking at your neighbour’s front doors and wishing yours was a little more stylish, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

Your new entrance door can be made of PVC-u, aluminium, steel or wood or a composite of materials, and each has their own qualities and benefits – from price, durability, design and appearance, through to energy efficiency performance and security. New entrance doors nowadays mostly come pre-hung in a frame and are known as doorsets, with pre-drilling for handles, keeps and locks meaning it’s a fairly quick job, so tradespeople won’t be at your home for long.

For inspiration, check out our gallery, here.

#2 – Consider what can add value to your home

It’s well known that larger investment projects, like kitchen and bathroom renovations, sell homes and can make all the difference when buyers are weighing up making an offer. If you’re moving, you might not want to invest in a full new suite, but there are changes you can make that can give your home a new lease of life. Consider replacing dirty, damaged or outdated shower screens for a sparkling new version, or why not invest in new splashbacks, mirrors or cabinets.

Similarly, kitchens can also benefit by introducing glass features such as splashbacks, countertops and mirrors. Make some easy changes and you could be watching offers flying in!

#3 – The WOW factor

A house sale listing with a wow factor is always likely to get more viewings and we’d recommend making this one of the first things people spot when they come to view your home. One way to do this, and instantly modernise your home, is by replacing a chipped or old fashioned wooden stair banister with a modernglass balustrade. Glass balustrades can add a sophisticated touch to your interior spacewhile often bringing in more  light but still ensuringsafety.

A stylish and versatile glass balustrade for your staircase, , patio or landing can bring a fresh modern look to your home, provide an uninterrupted view and help revitalise your living environment.

#4 Repair items that can cause long-term damage

Whilst a stained carpet isn’t likely to be a make or break feature in deciding whether to buy a home, broken items that can cause long term damage are. For example, if you have leaking windows, this can cause rainwater and damp to enter a property and potentially lead to longer terms significant financial investment. If prospective buyers, see or smell damp, it is instantly off putting when it comes to buying a property.

It also worth considering repairing any damaged windows and entry points into your home and even replace them completely to make sure any potential buyers view your home as safe, secure and energy-efficient.

If you are planning on hiring a home improvement company to make changes to your home before selling then it’s important you keep you and the  tradespeople  safe. That’s why the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has created the  Safe Guide for Homeowners, covering everything you need to know about working with home improvement companies during lockdown. Why not also read our other blogs on top tips for planning your home improvement and how to work with installers remotely.

If you are selling or buying a property, we hope this article has provided you with inspiration to upgrade your home and make it as sellable as possible.

Let us know if you need any more tips of glass and glazing home improvements. Sign up to our newsletter and receive our free monthly newsletter.

If you are out shopping for home improvement products or materials, don’t forget your mask or face covering, because if you don’t wear one you could face a £100 fine.

From Friday 24^th July, the Government legislation on face coverings and masks, came into force, meaning it’s mandatory to wear one when in a retail outlet (including showrooms and building suppliers/merchants) in England.

38% of homeowners expect home improvement company’s employees to wear a face covering or mask, now the new legislation has made it mandatory for all retail staff to wear masks or face coverings. So expect whoever is serving you in a shop or showroom, to also be wearing a mask or face covering.

Quick guide

• From Friday, July 24, it’s the law that people entering shops, including showrooms, DIY stores and builders merchants in England – must wear face coverings or masks
  
  
• A DIY face-covering can be used — even just a scarf or a thin cloth mask
  
  
• The legislation applies to employees working or visiting the retail outlet (including showroom/builders merchants/DIY stores) as well as customers
  
  
• Wearing a face mask or face covering while shopping is a vital “insurance policy” to stop coronavirus exploding again according to the government.
  
  
• The government also warned that for face coverings to be effective, people must wash their hands before putting them on and taking them off
  
  
• Best advice from Government’s is to use a simple face covering, and don’t buy up lots of standard medical masks as they are still needed for the NHS/essential workers
  
  
• Don’t forget. If you don’t wear a mask or face covering in a shop you could be fined £100 on the spot.

MyGlazing’s Health and Safety expert James MacPherson commented;

“It’s important to adhere to the law and wear a mask or face covering in a retail outlet, but don’t get drawn into a false sense of security with face coverings. Face coverings protect others from you – the wearer, spreading the virus, not the reverse – protecting you from catching the virus. So make sure you continue to manage the risk with social distancing, re-designing work places, washings hands, etc. and not simply relying on face coverings. Stay safe.”

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Has being stuck in your house during the lockdown made you think about a refurb? Has it given you a greater appreciation of your home with more time to look at the things you want to improve? If so, you’re not alone. We at MyGlazing.com can give you all you need to know about what you can do to prepare your home for a refurbishment, ahead of your decision to employ a tradesperson to make those much-wanted and much-needed improvements. 

Make a list

Start by listing all the things you’d want from your renovation if money was no object. Then split this down the middle into ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice to haves’. Ensure you cover the must-haves first and then you can consider the non-essentials if budget allows. Having it all down in front of you means you won’t miss anything, but equally, helps you work within your budget.

Work out your timeline

On this point, we’d always recommend starting at the end. Ask yourself if the work you need to be done has to be carried out by a certain deadline. For example, does the job need to be complete before the cold weather hits? Or maybe you need to have a room finished before a baby joins the family?

By starting at the end and working backwards, giving yourself a few weeks leeway for any delays you think you might run into, you can ensure you give yourself enough time. Remember sometimes things tend to take longer than you perhaps envisaged and sometimes little things crop up that you didn’t account for. And bear in mind that it could take longer to find a tradesperson or company over the summer months as they catch up on jobs following the lockdown.

Plan your budgets

On the surface sometimes working out the money side of things can appear a bit mundane, especially when there are product colours, styles and designs to discuss. It can be easy to get carried away with a renovation and before you know it you’ve crept over what you originally planned to spend. So, ensure you have a budget tracker and regularly update it. It’s also wise to ask those that will be carrying out the job about any additional costs they foresee occurring in the project.

Get creative

MyGlazing.com has a section full of inspirational images and ideas to help you get creative. You can visit it here.

Alternatively, Pinterest and Instagram are great visual social media platforms for working out what colour schemes, styles and finishes you like. It can sometimes be a good idea to put your ideas down onto mood boards to help you visualise and provide some much-needed inspiration after months of lockdown.

There are also some great TV programmes (such as Grand Designs and The Great Interior Design Challenge), that can be truly inspirational for renovations and property makeovers. 

Engage your company, architect or project manager remotely

After months of working remotely, companies, architects and project managers will be well versed with the video call. The first things they’ll likely want to know is your address so they can check planning policies and the general type of building you live in. They will also need a good idea of your timelines and the budget.

Now for the exciting bit! You should come prepared with information on what you’re wanting to achieve design-wise with the glazing renovation. Are you planning a refurb so you could be working in a healthier home with more natural light and moderate temperatures? Or maybe you’re needing more space and have a conservatory or garden room in mind.  

It’s likely that on your call to the company, the architect of project manager you contact, will ask you to walk them around the property (via a video meeting software like Zoom or Skype or just via your phone camera on face time, so they can get a feel for it. Worth noting, to ensure the space is easy to get around and records and that you use a device with a good camera.

Vet the company or tradesperson that will be doing the work

Once you know what the actual work will look like, you’ll need to appoint a professional company with skilled tradespeople to do the work. In these times, it’s more important than ever to vet them properly, so it’s advised that you select a company that is registered with a professional trade body that promotes the highest industry standards, such as the Glass and Glazing Federation.

This way, you’ll know they adhere to the international, European and British standards required as well as complying with the GGF Consumer Code of Best Practice. Once you’ve done this, shortlist three or four GGF Members to quote for the job – you can find them on the MyGlazing.com find a company directory.

During the decision-making process, you should ensure that they can prove that they’ll take health and safety seriously as they should be following the GGF Safe Guide for Companies working during COVID-19. You can check out our article on things to consider before letting a tradesperson safely into your home, here.

We hope this article has provided you with a good starting point for planning the initial stages of your renovation remotely. Now the fun starts; happy renovating!

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Many homeowners are thinking about how they can kick-off those home improvements they were never able to get started due to lockdown. Tradespeople are now officially allowed in homes so long as they can work safely and it’s really important that you know the one you’re using has taken all the necessary precautions before allowing them in.

From vetting them before arrival to ensuring they don’t use your loo or crockery to make a brew, the free ‘Safe Guide for Homeowners (produced by the Glass and Glazing Federation – GGF) here contains all you need to know. Here’s the key points from this excellent guide.

How healthy is your home?

Before employing a tradesperson or improvement firm to work in your property, you should first consider how healthy your home is, to safeguard not only yourself and others living there, but the tradespeople working there as well. Make sure you ask yourself:

• Is there anyone with underlying health conditions living in the property?
• Does anyone living there have symptoms of COVID-19 (if so, please don’t let a tradesperson in!)
• Could anyone enter my home impact the health of anyone living in it?
• Are there any sick or elderly people living there who could be more impacted?
• Will anyone visiting my home, such as a surveyor or a tradesperson, be affected by working in my home?

Once you’re sure that your home is safe in relation to the above few points, you can then start thinking about how improvement work can actually make your home healthier. Maybe your home is draughty or damp? Urgently needs new windows and doors? Maybe the ventilation needs improving? Or the home could do with some extra natural light? There are so many ways you can make your home healthier, which we’ll explore in more detail in another blog. With many of us now spending more time inside than we ever have, now’s a good time to work towards making your home as healthy as it can be!

What to expect from a company 

The nature of the job means that a tradesperson’s working environment can significantly change day to day – one day they’ll be working outside on an extension, and the next they’ll be fitting a kitchen. They’ll be well equipped to deal with changes in the environment already, but they should also be able to prove adherence to a number of health and safety measures in current circumstances. First and foremost, you should be absolutely sure that they’re working to Government guidelines and a professional resource, such as our safe guide. Secondly, ensure they’ve carried out a comprehensive health and safety assessment for the job and they’ve briefed their entire team on it. Don’t feel nervous to ask this question – it’s safer all round and they’ll already be very used to hearing it.

Other health and safety factors should include: regular use of hand sanitiser, ensuring they know which parts of the home you don’t want them to enter and sticking to this, eating somewhere away from the property such as in their van, as well as cleaning down any surfaces they’ve handled or installed at the end of each day. There are lots of other things to consider, so please check out the full list in the GGF safe guide.

Letting workers into your home

Once you’re happy the company or tradesperson is on board with the points above, it’s advisable to:

• Agree a suitable arrival time and process so you can be fully prepared
• Ask them to email identification and names of the tradespeople that will be working in your home in advance
• When they arrive at your door, stand two metres back and confirm that neither you or any other member of your household is suffering from symptoms or COVID-19, and ask them to do the same
• Ensure they’re wearing the necessary PPE (see section six of our guide for full information on this)
• Confirm they’ve been briefed on health and safety awareness and Government guidance

Having spent so long under restrictions, many people are itching to start making home improvements. Hopefully, the decision to do this in the current climate will be easier if you’ve followed the precautions outlined in this article.

The GGF/MyGlazing Stay Safe Checklist

NOTE:

1. You can check the company you are using is following GGF and Government Safe Guidance by referring to the GGF Safe Guide for Homeowners.
2. Also ensure you ask the company you are using, to show you their Risk Assessment for the work they are proposing to do in or around your home. See an example of a Risk Assessment Form here

By ensuring you’re using tradespeople that adhere to the highest industry standards and follow the latest Government and Public Health England guidance, you can kick-start those important improvements. The GGF has issued its “Safe Guide for Companies” (which is aligned to the Government guidance) in digital format to all of its Members, so you can rest assured that you’ll be in safe hands with them.  You can find an approved GGF member here.

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