raerae

Hi, We did the exact same thing in our house; completely renovated the stair case back to its Victorian state (although without the turn/ spiral at the end as it was out of our budget) We contacted loads of joiners/ carpenters and found that lots of people just didn't want to do the job or have the expertise in the end, so we went with a company called K&D Joinery Ltd. They are based in East London but honestly did such a fantastic job- I've attached some before and after shots. Not the cheapest but knew exactly what they were doing and fitted everything in 2 days...super clean and quick. We'd definitely use them again. https://kandd.org/products/staircases/

We've just commissioned Windows Express in Bromley to replace some french doors and a bedroom window. Not been fitted yet but so far the process has been very easy and efficient. We also got a quote from Crestshield Windows (Penge based I think) who were also competitive but the Bromley company just pipped it. Contacted a few more local companies who never responded! Found Check a Trade a good place to start the research process; my advice is go with the smaller family run places. Good luck!

Whittens timber in Peckham.

Thanks ed_pete. I've seen this online and was going to try it; plumbing is a bit old and clunky in our house and we've had a pipe burst before so a bit nervous about messing with the heating system! Maybe if we're feeling brave at the weekend...

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone had experience of getting a plumber to balance a system? We recently had some new radiators installed and since then, our heating has been all over the shop. We've tried bleeding the rads, fiddling with all the TRV's throughout the house but we still have radiators that heat up some days, and other don't. We also have weird banging and clanking at times which indicates air is in the system, but when we bleed the rads, nothing comes out. Have tried numerous times to get the plumber back out to look at it but all we get is 'it's trial and error to get the system balanced- just keep trying'. After 6 weeks of trying it's still not right so just wondering if a) anyone has any experience of a plumber balancing their system properly and b) any recommendations! Most don't seem to want to do the job... Thanks in advance.

Just wanted to write another glowing review for Steve and Nicola of Back to Wood. They have restored our bedroom and hallway floorboards beautifully and are currently doing our living room. Each time they've been prompt, exceptionally clean and tidy and just lovely to have around. The costs were far better than laying a new floor and we've managed to retain the lovely patina and character of the original Victorian boards. Highly recommended; we will be getting them back when we need another room doing.

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for bespoke french doors? Ours are old and rotten and from the 80's in the bar style so cut out loads of light. Am looking to reinstate a more Victorian style door and wondered if anyone could recommend any local companies that might not cost the earth! Many thanks, Anna

I bought and sold my flat through Property In. Found them to be brilliant when selling and Caroline gave me regular updates and advice, including what was happening further up the chain on the house we were buying (from a different, completely hopeless estate agent). Their fees were the most competitive too that I found. They are located on Lordship Lane

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations to carry about some general carpentry bits. Hoping to get them done in the next few weeks. 1. Install a new piece of skirting board (about 10inches long) 2. Install some new architrave around a door frame (plasterer had to rip it off) 3. Fix and replace some broken and wobbly floorboards ready for us to carpet in landing and downstairs hall Any recommendations appreciated. Many thanks, Anna

Just another thumbs up for Micky. Lovely guy, great job, happy clients!

I used Aerial Services London (based in Vauxhall) recently who removed some old Sky dishes and caballing throughout my house. Found them to be very good; quick response time and they did the work on the spot (even though they only came over to have a look and assess what the cables were!) They are online so just google them.

Hi all, Looking for any recommendations of joiners/ carpenters that have experience in renovating Victorian staircases. We have the original hand rail which we want to keep but the spindles were replaced in the 80's (and are horrendous) and the newel post removed. We're looking to reinstate a Victorian style newel post and the spindles to something more sympathetic to the house. Also looking for someone to come and have a general look at our floorboards and many are creaky and I think we need to replace some plus to a general overall of the floorboards (plan is to sand them down eventually). Many thanks, Anna

Just wanted to recommend Aerial Services who are based in Vauxhall. Dave came out to me this morning and did the work on the spot and is was very reasonable. You can contact them on 0207 582 8888. I'd definitely use them again if I needed any niggly TV stuff doing.

Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations for a TV aerial person? We've just moved into a house that is overrun with cables from old satellite dishes, NTL box(now virgin) etc and just want to get rid of them! But not being an expert in whats what, we are loath to try and remove of them ourselves in case we cause some issues. Also we have a cable hanging down our chimney with no ending on it that we think must be from an external aerial. Looking for someone to come over and have a look, remove the old caballing and fit us with a standard external TV aerial. Any recommendations appreciated! Thanks, Anna

In response to the above (which I was going to do anyway when I wasn't busy at work...) Thank you to the people who have contacted me with their advice and recommendations. We shall work through them and look into the various options suggested. Happy New Year all!