Economically, times are tough for most people. Wages aren’t rising in line with inflation, so we need to make savings where we can. Did you know there are many things you can rent or lease instead of buying?

1. Tools

Many people have expensive tool sets that simply sit in the garage and rot after being used for one project. Renting a specialist tool is a great idea for when you have a one-off or rare job to handle around the house or with the car.

2. Camping Gear

A full set up of camping equipment can run into hundreds of pounds. Unless you’re a committed camper, you won’t want to spend that much on an activity if you’re never likely to repeat it. Using a tent once a year, and having it getting damp in a shed for the rest of time doesn’t make much sense economically. Look online for companies that hire out camping gear, especially if you’re new to the activity.

3. Vehicles

Want to drive the latest models but can’t afford to buy outright? Car and Van Leasing Bristol is becoming increasingly popular as an option for accessing top end vehicles in a cost-effective manner. It is often cheaper than taking out a loan, has many benefits included in the package and you can change your vehicle every two years. For Van Leasing Bristol, contact Autolyne.

4. Pets

Maybe you want a pet but need to know if you’re allergic to fur? Some people might want to comfort an elderly relative but can’t keep a pet at home. There are specially trained ‘therapeutic’ dogs for example who live with pet carers and are available for short periods of time to act as companions.

If you are having problems with your television and you have tried all sorts, from moving it and checking the wires, to calling out a professional like this TV aerial repair Bristol based company aerial-installations-bristol.co.uk/ then you likely need a new television.

Making the right choice when you are choosing a television can be hard – there are so many features on modern televisions, and having an understanding of the things that you want can help you to get the right model for you.

Size of course is the most obvious one, and this really is something that you need to base on where your television will go and the size of the room that it is going in. Bigger is definitely not always better, and you want to make sure that it fits into the room well without dominating it, and also that it is easy to see.

LCD is one of the most common types of television and it is a god choice if you are after a television that you can watch and that you don’t want any particularly special viewing features from. LCD televisions are available with a range of additional features and prices can vary.

OLED and QLED are specialist and great for those who watch a lot of sport or use the television for gaming, as they are great for showing motion. They use independent bulbs that are in the back of the television as opposed to one large light. QLED is the Samsung version of OLED basically.

To get the most from your property and move your way up the property ladder, here are some ideas for adding value to your home:

1. Fix Structural Problems

Firstly, before attempting any cosmetic measures, ensure all structural issues are dealt with. Things that need attention include:

• Any sagging or leaks in the roof
• damp
• cracks in the walls
• any rotting in your roof timber
• broken or missing roof tiles
• sinking floor slabs

2. Updating Wiring and Plumbing

This is disruptive, there’s no doubt about that and will involve lifting of floors and removing plaster etc so it’s really important to carry out this work before starting any cosmetic measures. If your home hasn’t been rewired for many years, you’ll add significant value by adding extra sockets, installing an extractor fan in the bathroom and updating any old lighting with something more contemporary.

3. Convert the loft

If you want to add value and space to your property, then a loft conversion is cheaper than building an extension. You will add significant value if you use the space to include an additional bedroom and bathroom. A few initial checks will need to be made before you can go ahead. There will need to be lots of headroom and your roof needs to consist of trusses or cut roof timbers. For advice from a Monmouth Architect, go to Hills & Company, a leading Monmouth Architect.

4. Kitchen Makeover

Many properties are sold on the standard of their kitchen, such is the importance of the room. Contemporary, stylish and clean is what people are looking for, as well as ample space and storage. You could decide to make structural changes and relocate the room or change its shape.

If you are moving home or carrying out renovation work, one option is to take advantage of the convenience of self storage. That extra storage space can allow you to continue on with home improvements, knowing your possessions are safe and secure. With short-term contracts and 24/7 security, your items are in good hands.

Think about what possessions you want to store in the unit

If you plan to use self storage, the first element to look at is which of your possessions require storage facilities. If you are looking to store books or general household bric-a-brac, you will want a smaller unit. However, if your possessions are bulky and consist of furniture or other valuables, you may want to rent a larger space.

Consider what features are relevant to you

When selecting a self storage solution, look at the features that are important. Popular unit sizes vary from 25 sq ft to 75 sq ft. A 100 sq ft unit would store the contents of a two-bedroom house. The units are suitable for singles, couples and families on the move or renovating, or for business use.

Look at choosing a high-quality storage unit

A high-quality storage unit should be clean, dry, and suitable for your possessions. They should also have good technical specifications and the units should have 24/7 security and access for the owners of the goods. Trolleys and pallet trucks should be available for use, and the units should be individually alarmed. Fire alarm systems should also be in place to give customers peace of mind.

If you require self storage Swindon, for example, there are reputable firms such as anchorselfstorage.co.uk/self-storage/swindon that can provide for your needs. According to Inside Self Storage this is a sector that’s been excelling consistently on every level with rising demand.

Check the unit for its security

When choosing a unit, look for wear and tear and possible signs of damage, including broken locks. Speak to the security team if you have any questions. Signing up for a unit is easy and all you need is identification and a utility bill.

Living on an island as we do, the pressures on the use of land can be extremely difficult to balance. There must be space for commercial projects, industrial projects, and park land and residential buildings. So much of our Island has been used for so many other things, the soil beneath us can be extremely difficult to use for any other purpose when it has been subjected to industrial sites. There are many companies that can take the soil from this contaminated land and clean it. One such example is the Land Remediation Company in the link.  In this way it can be used again.

There are many factors that create contaminated land. Landfill, salt and grit from roads, industrial and agricultural use, plus there are even natural causes such as old volcanic materials and simple chemical spills and accidents. If these are not addressed then they can have a negative impact upon the human beings in the surrounding area and the environment for wildlife as a whole.

Land remediation is a process of taking the soil through excavation and then subjecting the surrounding land and soil to certain chemical treatments which will clean the soil and prepare it for a more fertile existence. Once this is done the way is clear for new and more environmentally friendly projects to be undertaken by developers and builders alike. There are quite a few examples where land has been reclaimed through remediation to produce some exciting new  areas for people to populate.