What's involved in upgrading a kitchen in a North Evington terrace?
More trades than people expect. Kitchens in these terraces are often long and narrow at the back of the house, and a new layout usually means moving water, waste and power at the same time. We handle the plumbing and electrics together, so you aren't waiting for one trade to finish before the next can start.
Typical parts of a kitchen upgrade:
- Moving the sink
- New supply pipes and a waste run to the outside drain.
- Washing machine and dishwasher
- Valves, waste connections and a socket each.
- A cooker circuit
- Needed for most electric ovens and induction hobs.
- Under-cabinet and ceiling lights
- Fitted while the walls are still open.
Does a growing household need new circuits?
Often, yes, especially when the house itself grows. A loft conversion, a rear extension or a garage turned into a bedroom adds rooms the original wiring never allowed for. Those rooms need their own sockets and lights, usually on new circuits rather than spurs taken off an already busy one.
We look at the fuse box first. If it has spare ways and modern protection, new circuits can be added to it; if not, we price the replacement up front so there are no surprises. All of this is notifiable, so it is notified to building control as the law requires, and you get the certificates.
Why is water coming through the kitchen ceiling?
In many terraces the bathroom sits right above the back kitchen, so a stain on the kitchen ceiling usually points to the bath, shower or toilet. Worn sealant round the shower tray, a loose waste joint or a leaking toilet connector are the usual causes.
Turn the water off at the stopcock if it's dripping steadily, and keep the lights off in that room if water is near a fitting. Then send photos of the ceiling and the bathroom above. We trace the source before pricing the repair, and nothing extra goes ahead without your approval.
Should I change the locks on a house I've just moved into?
It's sensible, because you can't know how many keys the last owner or tenants handed out. On most uPVC and composite doors it's a quick swap of the Euro cylinder, and an anti-snap cylinder is a worthwhile upgrade while we're there.
If the door is hard to lock, the problem is often the alignment rather than the lock, so we check the hinges and keeps first. Back doors and gates can go on the same visit. If you'd like one key for front and back, matching key-alike cylinders are usually possible; send photos of each door edge so we can check the sizes.
Do you work for shops and small businesses here?
Yes. Green Lane Road and the streets around it have plenty of small shops and businesses, and their needs are practical: more sockets for chillers and display fridges, brighter LED lighting, a dead circuit traced and fixed.
We also carry out commercial EICRs, emergency lighting tests and PAT testing, and can set up a planned maintenance plan if you'd rather not keep track of the dates yourself. We work 8am to 8pm every day, so jobs that need the power off can be done before you open or after you close.