You are now on the UK’s most popular exterior house painting and wall coatings website, packed with over 85 pages of case studies (see menu above), 800 pages of original DIY and home improvement articles and over 25 years of experience “on the tools”

This is combined with online experience about blogging about exterior wall coatings and house painting since 2001 and on this site, since 2003, so yes, It’s our 10 year anniversary!

We offer all kinds of home repair and painting services up and down the UK, and even been known to take on jobs in Sunny Spain too!

So enough about me, what about you?!

You are probably on this page after searching for exterior house painting services, a price for painting the house, estimates of cost for wall coatings, or something along those lines, so without further ado, let’s explain what to do to get your house painted.

Getting your house painted.

Firstly you need to set your budget so you know how much you have to spend on getting the place painted. This is vital because if you are short of cash, it is not worth even thinking about getting it painted because a cheap job with cheap materials will last maximum one year and then you have pay someone to do it again, thus costing you twice as much. Exterior house painters won’t work for next to nothing, and if you get a quote or estimate for house painting and it’s really low then something is amiss I assure you.

Don’t throw your money away!

Having your house painted by a professional means that it is going to cost you at least some money, and if you have a textured wall covering on the walls like pebbledash, it will actually cost you more to have it painted than brick or rendered houses.

Forgetting about “Keeping up appearances” for a second, and no I’ don;t mean that Hyacinth Bucket (bookay?) woman, I mean keeping the house at least looking nice so people don’t drive by and honk their car horns every day or point at you in the street and laugh, it is important to keep the house in good order as it is by far the most valuable thing you own, so you need to look after it.

It is important to keep the exterior house walls painted and protected all year round.

What sorts of houses do we paint?

We paint more or less any type of house in any condition and in any location across the UK, in fact we also have people in Spain if you have a holiday villa over there that needs painting.

We decorate terraced houses, detached and semi’s, commercial units, pubs, hotels, banks, churches, schools, basically anything that needs painting.

Back in the UK we have painted homes from Penzance to Inverness, and we also work in Ireland too. We’ve worked in Ulster, the Isle of Man and also the Isle of White, and as we specialise in solely exterior painting, we can get the job done quickly as we always carry the correct tools and equipment to do the job.

Just because we are part of a large network of professional decorators, it does NOT mean we are expensive.

We can turn any house, such as this rather scruffy one……

…and then with a weeks work (in this case), involving all repairs needed such as rendering, crack repairs, pebble-dash replacement, and then apply a special sprayed coating system to the house, which makes the property look a bit like this amazing place…..

The same house we painted, which was in Brighton, Sussex.

Contact us for a quote to get your house painted

It is so easy to get your house painted with our Never Paint Again teams ready and waiting to take your call.

We are skilled, experienced, clean, trustworthy and reliable and no job is too large. We have plenty of colour samples to show you, and lots of references form satisfied clients too.

Quotes and estimates for external painting

A quote from us is totally free and without obligation.

We only use qualified, experienced and time served painting and decorating contractors, all of whom are fully trained also in the application of our range of special external wall coatings.

The first thing to do is to decide once and for all to get the house painted and then contact us by either using the CONTACT FORM or by calling FREEPHONE on 0800 970 4928.

You can also reach out to us on the social networks, the links to which are below. If you like our site you can also SHARE this page too.

Whatever exterior home decorating needs you have, one quick call to us can sort it out, and the bonus is that all work and materials comes with a 15 year guarantee!

So what are you waiting for, give us a call!

The post It is time to get your house painted again! appeared first on Never Paint Again.

Well, you have come to the right place for sure! Whatever painting, decorating or rendering work you need, the happy chaps at Never Paint Again UK are ready and waiting to take your call on (0800) 970 4928.

Estimates for rendering or painting

When planning a budget for any exterior home reform work, it is important when getting prices from tradesmen to not be lulled into a false sense of security by collecting estimates.

An estimate is by its very definition, an approximation of total costs, or at best, a rough guess! If you are planning on budgeting say £5,000 for home improvement works, and you get prices based on estimates, they can range from the cheapest “man and van” quoting you £2,000 estimate, to a top national company, estimating the work at £6,000.

Be aware an estimate is a GUESS

So be warned, an estimate is pure GUESSWORK and the actual cost can vary wildly, totally screwing up your budget, meaning potentially less money for other things.

The big problem with estimates is that if you agree to have the work done, the actual cost can be much higher than the estimate, so what is the solution.

Get a quote

Yes, it is as simple as that, get a quote and not an estimate.

If you are wanting, for example, a Never Paint Again type coating on the outside of the house from a wallcoating company giving estimates, the estimate would not include hollow render or major cracks that were not discovered until the men started hacking away at the house with their tools!

When this happens the gaffer who is doing the work will then come and ask you for more money. If you don’t have the money to pay them as you did not budget for it, you could end up with a half finished exterior wall refurbishment, and the place looking awful.

Cracked pebbledash and the new extension

The REAL Never Paint Again (Yes, us) always and without fail, spend time when we see your house, in correctly identifying areas with faults and then because of our experience since the 1980′s, we can then work out for you a fixed cost price.

What’s more, we are so confident that the price will be to your liking, we can agree the price with you, on the spot, in writing and if you choose to have us carry out the works, we guarantee that you will not pay a penny more than previously agreed.

What’s even better is the fact that all work and materials come with a 15 year insurance backed warranty too!

Contact us today to arrange a free price quote.

The post Estimates, prices and quotes for house exterior painting appeared first on Never Paint Again.

It constantly helps itself to the contents of your wallet, and is always “on the scrounge” for money for the bills, repairs, the mortgage and anything else it likes really.

Your house is supposed to be a place of welcome and warmth but if the boiler breaks down, for example, that is not much fun is it?

Your home, if not properly maintained, will suck your funds away like it’s drinking a milkshake made with money, and it seems to never stop does it?

People in general are feeling the pinch. That’s a fact. The recession, when it arrived in 2008, knocked the stuffing out of people, reduced the once buoyant housing market to a whimper, and it never ended up holding its value did it?

So many people relied on houses for investments, nest eggs, a place to be safe and secure, somewhere to pass on to the kids, but if the repossessions figures, and the house value index are perused, it makes scary reading.

Why did so many people think property would always rise in value?

The good news (yes there is some) is that bank repossessions have slowed in recent years, and maybe there is a new mindset with people that they just do not want to take the risk of buying somewhere, and prefer to rent, although that means, with the tenancy contracts in force in the UK, a loss of security and the chance of being asked to leave after only 6 months of tenure.

Recently on the BBC news website, Mark Harris, of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: “While interest rates are expected to remain at 0.5% for the foreseeable future, some borrowers are still struggling to afford their mortgage, as living costs continue to rise and many lose their jobs.”: Source: BBC.co.uk

So has your house got it in for you?

We look at the inside and the outside of the house, and give 5 reasons in both sections, as to why, in our opinion, your home really hates you.

How DARE you miss a mortgage payment!

The internal struggle

What five things inside the home that show you that your house has it in for you?

• Damp and mould on the walls. This is the ultimate slap in the face for anyone trying to keep a clean and tidy home. What do you do? Just sit there with that awful “wet dog” smell wafting up your nose? Cure it! Your health will be better, and the house will feel nicer to live in.
• Cold interior walls, even though the heating is turned on. You may also conversely find that in the hot summer time (yes the 2 weeks of sun the UK gets), your house will not be able to repel the heat coming INTO the house, and therefore your house will be hotter than Satans’ underpants!
• Drips and leaks. A common occurrence, despite the fact you paid a fortune to the plumber last year and now can’t get hold of him on his yacht in the Bahamas.
• Things that go bump in the night. No, don’t laugh. How many times have you “felt” something in a house, and couldn’t put your finger on why or what? Maybe you are not so alone? We have lived in houses where all manner of weird and unexplainable things happened. Have any of you ever had that happen?
• Watch your head! Are you tall? Your house WANTS TO HURT YOU. As a 6ft 3″ son of a 6ft 7″ bloke, head-hitting and mild concussion was a common event in our house. We decided against wearing crash helmets at home and moved instead.

This is not the door you are looking for

 The problematic exterior

Five more things to watch out for and five more reasons why your home is plotting against you.

• The roof. This is so important, so why do the tiles become loose and cause leaks, and why does the heat escape into the open air? You forgot to properly maintain it, and your home is getting it’s own back at you. Get that loft or crawl space insulated.
• Come into the garden. ….And then slip on the path because its moss covered and you never power washed it. Then you see next doors cat has “enjoyed” spending time in your flower beds.
• Damp! Oh dear. If you don’t have something weatherproof on the outside of the house, such as an exterior wall coating, then your home can suffer from damp. Oh how bad can it get?
• The furniture is falling apart! No, that’s your fault for buying cheap, crappy furniture from MFi or the Argos book. Did you know that many items of cheap furniture made with MDF and chipboard actually contain a very harmful chemical called formaldehyde?
• I’m always ill! Do you have frequent colds? You may blame the house, but your colds and sniffles could be due to the fact that as you have not maintained the house, there could be damp spores inside, releasing themselves into the air? Not smoking inside the property can also better your health, and the health of your family. Or do you blame the house for that also?

So what do you think? Does your house hate you?

If so, I would suggest you stop and think for a minute because all this could be your own doing and your own fault for not maintaining the house correctly in the first place!

Why blame your house on your own mistakes? Maybe your home wants to love you, so why not start loving it back and spend some time and money on keeping it in good condition!

Give us a call today on FREEphone 0800-970-4928 and let’s have a chat.

The post 10 Reasons Why Your House Hates You! appeared first on Never Paint Again.

The recession has uncovered some unbelievable bargain properties across the country so we are going to show you how to bag a bargain, and where to find these elusive properties.

We will look at country homes with land for under a hundred grand, and apartments in one of the most exciting and up and coming cities in Spain, Valencia!

Town houses are also a great buy too, plus there are loads of other great value properties to choose from at prices that will astound you!

For those of you who have followed us for the past 10 years we have been online, you may know that not only do we operate in Spain as well as the UK and Ireland, but the owner of this company also has a house out there!

A surefire way of saving money when buying a house in Spain is to network with people, speak to as many agents as possible and drive a hard bargain! When looking for a good estate agent in Spain, make sure you speak to their previous clients who should be only too happy to recommend them.

And just like in the UK, as part of our daily work, we often come into contact with other property professionals such as estate agents, architects and surveyors, so over a cool beer and a tasty tapas (at a cost of only 2 pounds each, by the way!) we decided to team up and offer you, the reader, a chance to learn about some bargain Spanish homes that you simply must come over and see!

Living here is cheap too. A beer will set you back a pound, as will a good quality coffee. A pack of cigs is around 3 quid, petrol is around 2/3 of the UK pump price, a bottle of GOOD wine is around a pound, and your council tax will be perhaps around £200 A YEAR!

Buying a home in Spain

The UK media has, over the past couple of years, painted a very negative image of Spain, but until you are actually here to see for yourself, you soon learn is it is nowhere as bad as it is made out, far from it in fact. It’s a GREAT place to live, or for extended holidays, there is so much to see and do.

There are LOADS of absolute steals here to be had and if you have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, than grabbing a bargain property in Spain could be the wisest investment you have ever made!

Buy a cheap country house in Spain

Buy a country home in Spain like this 3 bed with land for only 58,000 euros!

There are some amazing bargains to be had such as this country house (above) in the town of Lliria, a lovely little place, steeped in history and only 15 miles from the nearest airport, yours for a steal at only 58,000 Euros!

Yes, that is NOT a mis-print! For a shade under 49,000 pounds (plus local taxes), you get a 3 bed country house, with nearly FOUR ACRES OF LAND.  Just imagine the potential!

You could keep animals, run camping holidays, build a pool or separate holiday chalets such as log cabins etc. What an opportunity!

Bargain house for sale in Spain

Now you have picked yourself up from the floor, here is another reason to visit Valencia and pick up an absolute bargain house for sale, such as this lovely FIVE bedroom house in a quiet but not remote village only 25 mins from the airport and with amazing views.

A Cheap house for sale in Spain. 5 bed for only 59,000 pounds!

Located in a village called “Bodegas”, referring to the wine production in the area, and where you can get a decent bottle of wine for less than a quid, and virtually the same wine as you pay 6 or 7 pounds for in the UK!

Life here is much cheaper than back in the UK and you really CAN live the dream, for very little money! This house is but one example of how cheap you can live here or buy a holiday home in Spain, and enquiring through us, gets you into an INNER CIRCLE of people “in the know.”

These people can can guide you through the entire process, from start to finish, including meeting you from the airport, giving you a tour of the area, for free, and introducing you to fellow expats who you can ask any questions you may have.

Our property team can also put you in contact with English speaking tradespeople for any renovations or improvements you wish to make to the house or apartment once you buy it.

Other bargain homes for sale in Spain.

If your budget to purchase a dwelling in Spain stretches a bit further then how about some of these utter give-away properties for your Place in the Sun?

a house with a pool in valencia Spain for only £125,000 !

This lovely house with a pool, in the village of Godelleta, just outside the city and located in what can only be described as stunning scenery, and only 5 mins to the nearest golf course.

This house can be yours for only around £125,000! All homes on this page, and on our books are open to offers.

More homes for sale in Spain.

If you have a healthy budget to invest in buying somewhere abroad, then our team has quite a few different places on the books, ranging from as little as £30,000, up to multi million pound homes.

A large house for sale valencia and 10 mins to the beach!

This amazing and huge house is located 10 mins from the beach at Sagunto, just north of Valencia, and again, a short drive to the airport. It has an internal area of 975m2, and boasts 5 large bedrooms some of which are en-suite, several lounges, a conference room, games room, picnic area, a tennis court, a pool, an orchard, extensive gardens and much more.

This would also be an ideal property to easily convert into a small hotel or guest house. And of course, how much is it?

Well, the valuation on this house was 783000 Euros in 2004/5, but it is now on the market for only 450,000 euros, working out at around £380,000 !!!

This place is like something out of a movie and this is but one example of the crazy LOW prices that YOU can bag a super bargain here in Spain, so what are you waiting for?

Rentals and sales in Spain

We can deal with the entire process of buying a house within Spain, and if you plan to move here and rent a Spanish apartment or villa, and plan to check the area out before committing to purchase a home in Spain then we can also help you with that as we have hundreds of rental homes to offer you too!

Enquire about bargain homes in Spain

To enquire about any of the properties on this page, and to get details of many more absolute bargain flats and houses in Spain, please fill in the form below and our agent will be in contact ASAP.

Thank you for enquiring. You will be contacted by our affiliate property experts so please help us by giving as much info as possible in the above form. All prices quoted are correct at the time of publication and exchange rates are based on one day (7th May 2013). We speak English and Spanish, and we have UK and Spanish contact numbers which will be given when we respond to your enquiry.

Please note, this Spain property finder service is only available by email enquiry, our call centre in the UK does not deal with this. We were not paid to post this article.

The post How to save money when buying a house in Spain appeared first on Never Paint Again.

So do we give it a second thought or do we take it for granted?

Air pollution is the environment is often talked about by various governments across Europe, but what about the quality of the air inside your home?

There are some things in YOUR house you may not realise are very harmful!

There are certain building regulations and codes set down by each member state in Europe, although in some cases, such as the British standards for construction, measures already existed to regulate and enforce certain air quality and ventilation guidelines within the built environment, both at work and at home.

There has also been concern of late at the amount of potentially toxic chemicals inside peoples homes, and these can stem from certain cleaning products, or cheaply built furniture, or even the knock-on effect of the smoking ban, and many more people stay at hone and smoke, instead of doing it down the pub.

Having a badly ventilated house can also cause damp issues and the growth of harmful mould on the walls of rooms inside. Here we show you a few ways to keep your house well ventilated and the quality of air high.

How to have clean air in the house.

Having a clean environment in your home means that you will suffer far less from illness and colds and your general health and well being will be much better as a result.

There are various things that are around your home right now that you may not realise, are causing amounts of pollutions and they include common items such as: Air fresheners, cosmetics,  Mattresses, cigarettes, moth balls, carpets, paint, fabrics, household cleaning products and so on.

Sources of household pollution

The heating can also cause pollution, and having an open fireplace is a prime example, although having your central heating turned up too high can also create pollution because it renders the room warm enough for bacteria and other bugs to flourish, fleas being a prime example.

Turn down your heating, clean the carpets and hoover all the fabrics, beds and curtains, regularly.

 Ventilation!

It is important to ventilate each room by the simple process of opening the windows! Just opening one is not enough, you need to create a through draught for the air to circulate. Obviously if you live next to an industrial area, this may not be so easy.

It is possible to buy air purifiers although they only have a certain level of effectiveness. If you are lucky to have aircon in your home, then the units will have pollen filters which often collect dust and other airborne pollutants so make sure you check and clean the filters regularly.

This also applies to extractor fans, commonly found in either kitchens or bathrooms and are essential for removing polluted air from inside you  home, because if they dont work, the air stays in the home and you breathe it!

It is also very important that you open the bathroom window, yes even if it is cold outside, after bathing or showering, because if you don’t, all that moist air goes into the carpets, curtain and fabrics, and also settles into the walls, causing mould.

Mould releases toxic spores which air very bad for your health and may actually cause asthma.

Avoid using toxic products

There are many toxic or potentially harmful products in homes that people just do not know how bad they are, and the item simply goes into the shopping cart without a second thought.

Many cleaning products, textiles and also building materials, contain formaldehyde, a very harmful chemical which you may not actually know, is a common additive in clothing and bed sheets that do not require ironing.

This is also found in many MDF and chipboard based cheap furniture and there have been studies apparent that show some people can actually fall ill, based on the furniture they have bought.

Comsetics can also contain this chemical, as can spin-off chemical products used in make up such as diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (most commonly known as bronopol), and sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate.

lipstick can be harmful

Toxic hazards in older houses.

Old houses can also contain hazards and the biggest and most known about one has to be lead paint. The use of lead paint was banned at the end of the 1970′s in the USA, but rather bizarrely was NOT banned from use in the UK until about 1992, so many houses built right up into the 1980′s could have traces of lead paint in them.

Even Australia banned the use of lead paint as far back as 1970 and is now controlled as a part of Australian [building] Standard 1716.

decorating a listed building in Essex. This photo is copyright GS decorating and used with kind permission of Greg Clark.

Lead paint is very dangerous and can cause blood poisoning and even death. Children are very much at risk too as they run their hands over walls where paint flakes and powders, and then put their fingers in their mouth.

In general, lead paint is only dangerous when removed, so sometimes the best remedy for this is to paint over it and leave it where it is.

Summary

The quality of the air in homes is often either forgotten about or at best misunderstood, but do not underestimate how dangerous some products around the house can be, and do not underestimate the importance of ventilating your home for clean and fresh air.

It’s hard to think about that during winter time, but houses need clean air or what happens is that all the toxic chemicals in your home, and your 2nd hand breath, is constantly recycled and you end up with dirty air, and that is air the you and your family breathe in every day. Don’t smoke in the house either.

Make sure also that the exterior walls of your home are in good condition, maybe with an external wall coating which will stop damp, cold walls and condensation, meaning the damp is not allowed to grow. If you put all this advice together, you should be breathing in clean, or cleaner air in no time at all and your health with benefit as a result.

The post Poor home ventilation causes mould, damp and breathing problems appeared first on Never Paint Again.