Author: Jack Shackleton

  • Cost of Home Insulation in the UK – Loft, Roof, Wall & Floor

    Cost of Home Insulation in the UK – Loft, Roof, Wall & Floor

    Insulation is brilliant and I love it. And I’m not alone. Everyone agrees that it’s the single best way to save energy in your home. Ofgem says it is, and Which. It can save you over £1000 a year. Insulation might not be glamorous, but it’s crucial. Having bad insulation is like playing with no…

  • How Do You Find a School Catchment Area?

    How Do You Find a School Catchment Area?

    Moving house often means the kids move schools. But it can be a minefield. Only instead of mines, the danger lies in two words from Ofsted: ‘needs improvement’. Of course, you can pay for private education , if you can afford it. But the canny solution, as any parent knows, is to move near a…

  • Are Online Estate Agents Worth It?

    Are Online Estate Agents Worth It?

    In 2023, I used an online estate agent to sell a house, and for me: yes, using an online estate agent was definitely worth it. However, it’s not for everyone. It can be more work, and less reliable. But it can save you thousands in fees. What are online estate agents, and how do they…

  • Solar Panel Costs in the UK by Installation Size

    Solar Panel Costs in the UK by Installation Size

    The average cost of a solar panel installation in the UK is £7,819, as of September 2024. This is according to the MCS data dashboard. Costs have been dropping since a high point of £10,428 in April 2023. However, the cost per install varies dramatically. Getting solar panels is really a bespoke construction job, and…

  • Quick Property Sales: Are They Worth it and How Do They Work?

    Quick Property Sales: Are They Worth it and How Do They Work?

    Quick house sales are an option if you want to want to sell your property fast, in exchange for accepting lower than market value. How much do quick home buyers pay? Usually it’s 75%-85% of the value of your property. It varies between firms, and you should obviously read the small print to make sure…

  • EPC Guide: How to find, use & renew your Energy Performance Certificate

    EPC Guide: How to find, use & renew your Energy Performance Certificate

    EPCs are a requirement for properties in the UK, and you’ll need one to move house. They’re also actually quite useful. Find our how to read an EPC, find your existing one, and apply for a new one. What is an EPC? EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It gives a property a score from…

  • Do Heat Pumps need planning permission?

    Do Heat Pumps need planning permission?

    No, not usually. However there are some exceptions. A heat pump is deemed as ‘permitted development’. That means that in most cases you can just get on with it. However (as usual) there are some rules attached, which particularly affect smaller properties. The main blocker for some households is that heat pumps can not be…

  • Are triple-glazed windows worth it?

    Are triple-glazed windows worth it?

    The honest answer is: it’s very borderline. Triple-glazing isn’t a solid bet in terms of financial payback, like loft insulation, or even double-glazing. But there are other benefits. Installing triple-glazing on a 3-bed home would cost around £1000-£2000 more than double-glazing. You probably aren’t going to make that money back through energy savings. But there…