NOW is the time to fix up your home before colder weather sets in – and ensure long-term savings.
But you don’t always need a professional, and can save up to £5,000 with a bit of DIY, says tools firm Mytoolshed.co.uk. These are their top tips . . .
TRIM BRANCHES AND TIDY SHRUBS: If these become overgrown, they can cause problems such as scratched windows. Often the windows will then need replacing — a cost you could avoid with some quick and easy clipping and tidying.
REMOVE IVY AND PLANTS: While ivy may look nice, it can do a lot of damage. As well as stealing nutrients from other plants in the garden, it can also affect brickwork. Cut back growth now to stop it becoming a bigger, more expensive job.
PAINT EXTERNAL WALLS: A new coat on the exterior of your home can be well worth it, with experts suggesting this can add five per cent to its sale value. Hiring a labourer for this could cost £1,500 because they are likely to charge up to £300 a day, and the average home takes three to five days to paint.
You will need around 30 litres of outdoor paint but can source that for around £100. So if you have some time, and strong arms, take the opportunity now to make your home look good.
CHECK LOFTS AND GUTTERS: Seal any openings or holes that are a quarter of an inch or more wide with caulk or mesh and check for bugs’ or wasps’ nests. Left alone, these can do serious damage. But always check the removal rules on your local authority website.
ENSURE ROOF IS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE: The toughest time will be the six-month period after summer, when the bad weather happens. The average cost to replace up to five tiles is £170, assuming these can be easily sourced. Checking this yourself could save you £165, with tiles costing around just £1 each.
CLEAN FRIDGE, DEFROST FREEZER: A replacement for both could cost more than £400. Keep them in good shape with regular cleaning to avoid forking out for new ones.
- All prices on this page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of day
FLIP out with the Progress Taste The World crepe maker at Argos. It was £29.99 but is now on offer for £26.99.
SAVE: £3
Cheap treat
CHRISTMAS will come round soon. Nab new McVitie’s mince pie-flavour chocolate digestives for just £1.59. You will find them at most major supermarkets.
What’s new
RACE for Life events are back and Cancer Research UK is urging the nation to sign up to one this autumn to raise money for research into all types of cancer.
Get 50 per cent off all entries until September 12 using promo code RFLAUG50, so it’s the perfect time to sign up. Covid-19 safety measures will be in place at all events.
Top swap
THERE’S still time to squeeze in a camping trip this year, but instead of choosing the Eurohike Pop 200 two-person tent from gooutdoors.co.uk, £33, head to Poundland for its £10 tent.
SAVE: £23
Giselle’s little helper
GET your coffee beans for less! Costa is updating its rewards scheme so Costa Club members will get one Bean for each barista-crafted hot or cold drink of any size or from its Costa Express machines.
Eight Beans gets you a voucher for a FREE drink. Plus, if you take your reusable cup you earn two Beans. So every four drinks means one free drink.
Shop and save
ADD stylish storage with the grey faux-linen round Ottoman from Wilko, was £20, now £10.
SAVE: £10
Hot right now
THE end of summer is sale time at amazon.co.uk. Grab discounts on items such as Apple Airpods Pro, down from £249 to £179 until the end of tomorrow.
Play now to win £100 on The Sun Raffle
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
To take part go to sunsavers.co.uk or open the Sun Savers app.
- T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs at sunsavers.co.uk/faqs.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
Source: Read Full Article