Your guide to improving your home post-lockdown

It has been an unexpected few months and the world has changed since our Homes Special supplement last year.

As we have spent more time at home in 2020 than ever before, it has encouraged us to think more about our surroundings and living spaces. We all desire a comfortable, functional and stylish home, and that does not need to come at a huge cost.

Inside this 16-page guide, we bring you some inspiration about making positive changes to your home environment, from revamping your rooms without blowing the budget to splashing out on your dream kitchen.

Many businesses and trades people are ready to help you with your home improvement projects. Inside, you will find some helpful hints about redecorating, how to turn your bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary, and ways to boost your home comforts, like heating and lighting, as well as revealing what the outside of your home is saying about you.

With some Covid-19 restrictions still in place, you should be mindful of these when arranging for home improvements to be carried out. Things are changing on an almost daily basis, but keeping people as safe as possible is essential.

A new organisation, created in the wake of the pandemic, aims to help make things a bit clearer.

The Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum (CICV) was established this year and includes businesses and organisations from different trades. The industry body

aims to advise customers, as well as businesses, how they can continue with work in a safe way.

Rebecca Crosland, chair of the health and safety sub-group at the Forum, explained: “As the Scottish Government guidelines change so will advice, but it’s important for people to think not just about their own health and safety but everyone around them, including tradespeople carrying out work at their property.”

Each business will be doing things a bit differently from each other, but fundamentals the same.

Rebecca said: “For tradespeople carrying out domestic work, they will carry out a risk assessment on any job and make their own judgment as to whether it can be carried out in a safe way. They will also complete a pre-work Covid questionnaire to check whether anyone at the property has any symptoms or has been diagnosed as having the virus, as well as to note anyone who might be shielding at the property.”

But, as with all Covid guidance, it is changing all the time so be sure to check with companies to see if they have updated rules that need to be followed.

For up-to-date guidance and information, visit the CICV forum at www.cicvforum.co.uk