It pays to batten down the hatches in autumn
AS the weather worsens, Britons have been warned to prepare their homes for winter.
Dozens of autumn storms are forecast to hit these shores and protecting your house now could save you money in the long run.
It may be cheaper to book a tradesperson at the moment, as the cost of some jobs could rise up to 50 per cent by November, according to local services marketplace Bidvine.com.
It examined tens of thousands of quotes posted on its site and found the cost of draught proofing a home surges 50 per cent when the cold sets in.
Boiler repair costs leap 23 per cent as busy plumbers demand more for call-outs, with hourly charges jumping to around £80.
Jobs such as gutter, fence and decking maintenance or repairs cost around 15 per cent more as storms hit.
Bidvine founder Sohrab Jahanbani said that with Britain having enjoyed a warm summer, there’s still time to take advantage of lower early autumn prices.
In some cases, however, tradespeople slash prices in winter, including interior painters, tree surgeons and roofers. Jahanbani suggested planning interior projects for December, when labour and materials can be cheaper. “Timing renovation projects correctly could save you from £600 to £1,800.”
Even if you plan ahead for the spring, December is a great month to source bids, purchase materials and even fix your roof.
“Roofers get less work in the winter while modern advances in scaffolding mean the work can proceed,” Jahanbani added.