Guides,
before you book.
Plain answers to the questions people ask before hiring a pro. The rules that apply in the UK, what to check, and what to ask.
Cars
3 guides
CarsCar valeting vs detailing: what is the difference?
A valet is a thorough clean of the car inside and out. Detailing goes further, removing contamination and swirl marks from the paint and protecting it, and takes much longer.
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CarsHow to book a wedding car or chauffeur: timing, checks and contracts
Book your wedding car as soon as the date and venues are fixed. Check the driver, car and insurance, get every timing in writing, and plan the route with spare time built in.
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CarsUK tyre tread depth law and how to check your tyres
Car tyres in the UK must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round. Each illegal tyre can bring a fine and 3 penalty points.
Read the guideCleaning
1 guide
Home and building
4 guides
Home and buildingDo you need planning permission for an extension?
Not always. Many modest extensions to houses can be built under permitted development rights without a planning application, but strict size limits apply, and flats, listed buildings and conservation areas are treated differently.
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Home and buildingHow to check a tradesperson before you hire them
Check the right register for the job, ask for proof of insurance, get at least three written quotes, agree the work in writing and never say yes on the doorstep.
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Home and buildingSigns your roof needs repair: what to look for inside and out
Look for damp patches on ceilings, daylight or wet timber in the loft, slipped or missing tiles, cracked ridge mortar and overflowing gutters. Check from the ground and the loft, never from the roof.
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Home and buildingWhat is an EICR and when do you need one?
An EICR is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property. Landlords across the UK must have one at least every five years. Homeowners do not have to, but should.
Read the guideOutdoors and moving
2 guides
Outdoors and movingHow to clean a headstone safely and gently
Use clean water, a soft brush and patience. Never use bleach, pressure washers or wire brushes, check the stone is stable first, and ask the cemetery or church before any work beyond cleaning.
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Outdoors and movingMoving house checklist for the UK: what to do and when
Book removals once you have a likely date, start decluttering and packing weeks ahead, tell the right organisations about your new address, and keep an essentials box with you on the day.
Read the guidePets
2 guides
PetsPuppy training: what to teach in the first weeks
Start the day your puppy comes home. Focus on toilet training, their name, settling, gentle handling and calm socialisation, then build recall and lead walking in short, reward-based sessions.
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PetsQuestions to ask a dog walker before you book
Ask about insurance, how many dogs they walk at once, local council rules, how they look after your keys, what happens in an emergency and how they handle recall.
Read the guideTech and digital
2 guides
Tech and digitalCracked phone screen: what to do next, step by step
Stop using the phone if glass is loose or the battery looks damaged. Back up your data straight away, cover the crack, then compare repair with replacement before you book.
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Tech and digitalHow to plan a website for a small business: a step-by-step guide
Start with what the site must do for your business, then plan the pages, words and photos. Own your domain, build for phones first, and meet UK privacy and cookie rules before launch.
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