Advice and guides
Written by the people who do the work. No sales pitch, just what we would tell a neighbour.
Walkers Services
Visit Services →Pros and cons of a garage conversion
Converting a garage is one of the cheaper ways to gain a room. Here is what you give up, what you gain, and what to check first.
4 min readShould I do a kitchen extension?
A kitchen extension is the most common project we build. Here is what it gives you and what to weigh up.
3 min readPros and cons of a loft conversion
Will it add value? Will there be enough space? The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.
4 min readHow to bleed a radiator
Cold at the top, warm at the bottom? There is air in the radiator. Ten minutes and a radiator key fixes it.
4 min readHow to put up a blind
A straightforward job if you measure twice and get the brackets level. Here is how we do it.
4 min readDo I need planning permission for an extension?
Often not. Here are the permitted development limits in plain English, and when you do need to apply.
4 min readHow long does a loft conversion take?
Six to twelve weeks on site depending on the type. Here is a typical programme week by week.
3 min readOrangery, conservatory or extension?
They look similar from the garden but live very differently. How to choose between the three.
3 min readWalkers Decorating
Visit Decorating →How to prepare walls for painting
Preparation is three quarters of a good paint job. The steps we take before a single coat goes on.
4 min readSpray painting or brush and roller?
When spraying gives a better finish, when it does not, and what it means for cost and time.
3 min readMatt, eggshell, satin or gloss?
What the different paint finishes are for, and which we use where.
3 min readDo I need to redecorate?
The signs paintwork needs more than a wipe, how often each room usually needs doing, and when paint is not the fix.
3 min readHow to hang wallpaper
Preparation, plumb lines and pattern matching. The order we work in for a clean result.
5 min readLath and plaster ceilings: repair or replace?
Common in houses built before the 1930s. How to tell what you have, what goes wrong, and your options.
4 min readExterior painting: when and why to repaint
Kerb appeal is the obvious reason. Protecting timber and masonry from the weather is the important one.
4 min readChoosing paint colours, room by room
How to test a colour properly, then what works in hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms and which paint to use in each.
6 min readWalkers Waste
Visit Waste →What a rubbish removal van can and cannot take
Almost everything, with a few exceptions set by law. The full list, plus what we do with the awkward items.
3 min readSkip hire or man and van?
For most household jobs a collection works out cheaper and easier than a skip. Here is when each makes sense.
3 min readHow to prepare for a house clearance
Whether it is probate, a move or a tenancy ending, a little sorting beforehand makes the day easier and cheaper.
4 min readA plain guide to household waste disposal
What goes in which bin, what needs special handling, and what to do with the big stuff.
4 min readWaste transfer notes: what businesses need to know
If your business produces waste, you have to record where it goes. A waste transfer note is how you do that.
3 min read10 simple ways to reduce household waste
Small habits that cut what goes in the bin, from shopping to repairs.
3 min readBulky waste: getting rid of sofas, mattresses and appliances
What counts as bulky waste, your options for getting rid of it, and how to make the collection quick.
3 min readWhat to do when your bins are not emptied
Why it happens, how to report it, and what to do with the extra rubbish in the meantime.
3 min readFly-tipping: why it matters and how to avoid being caught out
Councils in England deal with around a million fly-tipping incidents a year. Here is how to make sure your rubbish is never one of them.
4 min read