Tag Archives: Home & Garden

npower Hometeam Has Released A New Study Of Homeowner’s Opinions, Which Shows That The British Public Dread Visits From Tradesmen, Regardless Of The Benefits That Their Work Can Bring

 

npower hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers and gas central heating systems, found that 28% of the British public, and 35% of females, dread having workers in their homes, in spite of their extensive expertise. These responses were justified by experiences including workmen smashing a new marble fireplace and being caught rifling through a client’s underwear drawer.

In true British fashion, it seems the nation’s ideal tradesman would have impeccable manners, with 65% wanting workers to be polite and friendly, one fifth requesting that they would take their shoes off at the door, and one in 14 hoping that servicemen will bring their own tea and coffee.

West Midlanders were the tightest with their tea, with eight per cent wanting tradesmen to bring their own, while true to form, Yorkshire residents were the most willing to bestow a brew to their boilerman, with just one in a hundred expecting engineers to bring their own.

Despite requiring the skills of specialist workers, 43% of women say they feel nervous about letting a stranger into their home while 60% of the public hate waiting in all day for a tradesman to arrive. Indeed, 86% of Brits (and a staggering 91% of all over-55s) would simply like their tradesmen to turn up when they say they will.

Dispelling the myth that men care less about appearances, males appear more house proud than their female counterparts. They are more worried about tradesmen looking scruffy, leaving their house in a mess, and having a white van parked outside their homes.

Chris Thewlis, head of operations at npower hometeam, commented: “These pet peeves are very common – but it may be that the British public are simply using the wrong companies. British men will be pleased to know that hometeam installers and engineers literally roll out the red carpet when servicing, repairing or installing a boiler, to prevent any mess or unsightly footprints, and our vans are red and liveried, rather than white, so they don’t worry about a scruffy van outside. Similarly, West Midlanders will be relieved to learn that our tradesmen take their own flask of tea to each appointment.

“The British public have better things to do than to wait around for us, which is why our staff always phone ahead to advise of their time of arrival. Every installer also has their first name embroidered on the back of their shirt so they feel more familiar.

“With all this in place, our next action is to investigate the secrets of Welsh tradesmen as, in our study, seven per cent of homeowners in Wales said they look forward to tradesmen’s visits.”

All figures are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,953. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20 and 23 March 2009. The survey was carried out online.

About hometeam:
The Home Energy Service from npower, hometeam installs boilers and gas central heating systems for domestic customers. It also offers a 30 point gas boiler service and boiler repair, plus a range of other products and services.

hometeam differs from its competition because of the little details it employs to make every visit as unobtrusive as possible. In addition to the red carpet, flask of tea and names embroidered on their uniform, appointments for boiler service, repair and installation are available at evenings and weekends and can be made online.

Via EPR Network
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Shop Like The Stars – Gwyneth Paltrow Loves The Handpicked Collection

Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website ‘GOOP’, a collection of recommendations and musings from the actress herself, features an assortment of things that she considers make life special. In one of her recent newsletters Gwyneth described The Handpicked Collection as one of her favourite online shopping destinations, ‘I’ve also included some of my favourite websites that everyone can take a look at no matter where they live…for off-the-beaten-track home & kitchen things I like The Handpicked Collection.’

The Handpicked Collection’s catalogue and website is the lifestyle shopping bible, offering gorgeous gift ideas and unique products for the home and garden. From everyday essentials including Pretty Enamel Saucepans (£13.95) and the Garlic Machine & Storer (£7.95) to designer gadgets such as the Freud Stove Top Espresso Maker (£64.50) and Joseph Joseph Bread Bin With Bread Board lid (£38.95), each product featured has been vetted by an independent, expert panel of journalists, entrepreneurs and trendsetters and is endorsed with helpful editorial explaining what makes it so special.

The Handpicked Collection is perfect for finding inspiring products for your home and kitchen, as well as original present ideas – you can take Gwyneth Paltrow’s word for it.

For orders: www.handpickedcollection.com; 0845 6023578.

Via EPR Network
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Thomas Sanderson To Exhibit Across The UK

Thomas Sanderson, Europe’s largest manufacturer and supplier of conservatory and window blinds, has revealed the full scope of the home improvement shows it plans to attend throughout 2009.

Thomas Sanderson will be exhibiting all over the country this year at a wide variety of different shows including The Ideal Home Show and Grand Designs in London, RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park and local events such as The Royal Bath and West show.

At this year’s exhibitions, Thomas Sanderson will be showcasing its entire collection of conservatory blinds, window blinds and shutters, with the latest range of made to measure conservatory blinds including Pleated, Pinoleum and Metal Venetian. A full selection of shutters and window blinds will also be on display, including Roman Pinoleum, Pleated, Duette, Silhouette, Wooden Venetian and Metal Venetian products. The company will also have some exclusive show offers which are not normally available, including a complementary £250 Gift Voucher and free prize draw.

Thomas Sanderson’s exhibition team will be on hand to offer advice and information on all its products and will be able to arrange a free home consultation with a Thomas Sanderson designer local to the customer.

Ian Bayne, Exhibition Manager at Thomas Sanderson, said: “Exhibitions are a great way of getting out there and presenting all the latest trends and styles in window coverings for the home and conservatory, and it’s the ideal opportunity for customers to come and talk to us about their specific needs.”

This year, Thomas Sanderson will be exhibiting at no less than 25 shows throughout the UK and Ireland.

About Thomas Sanderson:
Since 1991, Thomas Sanderson has grown f r o m a family run business to an international company offering products and services throughout the UK and Ireland. The company is Europe’s largest manufacturer and supplier of conservatory blinds in addition to supplying window blinds and window shutters.

Thomas Sanderson has remained true to its roots, offering a local service and continuing to make its relationship with each and every customer its main priority. The company takes pride in ensuring the standards of service on offer match the high standards of its products.

Established as the market leader for over 17 years, Thomas Sanderson now offers businesses the opportunity to be associated with a national company, backed by local service. Thomas Sanderson has developed ‘refer and reward’ partnerships with over 1300 home improvement specialists, allowing them to offer their customers a complete range of products that add the finishing touches to any home improvement project, and with minimum fuss.

Via EPR Network
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Balsam Hill Introduces New Slim Artificial Christmas Tree

Thomas Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Trees, proved last year that True Needle™ technology is the best way to create realistic artificial Christmas trees. The realistic look of the Balsam Hill trees earned kudos from the Wall Street Journal, NBC’s Today Show and Good Housekeeping.

This year, Balsam Hill looks to keep the buzz going by introducing the Fifth Avenue Flatback Christmas tree, the first True Needleâ„¢ tree with a space-saving, slim design. Priced at $399, Christmas tree stands seven feet tall with 400 lights and 1536 premium branch tips. More importantly, its half-back tree shape allows it to rest right up against any wall, saving floor space in narrow areas or tight spaces.

“It’s perfect for our customers who live in apartments in big cities or have smaller living rooms,” states Harman. “Our slender trees give you the option of taking up less floor space, while still having plenty of sturdy, lifelike branches to hang your ornaments.”

While it’s too early to tell if the new half Christmas tree will be a hit, it’s likely that demand will continue to grow. Artificial Christmas tree sales showed a 10% growth year over year in the past five years, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, with U.S. consumers purchasing 9.2 million artificial Christmas trees in that time. With the reusable nature of artificial trees, the market is likely to see even more people turning to them to celebrate the holidays as environmental concerns grow.

For more information about Balsam Hill’s slim Christmas tree please visit www.balsamhill.com

About Balsam Hill:
Credit: Jennifer Faulkner Balsam Hill’s mission is to create the most realistic artificial Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and Christmas garlands ever produced. With over 20 different styles of pre-lit Christmas trees, pre-lit Christmas wreaths, and pre-lit Christmas garlands, Balsam Hill strives to offer a high quality product to satisfy any holiday style. To learn more about all our trees including our new
slim Christmas trees, visit www.balsamhill.com.

Via EPR Network
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