The Panacea PMR Blog

Home Refurbishment in Central London

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:33:32 GMT

Recommendations for completing a house refurbishment

Are you thinking about completing a home refurbishment in central London? Here are our recommendations.

Take Your Time With Design

There is a temptation to rush through the design stage. This is understandable when you are working on a budget. However, experts tend to agree that planning the project should take longer than the execution. You should work with a home refurbishment company to make sure that every detail is designed upfront.

A Schedule Is A Must

This is a list that outlines everything that needs to be done, and we highly recommend that you add extra information such as when each task is going to be done, who is completing it, and how much it is going to cost. Your designer or builder will be able to advise you on the best order to arrange each task so that it flows and produces a kind of timeline. Having a schedule will help to keep everything running along smoothly, with everyone knowing each next step.

Generally speaking, if you are going to be completing a property refurbishment in central London, you should expect most major projects to take between 5 to 6 months. This includes any job that requires significant structural work or something similar to altering the drainage system.

Don’t Be Fooled By Low Prices

It’s always advised to gain multiple quotes. It should not be underestimated how expensive a London property refurbishment is going to be. If a company is offering a low price, it’s likely an outlier company. Remember a high-end extension in central London will cost on average £3000 per metres squared.

Property Refurbishment in Central London

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 12:18:02 GMT

Managing Your Property Maintenance in Kensington and Chelsea

As more people are looking to rental property as a source of income in London, it is important to manage your property maintenance as rental incomes continue to increase.

When you are managing a property refurbishment in London there are some unique things to consider.
Don't expect to make easy money as buying expensive properties in areas such as Kensington and Chelsea will require considerable expertise and investment to refurbish to the high standards expected by those looking to rent in this area of London. The cost of these desirable houses do not always yield a quick profit if the intention is to renovate and sell immediately when the ancillary costs of purchasing, and refurbishing are taken into account.

A longer term investment view is required which will entail a regular maintenance plan to ensure you command the highest rental income from your investment. To maximise your profits from your rental property is to have a thorough understanding of the work and the costs involved for the refurbishment and this is particularly true if kitchens and bathrooms are to be renovated. A cheaper flat-pack solution from the larger retail outlets will not be of sufficiently high quality for prestigious houses in Kensington and Chelsea and one should expect to budget considerably more for high quality fittings.

Using a Specialist House Refurbishment Company

It is also necessary to be realistic about how much of the work you will want to undertake yourself. Unless you are an experienced builder you will almost certainly want to engage the services of a specialist house refurbishment company who has experience in property renovation in London.

Panacea Property Maintenance and Refurbishments have been renovating prestigious houses in London Kensington and Chelsea for many years. We have the expertise and the professionals to take on a project from the initial survey through to completion so you can get your property rented and generating revenue in the shortest time.

If you have are are considering renting a house in Central London, call Paula Ionnides on 07877 015 297 or email i nfo@panaceapmr.com and we'll be happy to advise you on your options.

Tips For Renovating Your Central London Property

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 10:56:09 GMT

Managing Your Property Refurbishment

Central London encompasses imaginative cities and lush fields that are weaved together by art, culture, and history. It has everything from centuries-old architectural wonders to galleries, museums, and pubs on every corner. In a breathtaking region where remnants of antiquity live
amid modernity, over 270,000 people are lucky enough to call it home.

However, owning property is not easy and is a huge responsibility. You will have to do routine maintenance, property renovations, and interior upkeep so that you or tenants can live comfortably. Moreover, Central London does have an array of old homes that could use contemporary adjustments to comply with safety standards.

If you own or are planning to purchase property in Central London it makes sense to work with a people who specialise in property refurbishments in the area.

The idea of giving your property a complete overhaul might be daunting, so here are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure a smooth modernisation process.

Know What You Need To Fix
The first step to solving any problem is awareness; likewise, the renovation process involves knowing every nook and cranny of your home and pinpointing things that need fixing. However, your property’s regeneration often begins by understanding how old it is. For instance, Victorian homes tend to need brickwork restoration on the exterior, plus adding modern plumbing and heating systems that are more convenient to use.

Some Georgian properties still have bricked-up windows, which were necessary at the time as windows were a sign of wealth. You may want to have them opened up for visual and practical purposes. Even if your home is not particularly old, updating elements such as flooring will help
it take on a more contemporary approach. Marble floors offer a luxurious and chic alternative to tiles while updating wood flooring to a higher-quality one is an excellent investment.

Prioritise Safety
If you have a long renovation list, consider prioritising them based on the immediacy of need. The top of your list should contain everything that would improve the safety of your property. For instance, London’s erratic weather can make badly-designed homes susceptible to mould, which you should address while still controllable.

Faulty roofing and electricity, and the lack of fire safety features can also be hazardous. It is pertinent that you address these at the soonest by working with a company that specialises in property maintenance in London. Panacea Property will prepare a report which will highlight anything that may be amiss.

Stick To A Budget
Determining the scope of work your property needs is crucial in helping you stick to a budget. There are many things that you might want but do not need, such as additional rooms, quartz bathroom installations, and redoing perfectly good walls. If you have a large budget and can afford the luxury of a full-on property renovation, then it would not be a problem. But if you would have to take out huge loans to make your home a little prettier, then it may be time to draw the line.

Secure The Proper Permits
You cannot do most home improvement projects without a building permit. It will allow you to work on large-scale projects such as re-roofing, changing pipes, adding or removing walls, demolition, and the like. Panacea Property Maintenance will secure all necessary permits for you, so you do not need to worry about them.

Homes are a fantastic investment, and it only makes sense for you to want the best for your living spaces. Whether for practical or visual purposes, renovations will make your property safer, more personal, and internally beautiful against Central London’s picturesque backdrop.

To arrange an on-site visit or to discuss your property refurbishment project please give Paula Ioannides a call at 07877 015 297 or email info@panaceapmr.com

House Refurbishment

Sat, 07 Sep 2019 08:56:15 GMT

Making the right decisions when refurbishing your property is critical and choosing a professional company with experience refurbishing properties in London will ensure your project will be a success.

If you are looking for the perfect options when it comes to your house refurbishment or property management, you need to make the right decisions from the start. It is essential that you are doing the best you can to maintain your property, as well as improving it through interior design and strong project management.

There are a number of ways to achieve this, but one of the key things you are going to need to think about is commissioning expert and professional expertise for managing your house refurbishment project. You have to make the right choice when it comes to securing a professional, expert businesses to help you improve your properties and give them the ideal makeover, and that’s why you should consider working with Panacea Property Maintenance .

Property refurbishment in London is a costly business these days, and the margin for error is very slim. So, it is important that you do as much as possible to come up with ideas that will help you get the best outcome for your company. Your bespoke property management project needs to have the best people to ensure it is a success, and that is a compelling reason to get in touch with us at Panacea PMR to make sure your house refurbishment goes without a hitch.

We take charge of the entire project, and all the components related to it, including the planning, building, and design ideas. We will work with you to make sure you have all the input you need throughout the process, and we will work to ensure you have the best results and outcome you have wanted from the start.

Developing a Building Maintenance Program

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:09:26 GMT

Implementing and Assessing Building Maintenance Correctly

Developing a building maintenance program and implementing it is crucial in keeping your property safe and clean. There are a number of tasks which can be overlooked if there is not a building maintenance program in place together with the proper resources to implement it. Regular cleaning and day to day repairs are essential but are not the only tasks to be monitored. A responsible property owner will ensure the property is kept free from hazards both inside and outside, and this includes checking into the least conspicuous areas.

Developing a Maintenance Program

Planning and designing a building maintenance program should begin with some general procedures and tasks which take into account a number of areas. The building maintenance program should be regularly reviewed to take account of evolving legislation and change of the occupants.

First and foremost it is necessary to Identify areas that require regular maintenance and those that will only need seasonal inspection and action. This will usually covers toilets, bathrooms, gardens, frequently used equipment and appliances. All the areas that require ongoing maintenance should be itemised in detail and include maintenance frequency, the exact location and other observations.

The Maintenance Team

A professional and experienced building maintenance team will have a lead worker to oversee the implementation of any building maintenance program. The lead worker or team leader will be responsible for all the trades and members of the maintenance team. The lead worker will ensure the correct tasks are allocated to the appropriate trades persons and may develop sub-teams if necessary to ensure responsibility and accountability.

The team leader will ensure that all tasks are clearly defined and properly delegated to respective members of the team. An experience building maintenance team will have professionals for all the required trades which will ensure the various tasks are undertaken correctly and to minimise risks and accidents.

Assessing The Maintenance Program

Correct and professional property maintenance does not end with planning and execution. Every task should be monitored and assessed to ensure it meets the required standards and to identify any areas that need improvement.

The use of building maintenance software will help the team track all scheduled maintenance tasks and help allocate the necessary resources to ensure the efficient implementation of the program.

Panacea Property Maintenance are located in central London and are thoroughly experienced property maintenance and refurbishment specialists. We provide high quality building maintenance services to property owners and property management companies in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and throughout central London.

We offer a range of services to suit your needs:-

Full refurbishments
Kitchen installations
Bathroom installations
Painting and decorating
All plumbing works, including boiler installations (all engineers are Gas Safe registered)
Electrical works
Roofing and specialist leadwork
Drainage and jetting works

Get in touch with Panacea Property Maintenance Team to discuss the services you’re after and the project you have in mind.

Plumbing and Heating Tips For The Summer

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 08:51:19 GMT

A few things to think about during the warmer months

We might not have the hottest Summers on the planet but with luck we can manage a few months without having the heating running. So maybe that’s a good time to carry out some basic checks and maintenance to make sure you’re all set for the arrival of colder weather.

Carrying out some basic tasks during the warmer months mean you can choose your time and avoid costly emergency call-outs in the Winter, when after all, most heating engineers are going to be up against it.

The ever increasing price of energy makes it even more cost-effective to ensure your boiler and heating systems are running at peak efficiency. A few simple tweaks can save you a lot of money over the long term.

Remember that all gas work must by law be carried out by qualified and registered Gas Safe engineers and having the work done when it’s not urgent means you can take your time and choose a reputable heating and plumbing engineer who charges a reasonable rate for their work. You can check on the Gas Safe Register if your engineer is registered and they should carry their official Gas Safe registered tradesman ID with them.

Aside from having your boiler checked and serviced there are a number of tasks you can carry out yourself. Check all your exposed water pipes for leaks and ensuring they are properly lagged and insulated and also checking for any loose connections can avoid costly leaks later on.

Giving your heating and plumbing installations an MOT during the Summer can save a lot of trouble and expense should something fail during a cold snap. Remember plumbing and heating engineers are usually in demand during the colder months and in particular during a very cold spell.

All of Panacea Property Maintenance Gas Engineers are Gas Safe Registered and we provide a 100% guarantee on all our heating and plumbing work. Get in touch today and we'll be happy to advise.

Choosing A Property Maintenance Services Company

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:34:41 GMT

Some things to consider when choosing a property maintenance services company

Every building needs regular maintenance be it a residential dwelling or a commercial office block.
Regular and professional maintenance will avoid larger unexpected costs and will help to maintain a lower overall cost of repairs..

To ensure your London property remains a profitable investment it is essential to select a reputable and professional property services company in London. Panacea Property Maintenance Services will carry out routing cleaning, emergency repairs and regular maintenance on a planned schedule.

Always ensure that any property maintenance services company you choose can offer you flexible plans and a contract that is customised to your requirements.

Some of other things worth considering include:

Local Experience

If you're looking for London property maintenance check that the maintenance services company you choose is based in London and has local experience and clients. It's worth compiling a list of questions about the types of properties they are managing in London and don't be afraid to ask for client testimonials and contact details so you can follow these up.

A reputable property maintenance company will be more than happy to give you details of satisfied customers!

This will not only also confirm that they are a good fit for your property but provide you with the assurances that they are a reputable and reliable operation.

Another compelling reason to choose a local property maintenance services company is their ability to respond more quickly to emergency repairs such as a water leak.

Panacea Property Maintenance & Refurbishments Ltd are based in London and can provide you with a bespoke property maintenance services plan based on your property, requirements and budget.

Kitchen Installation

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 13:35:19 GMT

Property Refurbishments and Kitchen Installations

So you’re looking at renovating a kitchen or replacing a part of it?

When you plan a new kitchen you have the choice of going for prefabricated kitchen units which are available in a wide range of styles and materials or going for a bespoke design. Kitchen units are available in many materials including wood, glass, steel and stone and there are a wide variety of styles to choose from. In fact everything from a traditional rustic style to ultra modern. Prefabricated kitchen units are available in standard sizes and as such may not always be a good fit for your space. Getting a kitchen designed and built from scratch may be the only way to make the best use of the available space. This option may not be as expensive as you think.

Whether you are looking at renovating your entire kitchen with custom made units or using stock units, getting the right kind of professionals to do the job for you is what matters. If you have seen a particular kitchen you like you may be able to obtain recommendations from the retailer for installers they have used. Speak to them and get some estimates for the space you're renovating.

Unless you’re sufficiently handy to go for self build it will be necessary to commission the services of a professional who can design, build and install your kitchen as well as take care of plumbing and electrical installations and the final fix and decorations. Coordinating these various skill-sets is made considerably easier by using a reputable and experienced property maintenance and refurbishments company who will have access to the necessary trades.

Panacea Property Maintenance have installed many kitchens either as single projects or part of a complete property refurbishment.

Acting As Project Manager

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 11:14:44 GMT

Project Managing - What You Should Know!

Whether you are renovating a property or building an extension there are some things to remember if you choose to project manage yourself.

To successful a project manager needs to possess a number of specialist skills. Here are a few things you should be aware of before undertaking any project management for yourself.

Managing the Building Site

Acting a project manager requires taking charge of the build and ensuring things run smoothly. This requires a complete understanding of the build schedule and making sure that the various trades are on site when they are required together with the necessary materials and equipment to be able to work.

Keeping to the schedule will avoid escalating costs.

Sourcing Materials

If you are using any contractors who charge for their labour only you will have to ensure that all the materials are already sourced and available for them to work. This means you need to know how much to budget for the materials and to do this you need a realistic idea how the quantities required.

Site Presence

As project manager you need to be on site most of the time and be prepared to get involved with tasks that may not have been anticipated and which a sub-contractor may not have included in their costings.

A certain amount of clearing up will be required and taking charge of deliveries and the secure storage of materials.

Site Safety

You are responsible for the security of the site and the safety of all those working on it. You are also responsible for providing the necessary safety equipment for everybody involved and provide adequate washroom facilities.

Decisions Decisions!

Issues will arise and they need to be resolved quickly to keep the build on track.

Managing those working on site is your responsibility and if necessary you may you have to replace anybody who is not working to the proper standards.

Panacea Property Maintenance & Renovations are very experienced property refurbishment specialists and will act as your partner and manage the entire building project for you.

Property Maintenance Services

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:18:49 GMT

Why You Should Hire A Property Maintenance Company To Manage Your Property

Property maintenance is of utmost importance to all property owners and agencies which manage properties on behalf of their clients.

Regular and professional property maintenance should be considered an essential element for the upkeep of a building. Property maintenance service providers can act as caretakers for the property and will carry out essential repairs when they are needed such as roof repairs following storm damage and repairs or replacement of appliances such as boilers or white goods.

Maintenance might also cover general cleaning and maintenance of lawns and common areas.

Appointing a specialist property maintenance company brings many advantages. A professional maintenance company will employ a number of trade specialists which avoids the additional cost of sub-contracting repairs to outside agencies and furthermore they will have a pool of trusted professionals who regularly work with the company. This relieves the owner of the burden of identifying a problem, obtaining quotes and selecting the right person of business for the job.

This makes a property maintenance company a cost effective solution for many property owners and landlords - especially with larger multi-occupancy buildings to manage.

Panacea Property Maintenance & Refurbishments are a trusted and experienced company who provide a complete property maintenance service in Central London . We would be happy to survey your building and provide you with a quote for all or any aspects of your building maintenance.

Panacea PMR’s Top 10 Tips for Property Renovations

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 09:00:04 GMT

A quick guide to the necessary steps for successful property renovation

Renovating an older property can be complex but follow our top 10 tips and you could save yourself a heap of trouble and unwelcome surprises!

1) Your first job should be to assess the condition of the building and complete a building report which will identify any essential repairs needed. Also carry out further checks in the event of:

Infestation
Subsidence
Damp
Drainage

2) If a property has been empty for a period of time there will inevitably be some dilapidation. Ensure you protect the building by ensuring it is watertight and make sure your property is secured against unlawful entry while it is unoccupied.

3) Check for any grants of tax concessions that may be available with the local council and central government.

4) Be sure to identify at an early stage which work will require consent such as planning permissions or building regs approval.

5) Ensure the property is structurally sound and if necessary arrange for underpinning or piling work to improve the existing foundations and additional measures to prevent further collapse. Only when the building is stable should you begin any demolition work and arrange for disposal of waste.

6) Older buildings will likely have solid walls rather than cavity walls and can often suffer with damp. Where necessary improve drainage and improve ventilation before treating any rising damp. Make sure the roof is sound and replace missing tiles and repair lead flashings, guttering and windows.

7) Check all drainage and service connections and organise site access before commencing any major building work such as extensions.

8) Carry our external works before undertaking outside decoration.

9) Proceed to first fix wiring and plumbing work before re-plastering of ceilings and walls.

10) Lay fixed flooring such as tiles and solid wood floors before starting on the second fix and starting on final interior decoration and snagging.

For further information visit our property renovation page of our website

New Panacea Property Maintenance & Refurbishments Website

PH721891 — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:53:28 GMT

Panacea PMR's New Website Is Launched

We've been working hard to publish our new website, https://www.panaceapmr.com which will provide lots of news and developments about our services in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Every one of our team at Panacea Property Maintenance & Refurbishments Ltd (also known as Panacea PMR) are passionate about delivering the very best services to our clients including property maintenance and management.

We have a vast range of knowledge of interior and exterior design and our new blog and website will showcase some of our recent projects.

Panacea Property Maintenance & Refurbishments take enormous pride in everything we do - whether that's planning and construction of a new build, a complete refurbishment or providing regular property maintenance to private clients.

We hope you enjoy our new website and we'll be updating our blog regularly so please let us know what you think! We'd love your feedback.