Home and garden: repairs, safety and outdoor work
Not every job is a renovation. A tripping fuse board, a blocked drain, wasps under the eaves, a tree that has outgrown the garden or a patio that floods every winter are the jobs most households call someone for. This section collects our guides for everyday work in and around the home, with a clear line between what a householder can sensibly look after and what has to be done by a registered professional.
Articles
- High hedges and the councilWhat counts as a high hedge, what you must try before complaining, fees, remedial notices and the limits of council powers in England and Wales.Read more
- Landlord safety checksThe recurring safety duties of landlords in England: the annual gas safety check, the five-yearly electrical report, smoke and CO alarms, and records.Read more
- Japanese knotweed and the lawWhat the law says about Japanese knotweed on your land in England, why it must not spread or be dumped, how it is treated and disposed of, and who to hire.Read more
- Rats and mice: council, landlord or private firmWho deals with rats and mice in the UK: council pest services, landlords and tenants, the council's legal powers, drains, and professional pest control.Read more
Jobs that legally or practically need a professional
Any work on gas appliances and pipework must be done by an engineer on the Gas Safe Register. Much electrical work in homes in England and Wales is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations and is best done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who can certify it. Tree work near power lines or roads, anything at height and anything involving asbestos belong in the same category.
Our guides explain what these professionals do and what their paperwork should look like. They deliberately do not tell you how to do this work yourself.
Rules that catch people out in the garden
Trees can be protected by a Tree Preservation Order, and trees in a conservation area are protected too: in both cases the council must be told or give consent before most work. Paving over a front garden with an impermeable surface can need planning permission in England. Garden rooms, decking and fences have height and position limits under permitted development. Each of these is explained on the matching trade page.
Topics this section covers
- Electricians: rewiring, fuse boards, EICRs and smart home
- Plumbing, leaks, drains and water heaters
- Burglar alarms, CCTV and physical security
- Pest control: rats, mice, wasps, bed bugs and pigeons
- Landscaping, garden design and garden maintenance
- Tree surgery, felling and stump grinding
- Driveways, patios and paths
- Patio roofs, conservatories, carports and pools
- Painting and decorating, joinery and interior work
Asking for a quote through Offrano
Each trade page has a request form. It goes to exactly one business in your area that buys it; you pay nothing, and we email you who it is before it sees your contact details. Urgent emergencies such as a gas smell or a flood need the emergency services or your supplier first, not a request form.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I smell gas?
Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away, and follow their instructions. Do not use a request form for an emergency. Once it is safe, a Gas Safe registered engineer can repair the fault.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?
If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area, yes, for most work. Your council can tell you. Larger volumes of felling may also need a felling licence from the Forestry Commission in England.
Who is responsible for a blocked drain?
It depends where the blockage is. Pipes serving only your property are usually your responsibility; shared sewers are usually the water company's. Your water company can confirm before you pay anyone.
Can Offrano send someone out today?
We cannot promise that. Your request goes to one business that chooses to buy it, and how quickly it responds is up to that business. For urgent faults, contact a local business directly or your insurer's emergency line.