Welcome to DIY Doctor's blog


Nov 17

We love a bit of building on the telly, there are more and more programs about restoration, self build, conversion, and improvement for homes and gardens aren’t there?

One of the ones we like the best is Channel 4′s Restoration Man and here are our top 5 reasons why

  • It is presented by George Clarke
  • It delves into the history of the buildings being restored (kind of ‘meets Time Team’ stuff)
  • The people featured have a sensible budget in place
  • The time-frame for completing the project is not exaggerated – good building projects take time. Good restoration projects often take more time!
  • The projects chosen to be featured include some really interesting buildings – and this is where you come in (possibly)

Because we are such a large website for Homebuilders, Home Improvers and DIY enthusiasts the production company for Restoration Man, Tiger Aspect, have asked us to approach our users to find building projects for their next series. They are looking for restoration projects on any building that has a really interesting history or is an unusual building – think folly, dovecote, public toilet (yes public toilet – did you see that episode of Amazing Spaces?).

b3be5119 735a 420f 92eb e3856e3d5d8a 412x232 George Clarke wants to hear from you if you are planning a restoration project

Click on the image above for an interview with George Clarke about the program, on the Channel 4 Website.

If you think you have just the thing to feature on the program, and you fancy your 15 minutes of fame, get in touch by contacting the Restoration Man team on 0208 222 4042 or restorationman@tigeraspect.co.uk.

Good luck! Let us know if you get accepted.

 

Aug 19

Are you renovating a derelict or run-down property with the aim of transforming it into your dream home?

If so then presenter and property renovator Simon O’Brien wants to hear from you for his latest series, My Derelict Dream Home, for UKTV Home.

He’s looking for inspirational projects and down to earth people to follow as they take on unloved, unwanted wrecks to turn them into fabulous new homes over the next 12 months.

Whether you’re involved in the actual graft or just overseeing your project,True North Productionsare looking for a mix of renovators determined to transform a derelict wreck into the home they’ve always dreamed of.

For more details contact Hayley Raper at True North Productions on 0113 394 5489 / hraper@truenorth.tv

 

 

Aug 16

Cast iron radiators have an old world charm that is bang on-trend. What is more they may be more environmentally friendly than they first seem.

Although they take longer to heat up than modern radiators but because they are excellent conductors with more mass of metal they give off heat better and longer than other types of radiator.

For more information on cast iron radiators, their pros and cons, with tips on where they are best used, then visit our Cast Iron Radiator project. See also how they can be given a modern twist with hot new paint effects.

DIY Doctor are really pleased to introduce our customers to Paladin Radiators who stock an extensive range of cast iron radiators, from the functional to the decorative, and they even have an electrical model. You can have any colour finish you like and we are particularly fond of this hot pink model.

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Paladin Radiators - Custom colours

Paladin Radiators is a family run business set up by MD Helen Proctor, whose passion for interior design and renovating period properties led to her realisation that removing the original cast iron radiators and replacing them with modern radiators actually made a less efficient and more unsympathetic system in these older properties.

churchill home Cast Iron not Past Iron bart home Cast Iron not Past Iron saintpaul home Cast Iron not Past Iron

They work with English Heritage and National Trust, but they are also updating their range constantly so check out their website to find a product to suit your project and create a practical design statement on budget.

Aug 10

Expert bathroom resurfacing specialists, The Bath Business are on a mission to find and repair Britain’s Worst Bath!

If you have (or have seen) a bath that suffers from rust, lime-scale, grime, chipped surfaces, missing taps, or even a questionable colour choice, then it may well be a contender for the title…   This could be anything from a more modern bath suffering from mistreatment, to a classic antique that deserves the royal treatment in terms of restoration.

“The worse condition the better,” say the sanitaryware experts from The Bath Business, who are offering  free resurfacing to the winner of title.  All you need to do to enter the competition is to submit your details on The Bath Business website then post a picture of your bath on their Facebook page by 25th December 2012. The winner will be announced on the 1st of January 2013. The winner of the competition – and then the results of transformational repair will be posted on the website and Facebook page.

Jul 29

In an earlier post we looked at workboots and now we are moving up to trousers.

Our CEO Mike Edwards can’t claim to be the Gok Wan of the Home Improvement world, but he can say whether it is worthwhile buying specialist workwear. Obviously these items are made from durable materials and often include extra pockets, double stitching and padded knees. Also if you have dedicated work clothes you wont ruin your everyday clothes when you are DIYing.

We can’t promise these trousers won’t give you a builders-bum, but hopefully you are less likely to suffer in these than in your trendy jeans (which seem to include waistbands halfway down your buttocks before you even start wriggling into awkward spaces!).

See the full review here.

See reviews on other products here.

To have your product reviewed click here