£15 an hour. That was the figure being thrown around on a well-known social media platform — not Facebook — where customers were openly debating what tradespeople should charge. £15 an hour, or £130 a day, was being described as a perfectly acceptable rate.

Let’s make one thing absolutely clear: no legitimate tradesperson in 2026 can charge £15 an hour. That rate is virtually identical to the National Minimum Wage. And that’s the crux of the problem — people are confusing a business rate with a take-home wage. They are not the same thing. Not even close.

You’ve had three quotes. They’re all different – in this guide we will explain why.

One company has a smart website, a detailed quote with written contract, and a team of DBS-checked staff. The second is a bloke who answered after you called him 3 times and sounded like he was half asleep – his number was passed to you by a friend of a friend. The third company sound half decent, you found their Facebook page, but they don’t have a website, you spoke to them on Thursday they can start Monday. All 3 are offering to do the same job.

This guide exists because those gaps needs explaining. Not defending - explaining. The financial figures you will read in this article are real, they are ours (individual to us), and by the time you've read them you'll understand exactly where your money goes when you hire a legitimate limited company - and exactly what you're not getting when you don't.

Mould is one of the most common problems we see in homes, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and other high-moisture areas. While it can be tempting to simply paint over the problem, lasting results come from using the right products and following the correct preparation process.

‍Timber windows are an excellent choice for a renovation project or restoration. They suit a range of homes, from heritage properties, period homes or new build such as Poundbury, Dorchester.

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As a natural insulator, wood is known for its thermal properties, and we think timber windows could provide the ideal solution for your project.

If you’ve been thinking about improving your home, you’re not alone - and more importantly, you’re not too early.

Recent research from Wickes shows that 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for home improvements. Nearly three quarters (72%) of homeowners are planning significant upgrades, with a clear shift towards creating homes that work better, feel better, and last longer.

But what does that actually mean for you?

Whether you're refreshing a tired hallway in Dorchester or carefully restoring a character-filled home in Weymouth, understanding your paint options helps you make confident, cost-effective decisions that stand the test of time.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get it right the first time.

Why You Can’t “Just Run the Gas Pipe” and Why a Gas Safe Engineer Must Do the Installation Understanding Gas Work Regulations Recently,...

Hello everyone — it’s been a while since my last blog update! We’ve been busy here at Upcycle Interiors, but I wanted to share something...

At Upcycle Interiors, we’re passionate about repairing, restoring, refurbishing, and renovating existing properties.

Our ethos is simple: make do and mend. In other words, we believe in repairing what’s already there, and preserving the history and character that make a property unique.

How Our Booking Process Works: From First Contact to Project Start

At Upcycle Interiors Ltd, we know that planning home improvements can feel like a big step. That’s why we’ve made our booking process as clear and stress-free as possible - from the moment you get in touch to the day we arrive at your door. Here’s what you can expect when you choose to work with us.

At Upcycle Interiors, we’ve noticed a growing concern in the industry - and it’s one we take very seriously. More and more stories are emerging of customers being caught out by a misunderstanding between an estimate and a quote. It might sound like a small difference, but in reality, it can mean the difference between a stress-free project and a costly fallout.

Let’s break it down, the way we see it - with no fluff and no grey areas.

We believe that an informed client is a happy client. If you are reading this, you have most likely received a proposal from us & are in the process of deciding whether to go ahead. Perhaps you are comparing it with other quotes. Perhaps you are wondering what it includes, or why our figure is what it is