With Checkatrade reviews dating back over a year, it's about time I gave you my thoughts and opinions on it, after all, this is a blog, right? So what better place to air my views!

So what do I think? It is good! Yup, that's pretty much it, CheckaTrade is good, well actually, maybe I'm being unfair- it's excellent. And no, they're not paying me to say that. Let me explain - of all the trade directories and lead generation sites I have used CheckaTrade does the most stringent checks and is head and shoulders above the rest. If you find a company or tradesperson listed on their site then personally I believe they are professional, trustworthy and serious. I don't think you will find cowboys or "fly-by-night" types on there and the monthly fee certainly puts off the people who are just looking for a little bit of extra pocket money.

I will put my hands up and admit that in all my marketing material, mentioning sustainability and the environment is something I completely overlooked.

I had just made the assumption that nowadays everyone thinks about these things.

For me it is just a normal way of life - to reuse materials, salvage something or be conscious of waste.

The business is based on foundations of sustainability: upcycling (reusing) materials is at the core of the company and this is something that helps the environment. Rather than producing waste, the business tries to take a waste product and make something beautiful from it.

The number of trade directories and lead-generation websites seems to be ever-increasing! Just when you think you know them all, a few more pop up.

I've even done my own market research to try and figure out which ones the general public know about and trust.

So with the property investment strategy on the back burner and the conveyancing ongoing (why does it take so long? There simply is no excuse...) I turn my attention to handyman services, carpentry and interior/landscape design....

...No job is too small and I am happy to work on an hourly rate or day rate if that is what you want. However, I find that most customers prefer a fixed price written quotation.

Aside from the hands-on jobs, I also offer more academic/professional services like interior design, landscape design, project management and specialist stone consulting. As these services range vastly please contact sales@upcycleinteriors.co.uk to discuss in detail.

I took the plunge: quit my full-time (secure) job so I could set up professionally. In June 2018 we were finally incorporated at Companies House. The step had to be taken, there just aren't enough hours in the day to work for someone else whilst trying to do my own thing and pursue my passion. To be honest, the idea has been in my mind since I was studying my GCSEs at age 14/15 and I designed a small housing development... I always thought I would have my own firm. Then in 2007 during my Post-Grad studies I really refined my style and started testing ideas.

Upcycle Interiors Limited (UIL) is now fully booked until Christmas and is taking bookings for 2nd January 2019 onwards. Over the Christmas period, UIL may have limited availability to visit and provide quotations.

If you'd like to start your new year on the right foot and have work that needs to be done, please do get in touch now for a fully detailed, no obligation, free quotation.