Home Upgrades & Improvements
As part of our planned maintenance programme, we upgrade heating systems, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows and electrics.
Our approach ensures that every improvement is carried out in a timely manner and to the highest standards, enhancing comfort, safety, and energy efficiency across your home.
By investing in these upgrades, we not only extend the lifespan of your property but also create healthier, more sustainable environments for residents. Each project is carefully scheduled to minimise disruption, with clear communication at every stage so you know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
No. You won’t need to pay anything. We’re carrying out these improvements as part of our ongoing commitment to keep your home safe, comfortable, and in line with current decent home standards.
Surveys are carried out on a rolling programme. If you’d like to know the results of your last survey, please contact us.
If you’re disabled or have any specific needs, please let us know before work starts. We’ll talk to you about the work and how it may affect you, so we can plan it in the most suitable way possible and make any reasonable adjustments we’re able to.
Not necessarily. We assess each home individually based on its condition and whether it meets the Decent Homes Standard.
- Kitchens: Over 20 years old and in poor condition
- Bathrooms: Over 30 years old and in poor condition
Heating Upgrades
We carry out heating upgrades as part of our planned maintenance programme when systems reach the end of their lifecycle or become inefficient. In some cases, we may install a more energy-efficient system to help reduce energy costs and improve comfort.
- Gas Heating
We install combination boilers that heat water on demand. Heating is controlled via a programmer. - Oil Heating
We fit system boilers with a programmer and immersion tank for hot water. - Air Source Heat Pumps
These are increasingly used in rural areas for improved energy efficiency.
You’ll receive a full demonstration from the engineer, a written guide, and a video to help you operate your new system confidently.
Our surveyor will explain everything during their visit. You may be asked to:
- Remove breakables and furniture from work areas
- Lift 1st floor laminate flooring (we cannot reinstall or compensate for this)
- Clear loft space where work is planned
- Keep pets away from work areas
- Be mindful of trip hazards and tools
If you need help moving furniture, please let the surveyor know.
Installation takes at least 3 days
- We’ll use dust sheets and wear overshoes
- Carpets may be lifted and floorboards accessed
- Boilers will be placed in the most suitable location
- Oil tanks and bases may be replaced, which could affect your garden
- Exposed pipework may not be boxed in for future access
- We do not replace carpets or provide professional fitting
- Decoration may be affected, especially around radiators
- We aim to minimise disruption but cannot offer compensation for damage
- You’ll receive a full demonstration and instruction guide
- A post-installation inspection will be arranged
- You’ll be given a support contact number
- You may be invited to take part in a short satisfaction survey
Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades
If your kitchen or bathroom is found to be in poor condition during a Condition Survey, and meets the criteria of the Decent Homes Standard, your home will be added to our replacement programme.
- Kitchens: Must be over 20 years old and in poor condition
- Bathrooms: Must be over 30 years old and in poor condition
- In some cases, both may be upgraded at the same time
- You’ll receive a letter to confirm whether you’d like the work done
- Our contractor will contact you to arrange a survey and help you choose colours and finishes
- You’ll be given a start date and guidance on how to prepare
- Kitchen replacement: Usually takes around 10 working days. If additional work is required, the timescale may be longer.
- Bathroom replacement: Usually takes around 8 working days. If additional work is required, the timescale may be longer.
If you’re having both your kitchen and bathroom upgraded, the work can be arranged so that either the bathroom is completed first and the kitchen afterwards, or the kitchen is completed first and the bathroom afterwards, to ensure you always have access to essential facilities.
All kitchens are supplied by Howdens using the Greenwich range.
- Units: from a set range of colours
- Worktops will be matched to the selected unit colour
- Flooring: from a set range of colours
- Handles: Stainless steel effect
- Extractor fan: Humidistat type
- Paint: Emulsion finish
- Houses: Full replacement including bath, basin, WC, and over-bath shower
- Bungalows/Ground Floor Flats: Fitted with Level Access Showers
- Flooring: Non-slip vinyl from a set range of colours for bathrooms and Wet rooms
- Extractor fan: Humidistat type
- Paint: Emulsion finish
You’ll always have access to water. Your toilet will need to be taken out of use for a short period while it’s being replaced, which means access to the bathroom will be restricted during this time.
You won’t be without cooking facilities. If your cooker needs to be disconnected overnight, we’ll provide a portable cooker or microwave so you can still prepare meals.
Our contractor cannot fit any materials supplied by residents.
This includes (but isn’t limited to):
- Wall tiles or splashbacks
- Cooker hoods
- Kitchen units or worktops
- Bathroom suites
- Flooring
- Paint
This policy is in place to make sure that product guarantees, safety standards, and future maintenance responsibilities are not affected.
All kitchens and bathrooms are installed using STAR‑approved
External Door Upgrades
We’re working through a programme to replace all original timber doors with composite, Secure by Design doors. These upgrades improve security, energy efficiency, and durability across our homes. The new external doors are installed at the main entrance to the building itself—not at the entrance to any unheated porch or outbuilding.
If your property is due for an upgrade, we’ll send you a letter at the start of the year explaining the process.
- Our door contractor will contact you to choose the style and colour of your new door (where possible)
- Your current door will be measured and manufactured
- Once ready, we’ll arrange a fitting appointment
If your current timber or GRP door is in very poor condition (e.g. not lockable, split), please contact us to request an inspection. We’ll assess whether urgent action or remedial repairs are needed.
No. These doors are Secure by Design and cannot be altered. Installing a cat flap will result in a recharge for the full cost of replacing the door.
You will receive 3 keys. Please note that only doors that lead directly from the outside into a habitable room will be upgraded. Doors to outhouses and porches are not included.
Replacement Windows
We’re prioritising the replacement of remaining wooden windows (where planning restrictions allow) with PVC-u framed, triple glazed units. These windows are internally beaded, fitted with security handles and locking mechanisms, and exceed current Building Regulations with a minimum energy rating.
We also replace older PVC-u windows with more modern systems, based on their condition, age, and repairability, in line with the Decent Homes Standard.
Windows generally need to be over 30 years old and in poor condition to qualify for replacement.
- If your home is on the replacement programme, you’ll receive a letter to confirm whether you’d like the work done
- Our contractor will contact you to arrange a window survey
- Once manufactured, we’ll schedule a fitting date and advise you on how to prepare
- Typically 3–5 working days, depending on the number of windows and your external wall finish
- Remove curtains, blinds, and ornaments from window areas
- Ensure clear access to windows both inside and outside
- We take care to minimise damage
- Any gaps between the new frame and existing plaster/window boards will be covered with a white quadrant trim
Electric Rewires & Upgrades
We carry out electrical rewires and upgrades following a periodic electrical safety check. This work is essential to ensure your home meets current regulations and remains safe.
Rewiring may affect every room in your home and typically takes up to 3 days to complete.
- If your home is due for rewiring, you’ll receive a letter from us
- We will arrange a survey to assess your home and advise what needs to be moved to allow access
- Electricians will need access to floorboards, walls, and roof space
- Laminate flooring and fitted carpets may need to be lifted
Rewiring makes sure your electrics are safe and compliant. Homes that do not complete this work may experience delays in planned maintenance or repairs.
Roof Upgrades
We replace roofs when they reach the end of their serviceable life. This is based on their age and condition and helps prevent leaks and damage to your home.
We’ll replace your roof covering and install a new breathable felt membrane and timber battens. Tiles will be replaced like for like. We’ll also replace fascias, soffits and guttering, and upgrade your loft insulation.
Our contractor will carry out a survey to explain the work and answer any questions. They’ll agree a start date with you.
Roof replacements can take 10 to 15 working days, depending on the size and shape of your roof. Scaffolding will be put up in advance and may be in place for up to 4 weeks before work starts to allow for necessary checks.
There will be some dust and disruption, but we’ll keep this to a minimum. Our contractor will keep you informed, put safety measures in place, and provide a skip for waste. The position of the skip will be agreed with you in advance.
You’ll need to remove any items stored in your loft and clear a 2-metre space around your property so scaffolding can be erected safely. Please also move any items in your garden that may be in the way.
External Painting
This work is carried out as part of a planned programme. When your home is due to be repainted, we’ll contact you with further details.
We’ll inspect your home before work starts, complete any minor repairs needed, and then paint previously painted external surfaces. Gutters, rainwater goods, and uPVC windows and doors will also be cleaned.
Most homes are completed within a few days to two weeks, depending on size, condition, and any repairs required.
Our contractor will contact you to carry out a survey, explain the work and agree a suitable start date.
No, the work is external. Access may be needed to gardens, side passages or garages. Some properties may need scaffolding. If required, it will be installed and removed safely with regular checks.
Please clear external areas, remove items from walls and windowsills, keep pets away from work areas, and make sure access routes are clear.