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Starting any new business is a daunting prospect and double glazing installation is no different. You do have a few things going for you, however, when choosing window installation as a career choice with the biggest being that window fitting is always, and always will be, in huge demand.

If you have worked in the industry for some time now, and are thinking about venturing out on your own in the near future, a knowledge of how to fit windows alone is not enough. You need to know how to run a business and be your own boss, not to mention how to compete with other much larger existing businesses and carve out your own section of window fitting pie.

No matter if you are experienced in the industry, or a relative rookie, this guide will help you towards your goal of running your very own double glazing installation firm in the future.

Create a window fitting business plan

The very first thing that anyone must do when starting a business, in any sector, is to make a business plan.

This is no different in the window installation business and a detained strategy will help to keep you on track when navigating the challenges to come.

Some of the questions that you need to answer in your business plan should be who your target audience will be, what will make you stand out from your competitors in a highly competitive market, and where your initial source of funding will come from.

Once you get a bit further down the road and have begun to put your plans in motion, you will also need to figure out the finer details of your business operation such as what types of windows you will offer, where you will source them, the services that you will provide, and where your stock will be stored.

Acquire relevant qualifications

Surprisingly, there are no official barriers to entry in the window fitting business and anyone can technically start their own business without training or qualifications.

They won’t get very far, however, and only the most naïve of homeowners will trust someone with no experience, training, or relevant qualifications to install their new double glazing.

One of the most important certifications for a new double glazing company to hold is a valid FENSA certificate that demonstrates that all your window installation will fully comply with all Building Regulations. It is a legal requirement for new installations to comply with these regulations, and for them to be registered with the council and this certification will reassure property owners that you are committed to meeting your legal obligations.

Not only will obtaining these qualifications and certifications help you to secure more business by reassuring customers of the quality of your work but is also a useful learning experience that improve the quality of the work you are able to offer and boost your reputation.

If you are looking to provide commercial window installations as well as domestic, or plan to use a ladder for installation, you will also need to abide by the Health and Safety Executive guidelines on operating at height and some clients may well request that you have relevant accreditation that demonstrates your knowledge of and compliance with these regulations.

Learn from others

If you want to be successful in any industry it is important to examine the operations of other companies in the same sector who have already achieved significant success.

Sure, if you are successful these companies may one day be your competitors but they have clearly done something right to get into the position they currently are. Examining their rise and the approach that they take gives you something to aim for, and a better idea of how to emulate their success.

There are many hugely successful double and triple glazing installation companies across the UK, and it won’t be too hard to find one in your area. Read through their customer testimonials to learn about the customer service and quality results that your target audience will be expecting and browse their website to see the range of window products they offer. Expert glazing companies Edinburgh will undoubtedly offer more services and products than you will be able to from the outset, but their product range can inspire ideas and inspiration and give you aspirations for the future.

General business advice

There are certain steps that you need to take when starting a business, no matter which industry you are in.

These include:

• Choosing a business name and logo for your company
• Registering with the HMRC
  Deciding you wish to operate as a sole trader or as a limited company
• Getting the relevant insurance for the services that you intent to supply

Summer is the perfect opportunity to get outside and check your roof for any signs of damage that may have occurred in recent months and could require repair.

We would NEVER recommend that an untrained individual goes up on their roof using a ladder or similar, and detailed examinations should always be conducted by a professional roofing contractor.

However, a quick ground-based inspection, using binoculars if required, will allow you to identify most problems that could escalate into a major headache in the future.

Here are 7 signs to look for that indicate that your roof may require some TLC this summer to keep it in tip-top condition:

1. Missing tiles

Visually examine every single roof tile on your home, checking for cracks, misalignment, or even tiles that are missing completely.

A missing tile is a major problem that requires immediate remedial work as it will allow water to seep into your home, causing major problems involving damp and rot.

If water gets into your timber roof supports and causes them to rot, this can put the entire structure of your home in danger and will lead to extremely expensive repairs.

To avoid this worse case scenario, have any missing tiles replaced by a professional as soon as possible after you spot one.

2. Sagging

Have a look at the ridge line of your roof, is it sagging?

Over time, all roofs will naturally sag to some extent, but if yours appears to be sagging significantly more than that of your neighbours you might have an issue.

If you are concerned, take a picture of the roof-line and send it to your local roofing professional.

They will be able to quickly put your mind at rest and let you know that you have nothing to worry about or recommend that further investigation is done to identify the root cause.

3. Lumpy surfaces

Roofs are designed to be uniform so odd bumps could indicate an underlying issue.

If you notice lumps and bumps have started to appear that were not there before, it is a good idea to have a specialist roof survey done.

This may sound like a serious event, but in reality, is just another name for getting a professional to go up on your roof and take a good look at what is going on.

4. Gutter damage

Using binoculars, check all the gutters around your home for signs of blockages or damage.

You might think that you would need to be above the height of your gutters to examine them properly but many of the signs of an issue can actually be spotted from below.

Look out for leaves and twigs sticking out over the side that could indicate a major blockage.

You should also examine the brackets that support the gutters themselves as if these have started to come away it might not be long until the whole gutter comes crashing to earth.

5. Chimney stack damage

Check both the bricks and flashing on your chimney (using your trusty binoculars once more) for any signs of wear and tear.

Chimney damage is a particularly urgent problem if you have an open fireplace or stove that is in active use.

Even if you do not, a cracked brick could easily fall onto your roof, creating a major safety hazard were it to fall off the roof and potentially cause a range of other issues by damaging your tiling.

6. Don’t forget your trees

If your property is surrounded by mature trees that are tall enough to overhang your property, the risk of falling branches is very real.

Check that all branches are at least 10ft away from your home to reduce the risks of finding their way onto your roof in a storm and remove any which have become dead or started to decay.

A professional tree surgeon will be able to safely cut back any threatening branches, making sure that both your trees and home live in perfect harmony for many years to come.

7. Damp

Dampness in and around the home is never good, and a faulty roof is often the cause.

For this check, you won’t even need to leave your home, simply venture up into the attic and look for damp patched, discolouration, and signs of mould growth.

A strange smell coming from your attic space could also indicate dampness is present, or that a pest species such as pigeons have managed to gain access, both of which require further investigation.

Call a professional

If you have identified any of the signs mentioned in this article it is time to call a professional roofing company like Vertex-roofing.co.uk.

By having any minor problems resolved this summer you will ensure that your home is watertight and safe for when the inclement weather inevitably returns.

If you run any form of business at some point you will need to retain the services of a lawyer.

Some choose to seek out a lawyer as and when they are required whilst others prefer to keep one on retainer, paying a certain amount on a monthly or annual basis to ensure their availability at all times.

Some of the main tasks that a lawyer working on behalf of a business will carry out include reviewing leases, contracts, and business agreements; ensuring their clients are abiding by all the latest legal regulations in their sector, and representing the company in litigation cases.

How, then, can you determine whether or not it is worth hiring a lawyer on retainer or not?

One of the main determining factors will be the frequency at which you are expecting to use the services of your lawyer but this is far from the only consideration.

Advantages of having a lawyer on retainer

Probably the biggest benefit of keeping a lawyer on retainer is that you will always be right at the front of the queue if you need legal aid.

You are effectively paying for a lawyer to agree that they will put your needs first over their ongoing work should their expertise be required.

This will allow you to complete all your legal work such as contract creation and review to be completed in a much more time efficient manner, and with much less hassle than would otherwise be possible.

You also won’t have to waste your time searching the market for a lawyer when an issue arises, time that could otherwise be spent working towards securing a positive outcome to the issue in question.

Even if your lawyer on retainer is not themselves a specialist in the area of law that you need assistance with, they will be able to use their wide range of connections within the legal sector to recommend someone suitable.

Although there is inherently an ongoing cost associated with retaining a lawyer, this approach offers a level of financial stability and is much easier to budget for than simply waiting for a crisis situation to arise and seeking out a lawyer each and every time.

It would be great to think that your firm will never be involved in litigation cases but no matter how fairly and honestly you run your company it is impossible to guarantee this won’t happen.

These cases can be highly charged emotional situations and a lawyer can help you ensure you don’t make any silly mistakes, taking a professional and calm approach that is far more likely to wield a positive outcome.

Long-term client-lawyer relationships can be incredibly beneficial as over time your attorney will develop an in-depth knowledge of your business and will know exactly what you are looking to get out of certain situations.

Disadvantages of retaining a lawyer

If there were no disadvantages at all to retaining the services of a lawyer, every business in the country would have one.

The truth is, that whilst the majority will definitely see long-term benefits from taking this approach, it is not for everyone, and there are certain potential disadvantages to consider before doing so.

The main drawback to keeping a lawyer on retainer tends to be disputes over whether or not certain legal services are included in the retainer.

In general, legal advice and inquiries will be included as part of ongoing retainer payments, as will a set fee for additional services offered and an understanding the work will be done as a matter of priority.

However, which services require an additional fee, and how much that additional fee is, can be a matter of conflict so ensure that both sides are clear from the outset about what they are expecting from the relationship and a retainer agreement is signed detailing this.

Another disadvantage to an ‘on retainer’ approach is that you will have to pay a certain monthly or annual fee, regardless of whether the legal services of your Aamer Anwar Lawyer are required during this time.

Whilst a year with no contract disputes or litigation agreements sounds like bliss, this will result in you paying for a service that you have effectively never used.

Should a problem arise, however, you will be very relieved to have someone to call, and the peace of mind and reassurance that having a legal expert just a phone call away at all times should not be underestimated.

Furthermore, if you do use a lawyer even just a few times throughout the year, the money you will save by using someone who doesn’t need to get to grips with the intricacies of your business could prove invaluable.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning have been providing our commercial and residential customers with fantastic quality services for years. We are specialists in all things upholstery and can provide a fantastic quality of service which guarantees that your carpets are rejuvenated and restored. Not only will this add years to their lifespan, but it will also significantly improve the health of the carpet in general – as well as the effect it has on the atmosphere of your home.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning is dedicated to a bespoke service which will ensure your carpets are spotless. Commercial carpet cleaning is a professional service and one that requires a lot of skill and experience in the field. But by going with Acorn Carpet Cleaning in Glasgow, you’ll get the best commercial carpet cleaning services on the market. Our team has years of experience, are full members of the National Carpet Cleaning Association, and are locally based.

Our deep clean process has many benefits for a carpet and a commercial property. Read on to find the benefits you can get by using our professional service.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Carpets are a major part of many properties and go through a lot of wear and tear. People are walking on them almost daily and they can quickly become filled with dust, dirt, and grime. As a result, carpets end up being a host for disease and end up damaging the air quality in our homes and businesses. There’s been an increase over the last few years in cases of asthma and other breathing issues – as well as allergic reactions. While many people regularly vacuum, standard vacuums simply can’t provide the results necessary to keep a carpet properly clean.

It’s impossible to escape these issues through standard cleaning methods – which mean it’s necessary to bring in the services of professionals to get the job done.

The Key Benefits of Commercial Carpet Cleaning

There are huge benefits to be reaped by going with a commercial carpet cleaning company like Acorn Carpet Cleaning.

• You will save money; carpets which aren’t cleaned properly will begin to degrade and will need to be replaced far sooner than carpets provided with proper maintenance
• Carpets build up an incredible amount of dust, germs, and filth overtime – resulting in potential health issues for anyone in the building – having commercial cleaning done can massively improve the air quality in a property as a result
• This can also help significantly with compliance with health and safety standards
• Cleaning a carpet can have a huge impact on its appearance, rejuvenating it massively and providing it with an incredible boost in appearance – allowing you to be proud of the look of your property
• As a professional service we can employ methods and techniques which amateur cleaning simply could not – ensuring you get the best possible results from a cleaning job

As a team, we can provide a truly bespoke service that meets all your needs. Our team can offer appointments to fit in with your schedule as well – ensuring your carpets are in the right shape.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning in the Glasgow Area

It is important to get a professional carpet cleaner who can provide a reliable service.

Acorn Carpet Cleaning is fully professional; we are part of the National Carpet Cleaning Association. This organisation is dedicated to the independent testing and training of carpet cleaning techniques and methods and ensures all organisations that meet it standards can obtain important the commercial insurance required to operate. These credentials mean our team has passed the strict industry tests and has met the strict demands of the British carpet cleaning industry.

Alongside this, we have invested heavily in the training and technology our team uses. We use the latest equipment and employ the best professional methods to ensure top results for all our clients.

Commercial Cleaning Services in Glasgow

Acorn Carpet Cleaning has years of experience cleaning out offices and other commercial spaces all throughout Glasgow. Our business is a family business with years of experience in these environments, with our dedicated team having operated in,

• Care Homes
• Colleges 
• Guest Houses
• Hotels
• Letting Agents
• Nurseries
• Offices
• Schools
• Universities

Using the modern methods and equipment available to us we will be able to quickly clean up your carpets and provide you with a fresh, clean environment to work in.

Our team uses the latest tech which is both environmentally and carbon friendly. We don’t use harsh detergents or chemicals – rather we use molecular cleaning technology and biodegradable options to ensure maximum safety for both humans and animals.

Our commercial carpet cleaning services will ensure your carpets look as good as new. They can massively bolster the appearance of the workplace and significantly increase their lifespan, which can degrade seriously if the carpets aren’t cleaned properly.

Choosing to meet with a family lawyer is a tough decision and often comes at a stressful and upsetting time.

Family solicitors are often consulted to settle divorce disputes, when a relationship has broken down and reconciliation appears unlikely, or to resolve disputed arrangements regarding children.

Why is the first meeting so important?

Family law disputes can often be extremely highly charged situations and it can be difficult to control your emotions when meeting with your solicitor for the first time.

In order to get the best possible outcome from your case, it is vital that you remain calm and have a well defined strategy for moving forward.

The best way to develop an effective strategy is to have a mutual understanding with your solicitor, them keeping you well informed of the latest developments, and you giving them all the relevant information they need to provide expert advice.

Having a few questions in mind before meeting a potential solicitor for the first time is a great way to stay focussed, not let emotions dictate your decisions, and get a feeling for whether you would work well together.

5 Top Tips for meeting a family solicitor

Here are 10 of the most important things to consider when preparing for your initial consultation with your family solicitor:

1. How much will it cost?

There is no point wasting your time meeting with a solicitor whose fees are well outside of your budget.

Many family solicitors will even charge for an initial consultation so make sure that the first thing you find out is how much a meeting will cost as well as the charging rate of their services thereafter.

2. What will their approach be?

Family law disputes can be resolved in many different ways and different solicitors may favour one approach over another.

Some family law firms specialise in litigation whilst others prefer mediation or a more collaborative solution.

Given the cost of going to court, and the stress that can be put on you and your family by doing so, it is normally preferable to seek an out of court agreement in family cases but if a relationship has completely broken down this may be the only way to achieve what you are looking for.

You should always make sure that the expertise and preferred approach of your solicitor is compatible with the needs and requirements of your specific case.

3. What evidence could be useful?

The more information that your solicitor has about the details surrounding your case the better they will be able to understand the situation and develop an effective strategy.

Social media posts, text messages, a diary of key events, and details of previous behaviour are all examples of some of the information that can be crucial in family law cases that your solicitor may be able to use.

4. Take care with confidential information

You may think that you will be helping your chances by looking through your ex-partners documents for information but giving such documentation to your solicitor will do much more harm than good.

No matter the contents, there is a reasonable expectation of privacy concerning confidential documentation and if revealed to a solicitor they may no longer be able to represent you as they have been privy to information that should have remained private.

At the very least they are obligated to tell the other side what they have which could compromise your chances.

It is best to rely only on your own recollections of events and correspondence that you have received directly when talking to a family solicitor.

5. What are the realistic outcomes?

Family solicitors will have handled hundreds of cases just like yours and once they have seen all the evidence connected to the case, they will be able to give you a pretty good idea of the most likely outcomes.

It is important to understand exactly what the best possible outcome of your case is and what the result will most likely be to avoid disappointment.

For this reason, you should discuss this with your solicitor at an early stage so that you are both on the same page and working towards the same goals.

Why choose Oracle Law?

Oracle Law offers customers across Scotland top quality family solicitor services at a highly competitive price.

We are a relatively new law firm but have freed ourselves from the rigidness of established firms who operate from large offices with a legacy infrastructure, adopting modern working practices to offer industry leading responsive legal services at a fraction of the cost of our competitors.

Oracle Law pride ourselves on having a close relationship with all our clients, working hard to understand their requirements and always being on hand if we are needed.

To learn more about our family law services or to arrange a consultation call us today at 0141 332 0915 or fill out the contact form today.

Getting a burglar alarm installed on your home is one of the best possible ways to deter criminals from targeting your property, ensure a professional response to intrusions, and give you and your family peace of mind.

Choosing the right security company to complete the installation and provide your alarm monitoring services is a very important decision, however, as the last thing you want is to end up using an unverified cowboy installer.

What does a professional alarm installation look like?

In order to notice the danger signs of a non-verified installer, it is important to understand what the installation process will look like when you use a highly accredited security company such as Central FS for your burglar alarm services.

A standard installation of burglar alarms from a respected installer will follow these key steps:

1. You will check that the company you are using is SSAIB or NSI accredited.
2. The security company will send out a security expert to conduct a survey of your home to determine your security needs.
3. You will receive a free quote for the installation of a comprehensive burglar alarm system on your property.
4. You will agree with an experienced engineer on an installation date.
5. You will agree to a maintenance contract with the security firm, confirming their alarm monitoring responsibilities and ongoing maintenance obligations.
6. You will be given a genuine certification of compliance that you can show to your insurance company and may receive a lower premium as a result.

Your chosen security company should conduct annual checks on your alarm system to ensure all is well and false alarms are not common.

If there are too many false alarms on your property, neighbours and the emergency services will stop taking them seriously after a time, compromising the effectiveness of your emergency response should a genuine incident occur.

How to Avoid Fraudsters

If you have approached a company in regard to having a burglar alarm installed, and the process does not follow this pattern, you should be very wary of proceeding as there is a possibility that you are dealing with a fraudster.

The best way to make sure that you never fall foul of a cowboy installer is to make sure that you only ever use an NSI nor SSAIB installer, and you should NEVER simply take their word for it.

Both the SSAIB and NSI websites have a search area where you can check the status of security companies up and down the UK.

If a company is neither NSI or SSAIB accredited, their services will not be recognised by your insurers, will more than likely be involved in fraud or shady activity, and you should instantly move on to another installer.

Some of the instances of fraud that UK residents have fallen victim to in the past include the issuing of false certification, and trading under a false name of a company that does have the correct accreditation.

If you are ever unsure about the validity of a company use should simply end your communications with them and contact a respected local security firm such as Central FS instead.

SSAIB advice

The SSAIB is one of the two leading certification bodies in the UK for companies that provide security systems and services across the UK.

According to their expert advice, you should take the following steps to ensure that you are using a reliable burglar alarm Glasgow installer.

• Avoid being convinced to purchase a system by a cold call, either at the door or via a phone call.
• Always check for SSAIB accreditation.
• If you are in any doubt over the accreditation that you are given, then clarify with the accreditation company directly.
• Listen to the advice of your selected company, but DO NOT accept what they say as gospel due to the technical nature of the terms used. Your installer should be able to explain how your alarm system will operate using layman’s terms.
• Always agree to a written specification and ask for a written set price with the installer.
• Ask for details on the follow up services and alarm response services provided by the security company.
• Contact several installers for quotes to ensure you are not being overcharged and to check for discrepancies in the paperwork provided.
• Make sure that you are given a certification of conformity confirming the quality of installation.
• Confirm how long the system is covered for.

Contact Central FS

If you are looking for an SSAIB approved contractor to install your high quality burglar alarm system and protect your home against burglars and other criminals, control Central FS today.

We cover the whole of Scotland and always go the extra mile to ensure that our customer’s security requirements are met.

For more information, contact our expert team today by phone on 0141 530 1244, or by email at info@centralfs.co.uk.

With robots taking over from humans in so many industries, do you really need to consult a human mortgage broker when buying a new home?

With sites like Jet2holidays driving traditional travel agents into the ground and A.I driven platforms like Rightmove dominating the property market, could a robot take you through the entire process of getting a mortgage for your new home?

This article will compare the benefits of both A.I software and human brokers at each stage of the mortgage process, to answer the question of whether humans are becoming redundant in yet another industry.

Initial Search

This is where computer software can be most beneficial. You can enter some basic details online and be presented with the cheapest mortgage option in a matter of seconds.

However, just because you are eligible in theory for a certain mortgage, does not necessarily mean that you will be accepted by the lender. There are many more factors that go into securing a mortgage than simply deposit size, income, and credit history.

Spending patterns, dependents, job security, and job history will all play a role in the final decision, and the experience of human market brokers in dealing with people in many different situations may be invaluable.

Your broker may well use A.I searches to narrow the pool of potential lenders, but they will take the extra step of filtering out options that they know are unrealistic.  

This means that although you may save time initially by using a digital search, utilising the experience of a professional human broker will prevent you from spending hours on unsuitable mortgage applications.

Number of Options

There are some human brokers who are connected to a single lender or group of lenders and are contractually obliged, or financially incentivised, to only offer you their products.

Most robot mortgage search tools are completely independent and you do not need to be concerned by the motivation behind their recommendations.  

That said, whilst robo-brokers will do an excellent job of searching through all the mortgage providers on the internet and finding you the cheapest option, what they are unable to do is offer you mortgage deals which are not available directly to the customer.

Human mortgage brokers have contacts within the mortgage lender industry established and developed over years. Some mortgage providers will only offer their lowest interest plans to customers who apply through a respected broker.

Choosing the services of a registered independent mortgage advisor glasgow such as CSR Financial Services is the perfect way to ensure balance between exclusive access and unbiased advice. Not only do we have years of experience and connections within the industry, but we are and not constrained by connections with a single lender, meaning our sole focus is finding you the best deal.

Application

When applying for a mortgage it is essential that you gather all the essential documents before meeting with a bank or other lender.

When you apply for a mortgage using a broker, they will assess your situation and assess what documents will likely be required to secure approval. These documents can include details of assets, payslips, tax returns, credit reports, job history, and more.

The type of documents the bank will want to see can vary dramatically from person to person. Whilst an A.I platform may be able to recommend what documents you should gather based on your employment information, a human will use all their experience of dealing with people in similar situations to you and make sure you are well prepared when applying for a loan.

Coming to a meeting with a lender fully equipped with all the documents they could possibly ask for will make your application look more professional and may influence their assessment of how reliable you will be when making repayments.

This may not seem a big deal but when trying to secure a mortgage with the best possible interest rate these small details can make a big difference.

Switching to Save

Inactivity in the mortgage market is harming many consumers according to a report by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which states that about 800,000 consumers don’t switch mortgage providers or policies when they should. By failing to remortgage or product transfer during the introductory rate period consumers are losing an average of £1000.

You could also stand to lose out on even more savings if you remain on your initial provider’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) after your Fixed-Rate term expires.

Whilst robo-advisors may be able to find you a deal initially, it is the continual support of a Human advisor that will be invaluable throughout your mortgage and ensure you switch deals when financially prudent.

By establishing a long-term relationship and advising throughout the product term, professional mortgage brokers provide a customer focus which is impossible for A.I technology to provide.

Divorces are incredibly difficult experiences to have to go through and often turn into lengthy, emotional legal debates. Getting the right support in a divorce is vital to produce the best outcome for yourself, both legally and financially, as the final settlement regarding finances and or children can have major long-term ramifications.

Divorce is one of the most emotionally difficult and exhausting experiences you can be faced with, especially if children or expensive matrimonial assets are involved.

It is made even more difficult if you lack expert legal advice, as you’re forced to try and navigate the complexities of the legal system on your own. Even if your divorce is amicable, the lack of access to expert legal advice can result in serious issues.

However legal advice, support, and representation for divorces is a readily available service in the form of a solicitor. In this article, we’ll examine the serious benefits of hiring a divorce solicitor.

So, what are the benefits of hiring a solicitor?

So, what are the benefits of hiring a divorce solicitor? Below we list just a few of the advantages you can gain by calling on this legal expertise.

They can deal with an uncooperative ex-spouse

Many divorces are extremely difficult as the ex-spouses no longer can communicate with one another and or one spouse may refuse to engage with the other. The presence of a solicitor can ease this issue significantly, offering a medium to engage the other partner and to discuss the details of the divorce with them.

They’ll guarantee you the best possible deal

It is a solicitor’s job to secure the best outcome for their client.

A solicitor works to secure an outcome that is favourable for you and ensures you aren’t facing serious financial or legal repercussions in the future. Without a solicitor it is entirely possible for you to enter an extremely unfavourable deal without fulling realising it, and in the long-term must deal with incredibly difficult financial situations due to you not receiving the matrimonial assets you could have secured.

A solicitor will help you secure the best outcome by giving you a clear, objective overview of the potential problems you face. It will allow you to avoid seriously difficult outcomes as well.

They can help handle difficult issues

Matters like childcare and child custody are extremely contentious and can cause major problems when it comes to a divorce.

Often there’s a struggle to decide who will take care of the children, where they will live, and who will be paying for what. This can significantly slow down the divorce process, turning the entire thing into a slog, and worse, often turning the divorce into an acrimonious matter.

An experienced solicitor can call on examples of deals and guidance when it comes to difficult issues with children. The mediating factor that a solicitor provides is often key to securing a successful outcome.

They’ll help you avoid court

Court is the last place you want to end up when it comes to a divorce case.

Court battles are stressful and bring with them an immense amount of anxiety. They are incredibly demanding and can massively impact your life in a truly terrible way. Furthermore, they can end up being incredibly drawn out as well.

A solicitor will work to avoid any kind of court battle and will ensure you receive a settlement outside of court. People without solicitors will often end up having to go to a court and fight out lengthy legal battles there.

They can make sure you remain objective

Divorces often involve very high emotions and difficult discussions which can quickly become acrimonious. It is easy for the negotiations between spouses which start even in an amicable matter to spiral into acrimonious, and often badly fought debates.

A solicitor will work to ensure you remain objective and help to ease tensions. This is an invaluable service, as it will help to prevent you from making often serious errors or from your divorce being sucked into a difficult, lengthy debate with your ex-spouse.

 They handle all the paperwork

One of the biggest benefits of a Divorce Lawyer Clarkston is that they handle the mass of paperwork involved in any divorce. Not only do these forms need to be completed, but they need to be completed properly as well. Incorrectly filled in materials will be returned to you and this can end up significantly extending the divorce process. For example, the Financial Disclosure form (Form E) can be particularly overwhelming, and mistakes are easy to make.

A solicitor will handle all of this. Not only does this save time but it ensures you don’t end up running into any of these mistakes.

Interested in installing an Air source or Ground source Heat Pump? There are a few things to consider, and this guide will help you figure out what you need to know. We’ll talk about whether a Heat Pump (whether Air or Ground Source) is suitable, who to get advice from and what kind of installer you should choose.

What’s a Heat Pump?

In simple terms, a heat pump works by moving heat from the air or ground and drawing it into the property. This is incredibly climate friendly; it burns no fuel or energy (and just transfers it) and can do so in even incredibly low temperatures. There are many different kinds, but the most common on the market are ground and air source.

Why Heat Pumps?

Heat Pumps possess some fantastic benefits which can’t be understated. Roughly put, Heat Pumps will,

• It can significantly lower your energy bills. Heat Pumps are cheap to run and put out a significant amount of power.
• Can be used to heat your home, as well as provide you with hot water.
• Require minimal maintenance, meaning less spent on repairs and insurance. Replacement parts in the case of a break or issue are cheap.
• Cut down on carbon emissions and carbon footprint, as since they use existing energy, they aren’t burning fossil fuels.

Research – the Key Step

It’s incredibly important to do research when it comes to a project and investment like a heat pump. You can find plenty of resources online regarding what you’ll need when it comes to heat pumps (both air and ground source).

There are some key things you’ll want to think about during your research,

• What kind of heat pump do I want? Is it suitable for my property?
• What kind of money am I looking to invest?
• What is the right size of heat pump?

It’s vital to find out if your property is suitable or not as if you pick a heat pump which isn’t right. If you do this, you could end up with a system which isn’t suitable for your property and so doesn’t return the financial investment you’ve made.

One of the best places to find answers to these kinds of questions is an installer – which makes choosing a professional installer vital.

Choosing an Installer

Once you have finished doing your research and figured out what kind of pump is suitable for your property and the best choice for you, you’ll want to find someone to provide an installation. It’s highly recommended to avoid any kind of ‘DIY’ work. While attractive on the basis it might save money, the potential for mistakes or a poor installation can prove costly in the long run. As such, you should always get a professional and make sure you avoid any issues.

When you’re picking an installer, there’s some important things to look for,

• That they (and their product) are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

This part is in particular very important. The MCS effectively sets all the important standards for heat pumps and designers, and they’re important for ensuring the quality of the product as well as the installation. Furthermore, if you’re interested in potential funding or grants, MCS accreditation will be required.

• That the installer has membership in trade associations

Membership in trade associations, or in a Consumer Code, is also really quite important. MCS accredited companies should always be part of a Consumer Code. The two largest MCS linked Consumer Codes are the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assurance, alongside the Renewable Energy Consumer Code.

The purpose of Consumer Codes is to set standards for selling systems to the public and ensuring the public receive a good deal.

• Customer reviews and past experiences
• They’re experienced in providing installations, and have a demonstrable body of work

• When the installer offers you a quote for the cost, ensure the quote also covers the cost of commissioning the heat pump (which authorises it as being fit for service)
• The quote also includes the ‘aftersales’ costs of annual servicing; while they do not require regular maintenance, servicing is vital to ensure the heat pump continues operating properly and efficiently, and will ensure a long-life span

These are amongst the most vital things you must do when looking into an installer. Some other things to remember.

Post Installation

An installer should always provide you with a commissioning certificate. This is important to keep. You should also,

• Keep contact details for your installer
• The heat pumps warranty

These are vital in case you experience any issues and need assistance.

Conclusion

When investigating Air Source Heat Pumps Scotland, you should always remember,

• To investigate the suitability of your property
• The kind of system you’re interested in
• And the background of any potential installer

Prime Secure has worked hard to innovate the market when it comes to CCTV, providing clients in construction and building with unrivalled protection through our range of CCTV Towers. Prime Secure CCTV Towers offer the best way to keep your construction or building site safe.

CCTV Towers – An Overview

Prime Secure’s CCTV Towers are designed to provide comprehensive security to construction sites and building locations but are suited to anywhere that requires temporary monitoring or security. They are an excellent deterrent; mounted on a tall 7m telescopic pole, they’re highly visible. Criminals, both professional and otherwise, are aware of the dangers of prosecution by attempting to access a property which possesses CCTV protection. In many cases, the presence of CCTV alone will deter criminals where even manned guarding services wouldn’t.

Prime Secure CCTV Towers – A Host of Features

CCTV Towers are versatile; they’re easy to set up and have none of the messy installation of traditional CCTV systems. Traditional CCTV requires an extensive installation process, and often needs pre-existing infrastructure to function – but Prime Secure CCTV Towers require little and are suitable for a huge range of environments. Furthermore, they’re designed to be modular and easy to redeploy as the sites needs demand. They can also easily be integrated into an existing CCTV system, providing an even greater range of coverage over your property.

This versatility is improved by flexible power options; we offer an Eco CCTV Tower which cuts out the need for a generator and helps to curb carbon emissions. This makes set-up even easier as well.

CCTV Towers not only great for security, but they mean you have a way to remotely monitor and access your site from anywhere in the world through our dedicated remote access app. This means you’ve access to the cameras live video feed. Whether you’re checking in on a potential incident, or want to see the progress of a project, you have immediate, no hassle access.

This live camera feed is backed up by the quality of the cameras used. Prime Secure provides top quality HD and 4K cameras with its towers. Running at 60FPS, these capture an incredibly crisp image, and with low-light technology it’ll be able to capture this at any time of the day. This means that in the worst-case scenario in which an incident or crime does occur, you’ll be able to provide the police with evidence that can help them catch culprits. Furthermore, the evidence is vital for ensuring a prosecution. As mentioned before, this threat is enough to dissuade potential criminals from even attempting a crime.

Criminals can also be dissuaded using the towers audio systems. Prime Secure CCTV Towers are equipped with a range of pre-recorded messages which will trigger when intruders have been detected, warning them of the potential for prosecution.

Comprehensive security is further provided by our towers alarm systems and monitoring response. With the backing of deep learning AI analytics and Prime Secure’s professional monitoring team, you can be sure any suspicious activity will be quickly picked up. AI furthermore helps remove potential human error from the equation, guaranteeing that ‘false alarms’ are cut down. In the case of an actual incident, our team of experts can quickly alert the authorities or manned guarding services who can then handle the issue.

CCTV Towers also offer a cheaper alternative to services such as manned guarding, in some cases by as much as 70%. Towers are just as, if not more, effective as dissuading criminals and intruders as manned guarding services. They can quickly alert the authorities to any breaches and can be used to cover a significant amount of space. Furthermore, they can be combined with manned guarding and other services to provide truly comprehensive security.

Comprehensive Support Services

Prime Secure will work to ensure you are not just provided with comprehensive security but comprehensive support as well. We offer a range of maintenance options and regular check-ups post installation to ensure your CCTV Tower is working as intended and provides your property with the appropriate service. Prime Secure’s in-house engineers can guarantee you’ll get the most of our CCTV Towers.

Tower Specifications

• Sturdy frame designed to prevent tampering or damage by intruders
• 4K HD recording ensures crisp clear image
• Regular maintenance service options
• 4G and Wi-Fi compatibility
• Remote Access means you can view your camera feed no matter where you are
• Eco Friendly Options available 
• Low Light technology guarantees excellent footage even at night
• 7ft Mast to provide Camera with significant field of view
• Auto-tracking camera means intruders can’t easily escape detection
• AI Backed Intrusion Detection ensures authorities and security services can be quickly alerted to any criminal or vandal behaviour that occurs

24/7 video feed can be accessed remotely.