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How to keep the kids entertained at home

All of us are prone to getting a bit restless in lockdown, and kids are no exception. Unfortunately, during this time they cannot go to soft play or even attend birthday parties. Even their after-school activities are on hold.

However, with just a little imagination it’s easy to come up with plenty of ways to keep them entertained. They might just learn a thing or two while they are at it!

Here are our top ideas on what to do in lockdown for kids to tell you more.

Crafts

Crafts are amazing for kids because they cover lots of different ideas, and will keep them busy for hours. From papercraft to play-doh, anything goes! Crafting is also a constructive outlet that can benefit your child’s mental health in the long term.

All you need is some paper, crayons, wool, stickers and paint and you have all the fun you need to last throughout lockdown and beyond. They could even make something for their grandparents who will no doubt be missing them during this time.

Den building

Who doesn’t want a castle in their living room? Grab some bedsheets, cushions and set to work on constructing your fort. You can even decorate the outside with some fairy lights. Don’t forget a torch to be able to shine a light on any intruders. Some snacks will be appreciated too!

Dens help to reimagine your living space, which during the cramped situation of lockdown will inject some enthusiasm into your home. It’s also easy to put everything away once you’ve finished, making this idea very low on effort but brilliant in the amount of enjoyment it will generate.

Cooking lessons

Your kids might think dinner comes from the oven, but as you well know the reality is a little different! If you teach your children to cook while they are young, it’s a skill that will stay with them for life. Lockdown couldn’t be a better time to get a head start on this.

The dishes you make are up to you, but a pastry-based pie is a great one. They will enjoy rolling out the pastry, and they can even write their name on the top! If you are looking to improve their nutrition, you can take the time to explain the benefits of each vegetable as they peel them.

Scrabble

While your kids no doubt have plenty of board games (and screen-based games) to choose from, you can’t beat a classic game of Scrabble. In the age of texting, spelling is sadly becoming a skill that not all children are mastering anymore.

With the disruption to their education due to the last lockdown, incorporating learning through games can make it a much more enjoyable experience. Scrabble Junior is ideal for younger kids, and also has a reversible board meaning they can grow with it as their skills improve.

Decorate their bedrooms

If your kids have reached the stage of feeling utterly fed up, then switching up their bedrooms will give them a change of scenery. It can also help them transition to the next stage of their development, especially if their current bedroom feels a little babyish.

There’s no need to go wild on the budget either. Even a simple lick of paint can make a huge difference. Be sure to browse Pinterest to get some ideas. Creating a welcoming, calming space will help your child relax, especially after such a challenging year. They can also look forward to inviting their friends over to see their new room once things are back to normal.

To sum up

Sometimes when you are trying to keep kids entertained, you just have to go back to the drawing board. It’s not always about sticking them in front of a screen, rather spending quality time together.

With the right approach, you could even use lockdown to make happy memories that they will remember in years to come, rather than the difficulties we are all facing right now.

Lockdown Challenges – which one will you choose?

As we get to grips with yet another lockdown, it’s back to staying indoors and finding ways to pass the time. If you spent the last lockdown organising your closet, and there are no more walls left to paint or jigsaws to complete, you’ll be in need of some new ideas.

We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best lockdown challenges to complete. The question is, which one will you choose?

Toilet roll challenge

The toilet roll hoarding situation of 2020 became so extreme, that one guy even checked in a 24 pack on a flight to Sydney. With the toilet roll aisles of Asda and Tesco once again becoming barren deserts, the chances are you have a few stacks of the good stuff lying around once more. Hence, it’s time for the toilet roll challenge. Essentially, it involves playing ‘keepie uppie’ but with toilet rolls.

Everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Lionel Messi has given it a go. The idea is to challenge each member of your household to see who can get the most kicks in without dropping it. As the lockdown drags on, you can also look to improve your score each day. One plus of this challenge? It defies the ‘no ball games in the house’ rule. Your crockery will breathe a sigh of relief, no doubt.

Plank challenge

Everyone thinks planking looks easy until they try it for themselves. The plank challenge will test your ability (not to mention your abs) to the absolute limit, as you try to out-plank those you live with. Some have even gone the extra mile by choreographing a dance routine in pairs that are centred around planking. Get ready for the high fives and leg kicks!

Given gyms are closed during lockdown, it’s definitely one way to help strengthen your core. To keep a good form while you plank, extend your arms and keep your back straight. Be sure to record how long you can last before crashing to the ground and try to extend it by a few seconds each day. You’ll have abs of steel by the end of lockdown!

The spartan challenge

If you’re ready to create a potential ‘You’ve Been Framed’ moment, then the spartan challenge is it. In pairs, your challenge is to attempt to climb over the other person’s head and return back to the ground. Celebrities such as Leigh Anne Pinnock have tried it, and it is currently doing the rounds on Instagram and Tik Tok.

Have your partner get into a squat position. Use their knees as a stepping stone to get above their shoulders. Wrap your arm around their waist and flip yourself over as you come down so that you land gently with your back on the ground. The aim is for your partner to not have to help you. It’s probably best to try this one where there will be a soft landing underneath!

The gesture challenge

For something a little more gentile, try the gesture challenge. This one requires excellent teamwork not to mention symmetry. Working to the beat of a song you like, you need to both signal the same gesture at the same time. This can include a thumbs up or ok symbol, for example.

When you hit record on your video, you need to both sync up perfectly with each gesture. See how challenging you can make your routine, especially if you are trying to remember 20+ gestures in a row! Remember to keep it clean if your grandmother follows you.

To sum up

We hope the above has given you some fun ways to entertain yourself during lockdown. Although it’s not easy, keeping busy and interacting with those you live with is one of the easiest ways to get through it. Plus, the challenges will keep your mind off of the situation while you complete them. Best of luck!

How to have a party remotely

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or ringing in the New Year, it’s not always possible to do things in person. Being separated from family, friends and colleagues can be tough, especially during special occasions.

But, with technology, it is possible to share the good times together remotely, which has to be better than missing out completely!

Here are our top ideas on how to have a party remotely to inspire you for your next bash.

Send a care package

One of the best ways to let others know you’re thinking about them is to send a care package. When it comes to parties, there’s no reason why your parcel couldn’t include a tipple or two. You could even mix things up and nominate your friends to send each other a box to open on Zoom. From cocktails to fancy dress, you can have a lot of fun with this idea. Be sure to get plenty of screenshots!

Gaming tournament

While you can’t challenge your pals to a quick go on the Xbox, you can set up a remote tournament. There’s everything from Animal Crossing to Mario Kart and even old school classics like Monopoly that you can play remotely as a team. Grab a takeaway and some beers and your celebration is sorted. If you vote on your favourite games then it’s an ideal replacement for an office Christmas party too. You don’t even have to get dressed up!

Quiz night

Who doesn’t love a good quiz night? Nominate a host and invite as many people as you can. Make things interesting by asking each player to give £1 to the prize pot for the winner. You could even throw in some entertainment or a bit of TikTok dancing. We guarantee everyone will have a great laugh even if they lose!

Teleparty (Netflix Party)

Grab the popcorn as your trip to the cinema is now a Teleparty. Formally known as a Netflix party, it allows you to sync your movie streaming with your friends, and gives you the option to chat too. From old classics to the latest releases, it will help you keep in contact with loved ones even when miles apart. Don’t forget to order some cake for the celebration part!

Karaoke

Whether you’re a dancing queen or a single lady, put your hands up for some virtual karaoke. Lucky Voice Karaoke is offering a 14 day free trial of their software, which is more than enough for your party and several replays after that. Your next door neighbours in lockdown might not thank you for it, but you can be sure the evening will be a real success. Complete the party atmosphere with some crazy props and plenty of balloons in the background.

To sum up

Just because you aren’t able to be with everyone this year, it doesn’t mean to say you can’t have a great time. Whether you’re in lockdown or separated due to work, by trying one of the above ideas you can keep both the sense of togetherness and the party spirit going.

How to stay in touch with your loved ones during lockdown

In the UK, we’re in lockdown mode once again. Much like the first time, we will be confined to our homes. This means no mixing with anyone who doesn’t live with us, which sadly includes friends, and family too.

All we can do is make the most of it, and look at how we can stay connected. Here are our top tips on how to stay in touch with your loved ones during lockdown to tell you more.

Zoom

Zoom has been the platform of choice to connect with workmates and loved ones throughout Covid. If you’re yet to try Zoom, you can have up to 100 participants on a call lasting up to 40 minutes. Though, this can be extended if you use the paid version.

It doesn’t have to be about boring work chats either. You can invite all of your friends and family for a quiz night, or even attempt some karaoke. Given we can’t all meet up right now, it’s the closest thing we have to coming together, so be sure to schedule regular meetings so that you don’t lose touch with everyone.

Facebook Messenger

Most people use Facebook Messenger for casual chats with their contacts throughout the day. But, if you’re friends or family live abroad, it can save you hundreds off your phone bill, as you can call and video chat within the interface.

An added touch is the ability to play games together in the chat too. There’s everything from word games to puzzle games, and even the likes of pool and Pac Mac too. If you’re bored during the lockdown, it’s the perfect way to connect with others and let off a bit of steam too.

Netflix Party

Netflix Party (now known as Teleparty) is a way of watching your favourite shows together, regardless of the location of everyone else. Whether you’ll be tuning in to the new season of The Crown or rewatch a classic movie, everyone’s video will be synced and you can also participate in a group chat.

Unfortunately, during lockdown, there will be no cinema time. But you can recreate the experience at least in part this way. Be sure to bring some nachos and popcorn to the proceedings too!

Virtual Dinner Date

There will be no meeting up for a Tinder date during lockdown or even seeing your current beau unless you live in the same household. But what you can do is hold a virtual dinner date. Anything goes, though most couples order each other a takeaway. This can be a great way to get to know each other or keep the romance going if you’re in a long term relationship.

If you’re virtually meeting someone new, then you can make things interesting by asking each other some questions. Doing so can be a great ice breaker, especially if you’re nervous. Though at least with a virtual date, you can keep your slippers on at least!

To Sum Up

While lockdown isn’t easy for anyone, staying in contact with others is one of the best ways to get through it. Be sure to check in with friends and family every day, and make time to schedule longer chats at least once a week. Hopefully, this will all soon be over, but until then, the above list will give you some food for thought.

How much does a web designer cost in the UK? 2020

Updated: Read our latest 2021 Web Design Price Guide.

Average price of a web designer in the UK

£400 – £1,000

What can I expect to pay for a web designer?

Need your website revamped or built from scratch, but not sure of the cost? Find out how much your web design expert will charge depending on your location, website size, design complexity and more.

What is a web designer?

There’s far more to web design than meets the eye. Designing a professional website with clear, user friendly navigation is a work of art. On top of that, you need to factor in additional features like web compatibility, quality content, and search engine optimisation. If you’re trying to grow your business, getting your website off the ground is the last thing you need to worry about!

A web designer has the expert knowledge to ensure your website is search engine friendly and customised to your needs. They’ll remove the faff from the process and even save you money, as getting the job done right the first time around means you won’t have to worry about unexpected repair costs later down the line.

How much does a web designer cost in the UK?

It’s tricky to determine the price of web design as no two websites are the same. To make life easier, we’ve put together a rough breakdown of average web design costs based on local UK professionals:

Average Cost (in total)	£500 – £600
Minimum Cost (in total)	£250
Maximum Cost (in total)	£1,500 – £2,000+

However, web designers can charge anything up to £5,000 for larger and more complex projects. It’s always worth discussing your budget with your web designer up front so that you’re both on the same page.

What changes the price of hiring a web designer?

Location
Size
Design complexity

Location

Web designers set their prices to reflect the cost of living in their area. If you decide to hire a web designer in London, expect to pay more as the cost of living is higher than the rest of the UK.

If you live in the big smoke but you’re on a budget, don’t despair! Web design is a remote service, so it’s possible to hire someone based in another part of the country, or even the world to you. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to pricing.

If you do choose someone from the other size of the world, remember that time differences could make communication tricky, and could even slow your project down.

Size

When it comes to determining the cost of web design, size can’t be ignored. The larger the website, the more sophisticated capabilities it will require, increasing the time (and money!) it takes to design, build, and launch it.

Here’s a breakdown of average web design total costs based on website size:

Size of website	Type of website	Average Cost (in total)
Small	Basic	£200 – £500
Medium	Small business	£500 – £1,100
Large	Ecommerce Site	£1,000 – £2,500

When choosing the size of your website, it really depends on what you need the website to do. If you need a simple platform for posting blog content, a smaller sized website will do the trick. However, you might need a large website if you’re launching an e-commerce store, for example.

Design complexity

The complexity of design can also impact project costs. If you want to build a website for an e-commerce store, it will require far more pages, responsiveness, and animations than a simple blogger’s website.

The more complex the design, the more time it’ll take to complete, and time is money!

Is hiring a web designer worth the cost?

If the thought of web design costs is getting you in a wobble, read on for our top money saving tips:

Keep web pages to a minimum – The more pages you want your website to have, the more time it will take your designer to complete, which means higher costs! Keep charges to a minimum by cutting out any pages that aren’t absolutely necessary.
Get creative with your own photos – When choosing images for your website, avoid using costly stock photography. Why not tap into your creative side and take your own photos? This minimises costs as well as giving your website a personal touch.
Keep it simple – When it comes to website design, simple is often much more effective. Don’t go overboard with reams of content, images or videos. This will keep costs down, and users often prefer a simple interface anyway – so it’s a win win!

If you’re looking to update your blog, or take your business online, find a Web Designer on Bark.

How much does a house cleaner cost in the UK? 2020

Updated: Read our latest 2021 House Cleaner Price Guide.

Average price of a house cleaner in the UK

£10 – £20 per hour

What can I expect to pay for a house cleaner?

Want to hire a house cleaner but not sure of the cost? Read on to find out how much your cleaning expert will charge for regular visits, one-off cleaning services, deep cleans, and more. With the housework out of the way, you’ll have more time to focus on what matters in life.

Benefits of hiring a cleaning service

We all want a pristine home, but let’s be honest, scrubbing the floors or dusting for hours isn’t on the top of our list of priorities – especially when life is already so hectic! Whether you’re looking for a one-off clean or regular visits, hiring a house cleaner is a great way to keep your home in tip-top condition, giving you the time to focus on what’s important to you.

A house cleaner will be armed with the tools and knowledge to get rid of stubborn stains and keep your home germ-free. If you are looking for specialist services like oven or end of tenancy cleaning, Bark can help you find an expert for the job.

How much does a house cleaner cost in the UK?

There is no fixed rate for house cleaning, but to give you a general idea, we’ve put together a breakdown of the average cost based on the prices of local UK professionals:

Average cost (per hour)	£15
Minimum cost (per hour)	£10
Maximum cost (per hour)	£20

What changes the price of hiring a house cleaner?

The cost of domestic cleaning services can vary depending on a number of factors. These include:

Type of cleaning service
Number and size of rooms
Condition of your house – deep cleaning vs. regular cleaning
Location

Type of cleaning service

There are lots of different cleaning services available based on the requirements for your home. Some cleaning services need more time, effort, and specialist equipment than others, which makes them more expensive per hour. To get a better idea of how much different types of cleaning services cost on average, see our handy breakdown below:

Type of cleaning	Average price (per hour)
Window cleaning	£25
General cleaning	£15
Floor cleaning	£15
After building work cleaning	£14
Fridge cleaning	£12
Upholstery cleaning	£12

Some cleaning services are normally charged at a set price instead of per hour:

Type of cleaning	Average set price
Carpet cleaning (per room)	£25 – £35
Oven cleaning (per appliance)	£45 – £60

Number and size of rooms

It’s no surprise that the more rooms you have, the higher the price of a house cleaner will be. Some rooms take longer to clean than others. Bathrooms are notorious for being a pain to clean as they get dirty so quickly, so the more bathrooms you have, the more you will pay.

If you have bigger rooms, the cost per hour or set price will be higher. To give you an understanding of this, here’s how much a carpet cleaning service will cost on average depending on the size of the room:

Room size	Average cost (in total)
Small	£25
Medium	£30
Large	£35

Condition of your house

If you’ve neglected your home for too long, a house cleaner will charge more as they’ll need more time to whip it back into shape. If you feel like your home needs that extra little bit of TLC, you may want to hire someone for a deep clean, which is normally carried out every 3-6 months. A deep clean is more expensive than a regular clean, which is normally carried out every 1-2 weeks.

A regular clean involves:

Tidying the house
Cleaning the bathroom (toilet, shower, sink)
Cleaning the kitchen (wiping counters, cleaning hobs, removing rubbish)

A deep clean involves:

Removing limescale from shower heads
Oven cleaning
Window cleaning

Deep cleaning is more expensive as it requires a more thorough job.

Type of cleaning	Average price (per hour)
Regular cleaning	£10 – 15
Deep cleaning	£15 – £20

Location

Another factor to consider is your location. Like most services, expect to pay more if you live in bigger cities, like London. To give you a better idea, here is the average cost of a house cleaner in the big smoke compared to other parts of the UK. Find a house cleaner in London.

Location	Average price (per hour)
London	£15 – £20
Rest of UK	£10 – £15

How can I save money on house cleaning services?

Regular cleaning – If you hire a cleaner on a regular basis you will keep costs down as you won’t have to pay a hefty fee for a deep-cleaning service later down the line.
Keep labour time at a minimum – If you want to keep costs down, be picky when choosing which rooms need to be cleaned, as this will reduce the labour time needed and total price. Bedrooms are fairly low maintenance, so you could clean these yourself to minimise costs.
Price packages – Some cleaners will offer discounts for regular weekly or biweekly visits – so don’t be afraid to haggle!

Need a break from cleaning? Let us do the legwork for you. Find a House Cleaner on Bark.com

6 Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Home Covid-19 Free

Most of us are comfortable with knowing how to protect ourselves from Covid-19 in public – practicing social distancing, regularly applying hand sanitiser, and the golden rule – washing our hands. But now that lockdown is easing, and more of us are venturing outdoors, how can we protect ourselves from Covid-19 sneaking into our homes? After all, we are still spending more time at home than ever, whether for work or leisure, so keeping our houses free from infection should be something we all know how to do. If you’re not sure how to avoid the spread of coronavirus in your house, you’re in the right place. Read our top cleaning tips for how to keep Covid-19 at bay in your home.

1) Tackle high-touch surfaces

High-touch surfaces are everyday items and surfaces that run a greater risk of germ transmission as they are touched frequently during the day. Think of door handles, light switches, and smartphones. Wiping these surfaces down in your home at least two times a day is an effective way to reduce the spread of coronavirus. You don’t need fancy disinfectant that will break the bank – household cleaners will do the trick! If you don’t have time to clean your home yourself, why not hire a local cleaner to get the job done for you? They will be experts in germ prevention and disinfecting your home.

2) Shop smartly

Love it or hate it, shopping is one of those essential tasks that we just can’t avoid. While supermarkets are implementing several measures to keep customers safe, including limiting the number of people in-store and one-way flow systems, there is still a risk of Covid-19 transmission. Luckily, there are lots of ways to prevent coronavirus from entering your home. Make sure you wipe down food packages before putting them away, wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds after unpacking your groceries, and regularly clean your kitchen counters with disinfectant.

3) Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Many of us are spending more time out and about now that lockdown is easing, whether that’s going back to work or seeing family or friends. Remember to wash your hands for at least twenty seconds as soon as you get home to prevent any unwanted germs creeping in. Covid-19 is like the unwelcome guest at the party – don’t let it worm its way inside.

4) Turn up the heat a notch

Germs can cling onto all sorts of surfaces, including clothes and towels. Washing these at a higher temperature can minimise the risk of germs spreading. Always check the label to find out the warmest washing temperature for each garment. Make sure you wash cleaning products like mop heads and dishcloths regularly, too.

5) Get your kitchen sparkling clean

Kitchens are hot-beds for spreading germs. From coffee machines to chopping boards, they can hide in the most unexpected of places. If you want to keep your home Covid-19 free, keep your kitchen spick and span. As well as cleaning more obvious areas such as counters and tabletops, remember to tackle additional items such as small appliances and cutlery.

6) Get rid of pet fur

There is no better addition to a home than a beloved pet, but its fur can carry unwanted germs, including traces of coronavirus. To reduce germ transmission, regularly remove pet fur from your home and wash your hands after you touch your pet, especially after taking it for a walk.

Can house cleaning really stop the spread of coronavirus?

As much as it can be a pain, keeping on top of house cleaning is crucial for reducing the spread of infection in our homes, including Covid-19. Having a clean and tidy house also creates a serene environment for us to live in and keeps us healthier, both physically and mentally. So it’s a win-win.

Time to get your home in shape? Click here to browse trusted, local cleaning experts on Bark today. Our professionals provide commercial and office cleaning services, too!

How much does a personal trainer cost in the UK? 2022

Updated: Read our latest 2022 Personal Trainer price guide.

Average price of a personal trainer in the UK

£30 – £60 per hour

What can I expect to pay for a personal trainer?

Want to hire a personal trainer but not sure of the cost? Don’t sweat it! Read our handy guide to find out how much your fitness expert will charge for 1-2-1 sessions, group classes, Crossfit training, and more.

What is a Personal Trainer?

We all want to be the best versions of ourselves, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. With so many workout plans and exercise classes out there, finding a fitness routine that works for you can be daunting.

Whether it’s reaching your fitness goals, training for a marathon, or improving your technique, Bark can help you to find a personal trainer to give you the push you need to get there. A PT can support you through the hard days and celebrate the good ones, so what’s not to love?

How much does a personal trainer cost in the UK?

Achieving your fitness goals doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s essential to know how much hiring a personal trainer will cost. To give you an idea of how much people pay for a personal trainer, we’ve put together a handy breakdown of average costs based on the prices of local UK professionals:

Average Cost (per session)	£50
Minimum Cost (per session)	£30
Maximum Cost (per session)	£60

What changes the price of hiring a personal trainer?

The cost of a personal trainer can vary depending on a number of factors. These include:

The professional’s education and experience
One-to-one vs. group training sessions
Price per session – hourly rates or package deals
Type of training
Location

The personal trainer’s education and experience

When choosing a personal trainer it’s important to consider the level of their education and experience. In the UK, the Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification equips a personal trainer to work one-to-one with clients. Beyond this, their experience can range anywhere from having a degree in human anatomy and wellness to being a professional athlete. In a nutshell, the more experience your pro has, the more you pay.

An experienced or specialised trainer could charge up to £80 per hour – this can increase if you’re in a big city like London, so be prepared to spend big bucks if you’re looking to hire the creme de la creme in the capital.

One-to-one vs. group training sessions

Most professional trainers offer group and one-to-one training sessions. One-to-one classes are tailored to your individual needs, which is why they are more expensive than group sessions. Most group sessions are small, so while you might not get as much one-on-one attention, your personal trainer will still have plenty of time to tend to your needs. Working out with friends also lowers the cost per person, so it’s a win-win.

Price per session (hourly rate or package deals)

Personal trainers usually offer discounts on packages of multiple sessions which reduces the hourly rate. As most people want to hire a personal trainer over a longer period of time instead of for a one-time session, it’s a no brainer that paying for multiple sessions is the better option. Here’s a breakdown of common discounts offered by personal trainers, but don’t be afraid to haggle if you want a better deal.

Block of 10 Personal Training Sessions – 10% discount (on average)
Block of 20 Personal Training Sessions – 20% discount (on average)

Type of personal training

The cost per session can vary depending on the type of training. If you’re opting for Boxing or Crossfit, expect to pay more as personal trainers need advanced skills to teach these classes. To give you a better idea, we’ve put together a summary of common personal training types and their average costs:

Type of workout (per session)	Average cost
Strength training	£35
Boxing lessons	£50
CrossFit	£50
Circuit training	£30
High Intensity Interval (HIIT)	£50
Body sculpting	£30

If you want a tailor-made nutrition plan alongside your workouts, be prepared to pay more.

Location of your personal trainer

It’s no surprise that big cities have big prices. If you live somewhere like London, you could spend nearly double what you would elsewhere for a professional trainer with the same qualifications and experience.

Remember, prices in London can jump to around £80 – £120 if you are looking to hire a super-specialised or experienced instructor.

Here’s a rough breakdown of costs per location:

Location	Maximum Cost (per session)	Minimum Cost (per session)	Average Cost (per session)
Outside London	£40	£20	£30
Inside London	£120	£30	£50

Is hiring a personal trainer worth the cost?

With a personal trainer, you can set realistic, achievable goals tailored to your fitness ability and training needs. While it comes at a cost, having a healthier body and mind will be well worth the investment. A personal trainer also means you don’t need to fork out for monthly gym membership fees!

Your body is a temple, so give it the love and attention it deserves by hiring a personal trainer with Bark.

Find a Personal Trainer on Bark.com

Add up to £30,000 to the value of your property with these home renovation projects

British households plough almost £30billion into home improvement projects each year – building extensions, erecting conservatories and converting lofts throughout the country.

There’s no question that investing in your home is one of the most rewarding ways to spend your hard earned cash. But which of the many renovation options on offer will put the most money back into your pocket?

In this week’s blog post, we take a look at four of the most popular home renovation projects on Bark to discover which of them will add the most value to your home.

Cash in on spare garden space with a conservatory

Done correctly, a conservatory costing between £4,000 and £10,000 could increase your home’s value by 5%. Given that the typical UK home is worth £216,750, that’s an average increase of around £10,800.

“Conservatories will add value to a home,” says the National Association of Estate Agents’ managing director, Mark Hayward. “But they need to be made with quality materials and provide a lot of light for the value to be significant.”

Conservatories are cheaper than full home extensions, they don’t require planning permission and they can often be completed within a week or two.

Remember that the ideal conservatory is a stylish segue between your indoor and outdoor spaces. So choose a design that strikes a good balance by adding the extra room without taking up too much garden space.

Add 20% to your home’s value with a loft conversion

Experts agree that creating the space for an extra bedroom in your house is the easiest way to increase its resale value.

One of the most popular ways of doing this is by converting your unused attic space, with one Nationwide Building Society survey suggesting a loft conversion could add up to 20% to the value of your home.

How much your loft conversion will cost depends on the structure and accessibility of your building. But a typical quote from a builder will be somewhere in the region of £10,000-£15,000.

Work can often be completed in as little as six weeks and, unless you’re altering the roofline of your building, you may be able to go ahead with the project without obtaining planning permission.

Create a spectacular showpiece with a new kitchen

If you are only going to improve one room in your house, says TV property expert Phil Spencer, you should make it the kitchen.

“This has now become the showpiece of the home,” he explains. “The number one priority is creating a handsome and efficient work surface and ensuring easy access between the three points of the kitchen triangle – that is, the sink, fridge and cooker.”

“Install equipment that is as up to date as possible, so it won’t look outmoded in 10 years,” he adds. “And make sure the price bracket of your kitchen matches the price bracket of your house. There is no point putting a £25,000 kitchen in a £250,000 house.”

Phil says a new kitchen will typically add 4.6% to the value of your house – which translates to nearly £10,000 for the average UK home.

Transform your home with a property extension

Adding square footage to your home is pretty much a surefire way to boost its value, and there are a range of extension options you can choose from.

Single storey extensions like kitchens, living rooms or dining areas often don’t require planning permission – while a reputable builder should be able to handle getting permission to go ahead with larger renovation projects.

As with any building work, it’s important to compare several quotes before hiring someone. A poor extension can actually damage your home’s resale value, so take the time to shop around until you find the best pro for the job.

Expect to pay upwards of £20,000 for the project and add around 11% to the value of your home – which translates to £28,800 for the average UK home.

How to get your garden ready for springtime without lifting a finger

With the recent wintry weather behind us, gardeners up and down the country are heading outside to prepare their gardens for spring.

But, here at Bark, we understand that not everyone wants to spend their spare time shovelling dirt. In the aftermath of Storm Doris, we’ve seen a surge in the number of people requesting gardening and fence repair services on our site – and we think they have the right idea.

Here’s how to complete those essential garden chores and get your outdoor space ready for springtime without ever lifting a finger.

Effortlessly repair damaged fencing

Last week’s stormy weather wrought havoc up and down the country, with 100mph winds buffeting coastlines, destroying fences and causing an estimated £100million worth of damage.

Collecting new timber, removing broken fence panels and digging out stubborn posts can be exhausting work. But there’s no reason you should have to be the one to do it! Place a Bark now to get quotes from local fence repair specialists fast and free.

Clear the gutters without getting your hands dirty

Allowing your gutters to become clogged with leaves and debris can cause serious structural damage to your home, and it’s all too easy to forget about them until something goes badly wrong.

That’s why, at this time of year it’s a great idea to don a pair of heavy gloves, climb a ladder and give those neglected pipes a good seeing to. Or, if you’d prefer not to get your hands dirty, click the link below now and hire someone to do it for you.

Prune shrubs and trees without breaking a sweat

The end of winter is a time for pruning back unwanted branches on your trees and shrubs to make way for new growth.

This is an essential task if you want your plants to remain healthy, safe and growing into an attractive shape. But tree surgery can be dangerous work if you’ve never done it before, and if you’re in any doubt about what you’re doing it’s best left to a professional.

So why not hire an expert to prune your garden this spring? Click the link below and we’ll put you in touch with local pruning specialists fast and free.

Get your garden ready for spring today

In just a few weeks’ time, you’ll be relaxing in the garden with a cool glass of wine. But there’s a lot to get through before then to get your outdoor space looking its best – from weeding beds and repairing trellises to planting bulbs for the year ahead.

Hiring a professional gardener is the best way to tackle those necessary chores quickly and with a minimum of hassle, so your family can enjoy relaxing outside during the warm summer months.

So forget planting, weeding, mowing and seeding. Place a Bark now to get your garden ready for spring without lifting a finger, and find a great pro to keep it looking great all year round.