FAQ's
If you have a question, check here first, you may find the answer you're looking for....
What's the point of this website?
It's a place where I put everything I've learned from doing lots of DIY in my own home. I've decided to put as much of it online as possible, so that other fellow DIY'ers can benefit from the lessons I've learned. I want this website to showcase everything, including my fails and mistakes. You can also find a more comprehensive answer to this question in my about page.
Why have you built this website?
I really enjoy everything to do with building websites and great content. I like to communicate and teach others what I've learned. A website and all the other connected social media allows me to connect with as many like-minded individuals as possible, spreading the message that DIY is both enjoyable and rewarding. You can read more reasons in my about page.
Do you earn money from this website?
Yes I do, in the form of associate links to online retailers, mostly Amazon. What does this mean? It means that every time you click on a link that takes you from my site to an online retailer, and if you then purchase something from them within a set time period, I get a commission. This is usually 5% but it does vary a lot depending on the product/s you purchase. This does not, in any way, affect the price of goods you buy from the online retailers, the price you see is not influenced by your visit to my site. Also, I have no control over the goods you purchase from online retailers. I have done this for a number of reasons:
- Obviously, to earn money. Enough in the hope that it will pay for the expense of this website.
- I frequently recommend DIY products that I've tried and tested, and it makes sense to also let you know where to purchase them from.
How do I contact you?
The best place to contact me is via one of my social media pages, this means that others benefit from your questions and my answers. Find out how to do this on my contacts page. If you want to get in touch to try and sell me something, please don't.
Link to my social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, maybe the odd video on Youtube.
Can I use your stuff?
When you say stuff, I take it you mean my content, such as videos, audio, pictures, text etc. If so, then no, you may not use my stuff. It's theft and I won't take kindly to it. I've spent a lot of time researching how to use cameras, more time learning how to use software, some more time researching the best equipment to use given my small budget, some more time saving up to purchase these things, then there's a load of time to actually make the content and finally, the last bit of my time in putting it on one of my social media platforms. If you steal my stuff, I'll come down on you like a ton of bricks. If you need content for your website, be original and make it, it's actually really good fun!
What Training or Qualifications do you have?
I am trained and qualified as a Land Surveyor, Construction Site Engineer, Civil and Structural Technician and a Civil Engineer. My qualifications are a NC & HNC in Civil Engineering, plus a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering.
As for training and qualifications in trade skills, such as plastering, I have none. The closest I can come to this is the last 3 years I have been a landscaper, running a company with my brother. Within that time we have successfully established a reputation in our local area for being professional, with a very high quality workmanship. We have also been accepted, and are members of, the Association of Professional Landscapers.
How do you estimate the amount saved by doing DIY?
I have to estimate the time it'll take an experienced tradesman to carry out a particular task. I then use this figure and multiply it against the average daily rates for that particular tradesman. To get that daily rate, I refer to the Office for National Statistics Index of Labour Costs Per Hour. I admit, it's not an exact science and there are many variables - the cost for an electrician would be far higher in London, compared to the North for example. So take my saving estimates as a very rough guide. Also, if I estimate it would take a builder a few hours to do something, I would round it up to half a day. For your interest, here are the 2017 average labour costs:
- Carpenter: £120 – £150
- Bricklayer: £155
- Labourer: £100 – £160
- Electrician: £150 – £200
- Plumber: £150 – £200
- Builder: £120 – £200
What about the products you sell?
Good question, here are some answers to shed some light on the products I sell:
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes
Where do you ship from?
We ship from all over the world
Can I change or cancel my order?
As we aim to process orders as fast as possible, you must request any changes/cancellations within 12 hours of ordering. All requests after this time will be denied. Your order can be returned for a full refund after it is received.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX), Googel Pay and Apple payments.
When will my order be processed?
All orders are handled and shipped out from our warehouse. Please allow extra time for your order to be processed during holidays and sale seasons. We process orders between Monday and Friday. Orders will be processed within 1-2 business days from the order date and shipped the next day after the processing day. Please note that we don't ship on weekends.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Due to high demand, orders may take up to two weeks to arrive.
What if I don't receive my order?
If you don't receive your order within 30 days after shipping, you are eligible for a full refund.
Will I be charged with customs and taxes?
The prices displayed on our site are tax-free in UK Pound Stirling, which means you may be liable to pay for duties and taxes once you receive your order. Import taxes, duties and related customs fees may be charged once your order arrives to its final destination, which are determined by your local customs office. Payment of these charges and taxes are your responsibility and will not be covered by us. We are not responsible for delays caused by the customs department in your country. For further details of charges, please contact your local customs office.
How do I return an item?
Please contact us at sam@helpfulhomediy.co.uk
What if the item(s) I received are defective/incorrect/damaged?
Please contact us if you have received merchandise that is incorrect, missing, and/or defective. Please include your order number, photographs of the item(s) and all related references upon receiving your package. We will do our very best to resolve your case as soon as possible.
When will I receive my refund?
All refunds will be credited to your original form of payment. If you paid by credit or debit card, refunds will be sent to the card-issuing bank within 7-10 business days of receipt of the returned item or cancellation request. Please contact the card-issuing bank with questions about when the credit will be posted to your account. If you haven't received a credit for your return yet, here's what to do: Contact the bank/credit card company. It may take some time before the refund is posted to your account.
