Articles
Practical advice for UK homeowners and Contractors - payments, vetting, project risk, and building with confidence.
21 October 2026
Boiler Replacement Cost UK 2026: Prices, Savings and Hidden Costs
How much does a boiler replacement cost in the UK in 2026? Compare prices by region, annual savings, payback times and the hidden costs to budget for.
6 October 2026
The Hidden Costs of Home Renovations: What Homeowners Often Forget
Discover the hidden costs of home renovation, from VAT and professional fees to unexpected repairs and finishing work. Learn how to budget and avoid surprises.
6 October 2026
How to Compare Builder Quotes: What Homeowners Should Look For
Learn how to compare builder quotes, identify hidden costs, understand provisional sums and VAT, and choose the right contractor for your home renovation.
6 October 2026
How to Get More Building Work Without Paying for Leads
Find out how to get more building work, attract customers without paying for leads, build your local reputation and access free project leads through Fort.
6 October 2026
How Milestone Payments Protect Contractors
How milestone payments help Contractors and tradespeople reduce payment risk, manage cash flow, avoid chasing invoices and get paid for completed work.
5 October 2026
What Types of Home Improvement & Construction Projects Can You Complete on Fort?
Discover the home improvement projects you can arrange through Fort, from extensions and renovations to plumbing, electrics, roofing, landscaping and more.
1 October 2026
Home Improvement Grants in England 2026: The Complete Guide to Grants, Energy Efficiency Funding and Home Renovation Support
No general grant pays for an ordinary extension or renovation in England in 2026. See Warm Homes, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, disability grants and VAT relief.
28 September 2026
How Much Does a House Extension Cost in Surrey in 2026?
In 2026, a single-storey house extension in Surrey is roughly £2,700–£3,600 per m². See budgets for kitchens, wraparounds, VAT and contingency.
6 September 2026
Government Cowboy Builder Crackdown 2026 for Contractors
What the UK's 28 August 2026 cowboy builder crackdown means for Contractors and tradespeople: Approved Code, Trusted Payments, late payment and getting paid.
28 August 2026
Government Cowboy Builder Crackdown 2026 for Homeowners
The UK government has announced an approved trader register and staged payments to tackle cowboy builders. Fresh figures put consumer detriment at £10.3bn in 2024 - here is what it means for Homeowners.
21 August 2026
Variation orders for UK builders: get paid for extras - and why VO fraud hurts honest companies
How UK builders should record and price variation orders, protect cashflow from unpaid extras, and why VO fraud damages trust for honest companies.
21 August 2026
Variation orders for UK homeowners: what they are, the real risks, and how to approve extras safely
What a variation order means on a UK renovation, the risks of verbal extras, and a practical checklist for approving changes before work starts.
2 August 2026
How Fort Helps Protect Homeowners During UK Renovations
How Fort helps UK homeowners reduce renovation risk - Fortified milestone payments, vetted Contractors, project records, and a dispute pathway if work goes wrong.
27 July 2026
Average Cost of a Home Extension in the UK (2026 Guide)
Find out how much a home extension costs in the UK in 2026, with prices by extension type, cost breakdowns and practical advice to protect your budget.
27 July 2026
What Happens If a Builder Disappears Mid-Project? A UK Homeowner's Guide
Has your builder stopped work or disappeared? Learn how to protect your property, document losses, understand your legal options and recover money where possible.
27 July 2026
Checkatrade vs Fort: what each is for
Checkatrade helps you find a trade. Fort helps you find, fortify, manage, and pay for the project - a plain UK homeowner comparison.
27 July 2026
How to vet a builder before hiring (UK)
A practical UK checklist for homeowners: insurance, references, Companies House checks, quotes, and how Fort's verification adds another layer of confidence.
27 July 2026
How Milestone Payments Protect Homeowners During Renovations
Learn how milestone-based payments reduce renovation risk for UK homeowners by securing funds until each stage of work is complete.