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Thinking of selling your home this year? From 1 June 2007, Home Information Packs (HIPs) will make their mark on the buying and selling process, and place significantly greater emphasis on energy efficiency in the home.

Heating systems, insulation and double glazing will all be assessed, with period windows amongst the features under the microscope. But before you waste money getting ill-fitting or tired sash windows replaced, get in touch with Paxton Restoration.

Placing a premium on repairing rather than replacement – and saving you some pennies in the process - Paxton Restoration offers draught-proofing and double glazing for sash windows. Specialising in Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian frames; Paxton also offers handy advice, like putting a balloon up unused chimneys, to help save energy further.

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Your average household light switch is hardly the most exciting of items, but  not so at Candyqueendesigns.co.uksells , which sells  a wide range of unusual light switches, printed with a variety of designs, and fitted with themed rotary knobs to give a striking and dimmable switch. Each switch is priced at £24.99, and you can even send in your own photographs for a switch personalised to suit you. Call 0779 144 3010 or visit Candyqueendesigns.co.uk 

Here are just some of the tradespeople you have recommended this week

• Peter Montgomery, offering skilled decorating and painting services including specialist paint effects and exterior work, covering W, SW and WC London, call 27958 350 850 or 020 8877 9157. Click here to see Peter Montgomery's webpage on Problemsolved.
• Londons Calling, brickwork specialists offering repairs, new builds, driveways and patios as well as fitted kitchen and bathrooms, covering All London, call 020 8857 6643 or 07956 276 070. Click here to see London's Calling webpage on Problemsolved.
• Absolutely Spotless, professional spring cleaning and other domestic cleaning services, covering London and Home Counties, call 020 7839 8222, 020 8932 7360 or visit absolutelyspotless.co.uk. Click here to see Absolutely Spotless' webpage on Problemsolved.
• Tom Laszcz, offering experienced bathroom sourcing and installation, tiling and plastering, covering all London and Surrey, call 07970 629 781.  Click here to see Tom Laszcz's webpage on Problemsolved.

Not really a girl for DIY, but give me a couple of these “Nifty” leather-covered Mini Measures from Mr and Mrs House, and I could be persuaded. Available in a choice of six elegant colours, they measure lengths of up to 1.5 metres and are sure to add a little glamour to your tool box. There are currently discounts of up to 20 per cent on selected items at Mr and Mrs House, with the Mini Measures reduced from £14.50 (inc. VAT) to £11.60 until 30 April. Order online at Mrandmreshouse.co.uk

If you’re looking to maximise the green credentials of your property, make a call to County Estate Management (CEM). It has just launched its Green Vision system – an audit carried out on properties which assesses the environmental impact of the building, and which finds ways in which carbon emissions from the property can be reduced. Waste recycling, heating, cooling, ventilation, energy management, rain water retention and the purchase of electricity through green tariffs can all help to make your property greener. To sign up to CEM’s green scheme, call 020 7436 2080 or visit Countyestate.co.uk for more information.

It’s always a treat to find something that is aesthetically pleasing as well as being good for the environment. A material long loved by the Italians, polished plaster is a naturally breathable and eco-friendly material, containing no cements, resins or acrylics; and, because it is lime-based, has a natural resistance to mould and bacteria – making it ideal for bathroom and kitchen walls.  Specialists in this field, The Polished Plaster Company can not only supply and put up polished plaster - it also offers four day intensive polished plaster application courses. And it is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a course (worth £410 inclusive of VAT) plus a supply of plastering materials.  For a chance to win, just send your contact details to compo@polishedplastercompany.co.uk before 2 May. The winner will be picked at random and contacted by phone by 9 May 2007. For more information on these stunning wall finishes visit Polishedplaster.co.uk or Polishedplastercompany.co.uk (07789 861 315)