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Christmas is a social time of year, when neighbours and friends open their doors to offer mulled wine and mince pies. While enjoying the extra time off work why not do a spot of research for your next home improvement project? While you're singing carols round the neighbours' piano or chomping on vol au vents, take the chance to check out what improvements they've done to their homes. Whether it's the layout or design that's been changed, any friend or neighbour will be only to keen to show you round their home. So there's no better time to glean ideas for remodelling your own home. After a few glasses of wine, they'll be only too happy to tell you what works, what doesn't and how much they paid. Back in your own home, you'll be bursting at the seams with Christmas tree, decorations and presents, not to mention extra relatives and food to feed them. This provides the perfect insight into what needs improving. Whether it's a remodelled kitchen, open plan kitchen-diner or downstairs loo, what would make next Christmas easier? By the New Year, you'll have some pretty good ideas of ways to create changes in your home. To help you choose a reputable builder near you, check out www.fmb.org.uk/findabuilder. Until then, happy snooping! Win your own winter insulation! Winter provides the perfect test of whether or not you have installed sufficient wall and loft insulation. Whatever the result, you can still feel that festive glow, courtesy of the Federation of Master Builders. The FMB is offering two lucky readers six bottles of Rioja from Laithwaites. » Click here to enter. Competition closes: 31/12/09. Don't Be A Christmas Pushover! When the winter weather turns nasty, unscrupulous rogues get more hardy. Heavy rain, wind, freezing temperatures and snow increase the number of rogue builders with their well-rehearsed sales patter, as they offer to sort out your flood damage, freezing brickwork and pipes, or broken roof tiles. Never be pushed to hire a doorstep caller, however quick or cheap they are. Only ever employ a tradesperson who has been recommended to you or who is a proven member of a reputable trade association such as the FMB. Visit www.fmb.org.uk/findabuilder to find a good one in your area. It pays to check out their references before you employ them. Looking for a good read over the festive period? The Essential Guide to Home Improvement is packed with ideas. The Essential Guide is full of real life examples of different ways you can improve your home. Seek inspiration from the beautiful homes and enjoy practical tips from industry experts on a variety of building projects. Download the Guide from www.fmb.org.uk/guide. National - NEC Birmingham - 18-21 March 2010 Scotland - SECC Glasgow 15-16 May 2010 Surrey - Sandown Park, Esher 26 -27 June 2010 Harrogate - Harrogate International Centre 5-7 November 2010 » Please feel free to forward this email to a friend Please Note: You can unsubscribe from this email anytime by clicking the link below.