Editorial policy

HomesAndHedge exists to help you identify a home or garden problem, judge how serious it is, fix it where it is safe to, and find who to call when it is not. This policy explains how we source our figures, who is accountable for the words, how we fact-check, and how to ask for a correction. The short version: every figure is tied to a named UK source, a named editor stands behind the site, and nothing is published unverified.

How we source

Every figure we publish is cited to a named, official UK primary source. We draw on gov.uk and legislation.gov.uk for law and regulations, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for data, the NHS for health guidance, the Property Care Association for damp, timber and invasive plant standards, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for plants and gardens, and Companies House for company information. Where a number cannot be tied to a named source, we leave it out rather than estimate. We do not invent statistics, and we do not present trade cost ranges as anything more than indicative.

Who edits this site

The named editor of HomesAndHedge is Oliver Mackman, who is accountable for the site's editorial standards and sourcing. His role is editorial oversight and source discipline: he checks that claims are backed by a named source, that tools carry the right caveats, and that corrections are handled promptly. He does not claim subject-matter authorship of individual entries.

Fact-checking and tools

Our identify-and-compare tools and cost estimators document the rule or source behind each number, so you can see where a figure comes from rather than taking it on trust. The tools give indicative ranges, not quotes, and they are clear about their limits. Throughout the site we say plainly when a problem needs a qualified professional, such as a surveyor, a registered pest controller or a structural engineer, rather than a DIY fix. We do not give medical or legal advice.

Corrections

If you spot something wrong or out of date, email [email protected] with the page URL and what looks off. We review every report, fix genuine errors promptly, and update the page. You can also reach the editor at [email protected].

Use of AI tools

AI tools may assist with drafting and research, but they do not decide what is true. Every published claim is checked against a named source by the editor before it goes live. Nothing is published unverified, and a figure that cannot be traced to a named source is removed rather than left in.

Independence and advertising

HomesAndHedge is funded by advertising. Our editorial coverage is independent of advertisers: who advertises does not influence what we cover, how we rate a problem, or which professionals we suggest you call. Advertising is clearly distinguishable from editorial content. See our privacy policy for how advertising cookies are handled.