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ExtensionsLoft conversionsNew buildsYour home

Home Improvement Checklist for Your Next Home Project

Home improvement projects are fun, but they can also be expensive and time consuming. Use this checklist to make sure that you're prepared for any potential problems before starting your next big project. Can You Afford the Project? Before you start any project, make sure you have enough money available to complete it. If you're not sure whether you'll be able to afford the project, talk with a lender or financial advisor first. The cost of building materials, building contractors, the cost of delays, potential storage options and even the cost of living elsewhere if needs be, all need to…
Gemma Leon
17th May 2022
ExtensionsLoft conversionsNew buildsYour home

Do I Need a Structural Engineer?

Structural Calculations for the Homeowner When considering a newbuild project or even simpler architectural plans, such as plans for a loft conversion or an extension, structural calculations must be part of the process. An architectural designer will create plans suitable for building control approval and in doing so, engage a structural engineer to decipher load bearing walls and/or how many structural beams would be needed to supoort the structure. Accurate structural calculations are crucial to an architectural project because no one wants to build something that later isn't considered structurally sound, or even collapses.  How are Structural Calculations Determined? Structural…
Gemma Leon
13th May 2022
Uncategorized

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion?

Garage conversion design Garages are great but sometimes they just aren’t needed due to off street parking or the preferred use of bicycles and public transport. Funnily enough, most people don’t actually use their garage space for their cars but rather to store up bits and bobs – i.e. junk. If you’re looking to add some extra space to your living quarters and perhaps a little value to your home, then read on. How much would a garage conversion cost me? Garage conversions are brilliant because they often create more space for a living room, kitchen extension, home office or…
Gemma Leon
10th May 2022
Loft conversions

How Much Space Do I Need for Loft Stairs?

Loft conversion stairs Sometimes, moving house or buying a bigger property simply isn’t an affordable option and so creating space in an existing property is key for those looking to expand. Loft conversions are one of the most common architectural projects that homeowners embark on to economise on space for extra storage, another bedroom or perhaps an office. One of the most common questions an architectural designer is asked when planning a loft conversion, is how and where to position the loft stairs. When creating loft conversion plans, the loft stairs are one of the key design elements to consider…
Gemma Leon
4th May 2022
Garden roomsInspirationSustainable & Renewable

Plans for a Garden Room?

Whether you need a work from home space away from all distractions, a games room or even extra storage, a garden room may be a wise idea!   Garden Room Designs When an extension isn’t an option and moving altogether is completely out of the question, a garden room can be an affordable and effective way of creating more space in a part of your property that is probably under utilised. The possibilities are endless when it comes to garden room plans and depending on budget and space for the project, one could create an office, a games room, a…
Gemma Leon
26th April 2022
InspirationNew buildsSustainable & RenewableYour home

Eco Friendly Plans in the UK

As the UK moves closer to becoming a Balkanized nation, it's more important to focus on eco-friendly project builds. These homes and buildings are more environmentally friendly and surprisingly, they can also be cost-effective. In this post, we'll look at some of the best eco-friendly build options available in the UK today. We'll have something for everyone, from timber frame homes to passive solar homes. Let's get started!   Green Building Plans and Eco-Design in the UK - A Brief History One of the biggest reasons to focus on eco-friendly architectural plans is to reduce our individual carbon footprint in…
Gemma Leon
19th April 2022
ExtensionsInspirationYour home

Do You Need Planning Permission for an Extension?

There is no denying the fact that a beautifully planned extension can transform your entire home. An extension offers the opportunity to add space, value and contemporary design -  an investment that definitely pays off. Whatever your requirements may be, you should understand the specifications in regards to extension planning permission and extension building regulations, before starting your project.   Planning Permission or Permitted Development? Gorgeous open plan kitchen Planning permission gauges whether your extension plan aligns with local policies or whether it would cause unacceptable damage or impairment to the local area. Some extensions will not require planning permission,…
Gemma Leon
11th April 2022
InspirationLoft conversionsYour home

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion?

Loft conversions can be built in all types of shapes, sizes, and scales. Whether you will need planning permission drawings for loft conversions in England and Wales, depends on specific factors. Some of these include : · Your location i.e. areas of natural beauty · The type of property you wish to convert · The size of the proposed loft conversion plans plans · The type of loft conversion design design Understanding Loft Conversion Permitted Development Rights In most cases, loft conversions are regarded as permitted development projects. This means that you are not required to obtain formal loft conversion…
Gemma Leon
4th April 2022
InspirationYour home

Interesting Pinterest Design Ideas

Sometimes having the home of your dreams means tailoring it to your exact needs. Most people caught up in the busyness of life barely consider the possibility of updating the home they’re in. With the preconceived notion that renovations are costly and tedious, the idea of moving to an entirely new property that instantly meets your needs and wants can be tempting, but thanks to new technology, home renovations have evolved into a fairly streamlined system. In recent times, the home renovation process has been optimised, simplifying the experience with convenient procedures, like those offered by online architects. Simple processes…
Dave
23rd February 2022
Your home

Green architecture is more than a colour

With the global effort to reduce the effects of climate change across all industries, the architecture industry is no different. Enter green architecture. Green architecture is the process of minimizing the harmful impact that a structure has on its environment. Managed through a mindful selection of materials used throughout the build, the focus on energy-saving construction techniques and the preservation of the surrounding biodiversity, green architecture is paving the way to a healthier, more conscious design industry specialisation. What does green construction entail? Green construction refers to the measures taken to minimize the environmental footprint. Typically unique in its own…
Dave
15th February 2022
ExtensionsYour home

Home extension ideas to consider in 2022

In light of the isolation all of us have been forced into for the last two years, it’s no wonder home renovation builds are on the rise. With endless time to reassess the layout of our living space, and what it's lacking, it's predicted that in 2022 an insurgence of homeowners is taking the plunge to update their space. House extensions are a fairly straightforward and affordable way to improve your property. They improve your living space by allowing more light into previously dull areas, opening up the flow from one area into another, or even optimizing a room to…
Dave
10th February 2022
InspirationYour home

How Arkiplan has helped its clients

Whether you’re growing your family and looking to expand your home or simply looking to add value to your property, investing in a home extension project means investing in you. Optimising the space in your property will not only improve your home life - it will also lead to more interest in your property from potential future buyers. Home renovation builds tend to have a reputation for being a tedious experience. Between developing your Architectural planning drawings and getting building regulations approvals, unless you’re a professionally trained architect, the list of requirements needed before starting your home extension build can…
Dave
27th January 2022
Your home

Guarantee Fast Turnaround Times and Fixed Pricing

Traditionally, home renovation projects come with a variety of spiralling costs and extended deadlines. Hiring a traditional architect to fulfil your remodelling project, will typically come with sporadic meetings, expensive costs stacking up and out-dated processes. Between costs for back and forth correspondence, physically measuring and taking photos of your property, Architects will typically spend a significant amount of time producing and adjusting different designs before reaching a final architectural plan. Arkiplan founder, Dave Chamberlain, noticed a gap in the costly and time-consuming traditional architectural design process and developed a system providing planning drawings and building control drawings purely online…
Dave
4th January 2022
InspirationNew builds

What to expect when working with Arkiplan

It's no secret, just the thought of starting a home extension project might already be overwhelming to just consider for most homeowners. With a reputation for constant timeline extensions, spiralling costs and outdated processes when using a traditional architectural process it's no wonder online architectural drawings services are considered the future of design. At Arkiplan, our top-tech architectural design service uses modern camera technology, video-conferencing and highly specialised designers to produce architectural plans and get council permissions for domestic building projects way more efficiently than traditional design processes. We understand as a busy homeowner, your home extension plan needs to…
Dave
7th December 2021
Your home

The Fundamentals of Online Architectural Design

Initiating a renovation plan is exciting, but deciding which design professional to implement your home improvement project can be overwhelming. The current pandemic has forced the world to adapt to a somewhat isolating life, pushing a lot of businesses to pivot to an online business model. Cue the rise of online architectural design. The difference between Architects and Architectural Designers   To legally carry the title 'Architect', you must be registered with the Architects Registration Board, prior to would have had to complete 7 years of training, in studies as well as practice, covering health and safety of buildings, their…
Dave
24th November 2021
Garden rooms

The Benefits of Having a Garden Office

Creating an effective work-life balance lies in having a clear separation between each space. While remote working has become the norm, this self-disciplined way of life requires a dedicated workspace to keep the productivity levels high and the distractions at bay. If you're thinking, "there's no space in my home for an office", have you ever considered outside? Converting the unused space in your garden into a constructive home office could add value to your home and add structure to your life. Having a detached area to work from will not only allow you to switch off at the end…
Dave
25th October 2021
Your home

Relocate or Remodel?

Should you stay or should you go? If you’re a homeowner in need of a change of living space, you generally have two options, renovate, or move. Most people will agree that moving can be an incredibly stressful life event but does the costs and stress involved in the moving process outweigh the risk of renovating? The answer is completely up to you. You need to ask yourself if your current housing benefits exceed those offered with a move. Are you still happy with your location? Is there enough space for your growing needs? Would it be more cost-effective finding…
Dave
28th September 2021
Your home

Simple DIY design ideas to transform your space

Want to renovate your home to achieve a straight-out-of Pinterest aesthetic on a budget? These entry-level projects of minor refurbishings and decorative detailing will quickly transform your space without spiralling costs. Faux textured wall. Whether you're using grey paint and a buffing technique to fake a concrete wall, or you're adding in a few different shades of stain to create the illusion of wood grain, an artificial textured wall has the ability to create dimension and texture even in the most basic spaces. If you don’t want to commit to transforming a full wall from top to bottom, why not…
Dave
9th August 2021
Your home

How to add light to dark rooms with Interior Design.

Living in a home with minimal natural light can leave your home feeling a little on the dim side and could result in a lot of space being left unused. Trying to get natural light into a dark room can seem like a tough task to do, too, which may result in that room never getting used. Fortunately, adding windows or wall demolition are not the only options when it comes to transforming an uninviting area in your home into an inspiring airy space. Here are our top 5 tips for adding light to a dark room with interior design.…
Dave
5th July 2021
Loft conversionsYour home

The lowdown on loft conversions costs

Growing out of your dream home is a regular occurrence for homeowners. Perhaps your family is expanding and the property you've invested in no longer offers the space you require. You might find yourself contemplating whether it's time to sell, but that's not your only option. So what's the best way to extend your home on a budget? If you're weighing up the costs and time involved in relocating altogether, considering a loft conversion might be a more cost-effective option for you. Loft conversions offer you the opportunity to build up on your home, creating a new living space specific to…
Dave
9th June 2021
InspirationYour home

6 Ideas for Creating the Perfect Work From Home Space

Working from home has become the norm, one that will continue long-after the global pandemic dissipates. No matter how long your working from home stint may be, it is important to set up a designated space to get your work done. Your work area needs to be a comfortable space that promotes productivity. Here are our top tips for creating a work from home space that is both functional and helps you get more done. Choose a Dedicated Space While working from home, you may be tempted to spend the day sitting on the sofa or even lying in bed…
Dave
1st April 2021
ExtensionsNew buildsYour home

How To Get Building Control Approval

There are two ways to get Building Control Approval - which is best for you?   If you are in the planning phase of building or renovating a home, the need for Building Control Approval has probably entered your radar. This approval is essential for any build or renovation. The Building Regulations look at the construction standards to ensure all structures comply with the minimum standards of health and safety and conservation. While the regulations remain the same throughout England and Wales - each application must go through the relevant local authority. There are different ways to get approval. This…
Dave
3rd March 2021
ExtensionsNew buildsYour home

All you need to know about the CIL

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy? If you are building a new house or adding an extension to your current home, you have come to the right place. Arkiplan is here to help you through the beginning phase of this process, starting with what you need to know about the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This charge is imposed by certain local authorities in England and Wales, to assist in maintaining and improving the local infrastructure that your build could impact. While this levy is a well-thought-out solution for areas where builds are taxing on the existing infrastructure, the impact on…
Dave
5th February 2021
InspirationYour home

The Pros and Cons of Using an Online Architect

Online architectural services are on the rise. Using the services of an online architect carries many benefits to those looking to expand or improve their living and/or workspace. That said, it’s important to make informed decisions when selecting a service provider - Begging the Question, what are the Pros and Cons of Using an Online Architect? The current pandemic has had a role to play, with many customers in a pinch looking to cut costs wherever possible. Related lockdowns and social distancing boost the attraction of virtual services for every possible situation. Working from home has become commonplace - a…
Dave
15th January 2021
InspirationLoft conversionsYour home

Interior Design Tips For Your Loft Conversion

We recently teamed up with the wonderful people at My Bespoke Room so we asked them for their top interior design tips for our Loft Conversion clients.   What to consider when designing a loft conversion Loft conversions are an incredible solution to creating more space in your home as your family grows. However, these tricky spaces come with many design challenges! We’ve outlined here some of our favourite tricks and tips that we follow when designing these spaces for our clients and we hope they’ll be useful to you! At My Bespoke Room, it’s our job to bridge the…
Dave
2nd December 2020
ExtensionsInspirationYour home

Interior Design Tips For Your Extension

We recently teamed up with the wonderful people at My Bespoke Room so we asked them for their top interior design tips for our Extension clients.   What to consider when designing an extension Sometimes a blank canvas can be the most daunting! It’s very common to feel a bit overwhelmed with ideas and the pressure to get the most from a new extension. In this guide we’ll take you through the most important factors to consider when designing your dream extension and the most common mistakes to avoid!  Our biggest piece of advice is to get the design and…
Dave
2nd December 2020
InspirationSustainable & RenewableYour home

These 3 Types of Plants Will Transform Your Home

Your home is your sanctuary, your refuge and it’s meant to bring you both comfort and delight. How you design and style your home is really important and this includes the greenery! The addition of houseplants can transform your home entirely and are not only strikingly beautiful, but they’re also good for your health! They have the ability to change our mood, making us feel more relaxed and calm to build a home into a  sanctuary. When plants breathe they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, cleaning and purifying the air.   Here are three types of houseplants that can…
Dave
5th November 2020
Your home

5 Quarantine Home Improvement Ideas

With the whole nation on lockdown, many people are wondering how they are going to keep themselves busy indoors for the foreseeable future. If you must stay inside for long periods of time, you might as well use the time constructively. What better time to focus on home improvements? Not only will you fill your time constructively, stay active and get on top of your to-do list but you will also create a much nicer environment for your stint in quarantine. Continue reading for Quarantine home improvement ideas.     Quarantine Home Improvement Idea 1: Spring Clean There has never…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationYour home

Creating the Perfect Sanctuary at Home

Coronavirus lockdown is a stressful time for many; money worries, health concerns, kids at home, home working, food shortages and concerns for vulnerable relatives all play their part in heightening our stress levels before we’ve even left the house for our daily one-form-of-exercise. Now, more than ever, is the ideal time to start creating the perfect home sanctuary to retreat from the concerns of daily life. These tips will help you get started on a project that will save your sanity through quarantine and beyond.   Creating the perfect sanctuary Tip 1: Dedicate a space Those who live alone in…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsInspiration

Which Doors Would Be Best for My Extension?

Whether you’re planning a rear, side or wraparound extension for your home, the doors you choose can transform the look and feel of the entire thing. The right doors not only allow access to the outside world but let light into your home and can even be a special feature that creates the ‘wow’ factor for future buyers. We weigh up the main options to help you choose the best doors for your extension…   Sliding Doors Sliding doors have been a popular addition to homes for several decades now but still provide a modern feel. The reasons for their…
Dave
26th May 2020