News and ArticlesUseful news, industry updates and inspirational articles

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
InspirationYour home

How to Add Value to Your Property

Most people view their property as an investment. Even if you think of it as your forever home, it is still an asset that will one day be passed on to your loved ones. Whilst property prices do tend to rise over time, there are plenty of additions and adjustments you can make to your home that will add value and see you reap a greater return on your investment when it comes to selling. There’s something for all budgets with our top tips for adding value to your property… Resolve structural issues Structural issues will devalue your house. Fixing…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationNew builds

What is Broken Plan Living?

New trends in home design crop up so often these days, it’s hard to keep up. Open-plan living has been around a while now, well-known for its key traits of larger, open spaces and the removal of dividing walls to create an integrated, light and spacious feel. Now we introduce you to its younger sibling – broken-plan living which is all the rage in the home design world right now. Central to the concept of broken-plan living is the clever use of space and design to make an open-plan space look open but separated at the same time. This allows…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsGarden roomsLoft conversionsYour home

10 Home Improvements Without Planning Permission

We all know planning can be a nightmare. There’s plenty of horror stories circulating with the power to put you off home improvement projects for life. The good news is there’s plenty of improvements you can make to your home without ever having to seek planning permission. Here’s 10 ideas to get you started… 1. A Garden Room As long as you stay within permitted development rules, you can get a garden room without planning permission. The key here is that you don’t plan to use it as a separate sleeping area or an annexe. If you do decide it…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationYour home

Don’t Move, Improve! Renovation Ideas for your Existing Home

Research by home insurance company LV has revealed that, last year, a massive 15 million homeowners made the decision to transform their current home into their forever home instead of moving. For many, renovations to their existing home is the perfect solution when they can’t afford the expense of moving up the property ladder. It can be incredibly difficult to find the perfect forever home, without having to put some work in to turn it to your taste. So, why not stay put and give your current home some TLC instead? Here’s some renovation ideas and inspiration for creating your…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationNew buildsSustainable & RenewableYour home

Boosting Sustainability in Your Projects

Environmental decline is a huge issue which is capturing the attention of people worldwide. As such, people are increasingly looking for ways to be kinder to the planet in all areas of their lives. We find that more people are looking to add some sustainable elements to their home extensions or build, as this is the perfect time to incorporate them. Here we have a few tips for those looking to be more sustainable in their own home improvement projects. Upcycling Upcycling is the art of taking old pieces of furniture and doing them up to make them new again.…
Dave
26th May 2020
Loft conversions

Top Tips for a Stress-free Loft Conversion

A loft conversion can add significant space and value to your property. It’s a popular solution because it can be much easier, cheaper and less disruptive than a major extension project. If you’re thinking of converting your loft, here are our top tips to ensure your project runs smoothly. Is your loft a useable space? The first thing to consider is whether your loft space is suitable for conversion. The good news is that most lofts are suitable, but consider these three key things to be sure: Roof pitch – measuring the angle of your roof can help you determine…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsYour home

Do I Need a Structural Engineer for My Extension?

If you’re embarking on your first home extension project, you may be confused about all the different professionals you may need to involve – architects, builders, structural engineers. What is the difference and which of these do you actually need? What is a structural engineer? Specialising in just a few key areas, a structural engineer may be required if your building project affects the structure of your property in some way. This includes things like rear extensions, loft conversions and room alterations involving the removal of interior walls. A structural engineer’s job is to ensure the structural integrity of your…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsInspirationYour home

Do I need planning permission?

Permitted Development Rights were extended permanently this year. This gives you the right, as a homeowner, to build certain extensions on your property without the need for planning permission. The rules around this are specific and can, at first glance, seem complicated so here’s what you should consider before drawing up any plans… What is permitted development? Permitted development grants you permission to extend your property without having full planning permission, providing that your designs fall within government guidelines relating to the size and appearance of the extension. If you’re thinking of extending your home, it’s worth taking some time…
Dave
5th December 2019