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The Pros and Cons of Artificial Grass
Is artificial grass a good investment?
Measured surveys
Do you need a measured survey for your home extension?
What to do if your planning permission is expiring
If you’re approaching the deadline, what are your options?
Planning success: a beginners’ guide
From hiring professionals to submitting a successful application, we cover the basics
How to pick colours for your perfect space
Tips and ideas on how to decorate with colour
How can hiring an interior designer add value to your home?
Why go pro rather than doing the job yourself?
Where to extend?
Side, rear or somewhere else?
Should you extend or remodel?
Don’t rush into an extension project without first considering reconfiguring your existing space
What is involved in applying for a dropped kerb?
Building an extension isn’t always easy. Here are our top tips to navigate the planning process
Choosing a Garden Gate
When choosing a garden gate, there will be a range of factors to consider, some practical and some aesthetic
How to finance home improvements
What is the best way to finance your project?
Interior design trends of 2023
From colours to curvy light fittings and organic shapes – we look at what’s in and what’s so last year
Living Roofs and Walls
Living roofs and walls not only have a striking visual impact, but also a whole host of environmental, economic and emotional benefits
How to take on council planning red tape
Building an extension isn’t always easy. Here are our top tips to navigate the planning process
Can a green home be built with concrete?
Concrete often gets a bad rap for being bad for the environment, so is there anything we can do to lessen its impact?
Staircases: design ideas, solutions for small spaces and regulations
Whether you want a showstopping staircase or something simpler to blend in, here are some ideas to inspire you
Basement conversions: the only way is down
When space is at a premium digging deep may be the best solution.
Home improvers hit by soaring costs and delays
As the price of construction materials increase here’s how to keep building costs under control
Choosing a designer for your home extension
From hiring a chartered architect to a design and build company, we look at the different ways to develop your dream home extension
Thicker insulation rules make home extensions smaller and more expensive
Building Regulations updated to make homes more energy efficient
Building above the garage
Converting the space above a garage can add substantial value to your home but firm foundations are key
How to find your self-build plot
It’s the first step to any self-build journey. Here’s how to find the perfect plot
Funding your self-build
A beginner’s guide to self-build mortgages.
Rise of self-build communities
Making it easier and less risky to build your own home
How to find a good builder
Top tips from a master builder
Roof lanterns vs skylights
When you want to bring extra light into your home rooflights offer a solution – but which is the best option?
Best Foot Forward on the Floor of Your Choice
Gone are the days when your choice of flooring came down to original wood, carpet or lino. There is now a whole raft of choices of materials, colours and finishes available to the discerning shopper
Social Space in Your Garden
Like any part of our living space, we need to plan what we want to achieve and how we best fit it into the available space, within our available budget. So, where do we start?
Types of Flat Roof
When renewing or installing a flat roof, there are a multitude of materials and finishes to choose from.
Japanese Knotweed
Is Japanese Knotweed really as bad as you think?
Ways to make your conservatory more energy efficient and usable all year-round
Conservatories offer huge potential as light and airy additional living spaces. But they are often underused because of uncomfortable temperature extremes; tropical in summer and arctic cold in winter.
The UK’s planning application postcode lottery
Homeowners in the North and Midlands are more likely to have projects approved than in the south-east and east of England.
How much will a basement conversion cost?
Many people are now looking at "digging down" to extend their home, but just how pricey is a basement conversion?
What is the best way to extend a terraced house?
An extension can allow homeowners to overcome some of these issues and bring their terraced house into line with modern living. But what is the best way to extend a terraced house?
Uses for a Garden Room
A garden room can be put to a diverse range of uses, and being distinctly separate from the main house is the key benefit it confers.
Extend out into the Garden or up into the Attic?
Assuming that the decision is to extend, the next decision is, do you extend out or up.
Building with bricks: is it eco-friendly?
We look at the green credentials of modern masonry
What if I breach Planning Regulations?
Planning law can be complex and complicated, it is easy to get it wrong and many people do
10 easy ways to make your extension more planet-friendly
There has never been a more urgent need to build sustainable homes
How to save money on an extension
Building a new extension isn’t only for those with Grand Design budgets. Here are some top tips for keeping costs down.
Can planning permission help sell your home?
So, if you’re planning to sell your home, how can you stand out from the crowd? Can planning permission pay off during the selling process?
What to consider when building your own house
If you are tired of the escalating costs associated with buying, then weighing up a house build against a house purchase could be a smart decision.
Who should manage my building project?
From DIY to turnkey, which is the best route for you?
How do I Extend my Mid-Terrace House
Building an extension on a detached or semi-detached house can be relatively easy, but what about a mid-terraced property?
Can I build an extension on a Listed Building?
Living in a listed building comes with added responsibility - but is it possible to extend?
Home office inspiration and trends
Design ideas to inspire your own office space, whether it’s a kitchen corner or a dedicated study
Am I allowed to install solar panels without planning permission?
Solar panels are becoming very popular - but do you need planning permission to have them fitted?
What to do if your planning application is rejected
Permission for your dream home extension is going to be refused. What now? We look at your options.
Do I need planning permission for a Garden Room?
Many people are now looking to expand their living arrangements by building a garden room. Does this need planning permission?
Structural engineers – what exactly do they do and why do you need one?
Structural engineers, as the title suggests, specialise in the structure of buildings. They do the clever calculations to assess the strength, durability and safety of existing and new buildings
Can I claim my loft conversion through my business now that I am working from home?
If you are considering creating a loft conversion to use as an office, it will take some careful planning to decide which options are right for you
Permitted development for home extensions – how big can you build?
Recent tweaks to planning law make it easier to extend your home
Why has the cost of a loft conversion gone through the roof?
Recent times have seen the cost of loft conversions increase dramatically - why is that?
Understanding your home’s roofline
Do you know your fascia board from your soffit or bargeboard from boxend?
I am shy - should I get a project manager to manage the building of my extension?
Project managing your own extension is a time-consuming process. Pulling together so many elements and contractors is certainly not for the faint hearted.
Are there building jobs I can do myself? There is a shortage of builders in our area.
The wave of people wanting to make home improvements after spending so much time at home has put pressure on builders and tradespeople across the UK.
Is rear access vital if you are building a rear extension?
Living in the middle of a terrace will make building a rear extension more complicated and possibly more expensive than working on a site with easy access to the road.
Building materials – the short answer to higher prices
The problem is not one of manpower shortage but of building and construction materials shortages
Submitting a planning application
Do you need planning permission to extend your home? Read our step-by-step guide
Steps to success: Loft conversions
The staircase design can be key to a successful loft conversion yet is often overlooked
We've bought a house that has been knocked through - how can I make it snug?
Open plan living has its benefits. Freedom to flow from area to area, light and bright and plenty of opportunity for togetherness in one space. But what about if you want to create a homely, snug feel to your open plan home?
Top tips for living on site while extending your home
Living amid the chaos and dirt of a building site is tough. We won’t pretend it’s easy. But there are advantages.
Do I need architect’s plans for a loft extension/conversion?
Getting an architect to design and plan your loft conversion can save you a whole lot of headaches further down the line and make the process easier in the long run.
How to use contrasting styles in a small space
Conventional wisdom would suggest that you keep things simple in small spaces. If you are living in a studio flat or small house, having too many colours and textures can quickly make things feel cluttered – and that’s before you consider your furniture. Or can it?
What is a heritage asset?
The answer to that question depends on your point of view. If you are a weekend sightseer, a heritage asset is something to celebrate. However, if you are a developer... maybe not so much.
Renovating because of the pandemic
Few of us will ever have spent as long staring at the same four walls as we have done in 2020. Coronavirus restrictions have scuppered holiday plans and seen almost a quarter of the UK workforce set up a permanent office at home
We’re part way through a build and we need to move. What do we do?
Moving home is stressful at the best of times. So is a project – but combining the two doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doubling the difficulty. In some ways, you can use it to your advantage.
Setting up a multipurpose room
With more of us than ever working remotely, we are having to rethink how we use the rooms in our homes
How do I maintain my gable walls and flank walls?
The flank wall, which is either side of a detached house or at the end of a terrace or semi, and the gable, which sits above it within the slant of the roof, often take the brunt of the bad weather, and are frequently more difficult to access
What is a design and access statement?
A Design and Access Statement (DAS) is among the paperwork you may come across on your home extension journey.
My builder has put up self-supporting scaffolding before the house is being built. Is that right?
There are many different kinds of scaffolding, with different types better suited to particular jobs.
Are garden rooms the new loft extensions?
Are garden rooms the new loft extensions and what are the pros and cons of each?
Repointing a stone outbuilding
Repointing a stone building - a case study
What are quoins and pantiles?
Quoins and pantiles - what are these and why do you need to know about them?
How to build your dream extension
There are several different ways to build your home extension, so which one is right for you?
How to brief your architect
Before you have the initial meetings, it’s worth taking time to work out exactly what it is you want to achieve
Should I wait for planning or just get on with it?
When you’re keen to get started on a project, should you wait for planning or just get on with it?
How can I make space to work from home?
Fortunately, if you are tight on space, there are solutions, not all of which involve renting a desk at your nearest business centre.
Planning a makeover? We look at the latest colour trends for 2020.
One of the easiest ways to refresh a room is a colour update. Whether it’s the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, painting the walls in the latest shade can make it look contemporary, modern and relevant
What builder speak do I need to know?
Gemming up on builder speak before ringing for quotes or commissioning work can really help you specify a job more accurately. Knowing what you are talking about will help you avoid being scammed or charged for work that needn’t be done at all
What you need to know about Building Regulations
Building Regulations are just some of the statutory standards and guidelines that shape home extensions before an architect even puts pencil to paper
Walk-in shower or bath – the great debate
Bath or shower - which is better. It’s a dilemma many people face when splashing the cash in the bathroom
Loft conversions for family living
Lofts are the neglected spaces of a family home. Yet, if you find yourself running out of space, a conversion could be the answer.
Do you really want to live in a listed building?
The dream: curious angles and cosy nooks. An inglenook fireplace, a thatch roof. Wainscoting – whatever that is. Ancient beams whose deep glow suggests generations of beeswax polishing
How to gain a bedroom
From converting a loft to remodelling your space, ideas and inspiration for an extra bedroom.
Tackling a neglected garden
What should you do if you move into a house with a problem garden?
How do I know which is my fence?
It is always a good idea to check with the estate agent, landlord or previous owner to see what you are responsible for before buying or moving in
Creating an outdoor living space
Outdoor living spaces offer the perfect place to soak up the sun, dine alfresco and hang out with friends
Should you extend your home or move?
More homeowners look to extend as the cost of moving increases and planning rules relax. It pays to weigh up the pros and cons of each option
Home library ideas and inspiration
Boxes of books everywhere? Home libraries and cosy reading nooks can create order and a place to escape with your favourite novel
Wonderful wall ideas
Forget featureless, flat expanses of white. Be brave with colour, pattern and texture to create a statement wall with real impact
Top Tips to modernise your home
If your home is starting to look tired and getting you down, don’t worry. There are lots of simple ways you can spruce things up without tearing down walls or breaking the bank.
I want to be eco conscious for my home extension - how do I convince my builder?
You might be onboard for building a green eco extension, but is your builder?
Triple glazing – pros & cons
Triple glazing is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. But will it reduce your energy bills and make your home warmer and quieter. Or is it a waste of your hard-earned cash?
Should you buy in the country or the city?
Top ten things to consider before taking the plunge
Refresh your bathroom on a budget
Refreshing a tired bathroom doesn’t require ripping everything out and starting again. Updated fixtures, newly-painted ceilings and smart storage solutions can help the space feel cleaner, brighter and more stylish while not breaking the bank.
What’s the difference between an architect, architectural technologist, an architectural designer or technician?
If you are confused by all the different terms for people who can be involved in the design of your home - you are not alone! Check out this helpful guide written by Lewis Visuals
Kitchen remodelling - a case study
Clare, a speech & language therapist and mother-of-three, remodelled her downstairs space to create an open-plan kitchen-diner
Loft Conversion - a case study
Business owner JJ’s large loft conversion includes a spacious home office, guest bedroom with en-suite, a small study/bedroom plus storage space under the eaves.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Trussed Rafter Construction - Part 2
Experience has shown that trussed rafters are not always well understood by the people who specify them or who erect them. Such misunderstanding can, in some circumstances, lead to poor installation or worse unsuitable alteration.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Trussed Rafter Construction - Part 1
Conservative estimates would suggest there is somewhere in excess of 60 million trussed rafters in service in the UK. To date, there has been no known failure of a trussed rafter in its “ex factory” condition, a remarkable safety record. However, experience has shown that trussed rafters are not always well understood by the people who specify them or who erect them. Such misunderstanding can, in some circumstances, lead to poor installation or worse unsuitable alteration.
Gaining Planning Permission - a case study
A case study detailing what was involved in gaining Planning Permission when building a large extension
Planning Permission
What is planning permission, when is it needed and how do you apply?
Building Regulations - a case study
A case study detailing what was involved in complying with Building regulations when building a large extension
Building Regulations explained
What are Building Regulations and when is approval needed?
Do I need an architect?
What does an architect do, how do I got about finding one and why do I need one?
Listed Buildings
What is a listed building and what responibilities does owning one bring?
Conservation Areas
What is a Conservation Area and what are the implications of developing a property in such an area?
Arches and Lintels
Part 1 - Arches
Arches and lintels are found wherever it is necessary to support a wall etc over an opening which is usually not more than about two metres wide. They provide support in completely different ways and an understanding of this is fundamental to selecting, specifying and assessing them. Arches depend for their support on the masonry surrounding them. This provides the resistance to the forces generated by the shape of the arch and the loading on it. This Paper focuses on the arches themselves and does not include problems arising in arches from external causes such as subsidence or movement of the building itself.
Arches and Lintels
Part 2 - Lintels
Lintels are commonly used to span openings in the walls of buildings. This paper examines the different types of materials used for lintels, their historical use and advantages / disadvantages, and the defects associated with lintels and their use.
Bats and Buildings
The UK has 18 species of bats that range from common to rare. As they can be found roosting within a building they are a material consideration when submitting a planning application and therefore planning officers will need to be satisfied the development will have no net impact on bats.
Design, Liability and Interpreting Structural Waterproofing
Main Considerations Covered by BS8102: 1. Has the waterproofing system been designed by a specialist; 2. Has a site investigation taken place by a geo technical specialist; 3. Is it possible to design out the faults in the workmanship and materials; 4. Repair ability should be taken into account and the feasibility of remedial measures assessed
Buildings Behaving Badly: Acoustic Noise
The revision of the 1992 ADE version was long overdue, and it introduced pre-completion testing to ensure that residential properties and uses complied with the requirements. The revision has given ‘teeth’ to the ADE regulations and after some initial teething troubles with the scheme, builders have responded very positively to the challenge. ‘Compliance’ rates for the properties tested are now more than 95% for the basic ‘minimum standard’ required by ADE. Higher standards of performance are now rewarded by the points system associated with EcoHomes and the Code for Sustainable Homes. The performance standards of Robust Details are also generally significantly above the minimum standard, particularly for walls. Is the ‘minimum standard’ required by ADE too low when the current market expectation is for better sound insulation performance?
Invasive Weeds: A Barrier To Development
Environmental catastrophe or manageable nuisance? This paper reveals the dangers of allowing invasive weeds such as Japanese knotweed to remain untreated. This can lead to damage to hard structures, public health issues and further liabilities can also be incurred if the plants are allowed to spread to adjacent properties. Current legislation, identification, effective methods of eradication and pitfalls are described, allowing the delegate to understand all pertinent issues when they encounter invasive weeds on the sites they consult on in the future.
TeleBeam Loft Conversion system.
TeleBeam Loft Conversion system, a relatively new and unique way of converting existing roof trusses for loft conversions.
Lime Mortar, Plaster and Render
Modern builders seem to talk mainly about Portland cement mortars and Gypsum plaster, only a few know that the use of lime mortar dates back to the Neolithic Period some 8500 years ago. Furthermore, mortar of that period survives today. One of the best examples is the water tanks built to maintain the supply of water for Herod’s Palace at Ramallah. These tanks, built of stone and rendered internally with lime mortar, still hold water today. The reason being, that the plasterers understood ‘working a partially cured lime’. Other well known examples of the use of lime include the use of volcanic ash to act as pozzolana to produce hydraulic lime.
Bricks and Brickwork
Everything you have ever wanted to know about bricks for building
There are Buildings still standing around the world, from Roman times and before that, confirming that brick is a durable material. Until recent years, most buildings were built from a limited range of local bricks, employing traditional well tried methods and details. Today, modern manufacturing methods and a nationwide road and rail system make bricks from all manufacturers available everywhere. To achieve long-term durability of brickwork in modern buildings, account must be taken of the physical properties of the bricks and mortars, as well as the degree of exposure to which parts of the building will be subjected. Knowledge and experience of local bricks and building methods is now supplemented by the wider collective experience which has been built up over the years within the brick industry, and forms the basis of the guidance offered in this paper. Saturation by water is the commonest potential enemy of brickwork, but recognition of this by appropriate design, specification and workmanship will ensure that modern brickwork will remain relatively maintenance free.
False Economies: 15 Classic Property Development Mistakes
What not to do if you are building a house
What do archaeologists really do, and why?
This paper describes the background to professional archaeological practice in England today. In it I will try to give you an idea of when and where you might get involved with archaeologists, and what types of work they might have to do for you (or perhaps more pertinently for your client!).
The Party Wall etc Act 1996
Bickford-Smith and Sydenham in their book "Party Walls Law and Practice", 2nd Ed, trace the origins of party wall legislation to the Great Fire of London in 1666. A statute was passed the following year to regulate the construction of party walls between adjoining houses in the City of London to prevent a further conflagration. Subsequent legislation, culminating in the London Buildings Act 1894, conferred rights in respect of the alteration or demolition of party walls. This legislation was re-enacted in the London Buildings Act 1930 and then the London Buildings Act (Amendment) Act 1939, but the provisions only applied to the inner London boroughs. It was not until 1 July 1997, with the bringing into force of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 that the legislation was extended to the whole country. The Party Wall etc Act 1996 basically re-enacted the law as contained in the 1930 and 1939 Acts. Little attempt was made to clarify the law and deal with anomalies in the previous legislation. Decisions on the interpretation of the old law are thus relevant to the present Act. Suggestions for reform have been made, for example, by the Pyramus and Thisbe Club on behalf of surveyors and by Bickford Smith and Sydenham. Despite the setting up of a working party by Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, there has so far been no reform.
Construction Design & Management Regulations 2007
What are the Construction Design & Management Regulations 2007?
Durability of Reinforced Concrete - Part 2
Incorrect positioning of the reinforcement in concrete costs £550 million a year in the UK, and is a world wide problem. The strength, durability and fire resistance of the structure are adversely affected, resulting in premature failure. This paper shows the problem, the causes, and the solution.
Durability of Reinforced Concrete - Part 1
Points to consider when building using reinforced concrete Incorrect positioning of the reinforcement in concrete costs £550 million a year in the UK, and is a world wide problem. The strength, durability and fire resistance of the structure are adversely affected, resulting in premature failure.
Basement Waterproofing Using Cavity Drain Membrane
For several decades the incorporation of Basements into residential schemes has been neglected. Today with increased land prices and shortages of large building plots the domestic Basement is now back in fashion. This paper demonstrates how modern basement waterproofing techniques can be employed to create dry usable basement spaces for both new build and refurbishment situations.
Analysing Asbestos - Life through a Lens
An Asbestos Surveyor will survey a property for signs of asbestos containing materials. These samples will then be sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The following paper gives an overview of how the laboratory then goes about the process of identifying asbestos containing materials or confirming that the suspect material in fact does not contain asbestos
Lakanal House - a Case Study
In 2006 a serious fire resulted in the deaths of 6 people all of whom were not in the room of origin. This case highlighted the importance of good fire safety management in premises and brought into question the “Stay put” policy.
Improving Your Home
Find suppliers who can help you with improving your home
I'm a Landlord or Tenant
Things to consider before renting a property.
Do I still need a survey if I have a mortgage valuation?
What are the different types of surveys, and how should I choose between them?
Buying a Home
Things to consider when buying a house.
Selling Your Home
Things to consider when selling your home.
Commercial Queries
Find professionals to help manage commercial property
Problems With Your Home
Get contacts to help with problems in your home.