It pays to recognise the many different types of building land available if you are prepared to put the effort in. There could be a small plot, not visible from the street, behind an existing house. Don't overlook rundown houses that could be demolished and replaced with the home of your dreams.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
Just how do you go about working out a viable, price/value of a piece land or a property, suitable for a self-build project. In this article, we explain how to go about starting to work out a site's value?
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
When setting out to find a site you will be up against some fierce competition such as other self-builders, full-time land finders, small builders, and all the vested interests of the development industry.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
The architectural design brief forms the very start of the design process and setting it down a on paper will help you pull together your ideas, needs, likes and dislikes. It will help you think carefully about what you want from your new house, and it will provide us as architects, a framework to interact with you and work to.
It should be an ever-evolving document as things change and develop and you get a better understanding of your needs. This brief can also be used as a point of reference / checklist thought the whole life cycle of the project to ensure your requirements are meet
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
With horror stories about so-called ‘cowboy’ builders, budgets spiraling out of control and sites being left half-finished, it’s a wonder anyone builds anything! However, we find the vast majority of builders and their sub-contractors to be decent, honest people who take pride in their work, and who will go to great lengths to satisfy their clients and protect their reputation.
Your project is only as good as the quality of the workmanship that goes into it, but hiring skilled, passionate tradespeople is not always easy.
“This guide shows you how to choose your main builder/contractor and related sub-contractors like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners, ground workers, bricklayers, plasterers and decorators.”
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
What do you do if you want to extend your home, but your garden is too small to allow it, or your loft is unsuitable for conversion? You may think the only way to get extra space is to move house. However, there is another possibility. Consider a basement conversion, excavating below ground to build a basement. Basements are slowly becoming more popular in the UK as people look for more space and don’t have the ability to extend wider, longer or higher. Sometimes, the only way to get more room without moving house is to go down into a basement. This is you ultimate guide on basement conversions and basement extensions to help you toward a basement that works for you.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
Estimating small building projects can be a complex process because build costs depend on so many factors. The reality is you will only get an accurate idea of the price for your project when all drawings and schedules of work have been completed. These outline your particular requirements, the type of house construction and any other factors specific to your project.
The problem is, people want to know about building costs before they know about the project specifics or have a clear project brief. Although this is is understandable, it’s difficult to be accurate on build costs at an early stage of a project idea. This is because details of what is being included and what is not is usually quite vague at initial stages of the project.
We recommend you are careful of ball park figures that may be thrown at you early on as these can vary significantly. You can only begin to get some price certainty when you have a building design and plan, and the project is split into its various elements, which can then be measured and costed out.
This article explains how we help clients through this difficult first stage of building projects.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
The most obvious way to improve your home and solve frustrating house design problems is just to add extra space. This preconception may lead you to believe that you need a loft conversion or house extension. But before launching into major building works we advise clients to take a step back and ask an important question. Can you get what you need without major structural alterations or additions?
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
Well-designed extensions can transform even the humblest of homes by maximising the floorplan and adding to the market value. Considering today’s house prices as well as tallying up the costs of moving (think solicitor's fees, stamp duty, house movers and van hire), improving what you've already got can be a more appealing and affordable route to creating a living space that meets your family's needs. Use this guide to help you maximise your property's potential.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
This guide provides everything you need to know about loft conversion design considerations, costings, planning and building regulations. A loft conversion is an ideal way to gain more space. There may be scope for one or two extra bedrooms possibly even with a bathroom or home office.
Like this post? Consider sharing it or saving it for later.
Get started right with expert advice early on in the project with our Kickstart Consultation — quickly get to grips with design, costs and planning, and minimise the likelihood of stress, time wasting and escalating costs.
Work with us for a broad range of commercial architecture services that includes feasibility studies and planning applications, Building Information and Modelling, design and build, project management and interior design.
