Remodeling Projects
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Crucial Tips for renovating an old home
When re-modelling an old house, there are a few things you need to know regarding finances, contractors, and more. To start, you must determine the specifics of your situation. Hiring a building surveyor will almost certainly be required; while the cost may seem onerous at first, it’s important to ensure that nothing that could be expensive or harmful is overlooked. The decision to hire additional professionals may be advised by a building surveyor; nevertheless, not doing so carries significant risk and may prove to be expensive in the long run. The next step is to decide precisely what you want to do. Once you’ve determined whether you’ll be residing there,…
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Things to Consider When Planning a Home Extension
Extending your home is a big undertaking, but you can make the entire process smoother and easier if you take the right approach. The first step is to figure out how you want to extend your home. Do you want to add a conservatory? Or maybe you want to add a new storey with rooms? You can even choose to add a completely new building to your property, but in this case, an extension is not the correct term. Before you get to the actual construction, you will have to plan the project. Make a sketch of your extension and take measurements so that you know how much space you…
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Is Planning Permission Needed?
Planning permission is often a topic avoided and is probably the biggest hurdle homeowners face when taking on home improvements. It is mainly needed when you want to build something new, make a significant change to a building (like adding a conservatory) or change the use of the premises. A good rule to go by is if you think something will affect your neighbours or the environment, seek advice from the planning authority through your local council. With the use of open plan living becoming the norm, many people are looking to convert their floorplans to a more open style. Before taking a sledgehammer to your walls, it is always…
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How Much Could UK Solar Panels Really Save?
Are you looking for ways to reduce your bills whilst doing something positive for the environment? Many people tend to wonder about how effective solar panels are in the UK, where there is typically little sun to be had and wonder how much money they could actually save by having them. How much you will save on electricity will vary depending on where you live in the UK but it is likely you will still be impressed with the amount of money you could be saving per year. The standard 4kW solar installation can produce, on average, a savings of £653 a year! Areas such as many parts of Scotland…
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Garage Conversion, What You Need to Know
Home owners often consider a garage conversion when looking for a way to add living space and increase property value, but aren’t sure where to start. Four of the most commonly asked questions about a garage conversion are: 1. Will I need planning permissions? This is largely dependent on whether or not you seek to increase the external area of the garage. If not, the conversion will typically be covered under ‘permitted development rights’ (PDR). 2. Where do I start? Once it is clear that the work is allowed under PDR or planning permissions are acquired, then it would be best to consult a building surveyor, architect or structural engineer…
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What You need to Know About Sustainable Wood Flooring
As people lean more towards Eco-friendly options, buying sustainable wood flooring can be an excellent option. Basically, there are three types: reclaimed wood flooring, bamboo and cork. Reclaimed Wood Flooring is timber that has been salvaged from another property and can be reused. • Pros: vintage wood will add value to your home, is aesthetically pleasing, generally very durable, and can be painted, white-washed or stained any colour. • Cons: it can be costly, must be examined to ensure it does not have woodworm, can amplify sound (rugs can help reduce noise) and if you are not going through a company that has processed it, you may need to look…
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The Best Ways to Protect Your Outdoor Wood Furniture
A nice wood patio set can really give a smart, classy feel to your garden, but to make it last you will need to protect it from the elements. Here are a few tips to help keep your wood furniture looking fabulous. • The best way to keep wood furniture looking nice is to clean, oil and pack it away during the winter months. When oiling use a rich oil in a colour that suits the furniture. • If you do not have the storage space to pack the furniture away, use a cover. So, after cleaning and oiling the furniture ensure to cove it well with a water proof…
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What is the difference between a solid wood door and an engineered door?
When shopping for new internal doors most people have already decided on the style and colour that they want but will then need to decide on the material of the door. Solid wood doors are doors that are made entirely from solid wood or solid wood panels that are glued together to create the door. Solid wood doors are often more expensive than engineered doors due to the materials used to create the door. Engineered doors are made from inexpensive materials internally with wood or other materials on the exterior. Whats the difference in price? The deciding factor between both doors will generally be how much you want to pay.…
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What do you need to build your own Pergola
Pergolas are becoming increasingly popular in recent years in the UK due to how beautiful they look and the visual appeal they add to your garden or outdoor space. More and more people are looking to build their very own pergola which is a great idea if you are DIY savvy. When thinking about building one the first thing you will need to consider is what type of wood you will need to use to build it. There are generally two different options that you can use hardwood or softwood. Softwood will need to be pressure treated. Hardwood is more durable. You will also require a few basic tools to…
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Is it cheaper to build your own shed?
Nearly every single garden in the UK has a shed, they are a fantastic option for storage and come in several different shapes, sizes, and materials. You can even get sheds that are visually pleasing for different reasons. You can buy modern-looking sheds made out of plastic or metal or wooden sheds. With so many resources laying around which you can pick up free a lot of the time on local selling platforms or unwanted wood from local businesses, you can build a shed a lot cheaper than a store-bought one. Sheds depending on size can cost over a thousand pound! If you can be savvy then you can easily…