When it comes to home construction projects, there are many factors to consider. You need to make sure that you have the right team in place to get the job done efficiently and on time, as well as the right budget for the project.
Here are five reasons why you should use an architect for your home renovation project.
Wherever you are in the world, choosing to use the services of an architect could help you save time and money, by ensuring that your project is planned and organised properly from the start.
A London architect, for example, will work with you to develop a budget and timeline for the project and make sure that all of the necessary permits and approvals are in place before work begins. This can help prevent costly delays or problems down the road.
They’ll take into account your specific needs and desires and come up with a design that meets those requirements. If you are not sure what you want, an architect can help you explore different options and find the one that best suits your needs.
2. An architect can help you create a functional and efficient space
An architect can help you design a space that is both functional and efficient, by creating a layout that makes the best use of the available space.
This can include features like storage solutions, seating arrangements, and traffic flow. By working with an architect, you can be sure that your space will meet all your needs and be optimally designed for your use.
3. They will help you make the most of your budget
An architect can help you stay within your budget by finding ways to save money on materials and labour costs. They have years of experience in the construction industry and know how to get the best value for your money. They’ll help you plan for future expenses too, such as repairs or renovations so that you are not caught off guard further down the road.
They will also work with you to find ways to add value to your property, such as by adding energy-efficient features or using sustainable building practices.
4. An architect can help you avoid potential problems
Architect London can help you avoid potential problems by identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies. For example, if there is a risk of flooding, the architect can help develop a plan to mitigate that risk.
They will also keep an eye on the construction process to make sure that everything is proceeding as planned and that there are no unforeseen delays or issues. By having someone with experience and knowledge on your side, you can avoid potential problems and have a much smoother construction process.
5. Architects help you create a space that reflects your unique style
Image: Shutterstock
An architect can help you create a space that reflects your unique style and personality. They will work with you to select the right materials, colours, and finishes that will give your a look and feel that is uniquely yours. Whether you are looking for a sleek and modern look or a more traditional aesthetic, an architect can help you achieve your desired outcome.
To sum up the benefits, if you are planning a home renovation project, an architect can help you every step of the way.
Gutters are a vital system of any home so it’s important that gutter installation mistakes aren’t made when they’re put in. Gutters shield your property from water damage by collecting rainwater and redirecting it away from your home’s foundation. Since gutter installation isn’t a complicated construction project, homeowners may sometimes take the project themselves or hire an inexperienced gutter contractor. However, as with any home project, many mistakes are likely to occur during installation, some of which can make the whole gutter system useless. Here are some of the most common mistakes you should avoid during gutter installation.
1. Gutter installation mistakes: Choosing the wrong gutter type
Photo by Erik Karits, Pexels
When it comes to choosing the right gutter, one of the common gutter installation mistakes involves choosing the wrong one. Gutters come in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. However, most homeowners find it confusing and difficult to decide which type of gutter is best for their home. This poses the risk of choosing the wrong gutter type, which could render the installation and system futile. For instance, if your gutters are too small, the system can be overburdened when it rains heavily, leading to poor drainage.
Before making any purchase, carefully research the different types of gutters available and consider factors such as your roof pitch, home size, and the amount of rainfall your area generally receives. Use this Gutter Sizing Guide or consult your roof contractor or supplier to help determine your home’s most appropriate dimensions.
2. Using too many seams
Seams hold different gutter parts together, but they are the weakest point of any guttering system. Too many seam weldings can make your gutter prone to cracks or leakage, so installing gutters with as few seams possible is your best bet. It’s worth choosing seamless gutters to avoid this if you can afford it.
3. Gutter installation mistakes: Calculating the wrong roof pitch
Your gutters should have a fairly steep pitch to allow easy flow of rainwater to the downspouts. If your roof pitch is too steep, rainwater will travel too quickly into the downspouts and likely overflow, while water may pool in parts of the gutter if the angle is too low. Both of these gutter installation mistakes can cause damage to your gutter and other issues around your home’s exterior.
Generally, a quarter of an inch slope towards the downspouts is required for every 10 feet of your gutter. This way, no rainwater will spill to the side or collect within your gutters.
There is a common misconception that gutters should be placed at the roof edge, which is wrong. Gutters generally need to be installed a few inches below the roof edge to collect water that flows down its backside due to capillary action.
5. Wrong installation of downspouts
Downspouts direct water away from your home. However, if they aren’t correctly installed or are placed in the wrong location, rainwater may leak into the foundation or even damage your façade. Ideally, install your downspouts such that they divert water 8 to 10 feet away from your house foundation.
Endnote
Gutters are your roof’s first line of defence against rain, so any gutter installation mistake, including a DIY project, can leave your roof prone to moisture damage. If you are inexperienced with home improvements, consider hiring a professional to avoid all the hassle and get the most out of your money. A reliable gutter contractor will advise you on which type of gutter best suits your home and won’t make any of these mistakes.
Are you building a new home? Here are eight crucial tips to help you create the home of your dreams.
Beginning a project as immense as constructing a new home can be overwhelming. There are so many things to consider, plan for, and arrange, that it can be difficult to know where to start.
You may need to hire an engineering solicitor, or gain the expertise of an estate ages, as well as ordering all the necessary equipment and building materials for the project within a tight timeline and budget.
In the following article we will discuss eight of the most important things you need to remember when building your home. This will include making a plan, creating a timeline buying the right plot of land, HOA restrictions, obtaining necessary permits, building a budget and hiring architects, structural and mechanical engineers.
The first step in constructing your new home should always be to plan and decide on specifics such as budgets, designs and other resources to make your plan come to life. Without a plan you are more likely to go over budget, fail to secure all the necessary permits, be missing an important building component etc.
As well as producing blueprints and deciding on the physical orientation of your new home, you will need a plan to ensure things will run smoothly. For instance, having the right type of builder on hand when they are needed.
Your plan should be realistic and flexible enough that you can adapt to the inevitable delays or challenges you face throughout the process.
2. Buying the Perfect Plot of Land
One of the first thing you will need to decide is where your new home will be built. When doing so it’s important that you consider whether the land is suitable and affordable. If you’re unsure, a real estate agent will be able to provide expert insight.
It’s important to consider the following:
The environmental location – Is this area in a flood zone? Or will you have to plan around other environmental issues that are common for this area. For instance, forest fires or even tornados if relevant.
Access to utility sources – It’s important to ensure that water and utility companies can supply your location and how much it may cost to do so before purchasing the land.
The land zoned should be for residential use – In some areas you may not be able to build a residential property or there may be building requirements you need to be aware of.
Relevant deed restrictions – In some instances, there will be special restrictions on plots of land that may affect the design and size of your new home.
3. Obtain the Necessary Permits
One tip for constructing your new home is to identify what permits you will need and obtain them as soon as possible. Depending on the location and what you an on building you may require different types of permits to be able to create the home you want.
You will require a building permit for any work that involves construction and changes to a structure. Additionally, you may also need permits for additional mechanical work, electricity, and plumbing.
You will also need to make sure your new property complies with building regulations, and is safe to live in. Go to your local government website to see what permits are needed in your location.
Image: Shutterstock
4. Create a Timeline
In order to make the construction of your property as smooth a process as possible having a timeline is essential.
You will undoubtedly encounter delays, due to supply shortages, weather, and many other unexpected challenges. Because of this your timeline should be flexible and accommodate as many backup plans as possible.
A timeline can help you to organise you expenses and ensure that, where possible, the construction of your new home is as effective as possible.
5. Build a Budget
Similarly, to the timeline, having a budget is essential for any building project. You will need to pay for building material, labour, permits and much more before you your home will be completed.
Having a detailed plan for how much you can spend and how you are going to fund the project will prevent you from going massively over budget or making other costly mistakes.
It’s important to keep in mind:
What your main priorities are
What will be worth the cost and what won’t be
Any way you can cut down on expenses
6. Consider Hiring an Architect
One of the most important tips for building a new home is to surround yourself with professionals who know what they are doing. An architect for example, can help you to design a home that is both practical and meets your personal requirements.
When looking for an architect to help you with your project it’s vital that you consider their qualifications as well as the opinions of previous clients.
Ensure that you hire someone who has successfully completed large jobs like this before and that you like the style of their previous work. Meet with a few different architects before you make your final decision so that you know you have made the best choice for your need.
When building a new home, a structural engineer is trained to design the structures of the building. They can also inspect these structures to ensure that they are effective and free from defects.
Having a structural engineer on your team is particularly important when you are constructing an entirely new home, to make sure that your design meets the necessary safety standards.
8. Do You Need Mechanical Engineers?
Likewise, a mechanical engineer is necessary to ensure that all your needs are met. However, instead of focusing on the structure of the building a mechanical engineer can help you to install machinery like heathers, ventilation, etc.
They are particularly useful when it comes to designing a custom home and can give valuable insight on features like solar panels, generators and much more.
Don’t Cut Corners with Building Your New Home…
By using the 8 tips in this post, you should have a soundproof plan put together with the important considerations in mind. However, don’t stop here! Carry out your own research on successful house builds and plunge into the details of how it came together.
Have you managed to build your own home? Leave any useful tips in the comments below.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from an engineering professional. Be sure to consult a construction professional if you’re seeking advice about building a home. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
Plenty of people now seek homes that need renovating due to the lower market prices than an already renovated property. If you’re one of these people, read on for four tips for choosing a home to renovate.
Renovating a house has many benefits compared to choosing an older property that is already done, up or a new build. It offers you so many exciting potentials, creating the perfect home that aligns with your taste. It also provides the possibility of increasing the property value significantly.
Before you can even start the renovations process, though, you need to find the perfect home. We’re here to provide some tips to help with the process.
From hiring a conveyancing lawyer to iron out all the practical elements, to considering what changes you’ll make to the property if you purchase it, there’s lots to consider. Keep reading to learn the four helpful tips when choosing a home to renovate…
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Property to Renovate?
1. Search and Find a Property That Catches Your Interest
One thing that is important to take into account when you are choosing a home to renovate is finding a property which you see potential in.
You want a property that initially catches your interest. This could be one where you like the shell of it and have an idea of how you can make it into the perfect home. It might be that the location is ideal for you; perhaps it is in a good area, with excellent local schools for children, parks, and shopping amenities.
Alternatively, it could be somewhere that you could feasibly add a lot of value to. This is where your conveyancer can come in handy to help with searches of the property to get a better sense of its potential.
2. Consider The Cost to Renovate
We can all get carried away when it comes to buying property. So, while a house might be up for sale for a reduced price, this doesn’t always mean that it’s affordable to purchase.
Renovations can cost a considerable amount of money. In the UK, the average cost of renovating a three bedroom home is between a whopping £76,900 and £138,800, including things like windows, heating systems, re-plastering, a new kitchen, knocking down walls and much more.
Be sure to understand what you’ll have to change within the property to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
3. Hire a Conveyancer
Conveyancers are important for a reason. They have experience dealing with all types of properties and know the good ones from the bad.
The last thing that you want is to purchase a property that is going to cost you more than it’s worth, and hiring a conveyancing solicitor ensures this
If you select a renovation project that interests you, your conveyancer will be able to take a look at the property, carry out the necessary search checks and advise you if there are any problems that need immediate addressing.
If the searches come back clear and there are no other concerns, then you know that you’ve made the right choice and found a property worth buying and spending money on to renovate.
4. Consider How You Might Design the Home When Viewing it
Before you decide to get those keys in your hand, it’s important that you have an idea of the changes you’d make to the property. You don’t want to jump in head first before considering what needs changing, and whether it’s feasible or not.
So, before purchasing it, the first thought of many is where to start. Will you change the kitchen and bathroom? Will you re-plaster? Will you redo the electrics completely? What about replacing the windows?
Most properties which need renovating can feel overwhelming to look at. So, you’ll need a breakdown of everything that needs changing before you dive in.
Then, once you’ve decided on this, you’ll need to sort out your design and renovation process to make sure it’s a feasible option for you. Some things to consider include:
Doing One Room at a Time
There is nothing worse than starting multiple projects at once, especially if you’re considering living in the property whilst renovating. You need to start off with one thing at a time. This could be beginning with the largest project or focusing on the smaller ones, perhaps a toilet.
Doing one project also allows you to save money. By focusing on one project at a time, you can budget accordingly.
Create a Budget
Like when you consider a budget for the purchase of the property, you need to consider a renovation budget too. Doing this allows you to only spend what you need to and not waste money that can be used on other aspects of the property.
If your budget is lower, you will be able to determine what’s a priority, what can be kept the same, and what can have fewer changes made.
Renovations costs will often include building materials, labour (if you use builders, decorators and other tradesmen), architecture and furnishing. Love Renovate provides advice on how to budget for your renovation, including what not to miss, why you should get multiple trade quotes and more.
What we can conclude is that renovating a property can be a tedious task to do, with considerable aspects involved. It begins with choosing the property, and then you have to actually carry out the renovations. Taking the time to consider what you are getting involved in is crucial.
For more assistance with renovating a house, Homebuilding & Renovating provide some expert advice from specialists who know how.
Have you renovated a property before? Leave a comment below with your tips and tricks for others looking to renovate.
It’s no secret that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. With soaring prices for residential properties, it can be difficult for homeowners to keep up with the competition.
However, there are ways to increase the value of your property without breaking the bank and one such way is through refurbishment.
Refurbishment can be a great way to breathe new life into an old property. Whether you’re looking to update the appearance of your home, make it more comfortable, or want to make improvements and repairs before putting it on the market, refurbishment can be a cost-effective way to increase the value of your property.
So you need to decide what kind of work you want to be done. For example, if you just want to update the appearance of your flat, then a cosmetic refurbishment would be enough.
However, if you need to make structural changes or repairs, then you will need to do a more extensive refurbishment. This type of work can be more expensive, but it will add more value to your property.
Some examples of property refurbishment include:
– Flat roof replacement
– New windows and doors
– Rendering and exterior painting
– Internal redecoration
– Kitchen or bathroom fitting
These are just a few of the most popular types of refurbishments that people typically undertake. Of course, the specific type of refurbishment that is right for your home will depend on many factors, including your budget, the condition of your home, and your personal preferences.
When you are planning a property refurbishment, it is important to set a budget and stick to it so you avoid overspending, and shop around to get the best deals.
Hiring contractors and what to look for
Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels
Thankfully, if you’re not into DIY, there are lots of specialist refurbishment companies that can do the job for you, such as painting, wallpapering, tiling, flooring, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. They can also help with furniture assembly and disassembly.
When you are looking for a contractor to do your refurbishment, it is important to find one that has a good reputation. Ask friends and family for recommendations, search online for customer reviews or use local websites to find tradespeople.
If you are planning to do a flat refurbishment London, it is important to plan ahead and get quotes from different companies before making a final decision. This way, you can compare prices and services and choose the best option for your needs.
Make sure that they are experienced and qualified to do the work – for example, they should also be able to provide you with a portfolio of previous work so that you can see examples of their workmanship.
When you have agreed on a price, ensure you get everything in writing. This will protect you if there are any problems with the work. When the work is completed, it is important to check the quality of the work. Make sure that you are happy with the standard of the work before you pay the final bill.
Refurbishing your home can be a great way to increase its value and make it more comfortable to live in. However, it is important to do your research before you start the work. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will get the best possible results from your refurbishment.
