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February 2011
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- February 2011
When it comes to Building Works - Don't forget the Insurance Company
Having building works completed at your home can be considered as an increased risk that the home insurers need information about. Insures these days are forever finding ways to exploit technical errors that the house owner has made to give them credible excuses not to pay out. Rather than taking the risk, you should write to your home and contents insurers advising them of the intended building works and the expected contract period and requesting confirmation that you are still covered.
Most insurers will see this as ordinary and not request additional cover during the works. Others may require an additional premium. Whatever the result do not be caught out by not supplying them with the information.
DIY may damage your health
Is it just me or does every other advert on the television appear to be from some home improvement company trying to either sell me double glazing or fitted wardrobes? The increase in home improvement adverts is a sure sign that the season is upon us. Whilst home improvement should be applauded as a way of not only saving you money but also improving your home, there are some jobs that might be just beyond us...
According to a recent study undertaken by the insurance firm LV=, around 27pc of homeowners admit they have undertaken electrical jobs without professional help, while 22pc have attempted plumbing work, and 9pc have tried their hand at structural improvements, such as removing walls. A further 6pc have even tried to carry out major building work themselves, such as a loft conversion, while 3pc have tackled potentially dangerous gas repairs.
Whilst many homeowners have carried out the improvement works in the hope of increasing the value of their property, if the work is done badly, it could actually reduce a home's sale price by as much as 5pc. Not only can bungling a job be dangerous and costly to put right, it could invalidate your home insurance cover and make it difficult when it comes to selling. Yes, we all want to save money but remember that carrying out home improvement works that you are not confident with may well be a risk too far. If in doubt, contact a professional.
Top Tips on Finding & Working with your Builder
So you've done your research and looked into whether or not you need planning permission. Well done. Now you can get down to the business of the build. Whether you're going for a kitchen extension or loft conversion, a lot of work goes into turning your home improvement dreams into reality. Don't panic, instead take the time to find the right builder and everything else will fall into place. Putting your home in the hands of a capable expert is the surest way to ensure a smooth project from start to finish. There are plenty of great builders out there - for most people the trouble is knowing where to find them.
Luckily, the team at MyBuilder.com understand how important it is to find a builder you can trust and they've got a solution to help. MyBuilder.com is a service that provides a trusted environment for homeowners to connect with local tradesmen. Builders on the site have reviews left by homeowners who've hired them previously - kind of like eBay for the trades. MyBuilder.com has over 44,000 members - from painters & decorators to plumbers and everything in-between. All you do is post your job and tradespeople with relevant skills will automatically get in touch through the site with message and quotes. It's easy to tell who's reputable and who isn't based on their feedback and qualifications.
For more advice when looking for a builder, follow these top tips from MyBuilder.com:
1. Experience shapes expertise
It's important to get a clear picture of the builder's experience prior to hiring. Building work can be full of surprises and bad communication can cause budgets to spiral and projects to crumble. A qualified professional builder will liaise with their client every step of the way - come bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Make sure any builders you're considering have experience doing similar work. Even better, get reassurance by asking to visit their client's homes.
2. Do you need a jack of all trades or a specialist?
Large projects normally require several different trades. A typical extension build will need the services of a bricklayer, plasterer, electrician and plumber. A carpenter, painter and tiler may also be needed to achieve a quality finish. Using specialist tradesmen (that are qualified where necessary) will help ensure that work is carried out safely and to a high standard. Unless you're keen to take on the role of project manager, we recommend you find a builder who can manage the team and source sub-contractors when needed.
3. Quotology
Always get at least three quotes. When comparing costs, make sure they've all been provided to the same spec. Remember, there's a big difference between a rough estimate and a formal quote. Be wary of tradesmen who throw figures around with having enough information. Most tradesmen are more than happy to pop by for a free site assessment. Getting your favourite builders around for a viewing also provides an opportunity to get to know them better.
4. Don't guess, check!
One of the most common reasons that issues arise is poor communication. Tell prospective builders exactly what you want and make sure they're on the same page. Good builders will offer guidance and advice along the way. Make sure you cover off the following key points prior to awarding the job:
- Verify their insurance - All builders should have public liability insurance and employers liability insurance if they are responsible for a team (if using MyBuilder.com, look for the stamp on their profile)
- Payment terms - stage payments tend to work well for both parties
- Materials - ask about trade discounts & guarantees
- Contracts - get everything in writing, it protects you and your builder!
Once you've hired, if changes are made to the spec, ask for a revised quote - that way they'll be no questions when it comes to pay up. Most importantly, at the first sign of a problem, address it head on. Hurt feelings are usually less costly to mend than a damaged home.
Happy building!
When the Daily Commute Gets All too Much
For many of us, the thought of foregoing the daily commute and working from home is no longer the stuff of dreams. According to recent statistics, nearly 6% of the UK's population work from home. Other than choice, the spiralling cost of petrol has been partly responsible with many looking at ways to work more efficiently and cost-effectively.
With living space at a premium and the loft full of unwanted gifts and furniture that may not even be yours, how else can you meaningfully take up the working from home opportunity? If you are lucky enough to live in a house with a reasonably sized garden, the answer may lie just there. An office located in the garden works on many levels. Firstly, it quite literally divorces your work life from your home life and being in a "green environment" helps focus the grey cells. Furthermore, if you have been using a bedroom as an office, you can reclaim that space for its rightful purpose and in doing so, makes the home more marketable when it comes to selling. The costs of creating a room with a view quite often equates to less than the stamp duty on an average house sell and a sympathetic and well designed outside room will add value to your property.
Now for the boring bit....if you do consider creating an outside room, it needs to be a space which is comfortable and pleasant to be in. Firstly, make sure that the proposed structure is sited on foundations and not slabs and don't forget the need to run power cables from the house to the outside room. The building must be insulated in order to avoid freezing in winter and overheating in summer and finally remember that outside rooms can be vulnerable to burglary and therefore you will need to fix locks and possibly an alarm system.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Erect Such a Structure?
You do not need planning permission to erect such a structure if:-
- You do not build it forward of the front elevation of the house;
- It is less than 3m high with a flat roof and 4m high for a pitched roof;
- Any part of it that is 2m away or closer is less than 2.5m high;
- The proposal doesn't involve the need to construct a raised platform more than 350mm high;
- It will take up less than 50% of the garden area.
Other restrictions may well apply if for example you live in a Conservation Area or your house is Listed so it is worth checking with the relevant Local Authority.
Investing in New Windows
As the old adage goes, cheap isn't always best and replacement windows is certainly a case in point. I am sure there are many fantastic offers out there but with all things, don't be taken in by what may seem an offer too good to be true - sometimes it isn't. Poor fitted windows or windows that offer lower thermal performance levels will cost you more in heating bills and therefore, you have defeated one of the main objectives of having them replaced.
So, what do I need to look out for? Many new windows will come with energy ratings - a bit like the ones you find on new white goods such as washing machines and fridges. Also, if you choose windows with Low Emissivity glass, this will help maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the year as it will prevent excessive solar gain in the summer by reflecting the heat outside, while the coating on the inside of the glass keeps the warmth inside during cold spells.
In order to meet Part L of the Building Regulations, all replacement windows will have to meet this rigorous standard. You should therefore choose windows with a Window Energy Rating (WER) of band C or above, or a combined U value of 1/6W/m2K. This science doesn't stop here I am afraid. You need to ensure that it is the whole window U value that is quoted and not simply the centre pane value, as this can be a misleading value for the full unit.
For houses that are Listed in a Conservation Area or where Permitted Development Rights have been removed, our advice is to consult with your local authority Historic Buildings Officer before considering replacing windows. The reason for this is that Upvc frames may not necessarily be the most appropriate material to be employed on a historically sensitive property.
