Home extension project management – do I need a project manager?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Designers, Extensions.

Do I need a project manager for a house extension? In the construction industry the term ‘project manager’ often gets confused. For a house extension, a ‘project manager’ role is not typical and could be superfluous to requirements if you have a good architect and a good main contractor.   Featured image above from Andreas,… Read more »

When to Choose Grey or White Wood Flooring

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, DfM, Inspiration, Renovations.

  There’s no doubt that grey and white wood floors are proving to be a massive hit at present. A wooden floor has become the norm – it’s beautiful, sustainable, hygienic and classic. But before grey and white wood flooring became so popular, the real flooring innovation happened below the level of colour, at the point where engineered… Read more »

New planning policy for brownfield sites

Posted by & filed under planning applications, Self-Build.

What is the new planning policy for brownfield sites? An amendment to the Town and Country planning act (General Permitted Development) in 2020 has allowed development of new build houses to benefit from fast-track planning on small brownfield sites. The official published guidance states that the following criteria should apply: ‘Owners of vacant and redundant… Read more »

What’s the difference between outline planning and permission in principle?

Posted by & filed under planning applications, Self-Build.

It’s a common assumption that terms are interchangeable, particularly in relation to new build housing. This is a simple guide to explain the difference between outline planning and permission in principle in basic terms, and which route might be the most suitable for your project. In short, they are essentially very similar. However, permission in… Read more »

Interior design ideas for small flats

Posted by & filed under Inspiration, Interiors.

Interior design ideas for small flats Before you start searching for an interior designer near you, I’d recommend first collecting some ideas and looks that you like. Not only will this guide you in your search to find the best interior designer for your style, it will also be hugely beneficial in the design process,… Read more »

How to make a small garden look bigger

Posted by & filed under Gardens.

This is a simple starter guide to garden design where space is limited. We asked some of the garden designers on Design for Me for their top tips on how to make a small garden look bigger.   1. Avoid large expanses of grass, paving or decking It may seem counter-intuitive but large lawns will… Read more »

Do you need planning permission for a holiday let?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Conversions, Legal Considerations, planning applications, Your Designer.

Do I need planning permission for a holiday let (change of use from a house to a holiday let)? In short, there is no definitive answer here and it depends on local planning regulations. Planning permission is required for a ‘material’ change of use, i.e if you are going from one use class to another…. Read more »

What is a feasibility study?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Designers, Extensions.

Do I need a feasibility study? All projects, big or small, will go through the feasibility phase; which is basically a research phase to help decide whether a project will proceed or not. A feasibility study will usually also inform the design and construction method. The decision to proceed lies with the client of course,… Read more »