What is the Help to Build loan? The Help to Build loan will help people with small deposits (from just 5%) access the finance they need to build their own home. This equity loan scheme is provided by the government to top up a standard self-build mortgage. Following MP Richard Bacon’s review of the sector,… Read more »
Posts By: Design for Me
When should you hire an architect?
For residential projects like extensions, renovations and new builds, architects are usually hired after a client: has a rough idea of the brief, even if it’s still vague, e.g. ‘We’d like a larger open-plan kitchen’ or ‘We need an extra bedroom’ has set an outline budget and knows how it will be financed is in ownership of the property/land.* *Can… Read more »
Custom build house ideas
Custom build house ideas – inspiration for your dream home Design for Me has a community of hundreds of architects and architectural designers all across the country and we’ve complied the most inspiring custom build house designs for you. If you like the look of one, you can click on the image to see that architect’s other work… Read more »
Interior design for a London Bankside Apartment
The client posted his project to Design for Me, looking for a talented interior designer to assist with the interior design for a bachelor apartment in Bankside. Design for Me then matched him with the best candidates and he received interest from a number of interior designers. Through Design for Me, the client narrowed down… Read more »
Exploring Bathroom Vanity Unit Finishes: Gloss, Satin, Matte, and More
When it comes to selecting the right bathroom vanity unit, you have a lot to consider. This includes choosing between wall-hung and freestanding vanity units, determining their size, style, colour, etc. One aspect that is often overlooked is the finish of the bathroom furniture. You may not even realise how significantly it can impact the… Read more »
The top mistakes homeowners make when hiring an architect and how to avoid them
Hiring an architect is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make during your project. A skilled architect can help you achieve the best design, manage your budget, navigate legal requirements, and help ensure a smooth construction process that’s completed on time and within budget. Design for Me is an excellent starting point for finding… Read more »
Which skirting board should I choose?
If you’re renovating your house, you perhaps didn’t anticipate all of the small design decisions you would need to make along the way. Choosing skirting boards and architraves may seem like a minor design decision, but they can have a huge impact on the final look of a room. Do you want to make a… Read more »
Extension and renovation finance options – a simple guide to home loans
There are a zillion articles online about finance options for home renovations and extensions, but most of them are written (or sponsored) by finance providers. This is one is not and is intended as a broad overview of the options available to you. The content in this article is for informational purposes only, you should… Read more »
Alternatives to grass – what can I have instead of a lawn?
It’s a well known fact, although often overlooked, that lawns are hard work. If you want a low-maintenance garden that looks great all year round, a huge expanse of lawn is simply not the best option. Lots of people opt for lawn as the obvious choice – it’s relatively cheap to install and it’s soft enough… Read more »
What are the minimum room sizes for a house?
There are no universal space standards for homes in the UK nor are there universal minimum room sizes. Instead, there are regulations that exist for different circumstances and project types. In any home building or renovation project, the two main statutory obligations you will need to fulfil are planning permission and building regulations approval (building… Read more »
