Planning permission for a fence or wall You do not need planning permission to erect a new one or alter, maintain, improve or take down an existing fence, wall or gate. However, the following conditions must be adhered to: There must not be any listed buildings on the site. There must not be any listed buildings on… Read more »
How much do architects charge? Architect’s fees for a home project vary depending on the type and scale of the job. There are no official standards or guidelines for architect’s fees, so it’s between the client and the architect to negotiate the fee, often dependant on the following: The extent of the architect’s services (see ‘splitting… Read more »
Many people assume that using designer for their home or garden is a luxury for the super wealthy, who own large country piles or multi-million pound town houses. However, through websites like Design for Me, affordable home and garden design has become more accessible to the masses. It’s now much more common for garden designer to offer a suite of garden… Read more »
In the UK, there has long been an assumption that interior design services are only for the super wealthy, who own large country piles or multi-million pound town houses. However, through websites like Design for Me, affordable interior design has become more accessible to the masses. It’s now much more common for interior design firms to offer a suite of… Read more »
Can you build a house in your garden? If you have a large garden (or driveway in fact) that’s accessible directly from the road, it can provide a fantastic development opportunity to build a house on your land. The advantages of this approach to a self-building are potentially huge: It could significantly increase the total value of… Read more »
This week, I have been mostly designing… a rear extension! As this is rather a common project on Design for Me, I thought I’d share some of my research. The brief was quite simple. It involved extending the living room to create a dining area (the client’s current dining table is too small for a family… Read more »
If you live in a period property it’s likely that you will have a number of fireplaces around your home. With modern heating, it’s unlikely that you’d want to bring them all back to life, but it can be a fantastic focal point in a living area and provides some extra cosiness on a cold… Read more »
This is a simple and concise guide to understanding VAT on house conversions. Please note that there is different guidance in relation to new builds. Be aware that all projects are unique and some projects will not be eligible for tax reductions – please consult with your architect / quantity surveyor in relation to your… Read more »
Cut your extension costs – tips from the experts In another recent article, we looked at prices for real-life house extensions, provided by architects on Design for Me, and gave a cost per square metre rate as guidance for your project: Renovation and extension cost per square metre A great design professional can be worth their weight in gold; they… Read more »
Does your garden need a complete overhaul before summer starts? With Spring around the corner, now is the time to start planning! But how much does a garden makeover cost? What can you achieve for your budget? 0-2000k DIY, turf, perennials, trees & gravel? The staple for most gardens is of course a… Read more »
