What is Hempcrete? Like its eponym – concrete – hempcrete is a mixture of materials that harden to become a construction material. It’s made of hemp hurd (also called shives) and lime. Its primary purpose in construction is as thermal insulation. It can be used in the entire building envelope – walls, floors and roof. As hempcrete doesn’t have inherent… Read more »
Have you ever taken a long hard look at the space beneath your stairs and wondered if you could actually do anything with it? If you’re looking for an innovative storage solution to maximise the amount of available space in your home, bespoke under-stairs storage solution could be just the ticket. Custom-built storage options can… Read more »
Choosing the Right House Extension: Exploring Your Options With numerous options available, each offering its own advantages and considerations, it’s crucial to explore and understand the different types of house extensions before making a choice. Whether you’re looking to expand your kitchen, add extra bedrooms, or create spacious open-plan living areas, this article aims to… Read more »
Should you move or extend your home? In this current economic climate, many people are facing challenges such as high living costs, borrowing costs, construction costs, and an uncertain housing market. As a result, the decision of whether to move or extend one’s current home is far from easy. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer… Read more »
How much does a residential architect cost? As a basic rule of thumb for private residential projects, a residential architect typically charges between 10-15% of the construction cost for full architectural services. This can be reduced to 3.5% – 5.25% if you use your architect for the initial design stage only*. *You may opt… Read more »
Extension above by Prue, architectural designer from Barnet, London. See more and shortlist them for your home project here. Should you go small? Finding a design professional for your project, particularly if you’ve never embarked on a building project before, can be overwhelming. For private home projects such as extensions, renovations and self-builds, small architecture… Read more »
What is the 4 year rule – planning permission? If your property does not have the required planning permission, there are four years in which your local council can take enforcement action to remedy the breach. The four years start from when the development is substantially complete. What is the 10 year rule? You… Read more »
How much does a house extension cost? We get asked this question a lot, so, we thought it worthy of its own post! It’s not an easy question to answer and obviously depends on a number of factors (etc, etc…), but that’s not the answer you’re looking for is it? You’re really looking for a very rough… Read more »
Prefabrication and modular construction are both off-site construction methods that involve building components in a controlled factory environment, which are then transported to the construction site for assembly. They are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners looking to expand their living space. What’s the difference between a prefab extension and a modular extension? Prefabrication generally… Read more »
Extension design above by Amos, architect from Islington, London. See more and shortlist them for your home project here. You may be considering applying for planning for a mansard roof extension if your existing loft space is not high enough or the wrong shape for a straight conversion or dormer extension. What is a mansard roof… Read more »
