Love It Or List It? Channel 4 has recently set TV favourites, Phil & Kirsty a new challenge in property development with a UK version of the US top rated home makeover show ‘Love it or List it?’. The series which aired earlier this year on Channel 4 pitched the enticing prospect of a shiny new home against work on an existing property to deliver your dream home and the financial implications of doing so. With lots of the episodes focusing on loft conversion opportunities, I have to admit I found myself becoming slightly obsessed with the show and binge watched the series during the infamous Beast From The East which left me stranded in my own rural village pondering… Read More

Do I Require Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion? A number of factors must be taken into consideration when when asking “Do I need planning permission for my loft conversion?” You would not normally need to obtain planning permission for your loft conversion providing that: The house is a single family dwelling and not a flat or maisonette The proposed extension or dormer window should not be raised above the highest part of the roof The slope of any part of the roof, which faces a highway, must not be extended The loft conversion does not amount to more than 40 cubic meters in the case of a terraced house or 50 cubic meters in any other case. (This is measured… Read More

What does Brexit mean for construction? As the United Kingdom woke up to the news that the public had voted to leave the European Union, many were left wondering what the implications would be for the construction industry. The industry, throughout the campaign, had displayed mixed views on the prospect of Brexit, with particular concern about how it might affect the skills shortage, the import and export of materials, and regulations and standards. Recent months have seen private sector investors delaying investment decisions ahead of the vote, but with the economical and political uncertainty this trend is continuing while we wait for the government to trigger the fabled Article 50 and begin trade negotiations. Therefore the vote result will undoubtedly continue to affect house building… Read More

Channel 4 has recently set TV favourites, Phil & Kirsty a new challenge in property development with a UK version of the US top rated home makeover show ‘Love it or List it?’. The series which aired earlier this year on Channel 4 pitched the enticing prospect of a shiny new home against work on an existing property to deliver your dream home and the financial implications of doing so. With lots of the episodes focusing on loft conversion opportunities, I have to admit I found myself becoming slightly obsessed with the show and binge watched the series during the infamous Beast From The East which left me stranded in my own rural village pondering my next move for me… Read More

An Overall Guide as to how a Loft Conversion proceeds (Dormer Conversion – typical time span 6 to 8 weeks): Every loft conversion is slightly different, however we have created a timetable of a loft conversion that contains the most common stages and steps that your loft conversion is likely to go through: Works will commence with the erection of independent scaffolding. First delivery of materials – ie structural steels, joisting timbers etc. An opening is made in the roof for access – initial works are completed externally, so minimising internal disturbance (approx 3/4 weeks) Floor joisting carried out – following which the local authority Building Inspector will visit to approve floor construction. If a dormer conversion, the dormer will next be… Read More