Being able to offer independent advice in the construction industry is a precious commodity. Most of the big chain builders’ merchants or suppliers offer advice that is tailored to their own in-house products and services. We have seen other estimating services offer big discounts if you get a report done with them. Yet all the materials will come from their affiliated suppliers which may not be the cheapest place to purchase them.
One thing that slips most peoples minds on site is health and safety. We are all guilty of that ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude. So, what happens when it does? There have been big improvements over recent years in reducing the number and rate of injuries to construction workers. Despite this, construction remains a high-risk industry and accounts for a high percentage of fatal and major injuries.
During our 3 days at the Self Build event in Dublin, we took part in some of the theatre talks. Our topic was budgeting and cost projection. We didn’t expect the talks to be as popular as they were! Each 30-minute slot had a full audience.
Over the years we have seen a subtle shift in the building trends and designs of new build homes.Features such as over the top wardrobes, artex ceilings and avocado bathrooms are a thing of the past. For example, a fascinating survey done by New Homes magazine, revealed that 44% of UK home-buyers wouldn’t buy a property if it had an avocado bathroom!
Tendering or bidding for a project is a common practice among builders and contractors. The process for some can be daunting, awkward and time consuming. It is important that builders tender for projects that they can manage and are right for their company size. Over the years, tenders have become more complex.
The first step to any self-build project is securing an architect and getting plans drawn up. In our opinion it is one of the most important aspects of your project. Getting an architect that you can trust and can incorporate an idea onto paper within a budget is so important.
Whether you have a 7-bedroom mansion overlooking a lake, or a 2 bed tiny house on the edge of a secluded forest, your home is where your heart is. Often translated “Family is where the heart is”, the original proverb identifies that with where there is love and acceptance, is also your home.
If you type self-build costs or self-build calculator into google, you will get pages of build cost tools to help. Some ask you for only 3 or 4 values or input criteria before it spits back out a figure. But can you count on this?
Spring always seems to be the time of year where people decide to do some renovations or home improvements. There are lots of ways you can revamp your home. From updating your kitchen or bathroom, extensions to add more space, or improving on energy efficiency.
