Do I Need Planning Permission?
Planning permission is one of the first major hurdles you need to overcome when undertaking any major building or renovation project. New buildings and extensive changes to buildings requires consent from the local planning authority. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know when you need planning permission. From planning
What Is Underpinning?
Underpinning is a technique used to rectify properties that suffer from or have suffered from subsidence. Underpinning is necessary when a property’s structure moves due to subsidence and as a result needs more support. Underpinning strengthens a property’s foundations if they have been weakened by subsidence and need to be repaired. The
Do I Need an Asbestos Survey?
Asbestos is incredibly harmful and can be present in your home without your knowledge. It is estimated that 70% of homes in the UK still contain asbestos in some way or form. Left alone, asbestos is not a problem, but if disturbed, it can release dangerous fibres which can be
5 Top Tips for First Time Home Buyers
Buying your first home can be exciting, daunting and downright confusing. These are our 5 top tips for first-time buyers to guide you through this complex process and help you get onto the property ladder. 1. Make Sure You Can Afford It Before you buy your first home, you
15 Top Maintenance Tips for Your Home
It is important to look after your home, as it looks after you. These are a few of the key things you can do to your home to ensure it is well maintained, inside and out. Exterior 1. Chimney – ensure chimney pots are secure and repair any broken
How Do I Resolve a Boundary Dispute?
Most properties have boundaries like walls, hedges,fences, edging and stones; however, it can become unclear over time who the boundary belongs to and who owns the land between two properties. Boundary disputes often occur when one homeowner replaces a boundary without gaining permission or consulting their neighbour first, or when
4 Reasons to Install Solar Panels
Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to harness the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. Although it may appear that installing solar panels in the UK may not be that effective due to our distinct lack of sun, if solar panels are used efficiently, the average home could generate 50-60% of the
Is My Property a Non-Standard Building?
It’s important to understand whether your house is built using non-standard construction methods and materials. While there are some very old non-standard properties, such as those made using cob and wattle and daub, the majority of non-standard houses were built in the 20th century. Construction gained pace after 1918, with
Is My Property a Listed Building?
A listed building is a building of national importance which is protected due to its special architectural or historic interest. Listed buildings are protected by the Planning Act 1990 to ensure that any future alterations to the property are in keeping with its historic interest, and its unique character is
Warning Signs You Need a New Roof
It can be difficult to know whether your roof has any issues and even harder to tell whether it needs repairing. Hence, we outline the warning signs that indicate that you need repairs or even a new roof. It is vital to check for these warning signs, as they can
