Building Solutions (Midlands) Blog » Staffordshire

Restoring a period cottage

Richard — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:56:55 +0000

It is not just about the building to make the most of a period cottage you will need to pay attention to the garden, it makes such a difference to the overall feel of the project.
Make sure that you do your research, read plenty of books on the type and period of property knowledge is power in the world of restoration. Overlooking the correct paint sheen will destroy the appearance of those lovingly restored windows, so don’t be afraid to mayor in the minor!
Pay attention to local variations in the period and style of the property you should be able to find local enthusiasts groups who can share a wealth of knowledge.
Remember how ever passionate you are about period property you do not have to live in a museum, the people who built these wonderful properties would want to see them sympathetically modernised but most defiantly in everyday use, so the legacy of their toil lives on.
With that said please be aware of your legal obligations particularly where listings and the conservation department are involved.
Always go for reclaimed materials where possible and practical, it is so much easier to get the atmosphere of a period building right with well chosen reclaimed items.
Look for a nice mix of antiques and contemporary furniture to compliment your period property interior

How to choose a builder for my home extension?

Richard — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:56:39 +0000

Many home owners are bombarded with sales letters when their planning application is passed. This is because building companies check on line and send out a standard letter asking to be considered to price up the home extension. The best way to find a reputable builder is through word of mouth from someone who has experienced their work. So what do you do if you cannot find a good builder for your house extension through word of mouth? Well it is easy to find a builder and easy to get them to price up the work. The most important thing on your wish list should be quality you are about to embark on a once in a life time project to your most valuable asset, your home. After you have paid the final bill the most important consideration is that you will have to live with the finish and quality forever. So ask your builder to provide you with photographs of home extension projects they completed. Ask for references from previous customers and industry professional. Good home extension builders will have good working relationships with structural engineers, surveyors and architects. These professionals are careful of who they recommend and will give you their honest opinion of a contractors performance.

Ambitious commercial property plans for the potteries?

Richard — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 06:39:39 +0000

Newcastle upon Lyme council are looking to partner up with Staffordshire County Council in an ambitious plan to attract 60 million pounds of investment to the former Sainsbury’s supermarket in Newcastle upon Lyme. The plan includes site assembly with the purchase of adjacent plots to provide the land required for the plan. The scheme will include various retail units which are intended to make Newcastle more attractive to shoppers and businesses.

Property investor’s appetite for commercial property ripples into the north

Richard — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:25:13 +0000

Commercial property investors are following the usual pattern of the ripple effect, as prime London commercial property yields are affected by increases in capital values. They are looking for the next hot spots and as the investors move their attention and funds to other areas, sectors and properties, so do property speculators. Data has shown an incredible increase in completed deals in Manchester office space with deals completed hitting two hundred percent. There are big similarities between the current commercial property market in Manchester and that of the London market as the recovery began. So where next for increases in lease uptake and capital values? Many believe there is good value in places like Birmingham, Nottingham, and Stoke on Trent, time will tell.

How to buy houses below market value

Richard — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:38:45 +0000

There are several ways to obtain houses below market value, but most methods require a high amount of time and commitment. They range from courting your local estate agent through to attending all the local property auctions. There are some companies that can provide portfolio building and source below market value properties. Some of these companies have suffered in recent times as their operations have become hampered by the recent drought in the buy to let mortgage lending?s markets. If you do chose to invest in below market property in the Midlands, Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Belper, Ripley, Heanor, of Alfreton and the surrounding areas. There is one company with over 12years trading history and an enviable network of contacts within this area. ambervalleyhomes

How to replace my slate or tile roof

Richard — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:03:40 +0000

First things first, spend a little time finding the correct materials and a good contractor a good roofing contractor will take care of the little details on the verves and valleys that give the overall finish a high standard. Remember all slate and tiles are not created equally Welsh slates are expensive for good reason and cheap tiles may not last as long as a better quality alterative.
Lead flashings and finishing?s can really give your roof a beautiful look but can also give problems if these works are not carried out correctly. There are various grades of lead and lead substitutes so make sure your contractor uses the best. If you are in any doubt ask a Royal Institute Chartered Surveyor to act as project manager or contract administrator.

Getting harder to find a good builder?

Richard — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:51:59 +0000

With another announcement of a local building contractor going into administration within weeks it is getting harder to find a good builder. Many of these firms have years and good trading history but are often pushed into administration as a result of money they are owed by cash strapped developers and members of the public.
The latest casualty is a well know contractor from the Mansfield area and is thought to be leaving up to thirty local builders out of work. They will also leave sub contractors like electricians, plumbers, joiners, painters and decorators, looking hard for their next building contract.

Should I build an extension?

Richard — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:26:00 +0000

Building an extension to your home is well worth considering for at least three reasons :-
(1) it will provide you with the additional space that you require,
(2) it will increase the value of your property, and,
(3) it will avoid you having to sell your property to acquire the space you need, and buy a new home when the locality you are in at present is the one that you like, is close to work and family, and maybe the children are settled in at a nearby school etc.
I have seen a good example of house extension work carried out recently in the North of England which I am aware involved someone who employed a local reputable builder who did a very good job. The semi-detached house had a small kitchen facing the back garden alongside a dining area, the latter forming part of an L shaped lounge.
Although the kitchen and dining area was only extended by a relatively small amount (about 2 meters or so), the new kitchen, and extended dining area, has now an impressive appearance, and a surprisingly large area which the owners are now using, enjoying, and are proud to own.
The example mentioned above had/has further scope for extension as another approach could have been not only to extend the ground floor but also the bathroom above the kitchen could also have been extended, and the bedroom above the dining area could have been extended as well to provide an en suite in this back bedroom. It shows that there can be more than one way to pursue an idea you have in mind.
Whatever your requirements, it is well worth considering and pursuing your ideas to seek a solution to meet your need for more space in your home by building the extension that is right for you.

Letting agencies and private landlords no longer face registration.

Richard — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:10:56 +0000

The new government is continuing with the cull of red tape, as it scraps the introduction of registration for landlords and regulation of letting agents. The plans described as well meaning but ill conceived have now been abandoned.
The scheme would have proved costly and ultimately any costs to landlords will eventually filter through to tenants. The government is also thought to be reviewing labors recent legislation aimed at stopping ?studentification?, or the spread of ?student ghettos?. The new laws made it necessary for property developers or landlords to apply for planning permission to turn their properties into H.M.O?s (houses in multiple occupation.

Surge in new instructions to estate agents good news for builders?

Richard — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:18:57 +0000

It is a well know fact that there is a lot of home improvements made when home owners buy or sell a house so builders should welcome the massive 35% leap in home owners and property investors looking to off load their homes or investments. The sudden increase in new instructions in estate agents windows and rightmove listings has in part been driven by those waiting to see what the election would bring. The other more obvious and recent market driver has been the scrapping of that most unpopular of all recent legislation the Home information pack.
With sellers no longer facing a ?500 bill just to try their property on the market many are far more tempted to ?have a go?. The recent announcements regarding capital gains tax has also seen some buy to let investors looking to crystalise their property gains before they are affected by the proposed changes to capital gains tax.