25 years experience 
Restoration Experts 
Award Winning 
Basement Specialists 25 years experience Restoration Experts Award Winning Basement Specialists All
With stamp duty rates skyrocketing and adding a hefty chunk to the cost of moving, it makes sense to add square footage to your existing space, rather than incurring the pain and cost of moving home.
The SDA Build London team have worked on several projects in the last decade, with a mandate to increase the living space within an existing home. We’d thought we’d share some of these ideas with you.
1. Go down, down, down…
Have you thought about a basement conversion? Imagine the space you could add to your home. If you don’t have the space to extend your space outwards or sideways; perhaps your home is in a busy city centre, adding a living area below your existing property, probably the entire expanse of your ground floor can not only give you the space you need, but add value to your property. Basements are a speciality with the SDA Build team.
Of course, you will need the necessary planning applications and architectural drawings, but that’s a small price to pay.
2. Upwards and onwards…
Or think about doing a loft conversion. Loft conversions usually don’t require planning permission and come under the permitted development remit, but please don’t take our word for it, check with your local council. Loft conversions are ideal if you want additional bedrooms or an office space, tucked away upstairs, undisturbed. Like basements, loft conversions also add value to your home.
3. Extend into your garden or to the side…
Whilst you may not want to compromise on the size of your garden, extending out is a clever way of increasing the space in your home. We’ve worked on several projects where our clients have used their extensions to build new kitchens, home offices and family & TV rooms. Again, extensions add value to a home, but you will need planning permission and architect and structural drawings.
4. Corridors with a purpose…
Not everyone can build basements or lofts or extensions. No matter. Consider using hallways and corridors as spaces of purpose. You can install a workspace, shoe storage, shelving or even a piano to free up floor space in other areas of the house. Try and involve an interior designer to help with the planning. You don’t want to clutter the areas but find creative ways to use the space effectively.
5. Furniture shuffle…
Sometimes it’s as simple as rearranging your furniture. Move a sofa here, move a table there, add a shelf on this wall, move your television on to that wall, and there you have it, a whole new space. Moving a bed from the left wall to the right wall or even moving a radiator to another wall could add a whole new dimension to a room. Draw out your rooms with its current furniture positions and play around with moving them to visualise different permutations and combinations.
6. Small wonders…
We could go on… but you probably don’t have the time for it. For some quick wins with space think about
- Bespoke storage – a great way to hide clutter and have a place for everything.
- Sliding doors – opens up areas that would have otherwise been blocked by open doors.
- Glass walls – give a room a sense of space and light. They are much thinner than brick walls, giving you extra square footage.
- DECLUTTER… if you haven’t used it for six months, get rid of it. Decluttering is one of the most undervalued and underestimated methods of creating space.
The SDA Build London look forward to hearing from you. Give us a call on 020 8191 7595 or email us if you need any help with ideas of how to add space to your home. And remember, we will give you a FREE no obligation quote.
Read More
Embarking on a property renovation project, whether it’s our home or a rental property can be both an exhilarating and daunting thought. Imagining the end result of a luxury kitchen, basement or loft extension is what often drives us to take the plunge, yet, the obvious disruption to daily life, the anxiety of overrunning costs & timescales and the fear of cowboy builders give us sleepless nights.
If, however, you are meticulous in our approach, disciplined with your costs and quick with your decisions your property renovation project can be smooth (as far as possible), on schedule and within budget, giving you a home or space you will love and be proud of.
The SDA build team decided to put our heads together and give you some pointers that will make your property renovation project as pain-free as possible, within your planned timelines and costs.
Plan, plan, plan…
There are no shortcuts to detailed planning. Creating spreadsheets are a useful way to list all the items that you need to consider when doing a renovation project. Be as specific and detailed as you can be. Include the main areas like kitchens, appliances, bathroom fittings, flooring and decking, but don’t forget the smaller details such as electrical sockets and fittings, number of radiators, carpet underlay and more. The list is endless, but the more you detailed you get, the more you will be able to plan. In your spreadsheet, create columns for costs, delivery times and ordering deadlines, contractor/builder responsibilities so that you know exactly who is doing what and when.
Make sure your budget is realistic
Think about a realistic budget for your project. Whilst, you don’t want to over spend, you don’t want to compromise on what you are trying to achieve with a very tight budget either. Talk to people who have done similar projects to understand the numbers. Once you have decided on your budget, based on the nature of your project and what you can afford… stick to it. Stay focussed on the number set and don’t be swayed. Running out of money towards the end of your project will result in unnecessary and frustrating delays.
Prioritise the most important tasks
There are some areas in your property renovation project where there can be no compromise such as structural building work, electrics and wiring, boilers and plumbing to name a few. These must take priority over a handmade kitchen or hardwood flooring where compromises can be made. Quality control issues that get discovered mid-build will undoubtedly result in costly delays.
Hire an experienced project manager
At SDA Build, we project manage our own work, in close consultation with our clients. If your contractor or builder does not have an on-site project manager, make sure you hire one or project manage yourself. Word of caution: If you have no experience with building, we would strongly recommend hiring someone who does and knows what to expect. They would be need to be on-site almost daily, ensuring all aspects of the build are moving in tandem and on schedule.
Get the timing right
As building contractors, we know all too well, what havoc the weather can play. Ideally start your renovation projects in the spring, especially if it involves loft conversions and extensions, which requires your builder to be outdoors for the most part of the project. If your work is primarily indoors, the time of year is not as relevant. Word of caution: Always build in additional time into your schedule to manage any delays.
Be decisive
Changing plans and taking too long to make important decisions can inadvertently delay your project. Make sure you place orders for kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and others in time for them to arrive when needed. Many of these have a 6-8 week delivery lead time from placing the order. Changing your mind too often can cause these delivery times to increase causing the overall schedule to be disrupted.
Work with an interior designer
If you are unsure, work with an interior designer to plan your internal layout; furniture placement, placement of televisions and art or any other appliances, before your building contractor starts work. A detailed internal plan, allows your builder to understand at the outset where electrical sockets and plug points need to be places, plumbing outlets, heating outlets and more and they can then plan for that at the start. Making these minor changes mid-project will invariable cause delays as it would mean re-opening walls, replastering, and repainting… all leading to unnecessary delays.
Hire the right building contractor
Last but certainly not the least, hire an experienced and reputable building contractor. This in our view, is the most important aspect of your property renovation project. Get no less than three quotes and visit some of the properties they have worked on. The cheapest quote may not necessarily be the right builder for you. In many cases, building contractors may be more experienced in specific types of builds, for example, basements or loft extensions, or restoration projects. Do some digging to make sure the building contractor you hire is right for the sort of project you are doing.
A property renovation project can be a scary path to go down with endless frustration and worry. However, if you stick to our guidelines above, you should be able to get there without much angst, giving you a home or property you will cherish.
Speak to the SDA Build London team and let’s talk about turning your dream home into a reality. Get in touch here!
Read More
It can be very exciting to schedule and plan the design of your new property to make it your dream home. But is it better to wait until the home refurbishment is over or move in first and start that way? The SDA Build London Team are asked about this dilemma several times and obviously, there are pros and cons also depending on your situation.
Wait if…
… a full renovation is carried out
When you need a full home refurbishment with major structural modifications – like lowering the basement (or excavating a new one), replacing the roof, windows and doors, or a full rewire, – you simply have no other choice than waiting with the moving. These works can often take months or even a year to complete while the property is practically uninhabitable.
Tip: Make sure you hire a contractor who organises weekly site meeting with you where you get updates on how things are going, you can have requests and enquiries and your questions are properly answered.
… you normally stay at home during the day
Even if the refurbishment is carried out in a secluded part of the property – like a bedroom or the conversion of the loft, – you could have good reasons to wait with the moving. The noise could be difficult to deal with if a family member is at home during the day with small children or working from home.
Tip: If you need to sell the previous property to buy the one to be refurbished try to rent a flat close to your own. This will give you the chance to check the site conveniently while still being undisturbed in your temporary home.
Move in if…
… you want to experience the space first
It can be overwhelming to decide on layouts, rooms and the rearrangement of the space when you see it only on paper (or on the computer screen). Moving in you will see for yourself which parts of the property get the most light, which room is quieter and where you spend the most time. It’s sometimes easier to make the right decision based on your own experience.
Tip: Pick a contractor who has the right team of professionals like architects, energy and lighting consultants who can give you expert advice on how you could make the most of the space (and your wishlist!).
… you design like a pro
Whether you are a professional interior designer or do it as a hobby experiencing the steps of a home refurbishment is a must. You can always keep your finger on the pulse and have an unlimited source of content for your Instagram and Pinterest accounts.
Tip: Ask the contractor’s help in carefully scheduling works while the property remains habitable.
Whether you move in or wait you’ll need a professional contractor team with experience in home refurbishment. Speak to the SDA Build London team and let’s talk about turning your dream home into a reality. Get in touch here!
Read More
Your loft conversion has solved space issues for a while but there’s no such thing as enough space. It’s high time to look into the opposite direction: downwards. In a previous article we showcased several amazing basement conversions the SDA Build London Team have created. Today we give you some more basement conversion inspiration on what you could do with that extra floor below your home.
Private club with a bar
Fancy VIP clubbing in Vegas? Skip the queues and the hassle of the trip and have your own nightclub as close as your basement. With soundproof walls, you don’t have to worry about the noise; you are free to enjoy the best DJ mixes without annoying the neighbours. It can be perfect for basement layouts where a window is not an option; with smart lighting solutions and a well-thought-out ventilation system it creates the perfect nightclub feeling. The club comes complete with poker, roulette and pool tables and (almost) bottomless drinks from the bar.
The coolest parents in town
No more trips to the closest shopping centre on a rainy day: your children can have their own indoor Adventureland in the basement conversion. Safely equipped with web climbs, soft blocks, tunnels and slides this can be the place for them to unwind and play with their friends while you are free to have some quiet time upstairs. Include a PlayStation and you will always know where to find your little (and bigger) ones.
The best gym
The basement is the ideal place to arrange your perfect gym in: with the workout machines best fitting your training needs and style. Add a flat-screen TV to stream fitness or yoga classes online and crown the training with a session in the sauna. With an en-suite bathroom and dressing corner installed you are ready to set off directly from the gym – fresh and energetic.
A flat in the flat
Creating its own external entrance the extra floor can serve as a self-contained unit for a nanny, regularly visiting relative or a teenager longing for more privacy. Basement conversions are also great for Airbnbs. Don’t think of the basement as a windowless, dark place. We can even convert it to the biggest floor of the house with an en-suite bathroom, a kitchen and a nice private garden.
A Wine Cellar
If vinery is your thing we can add a rustic wine cellar to your city home. Equipped with shelves to professionally store your valuable collection of bottles, a wine fridge, glassware sets in a stylish display case and a large table to sit around. Invite guests for a tasting or finish dinner there with a good cigar and a book.
Got excited about any of these basement conversion ideas? Let’s talk about turning your dream home into a reality – get in touch here!
Read More
Since 2012, the SDA Build London team have worked on all manner of projects across South West London, helping our clients realise their dream homes and offices into reality. With 65 completed projects under our belts and the SDA brand firmly established as the premier London builders in South West London, it gives us great pleasure to announce we are expanding our reach to now include North West London.
From NW1, Marylebone and City of Westminster to Mill Hill, Barnet and Golders Green, we look forward to bringing the SDA difference – quality, value and sustainability – to wider London, and establishing ourselves as the leading North West London builders.
Areas now cover:
• Acton
• Archway
• Arkley
• Barnet, Hertfordshire
• Belsize Park
• Bloomsbury
• Brent Cross
• Brondesbury
• Brondesbury Park
• Camden Town
• Chalk Farm
• Child’s Hill
• City of Westminster
• Cricklewood
• Dartmouth Park
• Dollis Hill
• Ealing
• East Finchley
• Finchley
• Fitzrovia
• Golders Green
• Golders Hill Park
• Gospel Oak
• Hampstead
• Hampstead Garden Suburb
• Hampstead Heath
• Harlesden
• Holloway
• Islington
• Kensal Green
• Kensal Rise
• Kentish Town
• Kilburn
• Kings Cross
• Ladbroke Grove
• Lisson Grove
• Maida Vale
• Marylebone
• Mill Hill
• Mill Hill East
• Neasden
• North Acton
• Old Oak Common
• Paddington
• Park Royal
• Parliament Hill
• Primrose Hill
• Queens Park
• Regent’s Park
• South Hampstead
• St Johns Wood
• St Pancras
• Stonebridge
• Swiss Cottage
• Tufnell Park
• Upper Holloway
• Warwick Avenue
• West Hampstead
• West Kilburn
• Westbourne Green
• Willesden
• Willesden Green
SDA are one of the leading builders in London, specialising in the restoration, renovation and refurbishment of London homes. See our award-winning work and get in touch to talk about your property and how we can help you transform its value.
Read More