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Restoration Experts 
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Basement Specialists 25 years experience Restoration Experts Award Winning Basement Specialists Modernisations
We enjoyed this article by Sarah Warwick in “Real Homes,” on glass box extensions as a part of your property renovation project. We’d like to share it with you.
HOW MUCH WILL A GLASS EXTENSION COST?
‘While a conservatory can be a relatively inexpensive alternative to a more solid extension, a glass extension will almost certainly be more costly.
‘You will probably want it to flow from the rest of the house, which may mean compensating for the areas of glass by increasing insulation levels elsewhere or carrying out other energy-saving measures. High-specification glass, the structural solution and alterations to the rest of the house are all costs that are likely to be greater than if you build something more conventional.
‘Fees are likely to be higher for the architect or designer and structural engineer, too, as more work will be involved. You may also have to employ a thermal consultant, unless you’re building something more solid. Budget for a minimum budget of £3,000 per m².’
Do give us a call on 0208 191 7595 or drop us an email at enquiries@sdabuildlondon.co.uk if you’d like a FREE consultation on how we can help with your extension.
Read the article here…
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When you are looking for a home or property to buy, in our view, there are three ‘types’ of properties you could go for;
- The “Diamond”– This is a home that is ready for you to move into with no renovation work needed. It’s what you wanted, but as everything is new and fresh, you don’t feel the need to add anything more. You will pay a premium for its pristine condition and everything may not be to your taste, but it saves you the hassle of undertaking any building work.
- The “Rough Cut”– This is the sort of property that most people buy. It’s liveable, but it’s a little tired and not exactly what you want. You might decide to live in it for a few years and do bits and pieces of renovation each year or undertake a complete refurbishment and rent whilst the building work is going on.
Here are some examples of our “Rough cut” properties:
- The piece of “Coal” – This is a property or a home that needs a complete overhaul before you even step into it. It’s likely to be in a dilapidated state with no modern amenities and might need be demolished and rebuilt.
The good news with this sort of property, is that you are likely to get it at a discounted price. But be prepared to keep aside sizeable funds for the refurb. Whilst purchasing renovation properties like this can be a bit of a project, gems like these are few and far between.
We love working with pieces of “Coal,” transforming them into our clients’ vision. Here are some examples of some of these properties.
Vicarage Road, Henley On Thames
Finding them will need some clever detective work on your part. On the other hand, a property like this gives you the opportunity to build your dream home in exactly the way you have envisioned it.
So how do you go about finding these pieces of coal or renovation properties?
- The first step is to decide what area you want to buy the property. You might shortlist two or three areas. Drive around to see if you like the look of the houses. If there are streets you particularly like, note them down. Once you’ve decided on the area or areas, visit the local estate agents and discuss what you are looking for and your budget. Whilst they are usually in the know about the renovation properties available in the area, they will look to sell you a “Rough Cut” or a “Diamond.” If, you get to know some of them, they may give you first dibs on potential properties, before they advertised.
As most of our clients are based in South West London & North London, we thought we’d share the names of some of top the estates agents in those areas.
South West London Estate Agents
| Marlowe Estates | James Pendleton |
North London Estate Agents
| Chancellors | Fox Gregory |
- Local newspapers are also a good source to find these hidden gems. Often these properties are obscurely advertised so you will need to spend some time poring over them…a magnifying glass might help 🙂
- Walk around the area extensively. You might see properties with unkempt gardens or boarded up properties in disrepair that look like potential to you. Talk to the local agents about it. They may have insider information about it. Whilst this may seem aggressive, you could contact the owner directly and ask if they might be interested in selling. Sometimes people are unaware of the value of their property until someone tells them what they could potentially get from its sale.
If you’ve found a property that that needs complete refurbishment, give us a call on 0208 191 -7595 or email us at enquiries@sdabuildlondon.co.uk. We’d be happy to pop over, have a look at the property and have a FREE no obligation chat on what we could do for you.
We have an experienced team of architects, structural engineers and interior designers with over 15 years’ experience in renovating homes, so whatever their state, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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We enjoyed reading this article in The Telegraph by Caroline McGhie on “extending” downwards to add space to your home. In this article, Christopher and Jane Cremer built a base room of about 30sq m in their garden, behind their four-bedroom terrace house in Ilford, Essex.
As basement specialists, we understand the complexities of building basements and have, over the years, found solutions to almost any problems that may arise. Every home is different, with variables such as structural architecture, soil composition, depth of foundations and drainage systems, each therefore needing a bespoke response. If you are even thinking about the possibilities of building a basement, give us a call. We’ll be happy to come around (FREE with no obligation) and assess your property with some practical suggestions and recommendations. Give us a call on 0208 191 7595 or email us at enquiries@sdabuildlondon.co.uk to book an appointment.
You can read the full Telegraph article here
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We were delighted to be featured in the June 2018 issue of i-build magazine. A new owner and a new vision for a Victorian property in the heart of London. We are grateful to Melinda and Chris Swann for giving us this opportunity.
i-build is one of the UK’s leading building publications featuring exciting building projects, tips and advice on property refurbishment and anything related to home building and renovation.
If you are considering building an extension, one of the decisions you will need to make is whether to opt for a flat roof or a pitched roof. Both have their merits and will depend on several factors including your budget, the desired look of your home and the height of your extension. At SDA Build London, we have constructed both kinds of roofs. These are some of our observations.
Flat Roofs are generally cheaper and quicker to build than pitched roofs. This is simply because, they are structurally less complex. Whilst flat roofs have the reputation of being less resilient and have a lower ‘shelf life,’ new techniques and materials such as Asphalt, EPDM and fibreglass have mitigated this lack of durability label. Avoid using single ply or rubber membranes for the roof as even a small puncture can cause leaks which are difficult to locate and repair.
From an aesthetic stand point, flat roofs are not pleasing to the eye, but can be ‘beautified’ by creating a balcony or a roof garden with hard-wearing plants for low maintenance.
Usually flat roofs have a lower ceiling, making the space seem smaller. However, with the addition of roof lights or lanterns, the perception of space and light can be created.
Top Tip: Make sure your builder knows what he’s doing. Whist your flat roof is essentially flat, it must be at a slight angle for efficient drainage. The last thing you want is pooling water on your roof which, over time, will cause your flat roof to bow.
Pitched Roofs are prettier, no doubt, however, they are more expensive to build due to the greater complexity involved in their structure. As a result, choosing a pitched roof over a flat roof will increase the cost and timeframe of your project.
With pitched roofs your ceiling can be higher giving your extension a sense of space and light, especially if you add Velux windows. Pitched roofs traditionally have a longer life span than flat roofs as they are deemed to be more weather resistant, have better drainage and have traditionally been built with more durable material. With water draining off immediately, the wear and tear on these roofs is less than their flat roof counterparts.
From an insulation perspective, we have found that pitched roofs provide better insulation than flat roofs, impacting your energy bills in the long run. The building envelope is responsible for around 25-35% loss of energy within a building. Pitched roofs are built to allow natural ventilation between the outer layer and the building, preserving energy.
Top Tip:If you have a pitched roof that faces the direction of maximum sun, think about fitting solar panels, adding to the energy efficiency of your property.
The choice between a flat roof or a pitched roof for your extension depends on a variety of factors not least planning department and building regulation considerations. We recommend discussing your objectives and budget with your architect and builder before reaching a conclusion, because every property is different. An experienced builder will be able to assess your property and make recommendations on what’s best for your specific project.
Give us a call on 0208 191 7595 for a FREE Property Refurbishment Assessment or email us at enquiries@sdabuildlondon.co.uk to arrange a visit. A member of the SDA Build London team will come out to assess your property, discuss your needs and scope of work required and make recommendations of what we believe can be done and add the most value to your home.
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