Restorations

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…

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:

Little Boltons, Kensington

Dolby Road, Fulham

3. 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

Radipole Road, Fulham

Chiddingstone, Fulham

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

North London Estate Agents

• 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.

Altering the internal configurations of your home is sometimes an easier and cost-effective way to increase space than undertake the challenges of building extensions.

But before you embark on a mission of knocking down walls, take a step back and consider the following…

Do you need planning permission?

In most cases, planning permission is not needed for internal changes. However, if yours is a listed building, you will need a “listed buildings consent.” For details on the application process, please visit the government’s Planning Portal, where you will be able to download an application form.

Do you need Building Regulation permission?

You will require Building Regulations approval if you intend to carry out any new structural work or alteration to your home. Knock down a load-bearing wall, is a structural alteration and will therefore need building regulation approval. Usually, your structural engineer will make the application as structural drawings will need to be submitted.

Are you knocking down load-bearing walls?

A load-bearing wall, is one that supports other elements in your home, like a roof or other walls. If you are removing one of these you will need to engage an architect and a structural engineer as reinforcements will be needed to replace the wall.

What material can you use for supports?

If you are knocking down a load-bearing wall, a structural engineer will advise you on how best to replace it. Usually, beams and/or columns are added to continue supporting the dependant elements. Usually, steel is the material of choice for beams, however, concrete or timber can also be used. The choice of material can often depend on cost or any height restrictions. In some cases, if the wall supports a chimney stack, the material you use may be a Building Regulations requirement.

Are you protected from fire?

Before demolishing an internal wall it’s important to consider whether the wall itself acts as a fire protector. For example, where the loft has been converted, the walls around the staircases offer protection, allowing you to escape in the event of a house fire. Altering these walls will again require Building Regulations consent, even if they’re not load-bearing.  Similarly, if you are considering converting your loft, the partition walls that separate entrance halls from the reception rooms are best left intact, since are a ready-made fire escape corridor.

In a terraced or semi-detached houses, where new beams need to rest in the party walls that separate you from the neighbours, it’s also advisable to first talk to a specialist Party Wall surveyor to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

How much will this cost?

How long is a piece of string? The cost of internal renovations can vary depending on the whether the walls are load bearing or not, the extent of the load, and redecoration after the structural work is complete. The more load bearing walls you know down, the greater the cost as it will impact on the supporting materials, steels, beams and columns that you must put in place. Remember, the greater the load, the greater the support needed.

Can I knock the walls down myself?

Simple answer… No. Well, you can, but you risk putting yourself at grave danger and flouting basic health and safety requirements.

If you are considering knocking down walls and are overwhelmed with the requirements and regulations, give us a call on 0208 191 7595.

We have a team of experienced structural engineers and builders who can advise you on the best way forward. We may also recommend alternative configurations and arrangements that you may not have thought of, that may work better, for your needs.

We’re even happy to give you a FREE, no obligation quote, so you have nothing to lose by picking up the phone and giving us a call on 0208 191 7595 or dropping us an email.