The Improvement Blog

When it comes to selling a property - Kerb Appeal is King

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:12:00 GMT

Despite how well maintained your home may be once over the threshold, it takes potential buyers less than 8 seconds to decide whether they like your house or not. During my recent house hunt, I was instantly put off the property I was viewing simply by the state of the front garden. Whilst the old adage is never judge a book by its cover, this is certainly not the case when it comes to house buying. Colloquially known as kerb appeal, potential buyers will within those 8 golden seconds be influenced by their new environment and what they see, hear and smell.

Now, put yourself in the seller's shoes… we have our home and we want to sell it. What can we do to improve its saleability?

Paint your front door. It sounds simple but this is the first thing that people are going to look at. "Go wild with colour, it's the one place you can. Strong, bright colours in full gloss are popular at the moment but if you haven't got the nerve, black is always a safe bet, or a flat, dark plum colour such as "Pelt"
Invest in quality door furniture. "Spend an extra £100 to get really good things. "Cheap generally looks cheap." Try to choose furniture in keeping with your property; heavy Victoriana door knockers and letter boxes will look ridiculous unless your home is Victorian.
Lighting is vital, placed either side of the front door to add symmetry, or a lantern in a portico entrance. Don't be afraid to try out lights in situ before you commit; if they're too big or too ornate they can look brash. If your property is approached via a garden, light it sensitively. "Good garden lighting is unseen,"
The approach to the front door (steps, a path and/or a driveway), should be swept of leaves, and free from rubbish. Cars, bicycles, horse boxes must be neatly parked.
Numbering or naming a house can easily go wrong. Wonky numerals, badly painted names, or plaques with pictures (such as birds, trees) do no justice to the front of a house.
Windows look sad when they are dirty, so make sure yours are cleaned regularly. Rotten window frames are also unacceptable and if you're putting in new ones, make sure they are appropriate with the design of the rest of the house.
However small the space is, add some greenery. You don't need a big garden to plant a creeper, and houses look beautiful with plants trailing up them. And you can easily make window boxes yourself. Just paint a plastic planter and plant it with some draping ivy. Landscaped beds with colourful planting and box hedges set off the front of a house; or for smaller spaces, such as either side of the front door, planters with box topiary. Remember though that some creepers are not good for brickwork as they can pull the mortar out of the pointing.
Spruce up a tired façade by repainting, re-pointing, or rendering over ugly brickwork. Don't go too crazy: paint colours should be more sensible than on the front door, and in keeping with the period of the house (and the ones either side, if you live on a street). This doesn't mean to say that they have to be the same colour (unless you are in a heritage area).
Don't let the house next door ruin your kerb appeal. If your neighbours have rubbish outside their house, suggest you remove it, rather than whinging about it. And if you're trimming your hedge, ask if you can do theirs while you're at it – 10 minutes mowing, or rubbish collecting is worth the effort." Try to conceal their rubbish bins (and yours) behind a hedge or a small fence. If you have to have them on show, make sure they are clean and the lids are on.

In order to help guide you, We at DoINeedPlanningPermission.co.uk have linked up with one of the largest Estate Agency Groups in the country SEQUENCE HOMES who can advise you on marketing tips together with an informed house valuation. Even if you decide not to move, you'll have become better equipped by talking to the property experts who understand your local market conditions through over 530 branches.

The importance of using safety boots when carrying out work at home

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:09:02 GMT

The mandatory use of safety boots is now widespread in the world of work, thanks in a large part to the stipulations laid down by the Health and Safety Executive. Construction workers and tree surgeons, as well as hauliers and many factory workers are now required to wear safety boots, a term which can mean several different things – to get an idea of the different types of foot protection available, try taking a quick look at the range of safety boots carried by major supplier rs-online.com. Safety boots can provide protection against a range of potential hazards, from noxious chemicals to heavy objects, but what has this got to do with carrying out jobs in the home?

The simple answer is that many of the safety issues that can be encountered in the workplace can also be present when you carry out DIY jobs in the home. The main challenge is that in your own place of residence you are much less likely to be aware of these possible perils, as familiarity can breed complacency.

One of the most common types of safety boot is the steel toe cap. These boots are often made of heavy duty leather, with a steel toe cap providing vital protection from falling heavy objects for the toes. While making up a relatively small portion of the foot, breakages or even bad bruising to any of the toes can severely limit mobility, making it extremely painful to walk, or even drive. In the worst case scenario, loss of even the smallest toe can result in permanent and significant balance problems.

When heavy loads are carried in the workplace the simple but effective protection provided by safety boots is a no brainer, but how often have you started work in the garden wearing just an old pair of trainers? From the slip of a wet fork or spade, to dropping a flagstone for a new pathway, there are literally hundreds of accidents in gardens up and down the UK each year which result in significant foot damage, a trip to casualty, and time off work. And the fact is that the vast majority of this damage simply would not have occurred if suitable safety boots had been worn, if only it didn't seem a bit like overkill?

Staying with the garden example, and many people with larger properties have trees and shrubs which require regular pruning, and the occasional piece of axe work, thanks to high wind damage. Except we don't use axes anymore – the electric chainsaw is a much more likely bit of kit to be found in the keen gardener's shed. While axes are of course also dangerous, chainsaws – even relatively low powered electric domestic versions - can do massive damage in just a split second. While tree surgeons will, as a matter of course, wear safety boots - with not just steel toes caps, but uppers made of special ballistic material when using a chainsaw - many don't think twice about firing up the electric chainsaw at home, and cutting fallen logs wearing only a normal pair of wellies. One to think about! For more information on safety boots and other health and safety issues, try looking at the Health and Safety Executive website: http://www.hse.gov.uk.

The Dangers of Underinsuring Your Property

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:18:00 GMT

Home improvements are a great way to add value to your property. It could be adding an extension to the back of your property will give you that extra space you have wanted for so long, a bedroom on top of the garage to make way for a new arrival or simply giving your kitchen a facelift.

Whilst these types of improvements will help increase the value of your home they will also increase the rebuild cost, which is where your home insurance comes in.

Research by Chubb Insurance found that buildings insurance for many homes can be short between £75,000 and several millions of pounds.

Pete Harrison from price comparison site MoneySupermarket.com said "While nobody wants to pay more than they have to for home insurance, failing to properly evaluate your home could cost you dear in the event of you having to make a claim."

Making sure you are fully covered

The Association of British Insurers and many insurance companies have an online calculator that will help you work out the rebuild value of your home.

The rebuild value is the amount it will cost to fully rebuild your home in the event that it is totally destroyed. It is extremely important that you do not get this confused with the actual value of your home.

It is important to keep up-to-date with the rebuild costs as these can rise over time. Some insurers will offer policies that are index linked so that the sum insured moves in line with the rebuild costs.

If you own a specialist type property such as a listed building or a cottage with a thatched roof then it may be worthwhile employing an independent surveyor to work out the rebuild costs. This is because specialist materials or unique building methods may be needed which will undoubtedly cost a lot more.

Reducing your insurance costs

If you have just made some costly improvements to your home the last thing you want to do is fork out even more for your annual home insurance premiums. Here are some ways you can reduce the cost:

Install a standard NACOSS alarm system to protect your home. Some insurers will offer a 7.5% discount off your insurance premium.
Find out if there is a local neighbourhood watch scheme in your area. This can save you another 5% off your premiums.
Raise the excess on your premium. This can reduce your overall price but remember this is the amount you will have to pay towards any claim you make.
If you wish to have both buildings and contents insurance, combine them with the same insurer – usually this will gain you an additional discount.
Pay your premiums annually. Whilst paying monthly may be easier, insurers will usually levy an additional charge for this service.
Finally shop around. Do not just accept your renewal price or the quote from your mortgage lender. Once you know the level of cover you require you will be able to compare like for like using a comparison service.

What Economic Downturn

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:17:00 GMT

Despite the economic challenges we are all facing, DoINeedPlanningPermission.co.uk is pleased to announce that in its opinion the economy is looking up. As a business, we can confirm that we have never been busier and this is reflected in the number of visitors attracted to our website. When compared to the same period last year (4 week period December – January), the number of absolutely unique visitors is up by 139%, the number of visits is up by 150% together with a 104% increase in page views. For us, we see this as good news for both our advertisers and the construction industry alike.

If you are interested in taking advantage of our competitive and imaginative advertising packages, please contact our Business Development Director Oliver Henry on 0843 289 1968.

Build a House in 3 Days

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:18:00 GMT

DoINeedPlanningPermission.co.uk is delighted to introduce Svenskhomes™ as one of its latest advertising partners.

Yes, it is not the stuff of fantasy and as the following short video will demonstrate, it is quite possible to build a house in 3 days.

Svenskhomes™ offers a range of timber homes, which are designed to the highest specification and are resistant to the extremes of the Scandinavian climate. Sweden has a long tradition in the building of timber houses and the Svenskhomes™ range is produced at a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, sourcing well managed and sustainable timber from slow grown pine and spruce forests in the far north of Sweden.

Their range of timber frame and pre-fabricated houses are extremely energy efficient, surpassing current government requirements. All their houses are supplied with triple glazed windows and doors and high levels of insulation in the walls and roof.

Dont Second Guess Ask the Property Experts

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:21:00 GMT

DoIneedPlanningPermission.co.uk is pleased to announce Sequence Homes as one of its latest advertising partners. With house prices as unpredictable as the current climate, many of us are in the vexed position of not knowing whether to move or improve our homes by adding an extension such as a conservatory or converting the loft for example.

With over 530 branches Nationwide, Sequence Homes will be able to provide you with a free and no obligation valuation of your home which will better inform your decision. We decided to team up with Sequence Homes given both their unrivalled nationwide coverage and their reputation of being one of the leading estate agency businesses within the country.

Architect Your Home

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:33:00 GMT

Hugo Tugman, founder of Architect Your Home, shows how their company's unique services can guide you through a renovation project for your home.

Whether it's a kitchen extension or loft conversion, they understand how to make the right start, ensuring you get exactly what you want.

Wind Turbines and Permitted Development

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:56:00 GMT

As of 1st December 2011, under new permitted development rights which came into force, in some cases, it will be possible to install domestic wind turbines without the need for planning permission provided specified limits and conditions are met.

To learn more about this, visit our wind turbine section.

Need Help with Minor Works

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:43:00 GMT

Do I Need Planning Permission is pleased to welcome its latest advertising partner.

Walter Design of London is a multidisciplinary practice who offer services including interior design, architectural drawings, lighting and landscape design. Beyond this, they offer a maintenance and repair service together with skilled workmen who can undertake minor works including the repair of doors through to the putting up of shelves for example.

To learn more about the services they can offer, please contact WJ Walter BSc Ceng MICE on tel no. 020 7228 9552 or wwproj@gmail.com

Eight Imaginative Ways to Save on Your Household Bills this Year

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:53:00 GMT

Despite the disappointing summer we have just experienced, it remains unseasonably mild. However, if we are to believe the Met Office, we could be facing a cold bleak winter, which is about as attractive as a leaking roof. With most of us worrying about job security and trying to save for Christmas, the looming winter will undoubtedly place extra strain on our already stretched budgets with boilers working overtime in their attempt to keep our families warm. The following are easy and imaginative ways to save on our bills that doesn't mean we have to radically compromise on our lifestyle:-

Shop Around:- At least once if not twice a year, I will visit the fuel comparison web sites in the hope of finding an improved tariff that meets my needs. In order to assist you, I suggest you keep your utility bills as they can offer a more accurate way of comparing your present to other tariffs. Also, dual fuel tariffs together with paying by way of direct debit can assist in reducing your bill.
Get an Energy Monitor Installed:- Costing from anything as little as £30, a smart meter can be fitted to your home thereby allowing you to identify how much energy you are using and this is the clever bit, enable appliances to be set when power is cheapest. It is possible that some energy suppliers will provide them free on request or alternatively, you can buy one by visiting www.eco-eye.com
Get rid of the old boiler:- If your boiler is "G" rated of 70% efficiency or less, you may well be entitled to claim an allowance of £400 toward a new boiler. For more information, please contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012.
Get Sewing:- Whilst double glazing is an efficient way to reduce heat loss through the fabric of your building, fitting heavy curtains is a cost effective way of reducing drafts.
Toilets:- As the saying goes, if it is yellow, let it mellow. A crude an inexpensive way of toilet flushing is investing in a bucket. I have one sitting in my shower and when I have a shower, I collect the water, which is not at temperature, and use that to flush the toilet with.
Think Shower, think eco shower head:- It is sobering to think that a power shower can use as much as 20 litres of water per minute. If like me, you do enjoy taking a shower, think of fitting an eco shower head which mixes water with air thereby saving you as much as 75% of water consumption.
Why heat all your rooms:- Simply keep those rooms you use heated and for the remaining rooms, turn the heating down to a minimum. In order to avoid drafts, why not close the doors to the rooms you do not use.
Fix the drips:- Did you know that a single dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water a day.

Need Planning Help

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:52:00 GMT

Do I need Planning Permission is pleased to welcome its latest advertising partner. Applied Planning Services Ltd is an independent planning and development consultancy which operates throughout the country. With over 25 years in the town and country planning profession, its Directors have represented a wide cross section of clients that include Housebuilders and Developers, Commercial Companies and domestic residential property owners.

The ethos of the practice is to offer clear advice and to pursue the best course of action in order to achieve a client's objective. It has the necessary expertise and experience to deal with all aspects of the planning system including appraising development opportunities for land and buildings, dealing with planning applications and appeals, responding to Development Plans, dealing with Enforcement matters and acting as expert witness.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:46:00 GMT

Paul Trace from Lumen discusses the importance of choosing the right materials on your new build or renovation project from the start.

Read full article...