Aswers : The cost of your extension Help Plz ?
We are all well aware of the reasons as to why many individuals consider extending their home. This choice may be instead of moving or just a decision made in isolation of any other alternatives. There are many reasons as to why extensions make more economic sense in comparison to moving. The costs attributed to this process can include stamp duty, legal fees and other associated fees and costings. This is all money simply lost in the process. When calculations of such costs are made there is often a clear alternative to avoid these and to still gain the extra living space needed. Where do you start?
A good starting point is the consideration that you want to make sure that whatever you build offers a return on your investment. While it may simply be that you family are out growing the space, it is always sensible to ensure that the space you are adding offers a return. What else should you consider?
It is good to always think practically. If you are adding more bedrooms to your property, then you should also consider additional bathrooms. If you are planning a double-storey extension, then you also need to consider access to the additional space upstairs. Are you increasing the size of your property so much that you should also consider additional parking? These are all elements that will need to be carefully thought out prior to requesting planning.
The cost of your extension is going to increase as the size does. There are guidelines on the average cost per/m2. These may range between £1000 to £2000, depending on the preparatory work required and standard of finish. The higher the standard of specification, the more you will pay. It is also important to remember that if you are considering a double-storey extension it will not cost that much more per square meter. Why is this? The cost of the foundations and roof are required whatever for a single-storey extension. Adding another storey means the addition of walls and floor joists but a proportion of the additional costs can already be attributed to those already agreed for a single-storey project.
Planning permissions may not always be needed for your extension project. However, it is always prudent to seek advice in relation to this. You may feel that your plans fit under the permitted development rights umbrella, but it is important at this stage not to make assumptions. It may delay the process slightly but the peace of mind that you will get from going through the correct channels is well worth it. There may be individual stipulations on your property or neighboring properties that you are not aware of.
Further down the line you also need support with meeting building regulations. These form a separate process to planning permissions and are required for building projects. These rules, put simply, have been formally agreed to ensure that minimum design and construction standards are met. Local authority representatives will visit the property regularly to ensure that the work completed meets these standards.
Rest assured that your chosen builder will be in a position to help and support you through each stage of the preparatory work and beyond. Time invested in finding a reputable local builder will pay dividends as much of the worry will be taken away. This guide has been put together to provide a starting point for your building project. There are many elements to consider, however, a well-informed approach is always advisable and will inevitably produce a better standard of finish.
Simon Hindley Building Contractors Cheshire offer a complete building and project management service for house extensions. For more details on building services please visit Simon Hindley Building Contractors Cheshire.
As you can probably guess, the term 'Victorian architecture' comes from the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom from mid-1837 until the beginning of 1901. During that time the British used to name the architectural styles after the monarch ruling in this period. So this tendency in architecture originates from Britain but it was spread in other countries, even other continents. In the past royalty was very fond of art and different influences from unfamiliar and therefore interesting cultures. This is why this particular style combines elements from the Middle East and Asia. It is believed that the Victorian style was conveyed in other countries by English architects who emigrated to the four cardinal points of the world taking their knowledge of what's in trend at home to the new destination they wend their way to. That's the reason why Victorian homes can be seen in Australia, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, etc. At that time, the communication and transportation industry were already developed to such an extent that information could travel faster so as news for what's fashionable in other remote locations.
The Victorian period overlaps the Industrial Revolution, meaning technology development. This surely contributed to the more complex elements of home design at the time. There are very typical traits of a house that is built on this style which are strongly distinctive. The first thing that might draw your attention when seeing such a home is the sort of tower-looking part of the roof, which is often present. Another part of the roof is steeply pitched and built as different parts and not as a whole, so it doesn't have a regular shape. Usually, the gable faces the front of a house, not the sides of it. But as the roof is divided to many parts, some gables might be turned sideways. The walls are intended not to have a smooth effect, so they are built of textured shingles. Asymmetry was probably honored during the period since the whole house is constructed with such an idea in mind. Starting from the front, the porch might spread along one side of the house and have detailed ornaments on the railing. Dormers are also very typical. Bay windows that lay outward of the main level of the construction are also quite common. Such houses are usually built of wood and have two stores. The exterior of a Victorian home as above described is very easy to recognizable.
Believe it or not, Victorian style home design is still found interesting and appealing by many. There are houses that are constructed to look that way with a few modern touches here and there. They actually have a kind of romantic appearance and can turn into the pride of any neighborhood. Nowadays, the very existence of them preserves the spirit of the past, making the property unique and remarkable. From the outside it may look like taken out of a history book, but from the inside they can be decorated according to the contemporary tendency if that's how you prefer it. If you want to be a proud owner to such a home, you have to know that you can change the interior and take it compliant with your particular needs and preferences. One room can be converted into a walk-in closet, for example. The kitchen may be transformed in such a way so that today's appliances can fit in. A garage can be also added without differing from the rest of the house.
Log cabins are always considered as a better option over modern homes that are carved out of sheet rocks, which are much cheaper and less durable. Log cabins have the power to offer you with a sensation that is reassuring that you can use them for endless times. The fact is that some of them can actually be so strong that no force of nature can easily destroy them. The type of wood that is used to make the cabin is very strong and durable.
Log cabins also have the power to connect you to your ancestors just by the looks, as they resemble very much to the traditional types of wooden homes used by them. So for present time home owners, log cabins can be considered as one of the best pieces of estates that can simply be undeniable and yet has the power to make a statement.
The Go-Green Concepts There a many people who feel or believe that log cabins are not very much eco friendly in nature. There certainly are different reasons for that misconception, and one of them is that the cabins are made up of wooden logs. The fact is that log cabins use special types of split wooden logs that are long lasting and need not be replaced very often. Apart from this being natural they are also considered as better option over plaster for your house. Presently many architects consider them as better construction tools.
When speaking of green concept, chemicals that are used for treating these logs can pose a threat to the environment. But you forget that today we are having sealants and chemicals that are eco friendly and cause less harm to the environment. This also makes the log cabins more eco friendly as compared to modern home plastering materials.
The natural Design Log cabins are always given with very distinct design and finish. They appear to be very much natural and at the same time seeing them gives you a feel of being connected to the nature. You just need a little imagination to enjoy being much closer to the nature, when sipping your morning coffee inside the log cabin. The design itself offers the special looks to the cabin that is a combination of environment and nature beauty. Apart from this, you also have the convenience to design your own layout depending on the size, amenities, shape and number of rooms.
Unaffected by weather or time It's quiet natural that you come across a log cabin that is as old as hundred years or more! As the quality of wood used to construct these cabins is very good and durable, so you can always ensure that these cabins are much more durable and ever lasting as compared to plastered rooms. They also demand less maintenance or replacement of logs. As they are sturdy and tough, so they are also weather resistant. This is also one of the reasons why they are more economical as they are considered as one time investment. Even if you need to replace a single log it does not cost much.
Log cabins for the garden are probably the hottest yard accessory these days. Unlike some paving stones or a hedge, it is a much more permanent fixture that adds a lot of value to your home. Technically it can count as a secondary dwelling when placed on your property, though it depends on what it is you place there.
If you have been considering hopping on his awesome trend train, you should know about the five different styles of log cabins you can place in your garden. Some of them follow a technicality, and aren't 100% cabins. But that just means you are more likely to find exactly what it is you are looking for.
The Guest House - A very intensive project, this is also the one with the biggest return. You are essentially creating your own estate, where there is a secondary property located on your owed land. A guest house style log cabin is big enough to live in, and so it will have to have all the amenities you would expect: gas, electricity, running water, and other plumbing. You are building a whole other house where someone else could stay for a period of time.
Of course, it could be used for just about anything. Some people are building one in their backyard and allowing their children to live in them during their college years, so they can save money. Others are renting it out to someone in order to pay off their mortgage faster.
The best part is that you can construct a guest house log cabin yourself, with a few courses on basic building. Because it is much smaller than an actual home it can be done with less materials, too. Just don't expect to get out of hiring some professional contractors, such as for the electrical wiring. Some jobs have to be done right the first time.
The Gazebo - Not quite a log cabin, it can be quite similar. You are looking for a more sturdy incarnation than the plywood monstrosities that can easily fall apart in the wind. You will be building it out of logs, solid and treated. They will circle to create an open feature, with a strong roof that can withstand all weather.
With a few modifications you can make one that is more like a cabin in that it has a closing "door" or gates along the edges, so it can be opened or closed as per your needs at the time. That makes it more adaptable than your more common variety gazebo, and a lot more comfortable to host or hang out in. Even in winter, when usually your feature would be off limits until Spring banished the cold.
Quick tip: If you go with the gazebo type, even with sealing gates, makes sure any furniture placed inside is waterproof.
The Greenhouse - Want something a bit more garden oriented? The greenhouse may be just what you are looking for. This is a log cabin that uses wide open windows and a climate control system to create a greenhouse in their yard. The log materials and sealing process makes it an excellent choice, though you have to be careful to plan for both natural and unnatural lighting to help your plants grow.
Since it allows for growth year round, the biggest plant lovers among us go nuts for this style of garden log cabin. It can be a little more complicated to plan for, but totally worth it.
The Mini Getaway - Just need a place to unwind and be by yourself? You can create studios, tea rooms and more in a tiny size that just take up enough room to let you enter and find your peace of mind. These mini cabins are becoming more popular, because they are much less expensive to make, but have many of the amenities of, say, a game room, or a library that would otherwise have been in your home.
They don't even need to have all the trimmings of a house, if you don't want to. A generator can give you electricity, and you can take over whatever you need from your home. Though expanding to have a more complete cabin is an awesome idea for those who have the time and money to do it.
The Ultimate Shed - A blog post that was circulating around social media a couple years back showed an amazing idea from a carpenter who worked from home. He built himself a small cabin in the same size and shape as a large shed. In fact, he used his old shed as a template to build around, so he could get the dimensions just right. He ended up with the ultimate shed, made of repurposed, polished lumber.
In there he did all of his work, and even slept in there from time to time. It had a working fireplace and stove, a small bathroom, and a little bed that unfolded from the wall. The rest was his workspace.
It shows clearly how you can take an old idea and make it new. What You Need To Know Before You Buy Or Build There are some things you need to know before you begin building (or shopping) for your new log cabin to place in your garden:
High quality lumber is important. You never want to use cheap lumber, or lumber that hasn't been inspected for imperfections before you begin building. Otherwise you might end up with split logs, or burrows that lead to infestations later on.
Use proper sealants and stains. What you put on the outside of your cabin is important, because it is what is going to be keeping our the elements, insects, and keeping the place standing. Plan to restrain and seal about every three to five years, but don't skimp out on the first treatment.
A good starting point is the consideration that you want to make sure that whatever you build offers a return on your investment. While it may simply be that you family are out growing the space, it is always sensible to ensure that the space you are adding offers a return. What else should you consider?
It is good to always think practically. If you are adding more bedrooms to your property, then you should also consider additional bathrooms. If you are planning a double-storey extension, then you also need to consider access to the additional space upstairs. Are you increasing the size of your property so much that you should also consider additional parking? These are all elements that will need to be carefully thought out prior to requesting planning.
The cost of your extension is going to increase as the size does. There are guidelines on the average cost per/m2. These may range between £1000 to £2000, depending on the preparatory work required and standard of finish. The higher the standard of specification, the more you will pay. It is also important to remember that if you are considering a double-storey extension it will not cost that much more per square meter. Why is this? The cost of the foundations and roof are required whatever for a single-storey extension. Adding another storey means the addition of walls and floor joists but a proportion of the additional costs can already be attributed to those already agreed for a single-storey project.
Planning permissions may not always be needed for your extension project. However, it is always prudent to seek advice in relation to this. You may feel that your plans fit under the permitted development rights umbrella, but it is important at this stage not to make assumptions. It may delay the process slightly but the peace of mind that you will get from going through the correct channels is well worth it. There may be individual stipulations on your property or neighboring properties that you are not aware of.
Further down the line you also need support with meeting building regulations. These form a separate process to planning permissions and are required for building projects. These rules, put simply, have been formally agreed to ensure that minimum design and construction standards are met. Local authority representatives will visit the property regularly to ensure that the work completed meets these standards.
Rest assured that your chosen builder will be in a position to help and support you through each stage of the preparatory work and beyond. Time invested in finding a reputable local builder will pay dividends as much of the worry will be taken away. This guide has been put together to provide a starting point for your building project. There are many elements to consider, however, a well-informed approach is always advisable and will inevitably produce a better standard of finish.
Simon Hindley Building Contractors Cheshire offer a complete building and project management service for house extensions. For more details on building services please visit Simon Hindley Building Contractors Cheshire.
As you can probably guess, the term 'Victorian architecture' comes from the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom from mid-1837 until the beginning of 1901. During that time the British used to name the architectural styles after the monarch ruling in this period. So this tendency in architecture originates from Britain but it was spread in other countries, even other continents. In the past royalty was very fond of art and different influences from unfamiliar and therefore interesting cultures. This is why this particular style combines elements from the Middle East and Asia. It is believed that the Victorian style was conveyed in other countries by English architects who emigrated to the four cardinal points of the world taking their knowledge of what's in trend at home to the new destination they wend their way to. That's the reason why Victorian homes can be seen in Australia, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, etc. At that time, the communication and transportation industry were already developed to such an extent that information could travel faster so as news for what's fashionable in other remote locations.
The Victorian period overlaps the Industrial Revolution, meaning technology development. This surely contributed to the more complex elements of home design at the time. There are very typical traits of a house that is built on this style which are strongly distinctive. The first thing that might draw your attention when seeing such a home is the sort of tower-looking part of the roof, which is often present. Another part of the roof is steeply pitched and built as different parts and not as a whole, so it doesn't have a regular shape. Usually, the gable faces the front of a house, not the sides of it. But as the roof is divided to many parts, some gables might be turned sideways. The walls are intended not to have a smooth effect, so they are built of textured shingles. Asymmetry was probably honored during the period since the whole house is constructed with such an idea in mind. Starting from the front, the porch might spread along one side of the house and have detailed ornaments on the railing. Dormers are also very typical. Bay windows that lay outward of the main level of the construction are also quite common. Such houses are usually built of wood and have two stores. The exterior of a Victorian home as above described is very easy to recognizable.
Believe it or not, Victorian style home design is still found interesting and appealing by many. There are houses that are constructed to look that way with a few modern touches here and there. They actually have a kind of romantic appearance and can turn into the pride of any neighborhood. Nowadays, the very existence of them preserves the spirit of the past, making the property unique and remarkable. From the outside it may look like taken out of a history book, but from the inside they can be decorated according to the contemporary tendency if that's how you prefer it. If you want to be a proud owner to such a home, you have to know that you can change the interior and take it compliant with your particular needs and preferences. One room can be converted into a walk-in closet, for example. The kitchen may be transformed in such a way so that today's appliances can fit in. A garage can be also added without differing from the rest of the house.
Log cabins are always considered as a better option over modern homes that are carved out of sheet rocks, which are much cheaper and less durable. Log cabins have the power to offer you with a sensation that is reassuring that you can use them for endless times. The fact is that some of them can actually be so strong that no force of nature can easily destroy them. The type of wood that is used to make the cabin is very strong and durable.
Log cabins also have the power to connect you to your ancestors just by the looks, as they resemble very much to the traditional types of wooden homes used by them. So for present time home owners, log cabins can be considered as one of the best pieces of estates that can simply be undeniable and yet has the power to make a statement.
The Go-Green Concepts There a many people who feel or believe that log cabins are not very much eco friendly in nature. There certainly are different reasons for that misconception, and one of them is that the cabins are made up of wooden logs. The fact is that log cabins use special types of split wooden logs that are long lasting and need not be replaced very often. Apart from this being natural they are also considered as better option over plaster for your house. Presently many architects consider them as better construction tools.
When speaking of green concept, chemicals that are used for treating these logs can pose a threat to the environment. But you forget that today we are having sealants and chemicals that are eco friendly and cause less harm to the environment. This also makes the log cabins more eco friendly as compared to modern home plastering materials.
The natural Design Log cabins are always given with very distinct design and finish. They appear to be very much natural and at the same time seeing them gives you a feel of being connected to the nature. You just need a little imagination to enjoy being much closer to the nature, when sipping your morning coffee inside the log cabin. The design itself offers the special looks to the cabin that is a combination of environment and nature beauty. Apart from this, you also have the convenience to design your own layout depending on the size, amenities, shape and number of rooms.
Unaffected by weather or time It's quiet natural that you come across a log cabin that is as old as hundred years or more! As the quality of wood used to construct these cabins is very good and durable, so you can always ensure that these cabins are much more durable and ever lasting as compared to plastered rooms. They also demand less maintenance or replacement of logs. As they are sturdy and tough, so they are also weather resistant. This is also one of the reasons why they are more economical as they are considered as one time investment. Even if you need to replace a single log it does not cost much.
Log cabins for the garden are probably the hottest yard accessory these days. Unlike some paving stones or a hedge, it is a much more permanent fixture that adds a lot of value to your home. Technically it can count as a secondary dwelling when placed on your property, though it depends on what it is you place there.
If you have been considering hopping on his awesome trend train, you should know about the five different styles of log cabins you can place in your garden. Some of them follow a technicality, and aren't 100% cabins. But that just means you are more likely to find exactly what it is you are looking for.
The Guest House - A very intensive project, this is also the one with the biggest return. You are essentially creating your own estate, where there is a secondary property located on your owed land. A guest house style log cabin is big enough to live in, and so it will have to have all the amenities you would expect: gas, electricity, running water, and other plumbing. You are building a whole other house where someone else could stay for a period of time.
Of course, it could be used for just about anything. Some people are building one in their backyard and allowing their children to live in them during their college years, so they can save money. Others are renting it out to someone in order to pay off their mortgage faster.
The best part is that you can construct a guest house log cabin yourself, with a few courses on basic building. Because it is much smaller than an actual home it can be done with less materials, too. Just don't expect to get out of hiring some professional contractors, such as for the electrical wiring. Some jobs have to be done right the first time.
The Gazebo - Not quite a log cabin, it can be quite similar. You are looking for a more sturdy incarnation than the plywood monstrosities that can easily fall apart in the wind. You will be building it out of logs, solid and treated. They will circle to create an open feature, with a strong roof that can withstand all weather.
With a few modifications you can make one that is more like a cabin in that it has a closing "door" or gates along the edges, so it can be opened or closed as per your needs at the time. That makes it more adaptable than your more common variety gazebo, and a lot more comfortable to host or hang out in. Even in winter, when usually your feature would be off limits until Spring banished the cold.
Quick tip: If you go with the gazebo type, even with sealing gates, makes sure any furniture placed inside is waterproof.
The Greenhouse - Want something a bit more garden oriented? The greenhouse may be just what you are looking for. This is a log cabin that uses wide open windows and a climate control system to create a greenhouse in their yard. The log materials and sealing process makes it an excellent choice, though you have to be careful to plan for both natural and unnatural lighting to help your plants grow.
Since it allows for growth year round, the biggest plant lovers among us go nuts for this style of garden log cabin. It can be a little more complicated to plan for, but totally worth it.
The Mini Getaway - Just need a place to unwind and be by yourself? You can create studios, tea rooms and more in a tiny size that just take up enough room to let you enter and find your peace of mind. These mini cabins are becoming more popular, because they are much less expensive to make, but have many of the amenities of, say, a game room, or a library that would otherwise have been in your home.
They don't even need to have all the trimmings of a house, if you don't want to. A generator can give you electricity, and you can take over whatever you need from your home. Though expanding to have a more complete cabin is an awesome idea for those who have the time and money to do it.
The Ultimate Shed - A blog post that was circulating around social media a couple years back showed an amazing idea from a carpenter who worked from home. He built himself a small cabin in the same size and shape as a large shed. In fact, he used his old shed as a template to build around, so he could get the dimensions just right. He ended up with the ultimate shed, made of repurposed, polished lumber.
In there he did all of his work, and even slept in there from time to time. It had a working fireplace and stove, a small bathroom, and a little bed that unfolded from the wall. The rest was his workspace.
It shows clearly how you can take an old idea and make it new. What You Need To Know Before You Buy Or Build There are some things you need to know before you begin building (or shopping) for your new log cabin to place in your garden:
High quality lumber is important. You never want to use cheap lumber, or lumber that hasn't been inspected for imperfections before you begin building. Otherwise you might end up with split logs, or burrows that lead to infestations later on.
Use proper sealants and stains. What you put on the outside of your cabin is important, because it is what is going to be keeping our the elements, insects, and keeping the place standing. Plan to restrain and seal about every three to five years, but don't skimp out on the first treatment.
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