PROJECTS:
– West Acton project completed
– Tendering completed for Wapping conversion
– Technical design started for New Cross Gate and Kidbrook projects
– Started planning negotiation for the terrace in Westminster
– Started to design a major renovation in Shooters’ Hill and in Richmal Crompton
OFFICE:
– New display / bookcase
COVID-19:
– Resumed normal operations
A renovation, or home improvements project, is an investment that you should plan carefully and budget for realistically, with due consideration about what you really want to achieve and in which way this investment will pay you back.
Hint: it is not always money.
On appointing an Architect, the client must specify the reasons for doing the project and the constraints in a briefing, which will be the Architect’s duty to satisfy.
The availability of funds is also a constraint, so it is important to specify what is the target budget for the project, while keeping a contingency available in case of surprises.
The Architect has the role to collect this information and develop a design in line with the briefing and considering the budget available.
Some Architects are used to work on multi-million projects and are masters in adding the wow factor. When working on simpler projects, they may be carried away a bit.
If their design is way beyond the budget, it will require to be downsized or simplified, until reaching the point where you can stretch you budget to.
But good architecture doesn’t have to cost the earth.
When we develop a design, we keep your budget in mind.
During the process we can advice where the money should go to have the best result and get the best value for your money.
Common residential projects have similar costs per square metre.
Besides few variables which could bring extra costs in, we can generally assess if a budget is reasonable and healthy for a scope since the early stages.
After developing a special concept design, we engage with contractors for initial estimates that would confirm the ballpark costing.
If it doesn’t work, we get back to the drawing board and review the options with the client.
But only once a project is fully specified and contractors are invited to bid, we can know the starting point for the construction cost.
Once construction starts, it is important to avoid variations and hope there will be no surprises hidden in the house.
During the entire process we work with our clients to help them make informed decisions on how to use their budget wisely for the finishing materials and decorations.
It’s as simple as clicking on this link and book your call back at your convenience.
PROJECTS:
– Received approval for the rear extension in Hackney
– Received approval for the wrap around extension in New Cross Gate
– Site works ongoing at the West Acton project and Bickley Villa
– Prepared concept design to convert a roof into a terrace in Westminster
OFFICE:
– Expanded suppliers’ database and received new samples
COVID-19:
– National lockdown
PROJECTS:
– Received approval for two projects in Greenwich
– Started site works of West Acton project
– Construction ongoing at the villa in Bickley
– Started to design a conversion in Plumstead
– Started technical design for Wapping’s project
OFFICE:
– Expanded suppliers’ database and received new samples
COVID-19:
– National lockdown
When an individual or an association of individuals build their own house (or houses), this can be considered a self build.
Self build is a way to own your home as in opposite to buying it from a commercial developer, which is the majority of the cases in the UK.
Embarking on a journey to self build your home can give great satisfaction and you can claim unexpected benefits at the end of the process.
If you want to be a self builder, you don’t need to do the works yourself or be an expert of construction.
While many self builders want to be somehow involved in the physical process, often in the finishing stages of painting and floor-fitting (helps to save on the cost of workmanship), you can hire people to do the works for you.
Self-build is a project strategy where a private individual, not a company or a public entity, is developing their own house and taking project decisions, usually with the support of an architect or consultant, or directly working with one or more contractors.
Self build projects still require to comply with planning and building regulations, so better have an expert at your side for advice. Time is money.
As they say: no pain, no gain.
You will need to find a plot of land, present a project for approval to the planning authority, have sufficient financial resources – savings, a mortgage, or equity in your existing home – to support the entire operation, arrange the temporary accommodation where you and your family will stay while the works go ahead, ensure access to services is provided to the site – unless you want to be living off-grid, but the construction works may require water and power, somehow.
Self build is stressful, definitely more that browsing real estate websites.
Some of the best reasons to undertake a self build projects are extremely practical, and include:
Additional VAT benefits could apply if you are converting an existing building to live in it.
Tempting, isn’t it?
Off site construction is an excellent approach if the budget is not too stretched or if the site is located in a difficult context – limited access, adverse weather.
Yet it provides very high-quality results being the components factory made and inspected carefully during the process.
Alternatively, we are specialised in low tech and use of natural materials.
Either way, it could still be considered self build with all the associated benefits.
Here you can find further information on self building:
– Homebuilding & Renovating
– Gov.UK
– Self Build Portal
If you are thinking of self building, you should already contact us to talk about your project.
We currently offer a free consultation service and we are pretty sure you will like it.
It’s as simple as clicking on get in touch and we will help you take the right steps.
PROJECTS:
– Submitted the application for a small rear extension in Hackney
– Received approval for the project in Wapping
– Construction ongoing at the villa in Bickley
OFFICE:
– new screens in!
COVID-19:
– From lockdown to tier 3 4.
Meetings in-person reduced to minimum cancelled.
PROJECTS:
– Submitted the application for the extension in Greenwich and a second application for the Shooters Hill project.
– Planning success for the restaurant in New Cross!
– Followed tender process for the renovation in West Acton
– Prepared 3 proposals for an articulate renovation in Acton Central
– Construction ongoing at the villa in Bickley
OFFICE:
– Developed new marketing plan
COVID-19:
– National Lockdown
If you have decided to start a building project without an architect at your side, you must be prepared if things don’t go in the right direction.
If you are not happy with the project or with something that the contractor is doing, or simply is not as agreed, it is best to speak with them.
Remember that general tradespersons may not have the full vision of the project and there is a strict chain of command to respect for a project to go smooth.
Start speaking about your concerns with the site manager or project manager, they can help with your queries and take action. It is good practice to recap what you asked and what they answered in an email.
If this was not enough, you can escalate your complaint to the contractor’s administration or company director.
Ask them to put things right and ask them to explain how they will do it.
Ask them also to put a plan of action in writing to you.
If the works are ongoing, keep a written note of any lesser products being used, unsatisfactory workmanship, unexplained delays or not following plans.
Remember to document with photos, receipts and emails/screenshots, make a note of dates.
Keeping records will help you prove if they are in breach of contract.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the trader undertaking home improvements, building or decorating should take reasonable care and skill.
The trader should put right any unsatisfactory element of work or – if this is not possible – give you a refund.
If your concern is about any part of the work being unsafe, highlight this immediately to the contractor, if the problem is not resolved promptly you should report them to Trading Standards.
If the contractor (or tradesperson) does not correct the problem or give you a refund, you can take your complaint to the trade association of which they are member.
Outline your rights and contact act in a letter, explaining the problem, what you have asked to remedy and what has happened in response.
Also, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau has letters you can copy that will show service providers you know your rights.
If no action has been taken to this point, you can consult a law firm or charity specialised in alternative dispute resolutions, where an independent person will look at your problem and decide what should be done about it.
Agreements made during this process are legally binding and it is cheaper than going to court. Should you end up in court in the worse case, some judges prefer if you have tried this route first.
Some trade associations have their own alternative dispute resolution, so try asking them before appointing your own.
More information about what to do if you have problems with building work can be found on the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website.
A project can be as simple as renovating and re-decorating or as complex as an entirely new construction.
Among our services we offer the possibility to assist you during the works until completion as your representative and inspecting the site regularly.
We will assign a CSCS qualified Competent Person working with the contractor to take site decision and using our expertise to foresee problems to prevent things from going wrong.
If they still do, we will be at your side to make sure they will make things right.
Having a professional at your side is the best hassle-free solution.
Whether you are planning a project from scratch or you already have a layout to bring to construction, we can help you achieve great results.
You can visit us to talk about your project or contact us and request a call back.
Being in expert hands is few clicks away.
When our clients are looking for full home renovations and they appoint us to design and deliver their project, they often have also the clear intention to buy a new kitchen.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, there are many things to consider before choosing your new kitchen, first thing being your existing one.
Is it too small and cluttered?
Is it too big and some cabinets have only random dusting cloths?
Do you find yourself comfortable when having guests, do they participate in cooking or do you prefer to keep it private?
When you look at your kitchen and ask yourself these questions, you will start to understand if it is the case to change size or layout for the new kitchen.
Even if you will prepare the food in another area of the house, the new kitchen could have a similar layout to the previous one, if that really works for you and makes you efficient!
On the other hand, many like a new kitchen to be an entirely new experience. Often kitchens are extended or relocated to enjoy a better position in the house and garden views.
The style and the general aestethics of your new kitchen are secondary, compared to the king of kitchen requirements: Practicality.
The kitchen is a home laboratory of food preparation, where practicality must be second to nothing. Practicality means ease of access, ease of movement, ease of storage. But also ease of cleaning.
When designing a kitchen there is a principle called “the kitchen working triangle“, according to which the three hot spots in a kitchen -sink, hob, fridge- form the vertexes of a triangle where the cook moves within, possibly in a circular flow.
Think about it:
Take any food, un-pack it or wash it, cut it or mash it, cook it, serve it.
The process is fridge -> sink -> hob.
But there are actually many triangles, depending on your cooking style. Fresh food can be from the fridge, you can use dry or preserved food from the larder. Some stuff is marinated and kept aside while other goods are peeled and washed…
Being a lab, it’s ultimately up to your chemistry style but Practicality will keep you going without loosing your mind if the day has been a bit more difficult than the usual.
Also, after your meal there will always be stains to clean and some could be aggressive, like vinegar or lemon juice, or greasy and peristent like oil or melted fat.
So it is very important that your new kitchen has the right storage, the right layout, and it is made with good materials and finishes for easy cleaning on doors and tops, but also in the most unreachable corners (of course that’s where dirth sticks the most).
PROJECTS:
– Started a new project for a young couple in Greenwich
– Wapping and Shooters’ Hill projects submitted for planning
– Completed the design for the renovation in West Acton
– Construction ongoing at the villa in Bickley
OFFICE:
– Started to set up our new workshop in Deptford, SE14
COVID-19:
– Tier 2 restrictions in place
