As an alternative to traditional construction materials some people are turning to timber frame houses, and it is easy to see why they are becoming so popular. Firstly, they are quicker to construct than brick built houses and the flexibility of timber framed construction to be either traditional or contemporary makes it a popular choice. Another benefit is the energy-efficiency of this building method which means it is a great option for those wanting to be eco-friendly and for those concerned with the damage caused to the environment by the production of conventional building materials. As timber frame houses are built with a high specification of insulation they allow builders to achieve high levels of energy efficiency, so energy costs are low. The design of the timber framed build can vary from a small, bolthole by the coast to a large timber framed home or anything in between. The services of an experienced architect will be needed and will give you the opportunity to discuss your ideas and settle on a design with which you are happy. The architect will then be able to draw up the plans and apply to the council for the relevant permissions and advise on how to proceed.

Having major renovation work carried out on a property can be a stressful experience especially if the whole project is being managed by a third party so how easy is it to project manage it yourself and keep controlled over the decisions that will need to be made on a regular basis?

If you have little or no experience with construction work then it is without doubt going to be a steep learning curve for you however, the rewards will be tremendous when the project is completed, and you can look back at what you have achieved.

The main consideration when project managing renovations is to be clear about the budget restraints as this can quite quickly get out of hand meaning that you will go over budget. Shopping smart, which is sourcing materials and fittings from auction sites or end of line sales can save hundreds of pounds.

It is important to have an idea of the schedule of work to be carried out and the order in which tasks need to be done. For instance, first fix electrical and plumbing work needs to be completed before plastering. Building contractors will be able to advise on this issue and it is important to seek their advice and work out a schedule before work commences.

During a property renovation it may be necessary to remove a loadbearing wall to create the increasingly popular open plan living space that many homeowners want. If this is the case, a reinforced steel joist, RSJ, will be required to take the load that the wall previously supported. This process needs a professional builder as it is not straightforward and requires someone who is experienced in the construction industry.

The first step is to use a structural engineer to calculate the size of the steel beam that will be needed for the job. They will be able to advise the homeowner on the relevant building regulations that will need to be applied for and supply written calculations that will be required by the building inspector.

Once the permission to continue with the construction has been given, purchasing the RSJ will be the next step. They can usually be ordered from a steel merchant where they will be cut to size to the specifications given.

Before the supporting wall is removed it is essential that acrow props are in place to temporarily support the walls above until the steel beam is in place. At various stages in the process the building inspector will need to check that the work has been carried out correctly.

For those fortunate enough to have a large outdoor space at their property, the problem with keeping up with the maintenance of such a huge area can be troubling. It takes a vast amount of time and effort to keep on top of mowing lawned areas, weeding plant beds and keeping the whole space tidy. How can outdoor areas be made low maintenance yet still retain their attraction?

Firstly, think about whether you want to keep as much lawned area in the garden. If the answer to this question is yes then could it be made smaller to making mowing easier or even contemplate replacing it with low-maintenance artificial grass. A paved area with a small lawn in the centre can look lovely especially if the edges are kept neat.

Plant bedding areas are often time consuming to keep looking neat and tidy but by using weed free matting and covering this with wood chippings or decorative gravel the bedding sections of your garden become much more manageable. Installing raised flower beds makes it much easier to plant and weed without having to bend down and can be installed around the garden as features. Similarly, by using large pots to hold shrubs rather than planting them directly in the garden this will prevent them getting too large and also make it easier to prune them.

Extending the living space in a property is an option that many people are considering at the moment as they seek to increase the value of their home. One way to achieve this is to add a conservatory to the property which could be used as a dining room or lounge area. With the recent relaxation of strict planning rules, it is easier than ever to build a conservatory, but plans do need to be checked with the local planning authority to make sure they conform to building regulations that are in place.

Planning the type of conservatory to install is important so that you have the best type for your family’s needs. Decisions will need to be made on the shape and size of the conservatory and whether to have a totally glass one or one that has a dwarf wall around the base. The latter is a better choice if you want to be able to use the conservatory all year round as it allows fixtures such as electrical sockets and radiators or other heating appliances to be attached to the wall.

Although having a conservatory on the rear or side of the property will reduce the size of the garden the increase in useable interior space is seen as worthwhile by most homeowners.

Property values and sales have increased greatly recently which is a bonus for homeowners who are interested in selling their property but for those who do not want to move imminently what are the best improvement projects to undertake that will add value?

One of the best ways to add value to a property is to create additional rooms or living space. As long as these additions are completed professionally there will be gains to be made. A loft conversion is a popular option if the height inside the loft is high enough so that you can stand upright in a large proportion of It. A reputable builder will be able to advice you on the feasibility of this construction and the essential regulations and permissions that will be needed from the local council’s building department. Roof lights will need to be installed to allow natural light to enter the room and upgraded insulation of the roof space will also be needed.

Installing a conservatory is often chosen when homeowners are seeking to add space to the family living area and can be a straightforward enterprise as smaller conservatories can be built without the need for planning permission. It is sensible to think about the design of the conservatory if you want to be able to use it all year round as this will have an impact on the roofing materials used and the heating and cooling systems that will be necessary for your comfort.

So many of us are already looking forward to the spring time when the days start becoming warmer again and its light when you get up in the morning. During the winter months it is common to not really do much on the outside of your property. This is often for a number of reason but usually due to the bad weather. If you are wanting to do building work, tarmacking or rendering then you will usually have to wait until you have a good run of dry weather and this is not often possible in the winter.

Although you may be ready to start your new improvement project yet, you may want to start to plan what you will do and get some prices. Now is often a great time to buy outdoor furniture and garage doors etc as you will usually find some great deals on prices. Changing your garage doors if they are on the front of your property can make a big difference. If they look worn and tatty then this can make the overall appearance of your home look the same. Simply giving your front door a lick of paint and a new door knob will transform its appearance at a small price.

With winter now well on its way, it may not be the best time to lay new turf but it is certainly the right time to start planning ahead for the spring. Over times are lawns can take a really hammering, It may be that you have children that play football on the grass ot that have had paddling pools and trampolines out all summer. Over time this will damage the grass and often leave it looking bare and patchy. You may be able to help by putting lawn feed and grass seed down but often the only way to really fix it is to have new turf laid.

Turf is usually a reasonably priced option and can be bought from many outlets such as garden centres and DIY stores and so is a popular choice. Artificial grass is another option you have but this will be more expensive. This said, you do have the guarantee that artificial grass provides that it will last for sometime and it is often a good choice for people who want something really low maintenance. Some people feel that artificial grass is a poor substitute for the real thing, but it has many advantages.

It seems at the moment that new build houses are popping up all over the place. With the growing population, it is obvious that we need more houses and theses can be built in a matter of months by a good construction company. Often once the planning permission has gone through and work has started, it doesn’t take long before the first houses are up and ready to be moved in to.

Working in the construction industry is often a physically hard job to do. You may find that you have to do a lot of manual labour and work long hours. Construction workers often start early and sometime shave to work weekends. The pay can be good, depending on what sort of job you have. If you want to drive construction vehicles, then you may need to take a test to allow you to have the license to do so. Theses tests can be quite expensive but once you have completed them you can earn good money as a driver on a construction site. The job may be challenging at time but it can also be very rewarding to see what you have achieved and it is likely to be quite secure as the construction industry continues to grow.

Security is a very important part of any business. It is important to not be complacent about security as it can have massive implications for your business not only immediately but also down the line. Depending on what sort of business you run you may need several different types of security. IF you hold stock on site or have expensive machinery or IT equipment then you will need to ensure that your premises is secure. You may need to have an entry system installed to ensure no one can come onsite who isn’t authorised to. You may also need to have CCTV cameras installed, security shutters and doors along with a good alarm system for when the premises are empty.

If you use computers, store data on computers or have servers which are vital to running your business then you need to think carefully about your IT security. It is recommended that you call in an IT security firm to ensure that you have everything set up correctly. You ma also need a to ensure that your servers are backed up remotely and that you have a plan in place should you suffer from a security breach or loss of data.