LK Construction Blog

Torys will let homeowners extend without traditional planning permission:good or bad news?

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:27:00 GMT

A new tory bill will give neighbourhood groups the power to approve local developments through local referendums.

In theory, this means that neighbourhood groups will have a real say in how their community looks as well as the rate and type of development in their area. According to the government, many local planning authorities approve developments without giving any real thought to the feelings of the local people. These new plans allow communities to block developments they do not want.

Sounding too good to be true? Well of course there will be a limit to local resident’s rights if the development is classed as being of national interest. So opponents of the Birmingham high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham will not be able to stop it under this bill.

We want to know what YOU think? Is this a good or a bad idea?

Whether planning permission really is put into the people’s hands or not, LK will always be here to support all your building and development needs, just give us a call on +443333440601.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/dec/05/tory-bill-homeowners-extend-permission

Is DIY for you?

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:52:00 GMT

Before you embark on any DIY, ask yourself whether it might be easier and safer to get a professional in.

The truth is that although a small amount of DIY can be cheaper and more satisfying; most jobs are best left to the professionals.

A lot of DIY may only require a basic level of skill: drilling a hole and using a spirit level, however you must remember that using these skills effectively requires a lot of preparation and cleaning up afterwards. The shapes and sizes of things are also an important factor, when tiling or wallpapering, if you’ve got any awkward curves or angles, this is best left to the big boys, as are big jobs which involve heavy materials.

And do make sure if you are planning to knock any walls down you have consulted an expert first, even modest looking walls could turn out to be the one wall holding your house up!

To consult one of our experts contact us here http://lkconstruction.co.uk/contact.htm

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/mar/01/diy.homes49

Loft conversions: The profitable way to beat the VAT rise in 2011

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:04:00 GMT

If you are looking for a way to improve your home whilst increasing your properties value by up to 7.1% then NOW is the time to do it!

With VAT rates set to rise in 2011, any major construction is going to cost 2.5% more than it does this year.So now really is the time to move with any construction work you are planning.

Cardiff-based designer and loft conversion specialist Deborah Drew says that it’s definitely the way to be heading if you are thinking of improving your home. It is a great way of increasing the property's size and adding value to it, without losing any garden space and without the hassle of moving.

However, here at LKconstruction we understand that during this loft conversion boom, extra care must be taken in finding the RIGHT people who will do the job at the RIGHT price. So if you need a more personalized service and exceptional quality of work, why not give us a call? LKconstruction is a local, reliable building company in Surrey and South London. We will be able to help you with your loft conversion or any other building projects you might have.

Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/home-garden/2010/06/26/onwards-and-upwards-with-a-loft-conversion-91466-26726852/

Home Improvements

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:22:00 GMT

You look around your house and you decide it needs a facelift! That old kitchen looks too drab and the bathroom has seen better days. Then you begin to imagine a nice warm, light conservatory extending your home into your garden...

You decide on the kitchen first as your budget would only allow one home improvement and you know that it's going to be the kitchen. You really want to freshen up your surroundings and improve your home but your DIY skills are limited. What do you do next?

Before you choose a contractor or a local builder, know exactly what needs to be renovated in your kitchen, otherwise they will talk you into all sorts of things you never knew you needed! Try to imagine how things will look after the renovation - go over everything from color schemes to floor plans.

You should be able to explain what you want to the builder or contractor. Make sure that all agreements and estimates are in writing. Educate yourself by going online and researching the prices of materials and services - Google “home improvement costs”. Do not pay for incomplete jobs and make all efforts to pay minimal down payment.

Now you're ready to search for that special local builder that covers Surrey and South London... But your search results are overwhelming - lots of builders, but no idea who to trust. Then you find Eastway Builders - and make the wise decision to give them a call - not because their website looks professional, not because their building and construction work looks first rate, and not because of the wonderful testimonies from their many satisfied customers. No, you just think it’s worth giving them a call - after all, they’re local and have a brilliant reputation.

You just know you can trust this local builder in Surrey to deliver your home improvement needs.

Eastway Builders' Facebook fan page!

Extending your home adds value to your property

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:13:00 GMT

One of the questions we get asked most often is 'of all the building improvements I'd like to do in my home, which will add most value to my property?'. It's great that so many people are thinking like this these days - probably due to the fact that there are so many programmes on TV these days about DIY, home improvements and property development!

There's no one single answer, but as a rule there are those jobs that add more value to your home than others. A loft conversion is popular for good reason. If it's planned and built well, then it is practically guaranteed to add more value to your home than you spent on the work. People use loft conversions mainly for new master bedrooms with en suite shower and bath, but they can also be used for home offices.

If you're on a tight budget, a garden office can be built for a fraction of the cost of extending your home to accommodate an office, and again, is a sure fire way to add value to your home.

If extra room downstairs is what you need, adding an extra reception room or conservatory, if done well, will also add at least as much value to your home as you will spend on it.

If you'd like to explore any of these options with us or have any other buidling related questions we can answer, we're here to help!

Popularity of loft conversions soars as costs of moving house remain high

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:19:00 GMT

Builders are seeing a continued increase in requests for loft conversions as the cost and hassle of moving house is making ever more people see the benefit of increasing the size and value of their existing home.

Benefits of loft conversions:

stay close to family, friends and work
increase the value of your home
take full advantage of the space the footprint of your house offers without any need for costly earthwork
don't lose valuable time (and therefore money!) researching and planning a house move - which could so easily fall through
get exactly what you want - design your new living space to meet your needs