Section 106 abolished fof Self-Builders

Section 106
Over the last few years there has been increased concern over development viability.  This is due to many projects getting planning without the realisation on the effect of the environment around it.
Section 106 was initially designed to assist the local community against the granting of planning permission for large developers.  They would then assist with payments towards the inclusion of communal items such as schools, roundabouts and changes to the local road designs.  This was fine until it effected all new property constructed including the individual one that may have been build by the owner and for the owner.  In many cases the local council have insisted on payment of many thousands of pounds before planning was approved even on a one-off construction.

Self Builders
On 25th November 2014, the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles announced that people building their own homes will now be exempt from payments to local authorities.  This announcement was made at the Right to Build Summit at the House of Commons and will come into force immediately.
This is a massive boost for the Self-Build community and encourage those that cannot afford the additional cost or are sceptic about investing in this type of construction.  With the shortage of housing in the country any type of assistance is welcome and will come into force for anyone building less then 10 units and could effect hundreds of self-builders currently waiting for planning approval.
Jason Orme, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, welcomed the announcement and said, "In other countries they incentivise people to build their own homes.  This exemption will be a major boost to anyone wishing to build their own home and bring us back to the mid 2000's when self builders were not taxed.  This decision by the British Government has been a major force for anyone wishing to create their own home."
Michael Holmes, Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association, which campaigned for the exemption, said "To effectively tax people who wish to provide a home for their family with non of the profit enjoyed by the big developers, was always, in our opinion, a misuse of Section 106"
Looks like it could be a great opportunity for anyone wishing to invest in a new property this year!

Boxing Day

Another year over

Well, that's it, another Christmas over.  Another year gone - they seem to pass quicker as each year passes!

Taking the traditional walk to church to sing a few hymns and posting Christmas cards to my neighbours as I stroll.

Funny how I never seem to tire of doing the same things each year - in fact I actively revel in them, including having all the family round for dinner along with the inevitably chaos that will occur.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a totally different story and allows me to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet and mull on what lies ahead.
This day is celebrated across Europe and Canada and known as St Stephens Day.  It was instigated by the Aristocracy as they gave boxes of presents to their staff.

Nowadays we are more likely to spend the day watching television, taking in a soccer match or going for a walk.  I much prefer the modern version!
 
Watching old movies and contemplating on the previous days events.  Trying on the oversize, traditional jumper and deciding whether to quietly take it back and get a different size or hang it in the wardrobe, knowing that it will never been word but not wanting to upset anyone.

Will it be wealth and wisdom or is it all to late for me?  For the moment I have a new job in the right field has got to be a good start!  What happens after that, we shall just have to wait and see!

There's no doubt that the relaxation of Boxing Day is something that is much needed after the chaos of Christmas!

I am going to try to make an effort to watch my words and think before I speak.  It's all to easy to say something without thinking sometimes.

And on that note - a Happy New Year to you all!

Don't apologise for Christmas

Sitting here relaxing after a peaceful Christmas day I find it hard to believe how some try their best to destroy this relaxing time of year.  After all, it doesn't effect anybody how I choose to spend my holidays but it seems there is always someone who thinks they have the right to change my way of thinking.
For me personally I am happy to wish all people, of all religions, a happy and peaceful Christmas.  Now it may well be that some do not celebrate the Christmas break the same way as me but I don't see why I should feel guilty because of the way I do.  After all, "Religious tolerance lies at the heart of any civilised society. 

It is the right to respect the traditions and cultures of others."  "But because we respect and tolerate the views of others, it doesn't mean we have to apologise for our own beliefs, traditions or cultures".

All to often nowadays we are having our traditions undermined by a few of the 'politically correct' and 'the apathetic parts of our society'

The ridiculous attitudes of some and our concern of offending minorities is enforcing us to change the way we look at Christmas and performing traditional plays such as Scrooge.

This is not an imaginary loss as it is part of our heritage that is being erased r many kids.  It is time we reminded ourselves that we are largely a Christian Country and should be proud of our heritage. 

Why should we have to apologise or shy away from the religious element of Christmas?

Why are the angry crew so determined to be offended on behalf of others?  The truth is it is not just a few small-minded, petty people who instigate this but a self-righteous minority who want to change the views of the rest of us.

How long before they try to change our language by the back door because they know they would never get away with it if they argued for it openly? 

No doubt the usual crew will say I am being paranoid in my attitude and expect me to retract my view.  This simply makes my point for me as I am getting fed up with petty restrictions being imposed by the few who are allowed to enforce us on how we should conduct ourselves.

So finally, I hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas with a prosperous new year ahead.

http://dreamhomestoday.blogspot.co.uk

Has Health and safety got a lot to answer for?

When my kids ask me what it was like 'in the old days', I smile with the realisation that 20 years is forever in their young minds.  It's when I look at the famous image of the steel workers sitting on the RSJ, having their lunch while working on the building of the Empire State Building, it becomes very evident how health and safety issues have improved in the construction Industry in recent years.
This building that was constructed in 1929 and completed in 1931 was 102 floors and 38 metres high. 

When looking at the many images available it is easy to look in amazement at the conditions that they were expected to work in.  Perhaps it was mind over matter or just a case of needing the work!  Yet with all this, statistics show that only 5 people died!  One can only wonder how many more were covered up.

When looking back on the days when I used to push plaster up the wall for a living the world is a different place.  In those days Plasterers used to be expected to lay floors as part of their role, Plumbers were expected to be Gas-fitters while 1st fix Carpenters were expected to carry out a Joiners role and make the windows before they fitted them.  Who-ever had heard of UPVC windows?  All roles have changed beyond comparison.

The only thing that seems to be dragging behind is Health and Safety.
In Afghanistan 448 British soldiers have been killed since 2001 while 760 construction workers have been killed during the same period.  People are still suffering from ill health due to matters such as asbestos, lifting weights, noise and dermatitis.
Even with all the regulations that we have put upon us such as the CDM regulations 1994 and RIDDOR 1995.  Now we are expected to wear the correct PPE for any given circumstance to ensure our safety as much as possible.  Undoubtedly, the use of welfare provisions such as decent toilets and eating areas make for a happier workplace.  But we mustn't allow any room for complacency.

In comparison, the 'Burj Khalifa' in Dubai is 828m tall and was built between 2004 -2009 with 1 recorded death!  This was the tallest building in the world at that time.
Construction has changed beyond recognition.  It's about time Health and Safety caught up with it!

It's all a matter of taste

Refurbishment
I always listen with interest when I hear of someone building their own home. There are of course many cases whereby someone buys a derelict property and does it up from scratch. This will likely include changing the doors and windows as well as the standard redecorations and refurbishment such as a new bathroom and kitchen. However they are restricted to a certain amount by the size of the openings and the design of the original structure. In many cases the soldier brickwork around the top of the openings have been designed to emphasis the door or window opening, and changing the size of the opening will have a detrimental effect with the rest of the house.

New build
In the case of a new build, even more consideration needs to be given to the final look and intended future for the property.
I am in complete agreement with building your own home if it is only for the tax savings as you only pay 5% on new build properties rather then 20% on refurbs. On top of that you can make the property more energy efficient and better insulated which will save you money in the long run.
Of course, the main reason people choose to build from scratch is to get the design and size they want providing they stay within planning regulations. This allows you to have as many rooms as you like and include any additional features that may take your fancy.

Planning for the future
One of the many hundred things that can go wrong is getting the design right for any future owners. It is all right being 'loud' with your colour choice because that is what suits, providing you intend to live in it for quite a few years. The more items you include that are a tad 'off the wall', the more likely you will restrict your selling audience. Just because you think it looks fantastic doesn't necessarily mean your potential buyer will. Remember, having massive rooms cost more to heat and keep clean especially shared rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.


On the other hand, what's the point in all the aggravation of building your dream home if you are going to make lots of compromises and design it for the next owner? So just be warned to give lots of consideration to the future of the property.  It's all a matter of taste!

UK Construction output fell during October 2014

 

Surprise drop in UK construction

Construction output in October grew at its slowest annual pace since May 2013

 

Output in the UK construction industry suffered a sharp fall in October, official figures have shown.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said output dropped by 2.2% in October from the month before.

However, there was a sharp upwards revision to construction output growth for the third quarter of the year, which doubled to 1.6%.

The ONS said this could mean that overall economic growth in the quarter could be revised up to 0.8% from 0.7%.

It said this assumed growth in manufacturing and services remained unchanged in the quarter.

The ONS publishes its third and final estimate of GDP for the third quarter on 23 December.
Data warning
As well as falling in October, construction output grew by just 0.7% when compared with a year earlier, the slowest annual growth rate since May 2013.

The ONS said there were reductions in output across the construction industry, with only public new work - excluding infrastructure - showing a slight increase.

Last week, the closely-watched Markit Purchasing Managers' Index for the construction sector showed activity expanded at the slowest pace in more than a year in November.

Data on Tuesday showed manufacturing output fell unexpectedly in October after a strong September, but economists said the country's economic recovery still looked set to slow only slightly at the end of 2014.

On Thursday, the UK Statistics Authority said the monthly construction output data had fallen below required standards for it to be considered a "national statistic".

It said this was because the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) had failed to meet a request to improve data standards on costs and prices.

The ONS said it was working with DBIS to introduce a new methodology by March.C

Is your loft suitable for converting?

With the additional costs involved with buying a bigger house, I occasionally get asked about the advantages of a loft conversion in comparison to an extension to the rear of a property. 
Quite naturally, many find it hard to believe that a loft conversion will probably cost them more then a new build.  As the walls appear to be already constructed, understandably, one would expect the costs to be the other way round.

Loft conversions

Converting the space under the roof of your home can be a cost effective way of creating extra bedrooms.  But not all lofts are suitable for conversion and consideration must be given to:

• Height:  Is there enough room in your loft to stand up?  For your loft to classified as a bedroom you will need a minimum of 2m headroom.  Remember, this will be after new floors have been fitted which may take up another 300mm of headroom.
• Floor-space:  Is the floor area big enough to make a useable room?
• Utilities:  Will any chimneys, tanks or pipes need moving to create a usable space?
• Is there enough room on the landing to fit your new staircase on the second floor?
• A Dormer window may not be acceptable if the pitch of the main roof is too shallow.

Any loft conversion is a complex project and will need professional plans drawn up by an Architect and approved by your local councils building control team - you may also need Planning Permission so best check with your local Authority Planning Department.

Extensions to the rear of property

Unlike loft conversions there are very few, 'hidden' costs which allow a better idea on the overall budget.  Most builders will give you a sqm price to allow you to work out the final costs but always make sure you get at least three quotes and a breakdown on what you are getting for your money.
Consideration must also be given to the need for the additional room.  Should it be for someone who uses a wheelchair or elderly you would need to go for the extension rather then the loft conversion.  Large extensions will not get planning permission if they are outside of the building line or cause a loss of natural light to the neighbours.

In either type of extension it is always best to discuss your plans with the neighbours and Building Control first to avoid any problems at a later stage.  In this modern world thought also needs to be put into Environmental issues such as solar gained - thermal insulation to walls and ceilings, recycled materials, double glazing and a highly efficient heating system.       

Comparison between the options

When all your costs are put together it may be more beneficial to move house rather then the inconvenience of a construction project in your home.
The main difference between the two options is the need for a fire assessment of the property.  This will include escape windows at the first floor, the kitchen must have a 'fire resisting' construction and all doors in the property must be fire resistant.  The ceilings may need upgrading with all rooms needing smoke alarms.  All fire doors need to be continually checked to ensure they are doing the role they were intended for.  All smoke alarms will also need checking regularly.

Due to these additional costs that are not necessary on the ground floor, the extension on the ground level works out cheaper as well as being more useable friendly to all.  

http://dreamhomestoday.blogspot.co.uk

Never Assume

IT Confusion

Why does it always seem that everyone else understands computers better then me?

It seems that every time I start a new job role I am told 'there will be a new computer package you will need to use but you will soon get used to it'!

It's about this time when the panic sets in and when you are hoping you will get to understand this package without making yourself look totally useless.

Many moons ago back in the 1960's, the US Department of Defence sent a message over the ARPANET to Stanford Research Institute.  This would officially become the first network in the world to use Internet Protocol.

Little did they realise the massive effect they would cause for the future of the world at that particular time.  This was well before the days of any social media enterprises such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any of the many other method that are today routinely used for raising awareness and improving branding for individual companies.

For many years Microsoft and Apple followed the same basic principles but nowadays it seems that the more confusing they can make things the better.  Statistically, three quarters of the information on the latest I Phone is not understood by it's owner so why continue insisting on investing even more in the latest one?

Surely, simplicity has got to be the best option.  The current Information Technology (IT) environment offers too many excuses for failure.  Was the continuous chanting of the multiplication table around the classroom such a bad thing?  After all, so many of us learnt our times tables that way.

Perhaps even more disconcerting is the distance it is driving between parents and children.  We have always struggled when our offspring have asked us how to do a piece of work set by their Teacher, but nowadays we are expected to know how to configure it by the use of some computer package we have never heard of!

Saying all this, I still get a thrill when I hear someone scream at their computer, 'why won't this thing do what I want it to?' especially when I can say 'let me help you with that'.

Perhaps I am not quite a dinosaur after all!

http://dreamhomestoday.blogspot.co.uk

Stamp Duty Reforms on buying a property

Changes to Stamp Duty

Following the not so popular, 'Mansion Tax' whereby homes that were valued at over £2m would face an annual charge, the Government has decided to change direction and reform the way duty is added.
It would seem that many people who had lived in their homes for a large amount of years would be charged an additional tax due to the natural increase in value.  All properties that were valued at over £2m would be charged upwards of £10,000 per year.  This caused concern to many of retired people who may have owned a valuable property but did not necessarily have the spare funds to pay this increase.
Government figures show there are approximately 100,000 properties in the UK that have this value to them.  Of these 80% were in London but 22% of them were only flats.

New Stamp Duty Rates

As from 3rd December, a new stamp duty structure will come into force across the UK.  Instead of the present slab structure at the current rate, stamp duty will be a more progressive tax.  This is similar to the way income tax is paid.  The figures work out thus:

• No tax is payable on the first £125,000
• Between £125,000 and £250,000 the charge will be 2%
• Between £250,000 and £925,000 the charge will be 5%
• Between £925,000 and £1,500.00 the charge will be 10%
• Over £1,500.00 the charge will be 12%

Basically, this means that those buying homes under £937.500 will pay less stamp duty while those buying above this threshold will pay more.

This form of tax will come across as a double winner for the Government as the average tax across the board is an increase should all grades decide to move.  It will also assist those on a lower pay scale to be able to afford to buy a property as the tax is at a lower rate. 

This could serve to ease progression for many more first time buyers up and down the property ladder.  This, combined with the Governments, 'Help To Buy' scheme will make it more affordable to buy a home.

Advantages on Self-Build

When it comes to Self Build properties there has been no increase in taxes and you could save thousands of pounds.  Firstly because although you pay duty on the cost of the land, it only comes into force on plots worth £125,000 and above.
There is no stamp duty on the building work or the value of the property when the works are completed.
Stamp duty is levied at 1% on property on property sales between £125,000 and £250,000, 3% for property between £250,000 and £500,000 and 4% for properties selling for more then £500,000.

This means that if you buy a plot for £155,000 and the final value of the property is £525,000, you would pay stamp duty of £1,500 (1% of the plot cost).  In contrast someone buying a property worth £525,000 would have to pay stamp duty of £21,000 (4% of £525,000). 

Shortages of properties for sale

Although the price of properties throughout the UK and USA are beginning to rise, plus there is a 50% rise in enquiries about properties, the market is still very quiet.  Hopefully the reduction in tax duty will encourage more buyers to invest in a home of their own.  Of course, the problem of a shortage of properties at the cheapest end of the market is still evident.  Hopefully this will improve in the new year!

Is Privatisation our own fault?

Pain in the Neck

Woke feeling rather neglected the other morning as I realised my vertigo had taken hold again.  Having this affliction for many a year, I realised that it had been caused by getting my ears syringed the previous day.
Knowing that I needed some tablets to rectify this I called the Doctors to be told that I needed to book an appointment by calling at 8.00 the following morning.
The following morning I called the Doc's at 8.00 to be told all lines were busy,  I received the same message at 8.05, 8.10, and 8.15.  I eventually managed to get a message at 8.20 saying I was third in line and would be answered as soon as possible.  5 mins later I managed to speak to receptionist and asked for an appointment with the Doctor.  'Sorry', she said all appointments with the Doctors are taken but you can have one with a Nurse.
Luckily enough, the Nurse resolved my tablet problem without too much hassle.
But why was I not allowed to make an appointment the previous day, I asked the receptionist when I went to see the Nurse?  Her reply was that 'all appointments are made the same day, unless the Doctors ask for them because people book appointments and fail to turn up!'
Now maybe I'm looking at things though a simpletons eyes but how is this allowed to happen?  When I book an appointment with my Dentist I am expected to turn up or I will be charged for the inconvenience and loss of earnings to the Dentist.  If I book an appointment with a Chiropodist any other private healthcare treatment, and fail to turn up, I will be charged for the inconvenience.

National Health Service

• This is a service that deals with over 1 million patients ever 36 hours
• It's planned expenditure for 2013/14 is £113bn
• It's running costs in Scotland are £10bn alone
• It employs 150,000 Doctors

Statistically, 12 million appointments are missed each year at a cost to the Country of £163m a year.
A further 7m outpatient hospital appointments are missed at an average of £108.00 per person.
Is this the bottomless pit that we keep hearing about that needs to be continuously fed more funds to survive?
When will we start looking at the basic facts before it all gets privatised and ends up costing us all a lot more then at present?  Then who will we blame?


 

There but for the grace of God!

As Winter approaches and I occasionally venture out for a walk, I can't help but notice the unfortunate soles who somehow manage to survive while living on the streets.  In life it is all too easy to point the finger and say that's their own doing.  It passes the buck that way and stops us feeling guilty in case there was anything we could have done to help.
I guess the general perspective is that these people are mainly drug addicts and alcoholics therefore they have caused their own demise.  The reality of it is that in many cases they haven't been able to pay their rent/mortgage and ended up getting thrown out of the property.
In many cases this could well be due to unemployment which may or may not be their fault.

Unemployment

Following a 6 month spat of unemployment myself I realise how easy it could be to find all you have worked for taken away. 

In the UK the average salary is £26,330.00 while the average debt level is £7,940.00.  In the USA the average salary is $81,400.00 while the average debt is $15,600.00.

Looking at these figures it is easy to see how in just a few months of not paying your debts, you could so easily end up on the street.
 
The United Nations Commission claim there are 100 million homeless people worldwide.  Just in England in the UK alone that figure is 28,000.  8 of the top 20 Cities in the world with the top amount of homeless are in America. 

When I arrive back to my warm home I wonder how Countries such as ours allow this to happen under our noses and choose to do nothing about it.  Naturally, the people who govern our lands like to tell us how well they are doing as they want our votes.  But for those who don't have a vote due to not having a fixed address, I feel they don't get a fair crack of the whip.

I understand, as with all things, it comes back to money or lack of it.  Well if we are so short that we cannot look after our own, why are we sending so much of our capital abroad in Foreign Aid?
Now I am all for giving money to poor Countries that have famines or disasters that are not caused by them and out of their control but why are we giving Billions to Countries that are not in this situation?

This year the Government of the UK is due to give Uganda £75.2 million and Zambia £45.6 million.
Islamic State Countries get £1.6 billion per year to do with as they will.
Pakistan is allocated £1.4 billion while India has a massive £2.19 billion.  Both these Countries possess an arsenal of Nuclear weapons with India still sending rockets to the moon!

In the meantime we continue to borrow money to add to our own debts of £1,400.00 billion with £43billion being added each year in interest!  That £2000,00 per household in the UK!

Call me negative if you will but it seems we are borrowing money to give it to others to do with as they want!

Housing

Perhaps I am being unjust with my comments and the Government knows more about what it is doing with my tax then me.  One of the biggest reasons there are so many people on the street is the lack of housing and we are told this is partly due to the lack of usable land.  So in this vast concrete jungle of ours, how much is actually built on?

In reality there is only 11% of the UK that has been built on!

Naturally much of this is in areas that are not the most desirable or easily accessible but although London has the greatest need for housing there are 35,000 hectares (86,450 acres) that are classed as Green Belt.  By building on less then a quarter of this, a million homes could be constructed which would give homes to those without plus bring in much needed capital to the City.  

Due to increased supply and demand factor, which continually pushes up the price of property in London, 1 in 4 families are facing eviction.

Isn't it time we started to look after our own rather then everyone else?

Do you know the difference between styles of housing?

Do You Know The Difference Between Prefab And Manufactured Homes? When talking about different kinds of homes, there may be some confusion in regards to the terms used to discuss what kind of house is being built. Prefab, Modular, Panel Built, and Manufactured are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably, but they all mean different things. Prefab Short for Prefabricated housing, “Prefab” is a broad term that encompasses several different types of building. Technically, any home that has sections of the structure built in a factory and then assembled on site can fall under the “prefab” designation. Both Modular and Panel Built fall under the umbrella term of prefab, but just as different types of dogs are all canines but differ from each other, Modular and Panel Built both qualify as prefab, but are still different. Panel Building http://modularhomeowners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/250px- Prefabricated_house_construction.gif As you can see in the video to the right, panel building is accomplished by laying down the floor and then lowering each section of wall in to place one at a time. This type of construction can be useful in building houses that don’t work neatly as modules and it can be just as structurally sound as other types of prefabricated building. Commercial prefabricated building is often done this way as it allows for wide open spaces and high ceilings. It is also much less expensive to transport a building in panels than in modules if it is large enough. In the video you will notice that both the first and second story floors are bare when they are lifted in. This is not always the case. Sometimes manufacturers will already have placed anything that can be bolted down. Toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and anything else that can be properly secured during travel can be pre-attached to the floor and cabinets and light fixtures can be pre-attached to walls. This means less work for the builder and saved time and money for you. Modular Building http://modularhomeowners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/placingmodule1.jpg This picture shows a module being lowered in place by a crane. With modular building, the house is constructed in separate box-like modules which are then secured together to form a whole. Since the modules have to be transported on the backs of flat-bed trucks over highways, they generally have to be no longer than the truck and no wider than 16’. This traditionally meant that every room in the house had to be less than 16’ wide, but with new technology, old barriers in modular building are breaking down and houses are becoming infinitely customizable. Modular building usually doesn’t allow for additional structures like garages or porches to be built in the factory, but by combining panel building and modern modular building techniques, modular home factories are able deliver your home up to 90% complete. Manufactured Housing http://modularhomeowners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/manufactured.jpg While built in a factory like prefabs, there is no construction that happens on site. Manufactured homes are constructed on a steel frame, shipped on its own wheels, and then laid on a crawl space, or a slab of concrete. In some cases, the wheels that got the house to the build site aren’t even removed, just covered up with side skirting. The picture on the right has had skirting added to try to conceal that it is a manufactured home. Manufactured homes don’t tend to age well, are prone to maintenance issues, and are generally considered to be the worst type of home to live in. The Difference Between The Two Building Codes Prefabricated houses of all kinds must adhere to state and federal building codes and undergo regular inspections, just like any site-built home. This ensures that prefab homes are at least as safe as their site-built counterparts, though there is evidence that a well-built modular home is even more sturdy than a similar site-built home. Manufactured homes on the other hand only have to adhere to HUD standards (Department of Housing and Urban Development) which has much more lenient rules and regulations. Resale Value Unlike prefabricated homes which are considered real estate and so maintain or increase in value over time like a site-built home, manufactured homes are considered personal property and so lose value as soon as it’s driven off the lot, just like a car. Their value will continue to decrease for the full life of the home. Building Limitations While prefabricated housing used to be limited to very basic designs, modern building techniques have allowed prefabs to become just easily customizable as site-built homes. Unfortunately, manufactured homes are still very much constrained, and have extremely limited options. Most manufactured homes dealers will have the home pre-built and then just sell from their available stock. This means that any customizations made would be done by the owner. Appearance Prefab homes are traditionally wood framed, but the push toward modern styles and sustainable living has forced the industry to adopt steel-frame construction for some projects. This allows modular and panel built homes a flexibility in design that allows for custom architecture. Some manufactured homes still have the tin-can look of years gone by and some have been modernized to look almost like a standard home, but there is little to no room for exterior alterations or creativity. Quality Perhaps the largest difference between prefab homes and manufactured homes is the quality of the final product. Modular homes are built with factory precision using 25% more material on average than either site-built or manufactured homes. According to FEMA, they stand up better in extreme weather, and they require comparatively little maintenance. by JElitzer

Is Rising Damp a Myth or just a Capillary Reaction?

Getting to Grips with Damp Damp is something that strikes a chord with anyone who cares for a property. Lack of regular maintenance can be a prime cause of this common problem, especially if blocked pipes and gutters are causing an overflow of water that is penetrating and adversely affecting a building. http://www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk/data/images/pages/mike_parrett.jpg In 2005 damp was a key theme of SPAB's (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) annual National Maintenance week, SPAB joined forces with national damp expert Mike Parrett, whose work to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings around the subject were featured in the hard-hitting investigative tv programme "Raising The Roof". His common sense approach gets to the root of the issue and can even help people to save money by helping them to recognise the causes of their problems, giving them the confidence and knowledge to take the right steps to remedy the situation. Mike's damp busting tips: Watch out for the following symptoms and signs of dampness. Damp rooms usually have a distinctive and easily recognisable smell. Stale trapped air caused by poor ventilation is another good indicator. Damp patches and patches of mould can be due to water leakage and or water penetration - look for any corresponding defects (leaking gutters, pipes, roof tiles etc) at or near the locations of the mould. Dampness on or around a chimney breast is likely to be caused by falling damp! Rainwater directly entering the chimney mouth and filtering down through the walls below. Capping your chimney could eliminate this problem. If your house pre-dated World War II it is likely that it was built using lime. This is a breathable material, but later additions such as modern, hard cement renders and masonry paints may actually be trapping moisture into the walls. Crescent shape mould in the corner of two external walls is more typically due to active condensation. Mike Parrett Causes of condensation can be due to: •Design, layout and construction of the building •Use and occupation of the building •Defects to the building •Or any combination of the above Salt clusters on the wall surfaces can be due to water leaks, ground water and or rain water penetration. There are salts originating from the ground and natural salts in clay bricks. Remember - rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation are not causes of damp but describe the transportation of moisture - What causes them to occur is where you start to look and not where you finish looking. A great deal of dampness to ground floor walls is commonly referred to as being caused by rising damp necessitating a new damp proof course to be injected - But rising damp is not a cause it describes the movement of moisture in a particular direction! mayhttp://www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk/data/images/pages/mike_parrett_surveying.jpg Common causes of dampness to ground floor walls that cause dampness to rise: 1.Raised external ground levels against outside walls - where the ground is higher than either the physical horizontal damp proof course or higher than the internal finished floor level. 2.Leaking high level gutters, overflow pipes and rain water pipes. 3.Lack of adequate air flow under timber suspended floors. 4.Rubbish and rubble placed under suspended floors, trapping moisture and affecting ventilation. 5.Blocked cavity wall voids. 6.Leaking potable water main supply at or near the building. 7.Causing damp where suspended timber floors have been replaced with solid floors - rarely is the damp proof membrane under the solid floor (if one exists!) properly related to the perimeter walls, causing moisture to squeeze out from beneath and upwards. 8.External renders applied to external walls bridging the damp proof course and in contact with the ground. 9.Dampness to common or party walls - the adjoining property must also be checked! 10.High local water table and or proness to flooding - check with the Environment Agency, Local water provider and or Local Authority for further information. Traditional masonry It may surprise you to know that the majority of so called damp guarantee's do not cover any of the above list of common causes of rising damp! And the above list is by no means exhaustive. Physical damp proof course rarely fail - even a cracked slate damp proof course in a wall is unlikely to create a capillary by which moisture would pass through. So if they rarely fail it is not very common to require a new one! http://www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk/data/images/pages/smailholm_mortar.jpg Chemical damp proof course injections in themselves do not provide a total barrier against rising ground water and rely on the additional water proof render and plasters to be applied to the ground floor walls. Such treatments are not a total cure, but a management of the problem. One of the World's largest manufacturer's of electrical moisture meters say that you cannot rely solely on the results of an electrical moisture meter to form a diagnosis of the cause of dampness. So if the manufacturer's say that, how can £000's of remedial treatments be recommended, determined only by the use of that single instrument?

The Home Lovers

How to turn a house into a home

In the many years I have been involved with the construction Industry I occasionally ponder over what different people call home. Or more to the point, 'what makes a house into a home'? It could be related to a part of the world they have lived, a place where their parents live, the place where they were born or maybe the place they live with their family! All these places are where they have acquired memories that are important to them in one way or another. Personally, I tend to stick to the old adage 'home is where the heart is'! 

The part I have never been able to get a hold on is why some people look after their 'homes' so much better then others. On the whole most people who have worked hard for several years to get a deposit together have a tendency to appreciate all the effort that it has taken. Keeping things clean and in their rightful place seems to be part of a natural process they automatically accept. It also seems par for the course to 'keep up with the neighbours' to ensure everyone is friendly and not seen to be bringing the neighbourhood down. People who venture onto a self-build are generally even more meticulous in their approach. So much so, that windows are washed weekly, drives are swept regularly with all items having a place where they live and should never be left anywhere else. 

 One of the great attractions of self-build is that it gives you the opportunity to create a home to suit your lifestyle. Perhaps you are after a property for your uh p-and-coming family, or perhaps one to prepare yourself for retirement with a spare room for guests to stay. Whatever the reason you start a self-build, one of the great attractions is that you will have a property designed to suit your lifestyle and allow for possible changes in the future. But no matter what the reasons are, you will put more effort into planning and building this then any home that you could buy off the shelf. I guess both these ways of looking after your home is fairly evident and understandable but what I can't get my head round is the people who rent properties.

 Now I don't have a problem with people who rent as in many cases it suits or buying is out of the question. The part that I don't seem to get is the attitude that 'it's not my house so why should I look after it'? Although it is not their property, do they not live in it, therefore making it their home? In many cases these people live in them for many years. By this I don't necessarily mean maintenance of the property but just keeping things together like putting your bins out of the way, cutting your grass and not having scrap cars outside. To me a house is a pile of bricks but a home is where the heart is! If you don't care for your house it will never become a home!

To Build or not to Build

Is this an easy way to make money?

 

 

Reading some of the comments made by people who have become involved in a self-build project I can't help but smile to myself.  As with most projects we undertake in life nothing can possibly go wrong - can it?
I recall years ago when I was selling a lease-hold shop business and my concern was whether I was asking for more then the business was worth.  A fellow business friend said to me to remember that anyone who starts a business up believes they will be millionaires in a few years time.  If they didn't they would probably never start the business in the beginning.  Naturally, I don't need to state how many people do go on to become millionaires or indeed how many wish they had never got involved to start with.

 

 

 

 

 

Now for all of you who have achieved a successful outcome with your self-build I agree that statistically you will make money from your work, although it is likely to be a reasonable amount less then hoped for.  Indeed, the average cost of a new home is approximately £190,000 but if you get someone to do the build for you it should come out at approx. £146,000, but should you choose to do the work yourself it may be nearer to £85,000.  Naturally, the largest proportion of us are likely to go for carrying out the works themselves as all we can see is the final figure.  I could go on all day but I would rather you gave me some food for thought on this!  Have you done a self-build and did the figures come out as planned?  What would it have cost if you had got a Builder to do it and more importantly, would you do it again?

New service to boost self build housing

A new service which can link self builders up with suitable local contractors has been launched by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), with the support of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA).

This new service is the first of its kind in the UK and can be accessed via links from the Self Build Portal, NaCSBA’s comprehensive online resource for self builders.

The FMB’s Find a Self Build Contractor service is free to use and draws on a database of over 1,500 local contractors with design and build and self build capabilities.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Interest in self build solutions is growing stronger every day and the government is now putting in place policies which should help more people to realise the vision of building their own home.

"As this happens, self builders will need a pool of capable and experienced contractors and a trusted means of finding the right one. That’s why the FMB has created this service and we’re very pleased to have been able to team up with NaCSBA to deliver this through the Self Build Portal. This is the product of the building industry and self build representatives working together to facilitate the growth of self and custom build, which will improve the choice available to customers in the new homes market.”

Michael Holmes, Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association, sad: “Around half of all self-builds in the UK are carried out by main contractors on behalf of a private client. This service is the first of its kind to enable self builders to get in touch with those contractors who can offer them the specialist service they require. It should save self builders time and effort, is more likely to result in a better 'match' and, of course, it is a great way for FMB members to find the right clients.”

Richard Bacon, MP for South Norfolk and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Self-Build, Custom Build and Independent House building, said: “Finding a suitable builder can be a headache for many self builders who lack first-hand experience of the construction trade. This is where the FMB’s ‘Find a Self Build Contractor’ service can help you.

"Every builder belonging to the Federation must have satisfied a comprehensive set of background checks and also agreed to a rigorous Code of Practice and dispute resolution, offering peace of mind to potential clients. I would highly recommend that any prospective self builders draw on the Federation’s knowledge and experience to help complete their dream home.”

House! What House?

Sitting here relaxing, looking out on to my patio and garden beyond through the French windows, I realise what a fortunate person I am. 

It’s not because I am incredibly wealthy or that I have been amazingly lucky with things in life but sometimes I feel it is important to sit and think about some of the advantages that surround me. 

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Of these there are many, but one of the largest has got to be my decision to invest in my own property.   It’s not a massive property, just a standard middle of the road, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, (one that I added after being there for a dozen years and having two children who always wanted the bathroom when I was up to my ears in water), kitchen, lounge and dining room.  Now in this case it is defiantly a time where the term ’quality is more important then quantity’ comes into force.  Although it may be handy having a large extension built to the rear of the property and giving the Wife a kitchen to be proud of plus addition space on the first floor I realise all this comes at a price.  By this I don’t just mean financial, although this is a large consideration, but the many other things that additional living space will bring with it.  Such menial things like cleaning, heating and decorating to name a few.  To top all this comes the compulsory maintenance that will inevitably show its head at any excuse.  Be it a brand new room that took many hours of planning or not, it is certain that the idea of changing the layout when everything is in place will be mentioned, which will involve yet more work.

With all this being put to one side I feel that my house is defiantly my home.  It is of a size that is controllable with regard the cleaning and heating while I have been lucky enough to be able to afford to maintain it to a level that stops it from collapsing around my ears over the years.  I feel that one can always have a bigger home but along with that it brings its own problems.

So what is all this waffle about you may ask?

Well, back in the day, when I decided to invest in a property as a single guy, it was at a cost whereby I could afford to find the deposit within a sensible time period, followed by regular monthly payments over the next 25 years.  Now I have come to the stage where it is nearly paid and completely owned by myself – Super Stuff!

Which brings me to the reason behind my out-burst!

Just a couple of weeks back I was around my friend John’s house having a nice family meal.  Sitting aside of me was his Daughter, Julie of 22 years who inevitably found our conversation slightly boring.  To try to eleviate this problem I started a conversation that involved the relationship between herself and her Boyfriend of 5 years.  When do you see yourself moving in together was one of my questions?  The answer came back – with the cost of property around here I don’t know if we will ever be able to afford a place of our own so I can see us renting somewhere instead. 

‘But rent is just dead money’  I said.  Well we have been saving for the last three years and don’t seem to be getting anywhere plus the cost of property is getting dearer and pulling it further out of our grasp.

When leaving my friend that evening I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the younger generation and the realisation that a sensible future is getting harder for them to achieve.  The reality is unless they have a massive deposit plus two good wages coming into the pot each month it isn’t going to happen.

I mulled this situation over during the next couple of days when suddenly the penny dropped!  I rushed back to my friends house and confronted his Daughter and Boyfriend.  In this area a property can be obtained for around £100k but when counting the finances they could only afford up to £80k!

How would you feel if we can get you a property of your dreams for a figure you can sensibly afford I said?  But we can only afford up to £80k which is £20k less then anything that is likely to stand up for the next 30 years!

That’s fine I said.  You just leave it to me and I’ll show you how!  I will lead you through the maze and out the other side.  Not only that but I will get you a brand new property of your dreams designed especially for you!

And this is what I am going to do for you too.  I will show you how you can have the place you thought was out of your reach without breaking the bank.

See you in my next article!  I can’t wait to begin and I know you can’t either!

Stuck in a rut on the housing ladder!

With it becoming increasingly difficult for the first-time buyer to take their first steps on to the housing ladder, I cannot help but wonder where things are going.  “I can’t possibly afford a mortgage with the interest rates being as much they are” is a fairly standard situation.  This seems to be the same in all parts of the Country and the truth is things will only get worse as the interest rate is at the lowest level it has ever been and even more likely to increase over the next year or so. 

The average first time buyer isn’t generally too fussy with high expectations on what they would like to live in but looking at what is out there and the cost of the payments that are expected to be found, I can quite see what their predicament is all about.  Maybe this is just to reduce the disappointment factor!

The gap between what is affordable on the housing ladder for new buyers seems to becoming larger as each month passes.  Naturally, this is purely a supply and demand situation and, with the population getting bigger there is a call for more and more new houses.  Due to this need, with several people being after the same properties, the owners can naturally ask for higher fees.   It seems that the younger generation are facing a “double whammy” as the price of property continues to rise quicker than the average wage which is putting owning their own property further out of their reach.   

Recent research carried out by the respected analysts, Oxford Economics, project that the average house in England will rise from £245,879 this year to £331,387 by 2020.  In London this figure is expected to rocket from £452,400 up to £647,500 – 18 times the average London wage!

At the other end of the spectrum, the £146,000 average price in the north-east will rise to £171,400.

The National Housing Federation, which commissioned the forecasts, have warned that the widening gap in the supply of housing will mean that “an entire generation will be locked out of home ownership with nowhere to go”!

Even rented properties are expected to jump from £8,691 this year to £12,059 by the end of the decade!  The realisation that this is the only way couples will habitat in the future if something is not done about it is fairly evident to all.

“Goodnight, John Boy”

With rent costs being even higher it is not surprising that more and more are staying at home with their parents into their 30’s or 40’s.

Although there are several alternatives to buying a property, the one that is easily slipped into is being termed as “The Waltons Effect”!  This is because many young couples move into one of their parents homes while they save for a deposit.  This lifestyle becomes the norm as the reason they moved in gets put further on the “not so pressing” list.

In a report in the Daily Telegraph it was stated that “It might not be everyone’s dream scenario, but elderly parents in need of care and with rising household costs, means we are now seeing several generations of the same family living together”!

Lots of couples are realising that there are also many advantages with living with your parents.  In many of cases it is very convenient to have an ‘in-built’ baby sitter that can be relied on which wouldn’t be available should you live separately.

However, there are other things to consider when the idea of a ‘Granny annex’ gets some discussion especially when there is more than one sibling to be considered.  What happens when the house is eventually sold and your parents have paid for the annex themselves?  Would your Brother/Sister expect you to sell the property to enable them to have their inheritance?

There is also the matter of Capital Gains Tax, where an annexe is considered a separate dwelling and therefore the subject of an unexpected tax bill when the house is eventually sold.  You may also need to get advice on inheritance tax and how the house will be structured when it is sold.  Will it be classed as a single dwelling or not?

Another concern is if your relationship breaks down with your partner or anyone involved in this transaction decides they want to sell.  As with all things, they are fine at the onset but things may well change as time goes on.   'Food for thought'!

Self-Build-Finance Your Dream Home

Having your very own, custom-built dream home is a lot easier and cheaper than you might think. Although building your own property involves a great deal of planning and hard work, it's within the reach of most people, especially now that many mortgage lenders will lend on self-build properties.
It's generally much cheaper to build your own house than it is to buy one pre-built. The average cost of a self-build home is approximately £150,000. The return on investment can be much greater too - as soon as it's built you can expect an increase in value of 25-30% on what you paid to built it.

One of the major hurdles to overcome when considering a self-build project is obtaining the necessary finance. Some people opt to release equity from their existing mortgage, although this may not raise enough to fund the entire project - it depends on the value of the property against the current mortgage on it.

If this isn't a feasible option, another possibility is to take out a second mortgage. Many lenders offer specially tailored self-build mortgage products. If you go down this route, you'll need to decide what to do with your existing property. Work out whether you can afford to have two mortgages on the go during the build, to enable you to live in your current house until the new one is ready - or indeed whether there are any mortgage providers prepared to lend you a second mortgage. This can be a convenient way to finance the project, as it means you only have one house move, and mortgage repayments are often cheaper than renting.

If you can't afford two mortgages, the other options are to sell your current house and move into rented accommodation, stay with family or friends or even buy a mobile home or caravan to live on the building site. The latter may not be a suitable arrangement if you have a young family.
Self-build mortgages tend to have similar terms and conditions to conventional mortgages. You could have either repayment or interest only, and the interest rates available (fixed, capped, variable, etc) tend to be the same. The two main differences between self-build mortgages and conventional mortgages are that the maximum loan-to-value that will be provided is normally no more than 75% for self-build, as opposed to up to 95% or even 100% for a conventional domestic mortgage, and the funds are released in stages instead of all at once.

The way in which the funds are released depends on the provider. It's normally at key stages of the construction for example the laying of the foundations, when the building is wind and watertight, when the roof is complete, but some lenders release the funds upon completion of the stage, and others in advance. The issue with the former, arrears stage payments, is that the money is not available to fund the construction in advance, so it can cause cash flow problems. Some lenders offer advance stage payments, though, which makes it much easier to keep the cash flowing as the project progresses. Whichever way the lender operates, they will almost certainly want to send a surveyor or valuer to check on the progress of the build before they release each payment.

Sometimes up to a third of the cost of a self-build property is the purchase of the land. There isn't much spare land in the UK so prices are at a premium, particularly in popular built-up areas. Some lenders will be prepared to lend for land purchase, others won't, or will provide it as a separate loan, so be sure to check this out when doing your research.
Most lenders will want to see the architect's drawings and planning permission before agreeing to lend you any money, as well as a schedule of works - some lenders will put a time limit on the build, often one year.

As well as being a cheaper way to buy a house, self-build has other financial advantages. The cost of building a new home is zero-rated for VAT purposes. You also won't be subject to capital gains tax on the capital you make from selling the property, and there's tax relief for financing the new build while remaining in the existing home. Many self-build projects are also exempt from stamp duty as this applies only to the purchase of the land - unless the land price is over £60,000.

If you're able to arrange funding to build your own home and are confident that you have the management skills to keep on top of the building work as it progresses, then self-build could be the ideal way for you to get the home of your dreams without it costing an arm and a leg.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/436383

Assessment Of For Sale Self Build Land

The moment you have found a building land for sale for your self build land project, you have to ensure its suitability for your self build home that you have in mind. Further site investigation is also needed. You have to survey the plot and ensure it meets your requirements. It is essential to go with an open mind when viewing a land for sale, it may be not easy to imagine your dream house on a staked plot of land that may have become overgrown. In assessing a building land for sale there are four basic areas to consider and they are the following:

Conditions of the plot

Good ground conditions of your self build land are important as this will form the foundation of your home. To employ a specialist is necessary in order to ensure that the plot is not affected by flooding, agricultural pollution or industrial pollution. Land for sale that has been filled in may be contaminated and should be tested.

The incline of the land for sale requires more extensive foundation work to be factored into your budget, so it needs to be noted. It is also good to come and visit the site to view the surrounding areas, this will give you a feel for the size and cost of housing along with the type of neighborhood it is built on. You should make sure to pay attention to the local amenities available.

Planning Permission

If you are choosing a building land for sale with outline planning permission, the land may cost up to 500% more than without land. Although the process of obtaining planning permission is time-consuming you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Purchasing a building lot for sale without planning permission will result in an initial saving and increased profit once planning permission has been granted.

Utilities and services
The services and utilities go hand in hand with proximity to existing housing. If the self build land for sale is next to an existing building, planning permission may not only be more likely but the costs of connection to water and electricity supplies will be cheaper too.

Public transport, shops, and schools are a large benefit. While at first they are easily overlooked, during resale time they become key facts of a successful sale.

Legal considerations

You need to ask your solicitor to look into planning permission, boundaries, access, and title issues that you will come across when buying building land for sale.

The above basic areas to consider are our guide in assessing a building land for sale that we choose to buy.

If you are planning to build your home yourself then one of the first things you need to do after planning your budget and finances, is to find and buy a building plot and in order to help us decide to buy a land for sale we need to consider the four areas stated above. Always remember that a successful self build home begins in choosing a good building plot in order to build and make your dream house come into reality

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5870246

Building and Tiling Your Own Home?

If you're looking for a new home and just can't find quite what you want, then perhaps building your own home to your own specifications would be a good idea for you? Don't take on this challenge lightly though, it's the biggest DIY job you'll ever undertake, even if you call in the professionals to do the work and you simply oversee the project, you'll need to dedicate a lot of time and effort to the job, and if there are problems along the way, you could find you need more money than you had budgeted for too.

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There are many advantages and disadvantages to building your own home. Let's look at the positive points first. The project is likely to cost you less overall than simply buying a new build house. If you buy a kit house this will reduce the costs further, and if you tackle some of the work yourself you will save even more. The level at which you contribute your own work to the project will depend on the time you can spare, and your skill levels, but even if you complete some of the more simple tasks involved such as laying the floor tiles or decorating, you will save money, and it's nice to get involved when you're creating your own home. Self build homes are exempt from VAT too!

Of course the great thing about a self build is that you can tailor your home to your needs without compromise, adding in specific rooms for hobbies, and making each room the perfect size for you. As you're building from scratch you can add in hidden cables and energy saving devices as you go. You can make sure you home is green and energy efficient and well insulated.

But there are a lot of issues with a self build property which once you've truly considered may make you reconsider and simply opt for a home that is already standing. Firstly finding a plot of land and getting planning permission can be problematic and time consuming. If you need a mortgage, they are especially tricky to get for a self build project, especially in these tougher economic times when banks are more and more reluctant to lend.

Building any home will take time and it's unlikely that nothing will go wrong so you have to be prepared for issues to arise and to perhaps have to make some compromises. No matter whether or not you employ someone to oversee the project, they will need to speak to you on a regular basis, so you will need to have plenty of time available.

You'll need extra cash for the project. Don't set a budget that includes every penny you have. The truth of the matter is that most self build projects go over budget. Don't forget that while you are building your new home, you will also be paying for the property within which you live. Some people choose to live in a caravan on site, but this can get very stressful, especially when many projects over run by quite some time. It might seem fun in the summer months, but can soon become miserable if yourself build project runs into winter.

You don't have to spend a fortune on tiles in order to get decent quality tiles. Why not order in bulk online to save yourself a lot of money and to get a great deal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6878537