Straight answers on building work

Straight answers on building work

Practical guides on the questions we get asked most.

RoofingDoes a new roof add value to your home?The honest answer is that a new roof rarely adds value in the way an extension does. What it does is stop your...RoofingDoes my roof need replacing? How to tellMost roofs that people think need replacing need repairing, and some roofs that look fine from the road are th...ExtensionsDo extensions add value to a house?Extensions can add value, but not automatically and not always as much as they cost. What decides it is usuall...GuidesPlanning permission vs building regulationsThey are two entirely separate approvals from two different parts of the council, controlling different things...Spray foamWhat does spray foam removal cost?Removal quotes vary enormously because they are often pricing different jobs. The foam is the visible part. Wh...GuidesSIPs and eco panels: where they make senseStructural insulated panels are a genuinely good building system for the right job. They are not automatically...RoofingWhat is included in a full re-roof?A full re-roof is more than new tiles. Here is what a proper job includes, what should be itemised on the quot...Spray foamPaperwork lenders want after foam removalPlenty has been written about spray foam causing mortgage problems. Almost nothing tells you what to hand the ...RoofingHow long does a roof last in the UK?Roof lifespan is quoted as a single number far too often. What actually decides it is the covering material, h...RoofingHow much does a new roof cost in the UK?Roof quotes for the same house routinely differ by thousands. That is usually not one firm being greedy, it is...Loft conversionsHow much does a loft conversion cost?The conversion type sets the budget bracket, but head height, stair position and what the floor has to carry a...InsulationWhy is there condensation in my loft?Water dripping in a loft is not always a leak. Damp on the underside of the roof after a cold night is usually...DrivewaysResin or tarmac driveway: which is better?Neither is better in general. They fail in different ways, cost different amounts and suit different sites, an...Spray foamOpen cell vs closed cell spray foam removalThe two types look similar in a loft and behave very differently. Which one you have changes the removal metho...DrivewaysDriveway planning permission: do I need it?Most driveways do not need planning permission, but the exceptions catch people out, and the one that catches ...Spray foamThe problems with spray foam insulationSpray foam is not a bad material everywhere. In a UK pitched roof, applied to the underside of the covering, i...Spray foamThe spray foam removal process, step by stepRemoval is the middle of the job, not the whole of it. What happens before and after decides whether the roof ...Spray foamDoes spray foam damage roof timbers?Not always, and the honest answer matters. Spray foam creates the conditions in which timber decay becomes pos...Spray foamSpray foam and property surveys explainedSurveyors are not objecting to insulation. They are reporting that they could not inspect the roof structure, ...Spray foamCan you get a mortgage with spray foam?Lenders often hesitate to approve mortgages for homes with spray foam insulation. Removal and documentation is...Spray foamSelling a house with spray foam insulationSelling a house with spray foam insulation can complicate the process. Disclosing it early or removing it help...RoofingCan a new roof raise home insurance costs?A new roof can change your home insurance, but not always in the direction people expect. The work, roof type ...RoofingBuying a house that needs a new roofBuying a house that needs a new roof can be daunting. Know what survey hints mean, how to renegotiate and why ...Solarhow much do solar panels cost ukSolar panel costs in the UK range from £4,000 to £8,000. Costs vary by system size, roof type, and other facto...RoofingWhat are dry verge caps for roofsDry verge caps are plastic caps that cover the edges of tiled roofs. They prevent water ingress and provide a ...RoofingWhen to replace fascias and soffitsReplace fascias and soffits when they show signs of rot or damage. Doing it during roof work saves on scaffold...ExtensionsSingle storey extension cost UKA single storey extension in the UK generally costs between £1,500 and £3,000 per square metre. Exact costs re...GuidesDo I need a party wall agreement?You likely need a party wall agreement if your project affects a shared wall. Check the Party Wall Act before ...GuidesCan my loft be converted cheaplyYour loft can be converted if it meets certain criteria. You'll need enough head height, an easy staircase fit...Guidesvelux or dormer loft conversion choiceA Velux conversion is simpler and cheaper. A dormer offers more space but costs more and may need planning....GuidesIs Superfoil insulation any goodSuperfoil insulation can be effective for depth-limited roofs, but it may not always be the best choice compar...SolarHow much do solar panels cost in the UK?Solar quotes for the same house vary widely, and the difference is rarely the panels. It is the system size, t...SolarAre solar panels worth it in the UK?Solar is worth it for some households and a poor spend for others. The deciding factor is usually how much of ...SolarIs solar battery storage worth it in the UK?A battery earns its keep by letting you use more of what your panels generate instead of exporting it cheaply....

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