Right now we’re all looking for cost effective ways to add value to our homes and improve our standard of living. Below we’ve pulled together some great home improvement ideas to bring the outside in, whatever your budget.

Whether you’re looking to increase the feeling of light and space, or indeed if you’re looking to undertake a bigger project, look no further than SEHBAC.

Use your Conservatory as a Kitchen-Diner

Increasingly we are seeing more people installing kitchens in their conservatories. Whilst at first this might seem like a slightly strange idea, as the trend for kitchen-diners increases, and in many homes, the original space allocated for the kitchen is too small to accomodate a dining space, it really is an excellent solution. When you add this to wonderful feeling of light and space you get in a conservatory - it really is a great way to bring the outside in.

For many, the kitchen really is the heart of the home - not only do they want to be able to cook in their kitchens, they also want to be able to eat and entertain in them. It also means that if you are entertaining friends, whoever’s playing chef isn’t holed up in the kitchen - instead, they are in the thick of it - even whilst they are preparing the food. Of course if you’re a messy cook or are concerned about your guests witnessing your kitchen nightmares first hand, this might not be the best option for you!

French Doors

If you don’t have the funds to stretch to a conservatory, then installing french doors is a great alternative. We have a wide range of styles and finishes, so there’s bound to be something to suit you.

Obviously in the Summer you can open the doors to bring the outside in, and on cooler days simply enjoy the view and the additional light they let in.

Bi-Fold Doors

For others who want to bring the outside in, and increase the feeling of light and space in their kitchens and dining rooms, but want to go a step further than french doors without making the leap to installing conservatory, bi-fold doors are an excellent alternative.

Bi-Fold doors are also known as folding or multi-fold doors. Unlike traditional french doors, they run along a track rather than being hung from traditional wall mounted brackets.

Bi-Fold doors offer more flexibility than French Doors, as you can elect to fully open the doors to really bring the outside in; or you can simply open one or more doors for ventilation. They can be configured to open either inwards or outwards, and right or left hand opening.

They are also available in a wide range of finishes, colours and styles - so it’s easy to achieve the look which you want for your home.

If you’re looking to undertake a home improvement project why not call into one of our fantastic show centres for ideas? We’ve show centres located in Romford, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Colchester, Sidcup and Worcester Park.

Our experienced staff will be happy to talk you through the various options open to you, and whatever your budget, we know that you’ll be delighted with the results. Alternatively arrange a home visit and we’ll come to you!

Back in May, I wrote a post about conservatories adding around £7,000 to a property’s value - this figure was based upon a survey commissioned by HSBC.

However, last week the Daily Mail ran a story about a couple who have added a massive £200,000 to the value of their home by adding a conservatory!

The home belongs to property developers Paul and Denise Sewter of Woodstock, Oxon. Now, clearly this is by no means a ‘regular’ conservatory. Installed at a cost of around £42,000, it was a serious investment, but clearly one that has paid back - almost fivefold.

Food for thought, eh?

Poor Sir Cliff Richard!

The 68 year old singer’s local council have demanded that his conservatory (which cost more than £30,0000) must be demolished.

Why?

Well it seems that he neglected to seek planning permission for the conservatory, and as such it should never have been built.

Sadly, it seems he was unaware that he needed to seek planning permission, until he decided to sell his home. Although he has tried to apply for retrospective planning permission, this application was rejected.

To be fair to Cliff, this does seem to be a somewhat unusual case.

Cliff demolished the bungalow which was originally on the site, and elected to build a brand new home. At the time he was told quite clearly, the maximum size that it could be.

It seems that the original build complied to these guidelines. However, when Cliff later decided to add a conservatory to the property - this took the size of the property over the maximum size allowed.

However, at the time the conservatory was built, a homeowner would not need to seek planning permission as long as the cumulative floor area does not increase by more than 30%.

It looks like Cliff might have a bit of a battle on his hands.

So, how can you avoid getting into a similar situation?

First and foremost, remember that ultimately it is your responsibility as the homeowner to ensure that appropriate planning permissions are granted prior to any work being undertaken. That said, a reputable conservatory company should be able to advise you on what you need planning permission for, and what you do not.

New planning permission guidelines came into affect in October of last year. Interestingly, as you’ll see below, the maximum volume restriction (i.e. the cumulative floor area must not increase by more than 30%) is now no longer applicable.

Broadly speaking, if your conservatory conforms to the guidelines below, you do not need planning permission - however, there may be some exceptions, and if you’re not sure, it may be best to check before proceeding.

Typically planning permission is not required as long as:

1. Your conservatory is not at the front or side of your home if this faces a public highway.
2. If your conservatory is at the rear of your property, the maximum depth should be three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house.
3. If your conservatory is at the side of your property it must be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
4. If your conservatory is within two metres of the boundary line, then the maximum eaves height should not exceed three metres.
5. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms form part of your conservatory’s development.
6. No more than half the area of land around the “original house” should be covered by your conservatory.
7. Maximum height of a conservatory at the rear of your property should not exceed four metres.

If you’re interested in a new conservatory, then of course we’d be happy to help. Check out our range of conservatories, or pop into one of our show centres to talk through the options with our staff.

Image credit eggybird

In the current climate, many homeowners are electing to improve their property in the hope of adding to it’s market value; but sadly, it seems that many are making expensive mistakes.

Homeowners looking to make improvements - specifically with the aim of increasing the value of their property should think about practical, functional improvements which will have broad appeal - rather than putting an ‘individual’ stamp on their homes.

Below are our top five home improvement blunders, which are likely to detract from your home rather than adding value:

1. Outdoor Hot Tubs - whilst this might seem like a nice idea, they’re rarely used. They also take up space in the garden and require maintenance. They’re also expensive, and not likely to add anything to the value of your property.
2. Extravagant Kitchens - whilst a kitchen can really sell a property - rather than choosing something ‘bold’ - go for a clean unfussy design that is likely to appeal to the broadest audience.
3. Crazy Bathrooms - again, if you’re looking to sell your property a clean, unfussy white bathroom suite is what you need. ‘Individual’ touches are not required (you might love the barbie pink floor tiles, but others might not).
4. Eccentric Decor - buyers look for high quality finishes, not gimmicks. Neutral colours often work best - you can always add splashes of colour via furnishings, cushions, rugs, artwork etc. These are easier for buyers to see past if they are not to their taste. 
5. Unsympathetic Renovations - stripping a Georgian cottage of all it’s character to try to create modern open plan living is a definite no-no. Likewise a period fireplace in a new build is probably not the best way to spend your money. Be sympathetic to the style and character of the property you own. 

So what should you do? 

Nationwide Building Society suggests that home owners should focus on functional renovations in order to stand the best chance of boosting the market value of their home:

1. A 10% increase in floor space (i.e. square footage) adds between 5%-7% to the value of a property. However, the additional space needs to be usable - e.g. add a conservatory, home office or similar.
2. Adding an extra bedroom and en suite bathroom via a loft conversion or by extending over the garage can add 11%-20% to a property (for those homes that are expanding from a two bedroom to a three bedroom, or those that are expanding from a three bedroom to a four bedroom).
3. Energy-efficiency measures such as double glazing can also boost a home’s value and make it easier to sell. If you are selling or renting your home, you’ll need to provide prospective buyers / tenants with an energy performance certificate; undoubtedly homes which are more energy efficient are likely to appeal more. 

Other top tips:

1. It’s worth spending money making sure your home has curb appeal - make sure your front garden and driveway are presentable and your front door is well maintained - you don’t want people to be turned off before they’ve even entered your property.
2. If you do have an extension make sure that you get the necessary planning consent. If you don’t have the consent, then a buyer is unlikely to go ahead and purchase your property, as they may be asked to take the extension down.

Who to trust?

When seeking advice about anything it’s always difficult to know who to trust. It seems that when it comes to energy savings, consumers are really struggling.

According to a recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust only 17% of consumers trust the energy saving advice of those tradespeople who are undertaking work for them. 

It’s problematic.

We’re not going to sit here and tell you that you should trust us. There are an awful lot of cowboys out there and to be perfectly honest, you’re right to be suspicious.

What are the motivations of those people trying to sell you an energy saving solution? Are they just trying to sell you a more expensive product that you don’t really need?

Unfortunately this hesitancy could cost you dearly. Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said “Real cost savings - in terms of labour and minimising disruption - are on offer to householders who employ tradespeople to install energy-efficiency measures when they are in doing other work.”

So, on balance - what’s a green consumer to do if they’re not sure who to trust?

Well, we’d recommend that you take the time to educate yourself. According to the Energy Saving Trust you could save up to £340 annually on your household bills. Plus as all homes for sale or rent now need to have Energy Performance Certificates, a low rating may make your home harder to sell or rent in the future.

So, where to start?

We’ve pulled together a list of impartial resources which we think you might find useful:

The Energy Saving Trust are a non-profit organisation set up to provide free impartial advice on how to save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home. On their website you can compare products, read more about how to reduce carbon emissions and search for grants.

The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the glazing industry’s trade association, the Glass and Glazing Federation. It is the UK’s national system for rating Energy Efficient Windows and on their website you’ll find everything you need to know about the ratings, the labels and what they mean.

The Government also provide guidance and further information on energy savings - offering tips, further explanations and useful links.

You might also like to have a look at the National Energy Federation website - there you can learn more about climate change and how to cut your carbon emissions. They’ve also got a great page where they bust some energy myths - interesting reading.

Finally, check out FENSA, they partner with the Energy Saving Trust and the British Fenestration Rating Council, from an energy savings perspective, so make sure your selected supplier is registered with them - if they’re not, our advice would be to find yourself an alternative supplier.

Obviously if you are looking for help and advice, we’d also be happy to help, why not visit one of our show centres, call us on 0800 666 444 or book a home visit.

Image credit phauly