All Advice Articles

Make the most of the Larger Home Extension Scheme

If you’re planning on building a single storey rear extension under your permitted development rights, you have until 30 May 2019 to take advantage...

Why your local authority matters when extending

If you’ve decided to take the plunge into extending your home, there’s someone (or some people) you’re going to have to become very acquainted with...

Do I need planning permission for my flat or maisonette?

Flats and maisonettes do not fall within your permitted development rights, meaning you will have to seek planning permission for changes you want ...

Reasons why planning permission is refused

Planning permission can be denied if your build is guilty of these offenses: - Your build overshadows a neighbour, causing loss of light - Your bu...

What happens during the planning process?

Before you start worrying about the colour of your walls or what pictures to hang, you need to make sure that you have permission to go ahead with ...

How to build an annex without planning permission

Very few people get excited about planning, and if you did most of your friends would become very concerned. But [here at Resi](https://resi.co.uk)...

Do I need planning permission?

Extending your home is an exciting and potentially value-adding project, but it can also be full of practical and administrative hurdles. From draf...

How to improve your chances of a successful planning application

Make sure your project gets the best start in life with our expert tips of achieving planning success… ## Pre-Application Don’t be afraid to sta...

What are permitted development rights?

Permitted development rights are a type of general planning permission granted by Parliament. If your plans fall within certain restrictions, this ...

How long do you have to implement planning permission

Generally speaking, most planning permission __runs out after three years.__ Meaning, if you haven’t started work by this point, you’ll need to rea...

What happens after you've obtained planning permission?

Getting planning permission or a lawful development certificate can take between 8-10 weeks, so it’s good to apply early. However, once you know th...

Is my house suitable for a loft conversion?

Converting your loft is the less traditional, but ever popular way, of adding space and value to your home, working from the top down. This loft ...

How to do a loft conversion

A [loft conversion](https://resi.co.uk/case_studies/inchmery_road) is a great way to add space and value to your home. Whether you’re angling for a...

Types of loft conversions

There are four main types of [loft conversion](https://resi.co.uk/case_studies/inchmery_road) found in UK homes. A loft conversion can be used as a...

Do loft conversions add value to your house?

You're ready to make the commitment into expanding your home, and have a lot of space to play with, but which project is right for your home? Like ...

How much does it cost to convert a loft?

Loft conversions are a great way to add space and value to your home, but at what cost? This price will depend on the structure of your roof, the a...

Five ways to reduce costs when converting your loft

We know that going through a home improvement project can be a financially strenuous time for most, so we’ve compiled a little list of ways to put ...

Five loft conversion ideas for your home

A loft conversion is the perfect way to add space and value to your home, without going down the route of a traditional extension. What’s more, wit...

The pros and cons of hardwood floors

If you’re thinking of installing hardwood floors in your new conversion or extension, there are a few elements you need to consider. Hardwood floor...

How to choose your bi-fold doors

If you’ve decided that bi-fold doors are for you, you need to first make sure you’re choosing the right ones. Ensure that your investment will not ...

How to choose internal flooring for your extension

Internal flooring might feel like a finishing touch for your house extension or loft conversion, but it’s worth starting to think about it early in...

Everything you need to know before buying skylights

When it comes to getting natural light into your home, who doesn’t love a good skylight? Compared to glass ceilings, they’re a cost effective way t...

Do you know the cost of glazing?

Put simply, double glazing involves two panes of glass separated by a vacuum or inert gas (What’s that, you ask? Check our handy glossary for compl...

How much do architects charge?

Second to actually buying your home, an extension will be one of the biggest financial investments you under take. But don’t let that put you off! ...

How much does it cost to build a house?

If you’ve got the patience, the dedication, and the resources, you might be the kind of person who takes on the challenges of a self-build project....

How much does a garage conversion cost?

Let’s face it, a garage is supposed to be for cars, but they often end up being a place for junk. If you’re guilty of using your garage more for st...

What percentage of construction cost do architects charge?

Clients could expect to pay architects around 7-10% of the construction cost from their project. Architects' fees can be calculated in three ways:...

How much does it cost to build a rear extension?

We know that building an extension can seem daunting at first, not knowing where to start or who to talk to. But once you get the costings of your ...

How much does it cost to build an annex?

If you’ve decided that erecting an annex is the right option for your home, make sure you’ve got your budget nailed down before you do so. It’s alw...

How much does an orangery cost to build?

Orangeries are having a bit of a moment, after living in the shadows of conservatories for so long. Once built in the 17th and 18th century to hous...

How much does a kitchen extension cost?

Often referred to as the heart of the home, it’s no wonder [kitchen extensions](https://resi.co.uk/advice/design-and-inspiration/kitchen-renovatio...

How much does it cost to move house?

Moving house can be expensive. The average house price in the UK is just over £300,000 (rising to £1 million in London), so expect to pay around £2...

Five benefits of using an architect

You’re looking at expanding or converting your home, and you find yourself thinking: do I even need an architect? Afterall, aren’t they just for fa...

Can my architect help me if my planning permission is refused?

While having your planning application refused may feel like the end of the world at the time, hang tight! It’s not the end of your home improvemen...

Do I need an architect?

Whether you need an architect or not will depend on the home project you’re taking on - though you might be surprised how useful they can be, even ...

Everything you need to know about your local authority

When it comes to extending, you’ve probably run your project past everyone you can think of. Your partner, your parents, your kids, friends, co-wor...

What are building regulations and do you need them?

You’ve got your plans approved, so what happens next? More paperwork - hurray! However much you may want to zoom past the ‘boring bits’, and get s...

What are the rules around building regulations and electrical work?

When you hear building regulations, you might suspect that such a thing couldn’t possibly apply to either your professional rewiring or DIY job. Su...

What's the deal with building regulations and outbuildings?

It’s unlikely that in day to day conversation you’ll hear the phrase ‘building regulations’ or ‘outbuildings’ come up, not unless you hang around w...

How building regulations affect removing your chimney

If your living room is feeling cramped, or you just want to free up some space in your bedroom, removing a chimney might be the right move for you....

How to avoid cowboy builders and construction disaster

The UK has long been plagued by cowboy builders, why? Because anyone who wants to be a builder, can be. No qualifications. No licensing. If you cal...

5 common construction contract mistakes

It’s not something most homeowners think about when they decide on [an extension](https://resi.co.uk/advice/cost-and-planning/how-much-does-it-cost...

Could you project manage your own home

## What do Project Managers do? A project manager is there to organise the creation of your build, making sure your project is completed on time, ...

Splitting your house into two maisonettes

There are numerous reasons to consider splitting up your home. It could be you’re looking to downsize after the kids have moved out. Or that you’re...

What's the difference between freehold and leasehold?

## Freehold As freeholder of a property, you own it outright and that includes the land it’s built on. Generally speaking, most houses are freehol...

What exactly is a maisonette?

Sure, everyone’s heard of a flat, but what about its lesser known cousin, the maisonette? Well, as the linguists among us could probably guess, a m...

What is a party wall agreement?

If you’re looking to build and share a wall with your neighbour, this shared boundary is known as the party wall. In order for your project to go a...

Five ways to get the most out of a home show

Home and Interior Design shows are fantastic events for anyone looking into home improvement. However, if you’ve never been to one before, they can...

How VR can help bring your project to life

Did you know that VR (Virtual Reality) has been around since the 1960s? Back in the day, it consisted of a giant machine called The Sensorama, whic...

Best ways to add value to a maisonette

Improving the home is no longer limited to those wanting to climb their way up the property ladder. These days it’s the norm to add value not just ...

Choosing the right kitchen worktop

There’s nothing more thrilling than walking into a beautiful new kitchen, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular house extensions...

Rear Extension Ideas

Forget planning permission, forget building regulations, forget paperwork… for now, let’s have some fun and get stuck into brainstorming what your ...

Best home improvement projects for your bedroom

If you’ve found yourself with some time on your hands and a little cash tucked away, why not tackle a couple home improvement projects? Not only ar...

Infographic: 5 Ways To Let Light In

Don't let your home get left in the dark. Our experts have put together these tricks and tips for letting more light into your rooms. Whether you'r...

Five bedroom features that'll transform your space

No other room better embodies the word ‘haven’ quite like the bedroom. From cosy Sunday mornings spent with tea in hand, to those lazy afternoons w...

The best bathroom features to lure in future buyers

So you’re looking to do up your bathroom, or maybe you’re adding in a new one, question is: what’s going to land you the most added value? After al...

Five home improvements you can do in a month

If you’re a busy person who has unexpectedly found themselves with a quiet month on their hands, you might be considering taking on a little home p...

Top 5 interior design trends for 2018

*No one knows interior design like [MyBespokeRoom.com](https://www.mybespokeroom.com/), so we asked them to tell us what trends homeowners can expe...

Home improvement ideas that add value to your home

With the prices of UK homes ever increasing, it’s never been more important to get in on the action. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways...

The best bathroom trends for 2018

No matter your style or preference, we’re absolutely sure there’s a design trend out there that will WOW you. Kitting out your bathroom can be one ...

Kitchen renovation ideas

If you’re looking for kitchen renovation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve created plans for hundreds of [kitchens](https://resi.co.uk/...

Designing the ultimate personal haven for Mother's Day

Here are Resi, we’re always challenging ourselves to look at things differently. So on Mother’s Day we asked ourselves: what could architects do to...

Case study: A modern ground floor kitchen extension for a growing family

Resi was recently approached to design a ground floor wraparound extension for a detached home in Dartford. Lee wanted to maximise the value of his...

Case study: Nick's rear extension

When Nick bought his home, he bought it knowing it would turn into a big project. Dilapidated and cramped, it was a building that was in some serio...

Case study: Alex's side return

As with hassle.com, Resi began in response to a real world frustration. In 2016, I embarked on a 2.5m x 9m side extension on my maisonette in Sou...

Should I get bi-fold doors?

Bi-fold doors are a popular choice, both for patio or garden access, or to separate a living room or kitchen from a conservatory. Wherever you pu...

Conservatory vs. Orangery

## What came first, the Conservatory or the Orangery? Because the chicken and the egg are so 2017. Officially, the orangery came first, originati...

Five pitfalls to avoid when extending your home

From whoopie cushions to elaborate stunts from brands, April Fools' is a day where nothing should be taken at face value. But what about the rest o...

5 questions to ask your architect

If you’re thinking of converting or extending your home, you’ll need to start by getting some plans drawn up. From submitting your planning applica...

How much does a side return extension cost?

A side return extension is a great way to increase the size of your kitchen without losing garden space. If you live in London you can expect to pa...

How to build an energy efficient extension

Once the domain of hippies, and guys named Dreadlock Dan, becoming energy efficient is now mainstream - especially for homeowners. Not only does it...

7 tips to keep house extension costs down

There are only two tips that will always save you money during a building project: don’t cut corners and pay attention. The fact is: there’s no tr...

How to get freeholder consent for an extension

If you own the freehold of your building, you have the right to carry out any building work that you like on your property (as long as it adheres t...

Can I add an extension to a listed building?

Living in a listed building is a great privilege, but it can be limiting if you decide you’d like to add more space through a house extension or lo...

How much does a bathroom add to the value of a house?

__Typically, bathrooms have the potential to add between 4-5% onto your home’s value.__ But this can go up or down, depending on how you execute yo...

How much does an extension cost?

With interest rates increasing, more and more homeowners are turning to extensions, not upsizing, to give them some much needed space. In fact, [ne...

What’s the difference between a first and second fix?

If you’re planning any kind of house extension or loft conversion, you’ve probably heard someone using the terms "first fix" and "second fix", but ...

What's the best order to build? Top down or ground up?

## Question: We’ve recently purchased a semi-detached terrace house. We know that we’d like to add both a loft conversion and a ground floor exten...

Do conservatories add value to your house?

The conservatory - it’s a British classic. Despite being a rain drenched, cloudy isle, our eternal optimism for sunshine has made conservatories on...

Start to finish: the timeline for your extension

Full disclosure: there’s no guaranteed timeline for any build project. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was? Building an extension involves a lot of ...

Five more questions to ask your architect

Not too long ago, we shared with you the [top five questions you should be asking your architect](https://resi.co.uk/advice/home-extensions/ask-you...

What are the rules on house extensions?

We won’t lie to you, there are quite a few rules when it comes to building an extension. But this doesn’t have to put you off. Like any game, onc...

10 things you need to know before extending your home

Not to put you off, but taking on a big home project - such as an extension, or conversion - is… well, big. Next to buying your home, it’s going to...

What types of floor plans should I commission?

If you’re thinking about extending or converting your home, the best place to start is with a set of floor plans. In fact, you can’t build without ...

What types of construction drawings do I need for my building project?

Whether you’re planning a house extension, loft conversion or new build, you always need to begin with a set of architectural floor plans. A good...

Where are all the residential architects?

Every architect wants to build a skyscraper. They’re towering, iconic and - if designed badly - can destroy a car (remember this...?). In fact, ov...

Who are Resi?

We’re the UK's first online architectural service. From extensions to refurbishments, we’re making it easy to remodel your home. ## High quality, ...

Is a local architect always best?

Five years ago, if you were looking for an architect, you had two options: local or fancy. You could take your home project to an architect in your...

How well do you understand architectural jargon?

Here at [Resi](https://resi.co.uk/) our mission is to provide you with no-nonsense design and planning advice. Think of us as your personal guide t...

Using an architect to sell your house

As anyone who’s sold can testify, finding a buyer for your home can be an anxious time. No more so than when your home feels like it’s just languis...