All Advice Articles

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 over the last few yea...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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, l...

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...

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 freehold...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Five pitfalls to avoid when extending your home

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

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...

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 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...

Types of loft conversions

There are four main types of loft conversion found in UK homes. A loft conversion can be used as as a guest bedroom, study or playroom, adding both...

How to do a loft conversion

A loft conversion is a great way to add space and value to your home. Whether you’re angling for an ensuite master bedroom, a kid’s playroom, a sty...

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: 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...

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! ...

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 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...

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...