All Advice Articles

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...

Approved inspectors vs Local authority building control

When it comes to complying with building regulations, you have two options on who can approved your technical drawings - your local building contro...

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...

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 maximise the space in your home

When it comes to your home, no doubt you (and future buyers) want to have as much space as possible. However, in the last decade, homes have been g...

5 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...

Living roofs: 5 things you need to know

Living roofs are going to be big in the next few years. How do we know? Every year we provide over 10,000 consultations to UK homeowners, and more ...

Creating your own industrial kitchen design

When it comes to kitchen trends, no style is having more of a moment than the industrial model. Whether you want sleek modern finishes, or rustic t...

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 ...

10 garage conversion ideas

If your garage is going spare, acting like a glorified storage unit, then it could be time to get this space working harder. Garage conversions are...

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...

Contemporary home design inspiration for 2019

Heading into 2019 with a desire to transform your home? Perhaps you’re finding your current space a little dated. Maybe too cramped? Not enough lig...

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...

5 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...

Top 5 interior design trends for 2019

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

Bedroom extension ideas: the balcony edition

If you’re looking to transform your bedroom, a balcony can work wonders. Not only do they add more space to your room, those large glazed doors bri...

Kitchen renovations to get you hungry for more!

Is the kitchen the heart of your home? A communal hub of romantic dinners, Sunday lunches, and feasts with friends? If so, make this the year you g...

French, sliding, bi-fold - which doors are right for your extension?

Think doors are boring? Think again! If you’re undertaking a rear, side, or [wraparound extension](https://resi.co.uk/advice/home-extensions/guide-...

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...

The best modern conservatory trends

Conservatories have long been a part of British homes. Thanks to their ability to be crafted mainly off-site, they’re a cost effective way for many...

5 feature wall ideas for 2019

When it comes to your home, who doesn’t want a little WOW factor? And if you’re looking for a bold way to transform either your living room, bedroo...

Bi-fold door inspiration for your home

Bi-fold doors have been skyrocketing in popularity these last few years, with many of our own customers seeking out these folding wonders, and it’s...

The best trends to makeover your bathroom

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 ...

House extension ideas: before and after photos

Are you in the mood for some home inspiration? If the answer is yes, then brace yourself for some before and after delights. While we all love 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...

We're calling on the government to cut VAT on home improvements

A recent national survey by Resi, the Homeowner’s Alliance and YouGov found that a third (31%) – approximately 5.3 million – of UK homeowners pay c...

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...

10 things to consider before buying a renovation property in the UK

When it comes to buying a new house, if you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves, you might have been tempted by a ‘fixer-upper’. These renovation...

A guide to window frames for your home

If you’re in the process of an extension or perhaps a renovation, you might be considering what to do with your windows. While many mull over the...

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...

10 home remodelling mistakes people make early on

The home horror stories, we’ve all heard at least one. The couple who picked a dodgy builder, the family who ended up in a war with their neighbour...

What is a structural engineer and why do you need one?

Architect. Surveyor. Structural engineers. When it comes to big home projects, you often find yourself confronted with a list of professionals tha...

Who are Resi?

We’re the UK's leading architecture practice for everyday homeowners. Since opening our doors in 2017, we’ve helped transform over 1500 properties ...

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...

Frequently asked questions: building and party walls

Party walls can be tricky things, tricky in the sense that they’re either a breeze for the homeowner, or a legal nightmare. If you’re worried your ...

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...

How Resi can cut your extension times in half

Cut times in half, you say, how is that possible? Well you’d be surprised. Not only has Resi transformed the way homeowners can complete their pro...

Ultimate guide to the UK's homebuilding and renovating shows 2019

Rather than spend hours trawling through Google, or pestering friends for recommendations, trade shows offer a fantastic alternative to sourcing gr...

Brexit: Should I still extend my house?

Every week, we provide free consultations to hundreds of homeowners across the UK. And in recent months, we’ve noticed one question is coming up mo...

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 So...

How we pick our Connect professionals

It’s no secret, to unlock the most potential in your home, you need the best professionals by your side. Whether you’re renovating, converting, or...

10 mistakes too many people make during construction

If you’ve made it through the trials of planning and building regulations unscathed, it means you’re ready for the most hazardous leg of your journ...

Construction timelines for converting or extending your home

You’ve got creative in design, been given the thumbs up in planning, found the perfect contractor and even got approval from building control. All ...

Do you stay or rent when you renovate with children?

It’s no surprise that one of the most common reasons homeowners extend is to accommodate a growing family. But what happens to your family when 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...

A guide to groundworks, foundations, and your extension

With all your permissions in place, and your professionals hired, it’s time to dive into construction, right? Well, almost. Before any tangible bu...

What Resi's new TrustMark partnership means for our customers

This week we’re very excited to announce our official partnership with [TrustMark!](https://www.trustmark.org.uk/) [TrustMark is the Government E...

Dangers of a cheap contractor quote

While finding the best man for the job should be your number one priority, it’s only natural that price is going to play a big factor in who you pi...

How to insulate your new garage conversion

Thinking about extending your garage? If you have, you may have thought about decor, what kind of room you’ll create, maybe even how you’ll remove ...

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...

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...

Oak framed vs brick extension - which is best?

When it comes to building your home, making sure it stands up is a big priority. But what frame you buy is a question very much in the air. Do you...

Laminate or real wood flooring? Which is best for your house

When it comes floors, people tend to fall into two categories. Those who adore carpets, and those who can’t imagine life [without a hardwood floor]...

A guide to structural glass and your extension

You might have spotted structural glass on either Grand Designs or in the pages of architectural magazines. It’s a popular material for making stun...

What is the best flooring for a kitchen?

Whether you’re looking to fully refurbish your kitchen, or just to give your floor a makeover, what material you choose can have a big impact on th...

Cost cutting tips for your rear extension

Who hasn’t switched on Grand Designs and thought: *I would love to do something like that, if I had the money.* Well, we’re here to tell you that...

A guide to loft conversions and planning

Whether you plan on converting your loft into a bedroom, study, or new bathroom, you’ll need to consider which area of planning your project falls ...

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 to do in the event of a party wall dispute

So you’re getting ready to transform your home. You’ve done everything right so far. You’ve obtained planning permission. You’ve been given approva...

The best time for sorting out your finance when remodelling

It goes without saying that transforming your home becomes a lot harder when you don’t have the proper finance in place. That being said, few peop...

How much does it cost to get planning permission for an extension

If you’re about to apply for planning permission, or are wondering how fees have changed over the years, worry not! Our in-house planning team are...

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...

Everything you need to know about downstairs toilet building regulations

There are many reasons to build a downstairs toilet. You might host regular parties and want a way to keep nosy guests from upstairs, or perhaps yo...

A guide to lawful development certificates

A lawful development certificate isn’t a legal requirement, but they are incredibly worthwhile to obtain. The certificate essentially proves to bo...

The dangers of a cheap architectural quote

If in your hunt for the perfect architect you’ve found one who’s offering an incredibly cheap service, you might be thinking: *is this too good to ...

Do I need an architect for planning permission?

Planning permission, if you’ve never taken on a home project before, it’s likely you’ve heard the horror stories. Tales about unruly planning offic...

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...

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...

The benefits of a free Resi consultation

Before you dive into your project, you’ll likely want to know what options are available to your home. This is where an architectural consultation...

Everything you need to know about dormer loft conversions

It’s no secret that UK homes are facing a space shortage, especially in the high demand city areas. But with not enough new homes being built, and ...

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...

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...

5 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 ...

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 ...

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...

How much value does planning approval add to your house?

When it comes to selling your home, everyone is after two things: a good price, and a quick turnaround. While there are many tips for getting the ...

Permitted development rights and the green belt

Permitted development rights and the green belt are two terms you may have heard in passing, but until you actual get into a big home project, you ...

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

If you’re looking to add more space to your home, a conservatory is not only an effective option, but a budget friendly one too. Typically cheaper...

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...

Do you need an architect for an extension?

Is it illegal to build an extension without an architect involved? No. However, just because architects aren’t a legal requirement, it doesn’t me...

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...

The benefits (and pitfalls) of extending your home with a neighbour

Neighbours can get a bad reputation in the home extension game. You hear classic horror stories about the nightmare family next door, of vicious pa...

A guide to wraparound extensions

When it comes to extending the rear of your property, you have two classic options: rear and side. But what if you could combine the two? This is...

5 key questions to ask your architect

Figuring out how to choose an architect for your home building can be tough. However, getting the *right* architect is even tougher, which is why i...

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...

5 things you need to know about home extension and timings

We’ve worked with a lot of homeowners - over 2000, in fact - and if there’s one thing that shocks people the most about remodelling it’s the time i...

7 tips to keep house extension costs down

There are two simple tips that will always save you money during a building project: don’t cut corners and pay attention. Here are 7 things you ca...

Barn conversions guide: planning permission, cost and ideas

Is there any project more quiescently British than a barn conversion? With their high ceilings, rustic beams, and general *country-ness*, who would...

How much money can DIY save you on your extension?

If you’re looking to save money on extended your home, look no further - DIY is the answer! By taking on a few of the basic handy jobs, you could ...

5 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...

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...

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...

Everything you need to know about basement conversions

So you’re considering a basement conversion, but not 100% sure whether your home is suitable, or if the end results are going to be right for your ...

Single storey extension ideas under £30,000

When it comes to extending your home, you don’t have to break the bank to get amazing results. While some single storey extensions can cost upwards...

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 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...

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 ...

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...