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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
A guide to insulating your loft
It’s easy to forget about your loft, especially if it’s inaccessible or only used as a place to shove the Christmas decorations. However, with ener...
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, ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 your 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...
How to achieve a 'broken plan' home
It feels like for years the trend of open plan living has reigned supreme, yet a new contender is entering the ring. Broken plan living. A twist o...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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](https://resi.co.uk/...
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...
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-...
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...
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...
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...
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 th...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 pick the right materials for your conservatory
So you’re [considering a conservatory](https://resi.co.uk/advice/home-extensions/do-conservatories-add-value-to-your-house), but which one is going...
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...
Myths about timber framed extensions
Unlike our Scottish counterparts, timber has never quite taken off in the rest of UK homes. Until now, that is. With more homeowners than ever tur...
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...
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 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 ...
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...
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 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...
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)...
Explained: change of use and use classes
When facing the nitty gritty world of planning legislation, many homeowners can find themselves becoming lost in the jargon. No more so than with U...
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...
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...
Make the most of the Larger Home Extension Scheme
*Update: As the deadline for this scheme is drawing to a close, we've added in some further tips for homeowners considering this route in a limited...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Explained: building regulations and staircases
You might look at stairs and not think much of them, but this home essential comes with a lot of rules and regulations - namely, [building regulati...
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....
UK Policy: statement on potential digital tax
*After being quoted in The Times on potentially taxing tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, Resi CEO Alex Depledge shares this statement:* Qu...
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...
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...
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, ...
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 is tendering? Everything you need to know.
Putting your project out for tender is when a homeowner looks to secure the services of a contractor. It’s an important part of any project, wheth...
Why are some architects cheaper than others?
Whether you’re extending, converting, or renovating your home, [an architect is one of the best assets you can have](https://resi.co.uk/advice/cost...
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...
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 garage conversion cost?
__A typical garage conversion can cost anywhere between £5,000 and £7,000 without fittings - around £1,000 to £1,250 per square metre.__ Compare t...
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 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...
Money saving tips for building a house
If you’re braving the exciting world of house building, the prospect of the money involved might feel a little daunting. After all, it seems like e...
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...
Drains, CCTV surveys, and build over agreements
Drains: they’re not the most glamorous part of a household, but when it comes to extending you might be surprised by how big their role is. Every ...
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 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 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! ...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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