Homeowners really are staying put.

"no longer a familiar site"

Homeowners really are staying put.

A kitchen manufacturer which sells to the trade reported a 5.1% increase in sales compared with 2009. The last quarter saw sales rise by more than 6%, prompting further confidence in the home improvement market as yet more proof that homeowners really are 'staying put' and improving what they've already got.

What's good news for one sector is bad for another as Estate Agents continue to struggle. Property transactions slumped to an 8 year low in December (source: Finance Markets) with the average estate agency branch selling four properties during December.

November saw an average branch sell just seven properties.

If you're thinking of improving your home, then we've a range of online services which can give you an instant online quote in seconds, without the need for a salesman to call on you.

Simply enter your location details, enter your own simple measurements and select from the options available and we'll give you a range of prices ranging from budget to luxury.

Click here to visit Home Improvement Quotes now.

photo credit: bixentro

Loft Conversions on the increase as homeowners see their home as a home rather than just an investment

With an estimated 15% of home owners facing negative equity following the recent recession period, it's not surprising that so many are re-evaluating their present homes.

What was once a secure investment (and for many, a home was seen as just that) is now seen as somewhere desirable that you want to spend many happy years in.

This shift in peoples attitudes has led to a boom in property extensions including loft and garage conversions as homeowners start styling their homes to suit their particular requirements, rather than just seeing an improvement as increasing their investments re-sale value.

And just because there's a drop in property equity, doesn't mean people don't need more space.

With property values such that moving to get the space you want might mean a considerable drop in the sale price, leaving little or nothing as the deposit on that new home, it's no wonder that for those homeowners simply wanting more space, a loft conversion is proving particularly popular.

Loft conversions have benefited in the last couple of year from changes in the planning laws which mean that many conversions come under Permitted Development laws. Add to this the fact that a typical loft conversion creates little mess or disruption to the homeowner until the stairway is built to access the new room/s.

Loft conversions are cheaper than extending outwards and if you value your outdoor space, then you won't loose any garden with a loft conversion. All in all, a loft conversion is a very cost effective way of adding more room to your home, using space that is already there.

Not every loft is immediately suitable for a conversions, however, there are ways around this. Particularly if height is the problem. For example, the shape of the roof can be changed to incorporate a box dormer.

If your home has more modern trussed rafters (those W shaped roof beams visible in the attic), then again, this doesn't rule out a loft conversion but will make it more expensive as the construction is different to allow for the removal of the old trusses without compromising the strength of the roof itself. Your loft conversion company will be able to advise you further on what's required.

Finally, it's all too easy to simply view the conversion as just another room, but consider really going to town and making it a space as unique as your home is. Look through any homes magazine and you'll see stunning attics and lofts transformed with multiple skylights and en-suite fittings etc.

There will never be a better time to get your loft conversions exactly how you want it than when you're actually sitting down with your planner, laying out the space.

Always a good starting point - make sure you get a range of quotes from reputable companies. LoftQuoter can help by giving you a free online quote based on your own approximate measurements and requirements. After you've got your online quote, we can offer you the opportunity to have that quote confirmed in writing from our UK wide database of approved loft conversion companies.

LoftQuoter can offer you instant online quotes based on your own approximate measurements and style of home without the need for a salesman to call round.

Top new property hotspots for commuting into UK cities

News - Top new property hotspots for commuting into UK cities...
The daily commute into work is a ‘necessary evil’ for many people across the UK - around 25 million people in Britain travel from the suburbs and rural areas to the nation’s cities every day to get to work. According to recent research by the RAC, the average daily commute takes 54 minutes – rising to 86 minutes if you commute to Central London.

Research by Savills Homes suggests that every minute spent commuting reduces the price of a house by £1000 – but commuters shouldn’t necessarily have to trade cheaper house prices with the length of their journey. So how can commuters help ensure they keep travel times to a minimum but still benefit from living in a well situated location? Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, takes a look at some of the emerging property hotspots for all those commuters across the UK.

Beside the Seaside
When it comes to choosing an ideal location, sun, sea and sand are high on the list. In England, sun might be hard to come by, but sea and sand are no problem! Most workers in London probably think that a life beside the sea is beyond their reach, but if you’re prepared for quite a trek every morning, it is possible. Herne Bay, near Kent, is a quiet coastal village just 65 miles from London and is becoming popular with city commuters. Far cheaper than the fashionable Whitstable and Sittingbourne, the average 2-bedroom terrace will set you back just £130,000.

Herne Bay is a traditional English seaside town, complete with pier and promenade. The only problem is the long commute – the journey to London Victoria currently costs £3088 per year and takes 90 minutes, which means very early mornings and very late nights! However don’t rule it out completely – with a new high-speed railway set for 2009, the commute will be cut down to 61 minutes, making Herne Bay a new commuter hotspot. Investing there now could prove valuable in the future.

Closer to home
If the lure of city life is just too strong, there are plenty of commuter locations close to Central London – but don’t be fooled into thinking that closer to the centre means a shorter commute – the commute from London’s Queen’s Park still takes around 50 minutes. Queen’s Park with its leafy gardens, parks and petting zoo has become a popular destination with celebrities, and as such, has gained a reputation for being expensive and out-of-reach of most commuters. However the area is surprisingly affordable, with 2-bedroom flats starting out at £350,000. Compare this to nearby Maida Vale, where the same property will cost upwards of £650,000. Queen’s Park is also good for renters – one-bedroom fully furnished flats cost as little as £250 per week. Close to Queen’s Park is Kensal Rise which, on paper, seems even better value for money, with one-bedroom flats staring at £230,000. However most overground rail and Tube links stop at Queen’s Park and don’t go as far as Kensal, making the commute less straightforward and more expensive.

Scottish City Living
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, and good rail and road links via the M8 make it ideal for commuting. Compared to travelling to London, commuting in Glasgow takes half the time – roughly 30 minutes – and the choice of commuting towns is vast. Bearsden, Troon and Loch Lomond are all within half an hour of the city and the new seaplane links from Oban will get you to Glasgow Harbour in 20 minutes.

Despite the excellent transport links, many commuters in Glasgow are swapping their daily journey for a trendy apartment, built as part of the city’s regeneration. Many ex-warehouses, docklands, factories and historical buildings right in the city centre are being converted into over 8000 flats aimed at young professionals, reflecting the changing urban demographic: the number of 20-29 year olds living in Glasgow stands at 42 per cent above the Scottish average. Property in Glasgow is also remarkably affordable for younger people and first time buyers – the average house price is just under £170,000, compared with £200,000 in England. Add to this the fact that you don’t need to buy an expensive commuter ticket, and property in Glasgow is extremely tempting.

The “ripple effect”
In the North of England, what is known as the “ripple effect” is pushing commuters further away from the cities. In and around Leeds in particular, house prices are pushing commuters further out of the market and traditional commuter towns are becoming less popular. This means that people are being pushed to locations which were previously considered ‘undesirable’ – places such as Kirkstall, once an industrial centre just north of Leeds. The average property price in Kirkstall is just £164,000 and 52 per cent of properties are small terraced houses, so there is not much variation on price.

Kirkstall is certainly being put back on the map: the commute from the town takes just 10 minutes on the bus and costs just £340 a year and the town is set for a £4 million railway in the near future, connecting Leeds and Bradford. The railway is part of the redevelopment of a huge brownfield site on the ruins of the Kirkstall Forge. The site will incorporate 1385 houses, offices, shops, bars, restaurants and a gym, and will be popular with commuters to Leeds, just 10 minutes away, and Bradford, 20 minutes by train.

A hidden gem in the North of England is Ilkley Moor – where demand for property is so high estate agents don’t even bother to put them in the window! Properties are often sold before they go on the market. As well as being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Ilkley has one of the best comprehensive schools in the country and there is a constant queue of families and professionals waiting for a property to come up in the area. Due to the excessive demand, prices in Ilkley are going up, but you are paying for the desirability of the location, and whatever you pay is guaranteed to be a safe investment. Starter homes start at £125,000, but larger, detached townhouses can cost up to £700,000 – prices to rival nearby Harrogate, traditionally an extremely popular location for millionaire investors. Recent research by Euro Direct found that there are now more than 100 millionaires living in Ilkley and some houses in the area are fetching in excess of £1 million. Commuting from Ilkley takes less than an hour to Bradford and Leeds, and you can have your own slice of the luxury lifestyle!

Popular commuter towns across the rest of the country include Widnes, which will get you to Manchester in 34 minutes for £1528 per year. Living in Whitley Bay will get you to Newcastle in just 27 minutes and will cost just £399. Portishead is popular with commuters to Bristol – properties average at £240,000 and the commute takes just 45 minutes. Finally, West Bromwich will get you to Central Birmingham in just 14 minutes and property is much cheaper. The average house costs just £140,000 and the commute will set you back just £471 per year.

Commuting to work is a way of life
Regeneration is certainly bringing couples and young professionals back into the city. They are tempted by trendy apartment blocks and all the advantages of living just a stone’s throw away from work, clubs, pubs and shops. City life isn’t for everyone though and living out in the suburbs can mean you get more for your money when it comes to buying property, with some rural properties up to 35 per cent cheaper then a city location. Commuting to work is a way of life for many people and it doesn’t necessarily mean a horrendous journey every day (and if you travel on public transport or car-share it can be possible to work on the way to work). When buying property, be sure to consider what lifestyle best suits you and always keep your finger on the property market pulse – buying in the right place at the right time can save you money and valuable commuting time!

Timeline - Landscaping your garden and increase your home's value

Timeline: Landscaping your garden

A landscaped garden can increase a home's value over and above the cost of the landscaping itself. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an attractive garden can add five per cent to the value of your house. Gardens should not be seen as a chore but should be utilised as an ‘extra room’ or an opportunity to add a new dimension to a standard property – even a basic lawn or unattractive concrete area can be transformed into a beautiful and unique outdoors area.

If on the other hand, you are thinking about selling your house remember that the front garden is the first thing potential buyers notice and being confronted by an over-grown jungle can put people off completely. Here are the essential stages to getting the most out of your landscaping investment:

Stage 1 – Do you hire or do you DIY?
When it comes to landscaping, DIY could simply mean designing the garden yourself, choosing individual features or buying the exact materials or plants you want – DIY doesn’t have to involve a spade or a digger! Landscaping is usually labour-intensive and time consuming and in many instances it’s best to leave the hard graft to the professionals. Even though you may have an image of the perfect garden in mind, hiring a professional may be the only way to make your perfect garden a reality, as they have the design skills, talent and the equipment to transform your property. But how do you know which landscaping company is the right one for you?

Stage 2 – Researching landscape gardeners
A qualified landscaper is a builder, bricklayer, carpenter, metalworker, as well a horticulturalist with an understanding of soils, chemicals and climatic conditions. Different landscapers offer a variety of services and some focus on specific areas such as specialist stonework or garden lighting. However, one of the most important traits of a landscaper is the ability to listen and understand exactly what you want your finished garden to look like.

The best way to shortlist a handful of landscape gardeners from the hundreds of companies in your local area is through recommendation from family, friends or even garden centres. Alternatively you can spend time looking thorough the Yellow Pages and internet sites to find companies that have been approved by The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). Once you have found a few companies that you like the look of, find out what services they offer, what training and experience they have, ask for at least three references and, if possible, visit the locations of their work for yourself.

Stage 3 – Defining your ideas and, more importantly, your budget!
Ask yourself what you want to achieve from you garden and how much you have to spend. Maybe you want a safe area for the children to play? Possibly a beautiful display of flowers, trees and water features? Or do you just want a garden area that is simple to manage yet still attractive to look at? Landscapers can achieve any atmosphere or style of garden – the only thing you have to do is decide which one you want. Look to magazines and TV programmes for inspiration and ideas on what features are available. When it comes to cost, be realistic about your budget and stick to it, otherwise you could run out of money and end up with a half finished garden that looks worse than when you started! A basic one-day face-lift will cost around £200 but if you’re considering a complete transformation of your garden be prepared to receive a quote in the thousands.

Stage 4 – Quotes
Once you have an idea of how you want your garden to look, choose at least three landscapers that you get a good feeling about and ask them to come and see your garden so they can provide a detailed written quote, free of charge. It is important to remember that landscapers are usually not designers so they will need a thorough explanation from you to ensure the details in the quote match the style and finished product you envisaged. On the other hand, if your gardening dreams don’t match your budget, the landscaper should be able to suggest some less costly alternatives – you may be surprised at the range of quotes you receive, showing it pays to shop around.

Stage 5 – Supervision and the finished garden
Make sure the company provides a written contract containing every detail from the drawn up plans to the cost and payment structure. Being on-hand to supervise the work is the most effective way to ensure the work is being carried out exactly as you want. If a landscaper makes a mistake it could send the completion time over the agreed date so try to regularly check the quality of the work. When the garden is finished review the whole project there and then – it’s a lot easier to discuss any queries you have while the landscaper is standing in front of you.

Unlike other rooms in the home, a garden can have a range of uses – entertaining, cooking, playing, or just relaxing. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden make, sure you take full advantage!

www.gardenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your landscape gardener.

Five stages to building a home extension

Timeline: Building an extension

Extending your property must seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it in terms of adding space and value to your home. With property prices rising, now is the time to invest – here are five essential stages to making your investment work:

Stage 1 – Finding an architect and making a plan
Hiring an architect is crucial in drawing up the plans and confirming what is feasible to build on the land you have available. When it comes to obtaining planning permission and liaising with builders, an architect may do this on your behalf, but check what is covered in the fee you have agreed. Most charge an extra ten percent for this service. When choosing an architect it’s advisable to meet with at least three for comparison and to see examples of their previous projects. It may also be beneficial to pick a local architect – one who is familiar with the local area, the council and regulations. Finally make sure that any architect you choose is registered with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Stage 2 – Getting planning permission
It is vital to check with your local planning authority before you begin – if you don’t you could be forced to demolish all or part of your extension. More often than not permission is required, but there are exceptions – generally speaking you won’t need permission if the extension does not exceed 15 per cent of the size of your house or 70 cubic metres, whichever is larger. Your plans will need to be in keeping with the area, no taller than four metres and no closer to the road than your existing property. As well as having planning permission your extension needs to comply with current building regulations, which monitor standards for the design and construction of projects, as well as their fuel efficiency - your local Building Control Body (BCB) will have more information. Planning applications can take up to eight weeks, more if the initial application is opposed or refused.

Stage 3 – Getting your quotes and choosing your builder
The most important aspect of choosing a builder is reputation – word of mouth is by far the best indicator. Ask family or friends about builders they have used and get quotes from at least three to compare. Unlike estimates, quotes are binding and are usually valid for three months. Just as with the architect it helps to see examples of builders’ previous work and determine what is included in the price – such as materials, VAT and insurance. Check that the insurance covers potential damage to properties, as well as any accidents which may occur. Some policies also cover guarantees for their entire duration – usually ten years – and protect you if the builder goes out of business. Finally agree to hire on your terms – negotiate the times the builders will be working, their access to the site and the condition in which they will leave your home at the end of each day. Remember you still have to live there during the build! When choosing a builder make sure they are members of the Federation of Master Builders and are registered with the National House Building Council (NHBC).

Stage 4 – Building and paying for the thing!
Once everyone has been hired it’s time to begin the work! This is the most stressful and time-consuming part of the process. Try not to get disheartened with the mess and disruption of your home life – envisage the extra space you’ll have once the work is complete! Take your mind off things by planning the décor and furnishings of your new room. Now is also the time to think about paying your workforce. Most builders prefer to be paid in stages – if the extension is small, pay one instalment after the foundations are laid and the rest after completion. If the project is larger, split the payments into more instalments.

Stage 5 – Completion!
The end is near! All that’s left is the inspection. If your builder is NHBC registered they should be able to inspect the work themselves, otherwise arranging the inspection should be your architect’s final task. Make sure whoever inspects the build is an Approved Inspector registered with the Construction Industry Council (CIC). Once they have approved the extension, the room is yours to decorate, furnish and enjoy!

www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk