August 1, 2022

WISE LIVING EXPANDS INTO HULL WITH LATEST BUILD-TO-RENT DEVELOPMENT

BUILD-TO-RENT(BTR) specialist Wise Living, in partnership with developer Strata Homes, has recently launched its first development in East Yorkshire. This adds to Wise Living’s expanding portfolio in Northern England – with homes already in Birkenhead and coming soon to Rotherham. As UK house prices hit a record high for a fifth

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United Living sponsors Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022

United Living Group, the provider of critical infrastructure and affordable housing, is pleased to announce it will return as the main sponsor of the Television for the Environment (Tve) Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022, a film competition recognising those whose films most powerfully portray solutions for sustainability.   Previous shortlisted

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Why Should you Consider a Job as a Tradesperson?

There are various reasons why you may want to work as a tradesperson, including the opportunity to learn critical and practical skills that are constantly in demand. In fact, we have a veritable shortage of qualified tradespeople in the UK, which is one of the reasons why we’re struggling to

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How to Organize Your Stockroom

Do you run a stockroom? If so, you’ve probably seen how simple it is for things to get out of hand, especially when it comes to its organization.  Stockrooms are busy places, and it’s easy to brush things aside only to have them get lost or mixed up. This can

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9 Great Ways to Upgrade Your Deck Area

If your deck area is becoming a little bland, it may be time to spice it up with some upgrades. A majority of the options in this article are inexpensive and straightforward to implement. So you can have your deck area transformed in a matter of days to weeks if

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Latest Issue
Issue 332 : Sept 2025

August 1, 2022

Legal & General acquires 6.2-acre Horsham site for multi million pound industrial scheme

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM Real Assets) has acquired a 6.2-acre freehold estate in Horsham, West Sussex on behalf of its Industrial Property Investment Fund (“IPIF”). LGIM Real Assets and its development partner, Graftongate, plan to speculatively develop a prime multi-unit industrial/logistics scheme on the site of Wilberforce House in Southwater, south of Horsham town centre. The proposed scheme would see the development of seven new warehouse units totaling almost 100,000 sq ft, including integral office space. The scheme will target EPC A+, BREEAM Excellent and operational net zero carbon. Wilberforce House is currently let in its entirety to the RSPCA, which is relocating to smaller premises. LGIM Real Assets and Graftongate plan to develop the scheme on receipt of vacant possession in Q1 2023. Jonathan Holland, senior fund manager for LGIM Real Assets, said: “The purchase presents an excellent opportunity to acquire a development site to provide Grade A industrial stock in a supply constrained market and a sector where occupational demand is booming, and rental growth is set to follow. On expiry of the lease, this will be one of the most valuable development sites in West Sussex.” Alex Thomason, development manager at Graftongate, said: “The redevelopment of the Wilberforce House estate offers an excellent opportunity to deliver high quality industrial/logistics accommodation in an established commercial location. The property occupies a prime position on Wilberforce Way and benefits from excellent transport links, being easily accessible via the A24 dual carriageway. We expect the scheme to generate significant interest from prospective occupiers.” Savills and Clay Street acted on behalf of LGIM Real Assets and Graftongate, the vendor was represented by Carter Jonas.

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WISE LIVING EXPANDS INTO HULL WITH LATEST BUILD-TO-RENT DEVELOPMENT

BUILD-TO-RENT(BTR) specialist Wise Living, in partnership with developer Strata Homes, has recently launched its first development in East Yorkshire. This adds to Wise Living’s expanding portfolio in Northern England – with homes already in Birkenhead and coming soon to Rotherham. As UK house prices hit a record high for a fifth consecutive month, the new Dream development of 50 BTR homes provides much needed private rental accommodation in an area where many struggle to buy or choose not to. With modern two, three and four-bed options, all located within proximity to Hull city centre, good schools, and Leeds Bradford Airport – Wise Living and Strata Homes have catered for young professionals and families alike. Mark Gratton, Land & Partnerships Director at Wise Living, said: “This continued expansion in Northern England demonstrates our success in finding the best locations for our high quality BTR homes. We have carefully matched the Dream Hull development to the needs of the local area and now we are pleased to have reservations open for the community in Hull to secure their new home. “We continue to see increasing interest in the BTR market, from investors, developers and tenants. This interest stems from how buoyant the BTR market is and its projected growth. Our tenants also value our proposition for various reasons, from the quality of the homes through to the community events we facilitate, alongside the assurance of having a professional landlord so that they can enjoy their home without the worry of it being sold or not having issues resolved quickly.” Gemma Smith, managing director at Strata adds: “Dream is the first phase of a large regeneration development in Hull and brings together homes for sale, properties to rent and new council housing. “Our aim was to design a new community that would offer something for everyone and improve the lives of generations to come. The demand for the homes has been really strong, we are looking forward to see this multi tenure development flourish over the coming years.” For more information about Wise Living and Dream Hull, visit: www.wiselivinghomes.co.uk/locations/hull/dream/

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Nine in 10 UK tradespeople increasing prices due to rising fuel costs 

One in seven (14%) tradespeople now get the bus to jobs because they can’t afford to drive  Tradespeople set to increase prices by 24%, on average  Over a quarter (29%) now only accept hyper-local jobs in order to reduce their fuel usage  Rising fuel costs are hitting UK tradespeople hard, and nine in ten (90%) say they are being forced to increase their prices to keep their businesses alive.  With petrol and diesel reaching record levels and topping £2 per litre in some areas, IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, surveyed 500 tradespeople to reveal the impact this is having on the industry.  Almost every respondent (96%) said that their livelihood is reliant on their vehicle, and workers drive over 5,000 miles a year for jobs, on average.  This annual mileage will now cost individuals almost £500 more for diesel vehicles, and over £450 for petrol users, than it did this time 12 months ago.  Almost half (47%) of tradespeople say that their profits are being affected by the fuel crisis, and a third (33%) say that their company is struggling to cope.  Understandably, many are increasing their prices to keep up. Nine in ten (90%) tradespeople say they will up their quotes as a direct result of the fuel costs, with the average increase standing at 24%.  Some trades are increasing them more than others, and scaffolders are planning the most significant hike (39%).  The trades planning on increasing their prices the most because of rising fuel costs are:  #  Trade  % increase  1  Scaffolder  39%  2  Roofer  35%  3  Bricklayer  34%  4  Building Surveyor  30%  5  Electrician  28%  6  Plasterer  27%  7  Carpenter  26%  8  Joiner  25%  9  Builder  22%  10  Plumber  22%  11  Painter Decorator  16%  12  Landscaper  16%  Some tradespeople plan to stop driving altogether, and one in seven (14%) say that they are now using public transport to get to jobs, because they can’t afford the fuel.  For those who have no choice but to continue driving, motoring experts Euro Car Parts have shared their top tips on how to increase your fuel efficiency and save money:  1) Manage your revs  The most fuel-efficient RPM to change up a gear is 2,500 for a petrol vehicle and 2,000 for diesel. So next time you’re changing gear, keep an eye on the revs count, stick to that number and the pennies you’ll save will soon stack up.  2) Slow down on high-speed roads  The most efficient speed to drive at is between 55-65mph, and driving at 70mph compared to 80mph on a motorway could save you 25% more fuel.  3) Turn your engine off  Keeping your engine idle whilst stationary still burns fuel, so if you know you’re not going to be moving for a while, turn it off to conserve your petrol or diesel.  Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “The fuel crisis is affecting all of society, but people who drive regularly as part of their job, like most tradespeople, are being hit particularly hard.  “Worryingly, its independent traders who will feel the most impact, as their profit margins are likely far narrower than larger corporations, who may be able to ride out the wave.  “Hopefully prices will begin to fall before too long, but in the meantime, reducing mileage and increasing fuel efficiency will help to slightly soften the blow.”  For more expert advice on how to reduce your fuel costs, and how much rising prices will affect your profits, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/how-tradespeople-can-reduce-their-van-fuel-costs  

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RIBA REPORT SHOWS JCT IS DOMINANT CONTRACT PROVIDER AND “INDUSTRY STANDARD”

The RIBA Construction Contracts and Law Report 2022 has been published, with the results showing that JCT continues to be the most widely used standard form contract provider in the UK construction industry. 59% of respondents indicated that JCT contracts were the forms that their organisation used most often, whilst 71% said that they had used a JCT contract over the last 12 months. When asked to give reasons for their choice of contract, respondents said of JCT: “industry standard and tested in the courts”, “fair, equitable and well understood”, “standard lump sum contract understood by the industry” and “simple and familiar”. The use of JCT contracts was particularly dominant in the sector of project value between £250,000 and £5m. The report also showed that the overall level of reported disputes within the industry was continuing to fall – from 44% in 2015, to 33% in 2018, to 27% this year. The importance of sustainability and collaboration were key themes. 43% of respondents were involved in one or more contracts that included ‘expected sustainable outcomes’ and 32% that included ‘measurable sustainability criteria’. 23% said that ‘operational performance criteria’ had become a contractual requirement, while 21% referenced ‘embodied carbon criteria’. Regarding collaboration, 57% of respondents said they adopted collaboration techniques on some or all projects, with almost a quarter adopting collaboration techniques on all projects. 63% said that collaboration techniques reduced the number of disputes, and 61% said they improved the delivery of the client’s objectives. JCT was the one of the first standard form contract authoring bodies to produce specific clauses relating to sustainability and collaborative working within its contract suite and in its guidance note, Building a Sustainable Future Together. The RIBA Contracts and Law Report 2022 survey was completed by over 950 clients, contractors and consultants throughout January and April 2022. It focused on projects over the previous 12 months. The report can be read and downloaded at https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/riba-construction-contracts-and-law-report-2022.

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Timber industry consolidation continues with TDUK and WPA Affiliation Agreement

A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution. TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade Federation (TFF) and The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), creating the largest, most comprehensive supply chain body in the UK. TDUK now spans more than 1500 member businesses representing everything from Sawmill to Specifier. The WPA is the UK authority on wood protection and plays a lead role in influencing, developing and promoting technologies that enhance the performance and value of wood as a building material. Under the Affiliation Agreement, TDUK and WPA will continue to operate as independent membership organisations, but WPA will act as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation – providing the essential technical, quality assurance and support services under a united strategy to grow demand for added value treated timber products that can be trusted. The TDUK Affiliation Agreement with WPA is part of a bigger mission to align all wood and timber technical specification information under one roof. In so doing, TDUK aims to empower architects, designers, specifiers and engineers with the knowledge and confidence they need to use wood in their projects. 

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Local Architecture Firm Crowned Winner of hub South West Scotland’s Build Lanarkshire Programme

Gavin McAuley, founder of the award-winning design studio, McAuley Architecture + interiors, based in Hamilton, has been named the winner of this year’s Build Lanarkshire Programme, delivered by hub South West Scotland. Now in its fifth year, the Build Programme offers businesses in the construction sector the opportunity to gain valuable expert industry advice to help them grow and achieve their market goals. Delivered over eight weeks, the free programme comprises weekly sessions focusing on different themes. Attendees learn about all aspects of business management, from developing a strategy and navigating procurement and finance, to creating a marketing and social media plan. The Build Lanarkshire Programme hosted a variety of local businesses, with specialist skills ranging from sustainable energy systems to building and contracting. McAuley Architecture + interiors are a CIAT Chartered Practice, Gavin being a Chartered Architectural Technologist with a Degree in Interior Architecture. His practice offers bespoke services to his clients in the commercial and residential sectors. The business was founded two years ago by Gavin, who was previously an Associate at one of the top AJ100 firms in the UK. He is also a lecturer in Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Gavin decided to take the leap and start his own practice when his wife was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020: “Katrina’s diagnosis at 34 was life changing for us both. Thankfully she got it checked out quickly which ultimately saved her life, but it was one of our conversations soon after her surgery in which she said “what do you want to do with your life?”. “I decided to start my own practice and it’s the best decision I’ve made. We are very busy at the moment, covering sectors such as domestic, commercial, health and hospitality. The last two years have been a whirlwind of cancer appointments, starting a business and winning great contracts. As the saying goes – from small acorns grows a mighty oak. “Katrina has now fully recovered, and she is starting her training to become an NHS nurse in September, after the sterling care she received during her journey.” As a newcomer when it came to running his own company, Gavin signed up to the Build Programme with an interest in gaining expert advice on the nuts and bolts of running a business and delving into key areas like employment law and cybercrime. Speaking of the value that the Build Programme can bring to local business owners, Mark Houston, Supply Chain Development Manager at hub South West Scotland said:  “Our free Build Programme is designed to help local businesses develop an achievable plan for the future and successfully reach their business goals by offering weekly half-day collaborative learning sessions with our Tier one contractors, industry experts and like-minded companies. By attending the Build Lanarkshire programme, local construction sector companies can strengthen their skills across a variety of business areas which are integral to running a successful company. “It’s great to meet new businesses each year and watch them transform over the eight week period. This course helps them to gain expert knowledge and skills, which in turn gives them the confidence to go out and get to where they want to be in the market. Furthermore, they are gaining invaluable relationships with companies who they will work with for years to come.” Keen to encourage other local businesses to attend the Build Programme, Gavin said: “I would absolutely recommend it. Whether you’re a start-up or a well-established business, there’s lots of information and knowledge that you can bring back to your team. “The most valuable thing about the Build Programme is connections, networking, and access. Being in Tier 1 contractors’ offices and seeing them in their natural habitat before now, was difficult. We already have meetings set up with some of the top tier players who are keen to utilise our extensive experience. “Everyone was extremely supportive. The organisers answered all my questions and were always there for one-to-ones. There was a level of trust where we could talk about whatever we wanted to talk about within the room – business and personal experiences. By the end of the course, everyone knew each other very well” As part of the final stage of the Build Programme, participants had to create a presentation outlining what they had learned over the eight weeks, their progression, and an insight into how this will impact and benefit their future activity. Gavin was chosen as this year’s winner based on the quality of his attendance, input, presentation and level of progress he had made throughout the eight week programme. Following his Build Lanarkshire win, Gavin is passionate about using his experience to expand McAuley Architecture + interiors and drive skills development amongst the next generation of Designers. Plans have already been put into action with the firm recently taking on a larger office. The annual Build Programme is open to all construction-related SMEs across Lanarkshire.  Build Dumfries and Galloway is next to kick off in 2022, starting on Wednesday 21st September. The programme will be delivered by hub South West Scotland in partnership with their Tier One Contractors and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Registration is now open and local businesses who are interested in signing up for the programme can do so by contacting hub South West Scotland directly.

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United Living sponsors Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022

United Living Group, the provider of critical infrastructure and affordable housing, is pleased to announce it will return as the main sponsor of the Television for the Environment (Tve) Global Sustainability Film Awards 2022, a film competition recognising those whose films most powerfully portray solutions for sustainability.   Previous shortlisted films include the World Wildlife Fund’s project to capture never-before-seen behaviours of basking sharks off the shores of Scotland using innovative camera technology. Another shortlisted film captured Breathe London, an ambitious project that measured and mapped Londoners’ daily exposure to air pollution using a network of advanced air pollution sensors. United Living has proudly sponsored the event for six years. The group is supporting its clients on their decarbonisation journey as well as setting its own net zero carbon and sustainability objectives. United Living has implemented a range of measures that prioritise sustainability, including commitments to reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030, two decades ahead of the UK government’s existing target of Net Zero by 2050. Other measures include reducing avoidable waste to zero in the development process of all United Living Homes, as well as eliminating the use of single-use plastics by the same timeframe.  All this whilst remaining focused on supporting a wholly diverse and inclusive environment. The Groups ethos is to continuously invest in its people through funded qualifications and trainee programmes, and in social value to leave a lasting positive legacy in the communities it serves. At the awards ceremony, a brief address will be given by CEO and Chairman of United Living, Neil Armstrong, on the importance of the Awards in spreading awareness of a more sustainable way of life, as well as the role organisations such as United Living must play in this endeavour. Neil Armstrong, CEO and Chairman, United Living Group, commented: “tve was founded on the very principle of supporting progress towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). United Living has embraced ESG targets which also align to the UNSDG. We are already on a journey, and have been for years as a responsible business, with sustainable priorities. We are proud and delighted to be able to put our shoulder behind the awards as the main sponsor for thesixth year. By doing so we can support tve in our own small way, in the fantastic work they are doing to highlight one of the most important issues we face as a society today. The stories the award ceremony celebrates, inspire further innovation and aid the global transition to a more sustainable future for us all.” Mei Sim Lai OBE DI, Chairperson of the tve Global Sustainability Film Awards, commented: “Tve is a charitable organisation which relies on the support of partners around the world to fulfil its mission of promoting sustainable development through film and other media. Were it not for the generous sponsorship of organisations such as United Living, we would not have the capacity or scope to hold such an event or attract and promote such a high quality of film entrants. The fact that the number of Award categories has continued to increase over the years, is a testament to the value of our partnership, and we hope that United Living Group and the GSFA can continue to go from strength to strength together”.

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Why Should you Consider a Job as a Tradesperson?

There are various reasons why you may want to work as a tradesperson, including the opportunity to learn critical and practical skills that are constantly in demand. In fact, we have a veritable shortage of qualified tradespeople in the UK, which is one of the reasons why we’re struggling to build the requisite level of housing to meet demand. This is despite the fact that the number of women who work as tradespeople jumped from 15,000 in 2009 to 33,000 just 10 years later, and the influx of trained labourers from overseas. But what are the main benefits of working as a tradesperson? We’ve outlined three of the most prominent below: Enjoy a Varied Career As a tradesperson, you should note that no two days are ever the same. Even though you’ll have a defined skill with fixed parameters, the nature of the work that falls within your wheelhouse can be broad and varied. If you’re a plumber, for example, you may attend a residential home to fix a leaking faucet. The next day, you could find yourself installing a complete shower room at a gym, which is a far more complex and immersive challenge. This creates a certain level of interest and job satisfaction, particularly if you enjoy travelling to work in different places and meeting new people and customers on a regular basis. Over time, it can also help with the cultivation of brand-new skills or lead to the enhancement of existing knowledge and practical experience. Benefit from Constant Demand As we’ve already touched on, the UK is in the midst of an ongoing skills shortage in trades such as plumbing and electricians. This is not only leading to a scenario where the UK government is unable to deliver enough public or private sector housing on these shores, but it’s also leading to wider workforce shortages that impact on both residential and commercial projects. Because of this, there’s an almost constant demand for skilled tradespeople in the UK, both in terms of building new homes and maintaining those that already exist. In fact, tradespeople are crucial from the perspective of keeping businesses open and functional at all times, and qualifying as a plumber, electrician or plasterer almost guarantees a steady flow of work. Enjoy a Competitive Salary As a skilled job that’s in high demand, you can bank a competitive salary when working as a tradesperson. The imbalance between supply and demand in the most important trades has certainly seen the earning potential of tradespeople increase in recent times, particularly in relation to individual projects and those who work on an independent basis. Certainly, a self-employed tradesperson can make a relatively large amount of money in the current economy, so long as you can justify your costs and create a competitive price premium that the market can bear. This is an important consideration, as you don’t want to undervalue your skills or price yourself out of the market when compared to your competitors.

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How to Organize Your Stockroom

Do you run a stockroom? If so, you’ve probably seen how simple it is for things to get out of hand, especially when it comes to its organization.  Stockrooms are busy places, and it’s easy to brush things aside only to have them get lost or mixed up. This can make it harder for workers to find items and could even lead to you losing money if you cannot keep track of your inventory.  To design an orderly space, check out this article. Below you’ll discover a few ways you can effortlessly arrange your stockroom.  6 Tips for Organizing Your Stockroom Rely on Buckets and Bins Some stockrooms make the mistake of simply placing their items on shelves rather than putting them into containers. While this isn’t always possible for some things, smaller items could get pushed around into nearby objects. If there are openings in the shelves, they could fall through.  Buckets and bins will avert this by helping keep everything in one place. You’ll also want to label them to keep things together.  You might also consider color-coding the containers. For instance, green buckets indicate clothing, while red means electronics. This will aid you in finding things much faster.  Make sure, though, that your items properly fit inside the containers. Those that are too big or small could make it harder to find goods.  Don’t Forget Vertical Space Many stockrooms rely on horizontal space, but it’s important to think vertically too. With vertical space, you can build things up, not just sideways. This ensures that you’re using all areas to their fullest potential.  While you can stack containers vertically, try carousels and racks. This way, you can easily reach items without needing to take down bins. Carousels also let you electronically move items up and down so workers can grab them quickly and safely.  Be sure, though, that there is plenty of space for workers or machinery to access these vertically-placed items. If the shelves are too close or bordered by a wall, it will make it much more difficult to retrieve things.  Use Forklifts  This device is a great way to transport your inventory, especially heavy and large loads, efficiently. Forklifts can lift inventory and transport it to designated areas. They can also reach high spaces so that you can rely on vertical space.  To better aid, you, contemplate investing in pallet forks. These slide in place over the current ones but extend them slightly so you can lift larger loads than your current forks allow. Pallet extensions are made of high-quality steel that can be custom fitted. For best results, you’ll want those that measure 42-48 inches long.  Adjust the Layout It might be worth considering altering the stockroom’s layout if you notice it’s hard to get around certain areas or reach specific goods. For example, if the room’s center is crowded with shelves, it might be worth moving them out toward the wall. On the other hand, if you find that certain products are extremely popular, moving them all to a specific section closest to your loading dock might be beneficial.  Invest in Good Lighting  It might be surprising to learn that lighting can play a major role in your stockroom’s organization. Unfortunately, poorly lit areas can often get overlooked, leading to them accumulating debris over time. Besides this, some items might get lost. To prevent this, high-quality lights are essential. Most of the time, LEDs are ideal because they’re brighter and also energy-efficient, so they can run for hours without significantly increasing your energy bill. In addition, despite being brighter, they have less glare, preventing workers from getting headaches or eye strain due to the reflection.  You can install traditional light bulbs around the stockroom and task lights. A great perk of some task lights is that their bulbs can be adjusted at various angles so you can shine lights into corners, shelves, and other hard-to-see areas without needing to install multiple sets.  Use an Inventory App These apps are designed to help you keep close track of your goods. You can refer to it to monitor quantities to know when it’s time to restock. Some even provide statistics to see which items are doing great and others not. By using one, you’ll find that it will be much easier to keep track of the inventory and know what is performing well. Better yet, you can give your workers access to the app so they can update it in real-time or provide notes on certain items.  Keeping a stockroom organized can be tricky, especially if you do a lot of business. However, by keeping this information in mind, you can create an efficient space to work in. 

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9 Great Ways to Upgrade Your Deck Area

If your deck area is becoming a little bland, it may be time to spice it up with some upgrades. A majority of the options in this article are inexpensive and straightforward to implement. So you can have your deck area transformed in a matter of days to weeks if you put in the work. Then, you’ll have the ultimate hangout space in your backyard.  Add Plants Give the space life by adding plants to some of the bare spots on your deck. For example, consider installing some planters around the edges, placing large pots near the posts, and getting some hanging baskets if possible.  Depending on your gardening capabilities, you should plant various flower breeds around the deck to showcase an array of colors. However, stick with leafy plants, succulents, and bushes if you want a simple look with low maintenance. Decorations Customizing with outdoor decorations turns a house into a home, and you can upgrade your deck by showcasing your style. First, if you have outdoor furniture, get some cute pillows. Then, get some hanging decor for the railings.  If you have difficulty finding decor for your deck, hobby stores usually offer it in just about any style. However, you can also order online to save money and expand your options. Restain the Wood Over time, the color of your deck will fade to grey. Additionally, parts of it may turn an unsightly, slimy green from excess moisture and algae buildup. So if your deck looks a little dull, it may be time to power wash and restain it to look brand new. Install a Pergola Pergolas are wooden lattice structures that provide shade without completely blocking the sunlight. Installing one will give your deck a unique creative style that simultaneously provides comfort.  To make the ultimate hang-out spot under the pergola, you’ll need some comfortable furniture, pillows, and an outdoor rug. Then, hang a string of lights around the perimeter to create a relaxing vibe at nighttime.  Expand Your Deck Adding another level can create extra space if your deck is too small for your needs. So whether you’re seeking a private place to relax, more room to party, or a spot to build an outdoor kitchen, adding another level to your deck creates endless potential.  However, this task is meant for professionals who know how to maintain your deck’s structural integrity while building. Deck builders in Harford County, MD, can safely create the deck of your dreams. Therefore, you can ease your mind knowing that you won’t sacrifice quality.  Add Some Lights Lighting plays an essential role in setting the mood. So if you wish to switch up the vibe on your deck, you should switch up the lighting. This upgrade can be enough to totally transform the space, creating a fun place to hang out on summer nights.  The trend is to use strings of lights above the deck space, but you should also consider bug-repelling torches, candles, and even lamps on each post. Additionally, get creative with the lighting by finding decorations that double as lamps. Install a Bar Having a bar at home can make your house the go-to for every get-together. First, you’ll need a counter with plenty of storage underneath and another behind the bar to display alcohol. Then, get a few barstools to complete it. Finally, consider adding a few beer taps if you want to go the extra mile.  Screens Several types of screens can serve as valuable upgrades for your deck. For example, a small, wooden privacy structure can also serve as a place for climbing plants to grow, adding to your deck’s visual appeal.  On the other hand, adding a bug screen around the deck can turn the space into a sunroom, so you can still relax outside without worrying about pests or the elements ruining the area. Plus, this can double as a privacy screen, allowing you to relax without interruption from neighbors. Multipurpose Storage If your deck is cluttered with random junk, it may be time for a clean-up. Once you’ve gone through your things, set them aside and build some multipurpose storage units. For instance, you could build benches with a lifting seat. Or you can use a microwave cart with drawers to hold gardening supplies and act as a display for your favorite plants.  Conclusion Your deck space holds much potential, and your home may not feel complete if you aren’t using it to its fullest advantage. So implementing some of these upgrades can totally transform the area into the perfect hangout spot. Ensure that you conduct adequate research before starting a DIY project and hire a contractor when you’re not qualified to complete the task safely.

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