Homeowners looking to adapt spaces for potential future lockdowns and optimal home working during the COVID-19 pandemic can look to suggestions from property experts. With government guidelines tightening restrictions, it is important that homeowners and potential buyers consider the viability of future lockdowns and home working and adapt in the best ways they possibly can to be safe and comfortable at home. From converting unused spaces, to developing outdoor areas, the property experts at North Sands Developments, share top considerations for adapting homes for COVID working and living. James Hartley, director at North Sands Developments, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested everyone, and with government restrictions tightening and a potential second-wave looming, there are many important learnings that we can take away from this time, to safeguard our futures in terms of creating a more comfortable, secure and optimised living and working environment. “From zoom-proof rooms, to pet proofing, good internet connection and ensuring access to open plan and outdoor spaces – whether you are looking to purchase a new home or have an existing home that requires improvements, we have compiled a list of considerations for reference, to help homeowners and potential buyers thinking about living arrangements during the pandemic.” 1. Outdoor space When spending large amounts of time at home, outdoor space is vital for health and wellbeing, whatever the weather. To make the most of outdoor spaces – home and garden improvements such as extending the size of the garden, improving decking and patios, adding a fire pit for use during the cooler weather, adding a balcony to bring fresh air into the home, and swapping patio doors for new ones such as bi-folds, to connect the home with the garden to accentuate the space is worth the investment. 2. Zoom-proof rooms and spaces Working from home and juggling family life isn’t always easy and it can be disruptive when important virtual meetings are interrupted with noise. Creating a zoom-proof space in the home is very much an essential when it comes to peaceful working. The ideal zoom space will be as sound proof as possible, with a simple fuss-free backdrop, away from busy areas of the house to avoid any disturbances. If in an open plan home, organise a space in a quieter area of the room, with a divide to hold calls. 3. Convert unused spaces Converting unused spaces in the home such as a garage, loft or cellar, can provide much needed extra room in the household. The spaces can be used for a new home office, relaxation zone, utility area or a play room, but it is important to ensure that a property possesses comfortable living areas, should another lockdown be enforced. Extra spaces can also significantly boost the value of a property, especially if extra bedrooms and bathrooms are added. Most conversion projects do not require planning permission as it qualifies as a ‘change of use’ to the property, which is another great reason to consider a home improvement of this kind. 4. Add an annexe or garden Increasing the space in your home with a build project is a great alternative to moving house completely. Adding an annexe or extension to a property, is a larger investment and one that could significantly improve a living environment and add value to a property. Adding a room that is completely separate from the rest of the property, can create the ideal environment for undisturbed home working, or a quiet and tranquil space for relaxation. It will also be a place for extra family or members of a support bubble to stay and visit that isn’t in the main home. If not an annexe, it’s worth converting any loft space to ensure all space in the home is utilised. 5. Divide your open plan spaces A cost-effective way to create separate zones for different functions is to divide existing open plan areas. Installing partition walls or sectioning off areas with the careful placement of furniture are just two ways to create segregated space, allowing members of a household to live together without getting on top of one another. Freestanding shelves act as great temporary partitions that also provide storage space for any home office essentials. 6. Good internet connection A commonly overlooked home improvement is a stronger and more efficient internet connection and good WIFI is essential when working remotely for virtual meetings and conferences. This can be as simple as installing extenders to boost internet signal, or may mean changing internet providers altogether for a connection that supports working activity and home living. Before switching provider, it’s sensible to do research online to check which company has the best service in the area. 7. Get a pet and pet proof your home In terms of overall happiness and wellbeing – pets can certainly provide comfort and company for the long term. Getting a pet is a great life choice for lockdown and beyond, but furry friends need appropriate flooring and space to run around, so it’s important to ensure a home is pet proof by opening up spaces if possible and replacing carpet with floor tiles which can make managing a regular house clean easier.

A Fence is an outdoor physical structure that helps provide an enclosure for an area. While it can be used for various purposes, one major purpose is to demarcate an area as a way of preventing encroachment. They can be constructed from posts and connected with wire, rails, netting, or boards. There are different styles as well as types and they can be made with different materials too. The type and material that you choose will depend largely on what you want to achieve with it. Common styles include: Chain link Split rail Kentucky post and board Privacy fence Wood picket, etc. Common materials for making fences include Wood Aluminum PVC Wrought Iron Electric Bamboo You can read more about them here. Why You Should Install One Installing a fence on your property can have many benefits. Asides the aesthetics and curb appeal that it adds to the property, below are some other reasons you may want to do so. Privacy Most people who live on or own their property usually like privacy. Whatever you choose to do whether swimming, sunbathing, or enjoying time with family, you want to be sure that no one is watching you or trespassing. Installing a fence affords you the privacy you need in your home. Security This is perhaps the main reason a lot of people invest in fencing their property. No one wants an intruder encroaching on their property or home whether it is a criminal or any other wandering soul. You may also live in an area with close proximity to wildlife and do not want them coming into your yard. A good fence will help prevent all of these. Safety For families with kids and pets, fencing off your home is important as you do not want them wondering off your premises. It will keep them in the confines of your yard, preventing them from wandering off. For your pets such as dogs, it can help keep them from getting lost or contracting diseases from outside and bringing such back to your home. It can also help to prevent accidents, such as drowning, if you have a body of water in your backyard. Establishing Boundaries To avoid trespassing on your land either by accident or intentionally, rather than getting upset or worked up about it, you can put up a fence to mark your boundaries. You can establish the start as well as the end of your land and avoid any form of dispute. It also lets you know how much space you have so that you can work within the boundary of your space and not also encroach on other people’s land. Beautifying Your Home Usually, fences are built for utility purposes but that is not to say they cannot be beautiful. As soon as you decide to construct one, part of the groundwork is choosing a type and design that will complement your home. Asides other reasons for putting one up, you may simply put one up to add to your home’s appeal and value. What to Know Before Installation Despite your reasons for wanting to install a fence, depending on where you live, there might be things you need to put into consideration before doing. Though we will briefly look at some of these consideration factors below, you can check out more of them in this article: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/fences/before-you-build-a-fence/. Building Codes and Regulations In Cincinnati, there are regulations and codes for putting up a fence that you need to follow. You also must get approval or permit from the City Council and pay a fee for a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Appropriateness. There are also specifications and guidelines that must be followed. Get a Survey A survey of your land helps you know your property line and determine the appropriate place to put your fence. You may be able to get a copy from the Cincinnati Buildings and Inspections Department or may need a professional quantity surveyor to do one for you. This will save you any stress or headache arising from any disputes in the future. It is most likely you have neighbors on either sides of your property so you may also need to discuss with them about putting up your fence. This is not to get their approval but to clear up any boundaries issues or disputes that may occur. Installing Your Fence After you have done all due diligence and gotten the necessary permits and it is time to go on with your fence installation in Cincinnati, you need to decide how to go about it. There are many DIY guides available but if you want a good job, your best bet will be to engage experienced professionals who are local to Cincinnati to handle it for you. Much more than building it, they understand local laws and codes governing fence installations. They can also help you restore, repair, and revitalize old ones. Conclusion Installing a fence in Cincinnati offers you so many benefits which you should take advantage of. You must however remember to take the necessary precautions discussed above to ensure you get the best possible. If you must do it yourself, get all the help you can. If however you want the best outcome, you will be better off employing professionals to get the job done for you. This will serve you better in the long run.

Having a beautiful home is one of the best investments you can have. Your home is the place you go to after an exhausting day at work and it’s where you spend time with family. Having a modernized home is the most satisfying feeling in the world. If you’re worried about expenses and costs, you don’t always have to go broke trying to modernize your home. In fact, you’d be surprised how you can turn the interior ambiance of your home into something modern and elegant. In this article, we’ll be talking about how to modernize a house on a budget. Cladding cleaning Whether you realize it or not, there’s so much organization and cleanliness that happens cladding cleaning happens. No matter what cladding your home is covered in, you can always have it cleaned by professionals and by those who know exactly what they’re doing. You’ll be pleased to know that cladding cleaning is perfectly cost-efficient and doesn’t take up a huge portion of your expenses. Renovate your kitchen It doesn’t need to be expensive to modernize your kitchen. In fact, sometimes it’s as simple as decluttering everything and even changing the wallpaper. Your kitchen is considered the centerpiece of your home and it’s essential that it looks modern and neat. Making a few tweaks such as replacing cabinet handles and repainting kitchen wares can do a tremendous change. Buy new furniture Nothing says modernizing your furniture than buying new furniture, whether it’s for your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom. There are various of cost-efficient and budget-friendly furniture than you can choose for your home. If you’re looking to modernize your home, choose a color scheme that would perfectly blend your home. If you have white walls, it’s best to avoid furniture that might not blend perfectly such as bright colors. Upgrade your lighting Did you know that lighting has the ability to turn your home into something classy and elegant? By choosing the perfect lighting, you never know how much it could brighten up your home and modernize it altogether. For instance, instead of a simple light up, you can replace it with a budget-friendly chandelier. This way, it’s more unique and elegant. It also helps if you place yellow-tinted lights than white lights for your living room as this makes your home into something more stylish, especially at night. Declutter Ultimately, there’s no way to make your home more attractive than by decluttering the mess all around it. No matter how hard it is to choose which ones to replace and which to retain, less is always more. Everything looks more modern and neat when there aren’t too many things around your home. In conclusion, I hope this article was able to shed insight on ways to modernize your home on a budget. Frankly, it’s all about cleaning the mess around and changing a few things such as furniture and wall decor. The process may seem exhausting but after looking at the results of your home, there’s nothing you’re going to regret.

If you are looking to decorate, redecorate or modernise your home or office and you are looking for new floor covering, there are several options available to you. These include traditional carpet, hardwood, lino, tile and possibly the most versatile floor covering, laminate. Laminate is a great low maintenance all-rounder and can be used in all rooms and spaces. Here are just a few reasons what you should choose a laminate floor. Durability  One major benefit of laminate is that it is more durable than its counterparts. This makes it a great choice if you are looking to cover a heavy traffic area. This includes hallways, kitchens, office spaces etc. Laminate flooring is much stronger and less easy to scratch than hardwood flooring options. Therefore, high heels, kids, and even animals will not be able to mark it as easily, Therefore ensuring it lasts longer. This is because it has a tough external layer and is coated in resin, making it extremely hardwearing.  Economical  Laminate flooring is often less expensive than other flooring options. This does depend on the quality you opt for of course. Therefore if you like to redecorate frequently as fashions change, depending on your budget, laminate may allow you to do so. However, as it is so hardwearing and durable, compared to other floor coverings, especially carpet, if you are decorating on a budget, you probably will not have to replace it as quickly. This, in turn, is likely to save you money in the future too. Installation Laminate is also easy to install. The majority of laminate floor options do not require glue and instead use the Uniclic, or similar, system. As this mess-free system makes installation easy, many people choose to install their laminate floor themselves. This is, of course, the more cost-effective option. However, if DIY is not your thing. not to worry, you can hire a professional to do it for you. Many of which offer a guarantee for the work they carry out should you have an issue at a later date with regards to the installation.  Maintainance  As mentioned, laminate flooring is extremely low maintenance. Many laminate flooring options have a stain, fade and moisture-resistant coating. This ensures that if something does get spilt, you can simply use a damp cloth to wipe it away quickly and easily. Therefore again making it a great option if you have children and/or animals. As laminate does not require waxing or varnishing as hardwood does, it means you can clean it as frequently as you like without taking the top layer off and then having to reseal it. Styles  One of the major reasons so many people opt for a laminate floor is because of the range of styles available. There is an option to suit everyone’s taste. Many laminate floors are even designed not to look like laminate. Therefore if you would prefer a hardwood or stone floor but simply do not have the budget for one, laminate is a great option. Also, there are numerous colours available. This means you are more than likely going to find the perfect shade to fit in with your colour scheme. 

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has partnered with BHETA for National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) to encourage the UK to improve their homes this September.  NHIM is the UK’s largest home improvement Awareness Campaign, aiming to inspire millions of homeowners and renters and encourage them to take up a home improvement project. In 2019, over 17 million adults across the UK made changes to their homes, with 2020 expected to encourage even more. Today, only 28% of people carry out home improvements more than once a year with one of the main reasons being lack of skills and knowledge. When it comes to tasks, 52% of Brits do not feel comfortable applying wallpaper and almost half (48%) are unsure of how to put a shelf up. As part of the partnership, Schneider Electric will be offering advice and tips to homeowners on getting started, adding value, going green and smart home technology. It will allow homeowners and renters to learn more about how to improve their homes and will connect consumers with skilled tradespeople to ensure installations are properly managed.   Simple changes to homes will create considerable benefits. This can include running a small project, going green or even turning your home into a smart home. To help with projects, Schneider Electric is offering a 10% code this NHIM on their products when purchased through CEF to help facilitate improvements.  Nico van der Merwe, VP of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, said, “Home improvers are now striving for more connected homes. Whether they prefer home personalisation with smart heating or embracing modern styles with different switches, we have a wide range of wiring devices and accessories that can inspire creativity and meet the latest safety requirements. By adding new devices and accessories, homeowners will be able to make their homes safer, smarter and more stylish this September.” The British Home Enhancement Trade Association’s (BHETA) Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones, commented: “We are delighted Schneider Electric is helping to drive the National Home Improvement Month and create consumer awareness campaign for next month. They will play a crucial role in supporting the activity of the retailers, such as Homebase and Wilko’s, and other BHETA members collaborating and sponsoring this industry initiative. Their mission is to motivate, encourage and enthuse consumers that home improvement is rewarding emotionally, psychologically and financially with the right advice, information and products.”

Home improvement projects can come in all shapes and sizes – from simple additions here and there to full-on extensions being added to the side of the house. However, while making any kind of change to your home may seem incredibly exciting on the surface, it’s important to bear in mind some of the challenges and potential issues you could encounter along the way. Failure to properly prepare in advance or safeguard yourself against any potential issues could only leave you frustrated and out of pocket as a result, which is simply no good for anyone. So, we thought we should help. Join us as we run through some of the key things to look out for before starting any kind of home improvement project – whether it be something simple like installing the right type of skylight rooftop blind or something a lot more complex like checking for damp or asbestos before a loft conversion. 1. Stick To A Budget It’s all too easy to spend, spend, spend when it comes to improving your home, so try to stick to a budget. Before you head to the shops or start contacting tradesmen to do the work, take a look at your finances to see what you can actually afford. Ask yourself: what am I specifically looking for? And how much do I realistically want to spend? While it would be great to work with a builder with the best reputation in the world or fit an air-conditioning unit in your home office, if you can’t afford it then – unfortunately – you’ll only end shooting yourself in the foot in doing so. 2. You Won’t Always Meet Your Deadline While you may dream of having your home renovation done by a set time, as hard as it may be to come to terms with, this may not happen. Say, for example, you want to build an entirely new kitchen in your home – you’ve found the ideal design, the dream tiles and have even booked it in for a set date in the future. Just because it’s been booked in doesn’t mean there won’t be any hiccups along the way. From labour issues to stock problems, there are a lot of components to installing a kitchen, so it only takes one minor thing to go wrong for the deadline to be pushed back. Therefore, don’t rush getting your home renovations done. Take your time to look for the best price and supplier so that you can ensure whatever work you have done – or products you want to buy – are worth it in the end. 3. Get Everything In Writing Without meaning to cause any offence to contractors, they generally aren’t considered to have the best listening skills. Therefore, it’s important to really think about what you want to have done in advance so that you can get it in writing before the work starts. That way, your workmen will have a much better idea of what they’re doing and you’ll feel a lot more rest assured in the fact that the work they’re doing will match what you both agreed to. The last thing you want, after all, is to build a new swimming pool with the wrong sized tub or fit a new bathroom with a sink that doesn’t match your preferred colour scheme. Be upfront and honest with them about what you expect to achieve. 4. Keep The Number Of People Involved To A Minimum As the old saying goes, too many cooks spoil a broth and the same logic applies when it comes to home improvements. With project managers, builders, family members, friends, tradesmen and public planning officers often involved in home renovations or improvement projects, that is a lot of voices and opinions to listen to and work your own way of thinking around. Therefore, not only is it important to trust your own opinion – it’s your home improvement, after all – but it’s also generally considered a good idea to source one or two trusted people to take ownership of the renovation project. That way, you’ll know for definite that whatever it is you’re planning to do will be in the best hands available. Final Thoughts… Improving your home is one of the most exciting things you can do but, if you rush into it, you could end up feeling regretful. To prevent this from happening to you, plan as much as you can in advance and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions if you need to. You may just be thankful you did once the work has all been completed.

Resonance, a data communications consultancy, has released the results of its research on 19 million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) showing the extent to which the energy-saving home improvements are required. Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a £2 billion grant scheme in England for home improvement projects such as wall insulation, double glazing and loft insulation. Resonance analysed the EPC data to find out where the projects are likely to have the most impact and the types of property likely to benefit. Percentage of homes that could benefit the most: Proportion of homes reporting “Very Poor” energy categories in one or more of the categories – 45% Very poor wall insulation – 26% Very poor loft insulation – 18% Very poor lighting efficiency – 17% Very poor window glazing – 7% Contrary to some reports and commentary, the research found that owner occupied housing is the worst performing of all the home occupancy types: Average Rating Type 59.2 Owner occupied 61.4 Rental (private) 68.2 Rental (social) 81.4 New dwelling The grant scheme has only been announced for England, but the research has found that the least efficient regions of the UK are Scotland and Wales. Within England, the regions set to benefit the most are the North West and the East Midlands: Average Rating Region 56.6 Scotland 60.3 Wales 62.0 North West 62.2 East Midlands 62.3 West Midlands 62.3 South West 62.6 East England 63.0 North East 63.3 East of England 63.8 South East 64.9 Greater London Tom Fry, head of data at Resonance, said: “The UK housing stock is still very much lacking when it comes to energy efficiency. 35 per cent of UK homes have very poor insulation which means they have little or no loft or wall insulation, or they still have single glazed windows.” “While this scheme will help benefit houses in England enormously, the research highlights that housing in Scotland and Wales is most in need of this type of grant, and the government now needs look at how it can help improve energy efficiency in these areas too.”

If you are considering having a new construction built, it is easy to feel excited and overwhelmed. Buying a home is a big step, but supervising the new construction of your own home is even bigger. There are many choices and the scheduling and decision making can seem overwhelming. While the general contractor will handle the big steps involved in home construction, there are plenty of things you will need to take care of to ensure the process runs off smoothly. Make Sure Your Finances are in Order Home construction has a lot of variables built into it. You want to be sure there is some wiggle room in your budget so you are not blind-sided if things go wrong or some unexpected problem develops. The builder will give you a cost to construct what you have in mind, but problems with the site or issues with suppliers are just two of the issues that can drive the cost up once construction begins. One way to ensure you have the money you need is to lower your monthly expenses. As you begin the building process, you may want to temporarily lower your discretionary spending. There are also things you can do to lower your monthly expenses. Consolidating your student loans at a lower interest rate can save you money each month over the life of your loans. Choose a Builder You Can Trust The builder you choose is going to be in charge of what is probably the largest investment you have made up to this point in your life. Choose someone with experience, who you trust, and who has a solid reputation. If you have friends who have recently had homes built, hearing who they used, and the good and the bad related to that, can help you make up your mind. The bank who is handling your mortgage may also be willing to provide the names of some they have experience working with. Once you have a shortlist of who to talk to, you should discuss your plans, get an estimate, and hear what type of schedule you are looking at. You should feel comfortable talking to the builder you choose. A builder can have a great reputation but still not be the best choice for you. Make Smart Choices Whether you are building this with the idea that it will be your forever home or you know you will be moving on eventually, it is important to consider that one day the house will be sold. Make sure that the choices regarding building make sense for your family and situation, but understand that anything particularly niche or extreme will make it more challenging to sell later. There are things you can do that will make the home easier to sell if and when the day comes, and that also make the home more livable for you. Building in compliance with ADA standards, for example, takes nothing away from the home aesthetically but increases comfort and livability. An experienced builder can help guide you with these choices.

We are always focused on choosing the architect, contractor, and interior designer to make a dream home. But most people pay little to no attention while selecting a plumbing service, despite that it is equally important to carefully choose the right plumbing option. It is not hard to find people with horrifying stories of plumbing disasters that they had to face due to their wrong plumbing service choice. Plumbing is not only about changing taps and installing a drainage pipe. Every house has a particular plumbing system, and if you don’t build a well-thought system during construction, putting a new elbow pipe under your basin can even become a big disaster later. That’s why you should avoid reckless behavior and be careful when choosing a plumbing service during home construction. Here are given tips that can help you distinguish the best from the worst, and choose the right Expert Plumbing & Gas Services: Check License and Certification: Anyone who knows how to change a tap can’t open a plumbing company. Developing a robust plumbing system requires a lot more knowledge and expertise than you think. That’s why always ask the company to show you a proof of their qualification and authenticity in the form of license and certificates. Usually, professional plumbers have taken a license from a recognized authority and have certificates to prove the quality of their work and training. This is not an extra effort, but essential to avoid any future trouble that you might have to face in case of picking unqualified plumbers. Ask if they are Insured: As you get car, property, and health insurance so that you don’t have to bear the financial blow, in case things go wrong, looking for plumbing insurance is also important. The plumbing system is built underground, so any trouble in this system means that you might have to dig out your home. And it costs a lot of money! That’s why you should ask the plumbing company if they are insured. Plumbing companies with insurance are good to go because if something goes wrong due to their negligence or mistake, they cover the cost of issue rectification. Also, it is important to have other areas of the house improved, check out composite door Bristol for new windows. Check Reputation: Checking the reputation of a company in the market and among customers goes a long way because it saves you on so many levels. You not only get to know the quality of their services, but also know if they are good in communication, and charge what they say. You are going to work with them for a long time because setting the plumbing system of a house is not a matter of one or two days. So, working with a company having friendly and well-behaved employees is the solution if you want to avoid any headache in case of miscommunication and clash of opinion. Check Customer Support System: You may need the services of a plumbing company even after they have set your plumbing system. Tap leaks and any issue in the drainage pipe can erupt any time without any prior indicator. So, it is better to call the company who has set the system and have firsthand experience with it. But for this, you should be sure that the company must have a sound customer support system and respond quickly to emergency calls.