New Houses, Refurbishment and Alterations
Category : Simple Design Services
Conversion of Farm Buildings
Simple Design Services Ltd. have provided 
structural reports for a number of proposals, under permitted development rights, for conversions of agricultural buildings into residential use including in AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Category : Simple Design Services
If you have some cracking in your property it would be a good idea to have it looked at by a Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer before it becomes worse. The cracking can be diagnosed and repaired and the wall reinstated before it becomes costly.
Simple Design Services Ltd. would be able to make an assessment of the cause of the cracking, install crack monitoring devices to record any subsequent movement and provide you with a remedial repair proposal.
Category : Simple Design Services
Structural Survey
A Homebuyers survey can mention structural issues.
Prior to agreeing a purchase price, the recommendation would be to have a structural survey and report to identify any problems with the structure of the home.
A structural survey should be undertaken by a Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer and a report produced.
The structural condition of the property should be determined and any remedial repairs proposed and the home repaired. The cost can be considered and agreed between the home owner and the purchaser.
If you notice any recent cracking, please call a professional Civil or Structural Engineer to provide you with a report.
Don’t let it become a serious problem!
Category : Simple Design Services
Owners opt to improve rather than move house
An article from The Times Saturday 18th February
Homeowners are staying put and spending the money on upgrading their existing home instead of paying stamp duty moving.
Most homeowners want to add space by adding a rear or a side extension or a loft conversion.
Often the living areas can be increased by extending the Kitchen or the Living room into the garden.
Open plan Kitchen/Diners are popular.
Now that Planning rules have been significantly relaxed and the building industry has become more professional.
Now would be the time to build an extension.
Category : Simple Design Services
The Times Friday 28th October 2016 had an interesting article ….
Not all renovations add value to your home ..
The article mentions that of course there are lifestyle gains to be made from loft conversions, side and rear extensions etc., but the trick is to spend the right amount on the project to also make it viable and increase the property value.
How much should you spend on renovations, compared to the property value?…
Well, the suggestion is that the maximum spend to retain value when sold would be 5% for a loft conversion or single storey rear extension and 9% for a side extension.
At present you may make use of permitted development, which means that you don’t have to go through the full planning process, which might end next year.
If you would like some professional advice, please contact Simple Design Services Ltd.
Category : Simple Design Services
Loft Conversions
The Times Bricks and Mortar article, September 2016, suggests that a Loft Conversion can add up to 10% to the value of a property. Of course, the additional space is useful.
Rather than move, with the upheaval and costs, the better option would be to convert the loft.
Category : Simple Design Services
Your house or bungalow is generally an appreciating asset increasing in value. Money spent on maintaining, refurbishing, altering or extending can be an investment and increase the resale value of the property.
House prices are predicted to rise by 6% on average according to The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Investing carefully in your property could provide substantial gains as well, of course, provide much needed additional space .
Category : Simple Design Services
How to stay put – and add value
The Times newspaper article on Friday 13th November, page 10, mentions how to add value to your existing home.
Whether you consider a loft conversion or an extension.
A loft conversion can be cost effective, you are likely to get money back and make a good profit.
An extension would add value and the government has recently relaxed the rules on single-storey extensions under permitted development.
Of course, the benefits are that you have more usable space in your home.
So, perhaps for 2016, to create more living area for a larger extending family, an extension should be considered.
Category : Building Regulations Simple Design Services
If you would like some reassurance that the house you are seeking to purchase is in a reasonable structural condition.
The recommendation is to have a full structural survey and report undertaken by a Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer.
This report could save you a lot of money!
The seller may agree to repair the house or the report can be used as a bargaining tool with the seller.
Category : Simple Design Services
House prices are still increasing. If you’re lucky enough to own your home, investing in your property, wisely, will increase your usable space as well as adding more value to your property than the cost of the refurbishment work.
For a moderate outlay, you could create a popular open-plan living area, on the ground floor, by removing some internal walls. Alternatively, a loft conversion can increase your usable space or an extension can provide a Kitchen/Diner, Lounge and additional Bedrooms and Bathrooms.
Of course, renovating your house avoids the expensive cost of moving house and the inconvenience..