Owning a home has a fantastic feeling and comes with a lot of benefits and conveniences. Many people are now considering building houses as the housing ladder becomes less affordable by the day. Even though new government initiatives encourage citizens to develop their own homes, one needs to understand the processes, especially when working on a budget.

Excellent architecture is not about breaking your bank to get it done. You only need great ideas to get you going and help you save on avoidable costs. At the end of a successful project, you will need the wow factor for your home, and enjoy a comfortable stay only if you know how to manage it economically. Here are the ideas to get you going smoothly and with no financial regrets.

Check the House Design and Your Overall Planning

Most expensive homes built on a high budget starts with the design and initial planning. If you want a less expensive project, check out the plan. You’ll need to thoroughly weigh cost ramifications by taking your ample time to find a professional architect for a smooth flow.

You don’t have to worry about the architect fee. It is a small percentage of the cost of the building. You get a quality design and a lovely home and end up saving more.

Simple Geometry Work

Starting with a fussy plan is a sure way to add more costs to your project. The big chunk of your building costs comes from labor. So it is better to interrogate every aspect of your design with Cost Certified to help you think in detail concerning the cost-effectiveness of constructing the house. They will help you to analyze every aspect to get the best results at an affordable cost.

Construction Methods and Upgrades Should be Done Carefully

The strength and longevity of your house depend on the mode of construction and the materials used. There is no shortcut to this. Weighing up this decision will save you a lot of costs in the future.

The more you consider construction upgrades, the lower the chances of having maintenance schedules often. In this case, it will be crucial to find to what extent you want to save costs because the cheaper the construction applied, the more costly it will become over a given period.

Labor Costs Involved

In most cases, the labor cost may have the highest proportion of the overall cost. You will need to decide what you want, considering that your decision will affect the construction method used. So it is crucial to analyze your options before concluding.

Engaging a Professional Architect

Finding the right architect will help you with the more efficient ways to plan and save. Considering a professional carries a lot of weight and you are sure of getting quality work. The best way to save on cost when hiring an expert is to engage them in the early design phases and not during construction. The architect can split the fee into stages to allow you to decide how long you will hire them as the project continues.

Learn more:–

• What is the Most Cost-Efficient Heating System for a Home
• Why Go for Sustainable Green Architecture

The global coronavirus pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led to many people being stuck at home. Suddenly, all those things we could ignore easily when we could get out and about stand out much more when we are under quarantine. Fortunately, this can give us the inspiration and motivation to tackle those projects we always put off around the home. In this post, we will introduce 8 ideas for home projects to tackle during the lockdown.

8 Home Projects to Do When in Quarantine

Obviously, when it comes to projects at home, everyone will have different needs. Here, we introduce 8 of the most frequent home projects that are easiest to tackle during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Get out in the garden

Whether you are already fully green-fingered or not, getting out in the garden during lockdown is great for your mental health. For one thing, it allows you to be outside for an extended period whilst keeping to the rules and keeping yourself and others safe. Indeed, research shows that anxiety, depression, stress, and many other challenging emotions we might be feeling during the lockdown can be alleviated by gardening.

Whether you are into flowers, growing vegetables, or delicious homegrown soft fruits, there is plenty to try in the garden. If woodwork and construction are more your things, why not try your hand at landscaping or building a deck in a sunny spot? You can even use leftover flooring paper from decking work to keep pesky weeds at bay and make spring garden beds!

Do that deep clean

When we are out at work most of the time, those corners of dust and dirt might not get to us much. If we’re at home all day, things get a little bit harder to ignore. That makes quarantine a great opportunity to do the deepest of deep cleans. Research also shows you’ll soon feel calmer and healthier.

From dusting corners, ceilings, and baseboards to switching your air filters, sorting out your junk room, and cleaning out the closet. A good deep clean will improve the quality of the air you’re breathing at home. Cleaning is all the more important during quarantine anyway because of the ability of the coronavirus to stay on surfaces like metal and plastic for 3 days. Be sure to clean those high-touch spots daily.

Repair scrapes and scratches

Over time, wooden furniture and walls get into all sorts of scrapes. From door handles bashing into the wall to bike pedals scraping the skirting board. These sorts of bumps and scratches can become part of the furniture. However, there are plenty of simple tricks to sort out knicks and scratches around the home.

Polly-filler is a great quick fix for small holes in walls leftover from old nail holes and general wear and tear. A whole range of techniques can also be used to remove scratches on wooden furniture. From a combination of lemon juice and vegetable oil to used coffee grounds, iodine, and shoe polish. There are plenty of things most people have at home that can make wood look like new.

Give your house a facelift

With more time spent at home, we soon spot marks and dirt that passed us by when we weren’t stuck in all the time. Fortunately, this is a great opportunity to use up those dregs of paint we have stored up in the shed and never know what to do with. A simple lick of paint can transform a room with just one coat. 

You can also try creating a feature wall if you fancy trying something different. No need to head out for new paint either, just switch around the colors on a feature wall with some leftover paint from a different room. Be warned though, once you paint one wall you’ll start to notice those you haven’t painted even more. So be sure to choose your paint job carefully! 

Rearrange the furniture

So often people think the only way to give a room a new look is to completely remodel it. However, simply rearranging the furniture can transform a room. Things will have to get worse to get better when you do this though. Everything needs to go from its place through no man’s land, and into its new place whilst moving something else out of its way. 

That being said, the initial anarchy is well worth it. You’ll also have the chance to hoover places that probably haven’t been hoovered for years! Play around with things before settling on your final layout as you probably won’t want to do this home project again for a while. 

Re-organize the cupboards

One of the major changes that quarantine has enforced on many of us is new ways of shopping for food. Ultimately, this means bigger shops less often. However, if we don’t know what’s in the cupboards we can end up with tens of one thing and nothing of another. For this reason, it’s a good idea to get everything out of the cupboards for a bit of a home stock take. 

With everything out of the cupboards, you can get another cleaning job done too. You’ll also be able to spend less on things you won’t use for ages because you’ll know exactly what you’ve got hidden away in the cupboards. 

Moisturize

We’re not talking about moisturizing yourself here – although moisturizing your hands more is a good idea what with all the hand-washing in soap required by COVID-19. What we mean is moisturizing things like chopping boards, cheese boards, and all your other wooden goods. Just give them a clean with a mixture of salt and lemon juice, then lather them in coconut oil and leave it to soak in. This helps to prevent cracking and keeps things hygienic.

Season your cast iron furniture

Just like your wooden goods, iron furniture also needs maintenance. In normal times, this sort of home project can slip our minds. However, it is well worth it and doesn’t take long. Just give it a thorough wash with some soapy water and a decent scrubbing brush. If you have some, you could also apply a spray-on wax for a nice finish and to prevent rusting.

Quarantine helps all of us to look after one another. Unfortunately, this means more time spent at home. Fortunately, this is a great opportunity to try our hand at new things and get those jobs we always put off done. Follow these 8 home projects and you’ll soon have your home looking as good as new.

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• Great Ideas on How to Create Your Dream Kitchen
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Want to add some extra space in your house? Or just want to build an open sitting area in your existing home? A single-storey extension is a perfect solution for this situation. Whether your family is growing and you want some extra space for them or just want to reuse the land, these extensions are suitable for everything.  See some single storey extension ideas. 

While taking care of the Permitted Development rights, you can create a single-storey extension in your existing home. You can build many things in it such as a large open kitchen or a glamorous living room. These extensions are not only good looking but also increase the value of the property. 

So if you’re also looking for some budget-friendly single-storey extension ideas, you’re landed on the right page. In this blog, we have listed nine single-storey house extension ideas that will blow your mind. From Victorian style to the modern glass ones, we’ve covered all styles so that you can select your favorite one. 

9 Single Storey Extension Ideas

Below are some cool ideas which you can implement and create an enjoyable and comfortable space for you and your family. 

1. Create an Open Plan Living Space

If you’re short on floor space and feel that your living space isn’t sufficient for your family, then you can extend it by creating a single-storey extension. Here, in this house in Oxfordshire, the homeowners created an open living space by extending the area. Now They have a spacious and covered inside/outside entertaining space. 

The total construction time of this project was just four months, and the total cost was around £68,000. 

2. Light-filled Kitchen Extension

Look at this big and perfectly covered kitchen. This house is situate in the West Midlands and Penny and Douglas Dawson are the residents of this remarkable dwelling. They extended this home by replacing a small, dark kitchen with a light-filled, open place space.

This project was also completed in 4 months, and the estimated cost was £120,000. Before there was a small, dark kitchen, but after the renovation, space is looking much brighter and open. You can also do the same thing if you want an open concept kitchen. 

3. Contemporary Extension to a Listed Cottage

Homeowners of this beautiful countryside cottage asked Charlie Luxton to help them to create this incredible contemporary extension scheme. In this scheme, the area has opened up the living space of a listed cottage.

This contemporary project is locate in Wiltshire, and the total project cost is £258,600. This project took a little more time than the other projects, but its designs are justifying the time. doesn’t it? If your family is also growing and you want to extend your single-storey house, this is a pretty much cool idea. You can replace a tiny section of the house, and by taking more land, you can create bedrooms, kitchen-like areas. 

4. Light-filled Extension to a Victorian Home

Just by looking at it, you will know that this house is in a royal victorian style. The home situates in Greater London. Not only the house but its surroundings are mesmerizing, but after living in the house for two years, the homeowners wanted a space full of natural light. So, they added this single-storey extension. 

The building cost, material cost is £280,000, and the whole structure was ready in just 13 months. Instead of using traditional doors or windows, designers used colossal glass sliding doors to get a modern yet elegant look. 

5. A Timber-clad CLT Extension

This is a CLT extension that has been added to a traditional home. It is a perfect example for those who want to fuse contemporary style with traditional. The single-storey extension constructs from a timber-clad in Hampshire. The large glass windows and doors with high roof lights are totally putting everything all together. 

With a material and construction cost of £250,000, this dwelling was ready in five months.

6. An Orangery Extension

David Salisbury designed the extension builders Newcastle of this magnificent single storey house. He made it into an orangery-style extension with stones. The homeowners wanted to open the house, specifically the dining and kitchen areas. 

Natural light is the main key in this style of the house, which also provides fabulous views. The materials used to build the new space are similar to the existing house, such as bricks that are matching to the existing home, and the windows are also painted in Shaker cream shade. The total cost was around £85,000, including the materials, construction, and electrical work.

7. A Period – Style Extension

This beautiful house belongs to English Heritage Buildings’ managing director Darren Hook. He wanted to extend the kitchen of the house and wanted to create a more extensive and light-filled space. But he also wanted to use the front space in his house, so he was looking for single storey extension ideas under £100,000, but surprisingly this gets complete in just £70,000. 

So if you’re also looking for some inspirational single storey ideas, this is such a brilliant one. Oak has been used in various parts of the construction, such as in the beams in the roof space to match the existing house. Smoothly pitched flat sections are creating a lower roofline underneath first-floor windows. 

8. A Glass Box Extension

Want something that is entirely unique and luxurious? Look at this single storey extension, which is made from transparent glass. This is a Grade II-listed London home, and the homeowners wanted an open plan kitchen with a dining area. But according to the planning regulations, the brick extensions aren’t allows, so the designers suggested this structural glass box concept. 

Now the new kitchen fill with a lot of natural lights, and also the new shower creates on the first floor. The total project cost is £84,000, including the construction and materials, and the glass box. 

9. A Conservatory Extension 

If you don’t like the transparent glass box extension idea, look at this one. This is a Conservatory style single-storey extension that specially create to provide a second living room. The owners of this fantastic Berkshire residence requested for a traditional aesthetic looking extension with an orangery. So that the new roof will fill with sunlight and ventilation. 

The Pilkington Activ Blue glasses use in windows, and the doors are bi-folded that opens up in the deck and garden area. If you want to construct a similar design, it would cost you around £54,000, including optional planning, materials, design, construction, and installation.

All in One

Luxurious glass box or the traditional open single-storey extension, which one is your favourite? We pick all these ideas while considering the design rules and budget. Always check the Permitted Development rights or your local building codes before you start your construction. All these single-storey extension ideas are pocket friendly and also completes in 4 months to 12 months. 

Extensions are the best idea to increase space in the existing house. You can select between various styles, designs, and materials and construct your dream single-storey extension as per your requirements.

Read more:

• How To Remodel Your Home To Suit Your Lifestyle
• What Should You Opt for a Pitched or Flat Roof Extension?
• What are the Most Popular Types of House Extensions?
• The Benefits of Bungalow Rear Extension
• Step By Step Guide On: How To Frame A House

When it comes to drawing in a potential homebuyer, a lot of effort goes into leaving a good impression, irrespective of whether you are selling your own home or working with a real estate agent. One of the many features most buyers take into consideration when they are looking to buy a new home is the outside appearance of the house.

There are a lot of things you can do that will make a significant difference when it comes to freshening your house’s exterior. Below are some of the best tips to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

Upgrade your Roof-Line Design

A standard roof has a lifespan of approximately 20 years, so if your roof is approaching the end of its days, it would be a good idea to consider replacing it before you list your home, as an old roof could lead to water damage. Roofline Design is one of the most recommended companies in Leeds for replacing fascias, soffits, and gutters.

Install Exterior Lights

Installation of exterior lighting is both aesthetically pleasing as well as a great safety feature to have. In a recent survey, 85% of homebuyers put exterior lighting on their want list. Some areas to focus on when situating outdoor lighting include the pathway, doorway, patio, and the garage. These exterior lights would brighten up and highlight your home’s most striking details, and even help to keep it safer at night.

Reduce Landscaping Clutter

One should consider landscaping as a priority. Ensure to trim bushes, plant fresh flowers in flower beds, and add a fresh topping of mulch to exposed areas. Another thing you may want to pay attention to is making sure that all the boundaries between any concrete, grass, and flowerbeds are clean, as this creates a comparable difference between an untidy front yard and an organized one.

Add Some Potted Plants

Potted plants are a simple, cost-effective, and quick way of advancing Curb Appeal as they add some life to your home because of the beautiful colours they offer. Work with different pot sizes and colours to create your desired style and add a few below your windows. Many sellers have had their homes sell quickly after improving their curb appeal with this simple trick.

Revamp your Front Door

See your front door as a design statement. Not only does your front door tell a story about the condition of your home, but it also acts as a welcoming feature. You can look at painting your door the famous shiny black, or hunter green, which predominantly appeals to buyers with traditional tastes. Colors such as bold red or blue are for fans of modern styles, while canary yellow gives an impression of brightness and cheer.

Give your Home a Homey Touch

See your front door as a design statement. Not only does your front door tell a story about the condition of your home, but it also acts as a welcoming feature. You can look at painting your door the famous shiny black, or hunter green, which predominantly appeals to buyers with traditional tastes. Colors such as bold red or blue are for fans of modern styles, while canary yellow gives an impression of brightness and cheer.

conclusion

Don’t let your entry be an afterthought! Polish your welcome with a colorful statement door, a whisper of greenery, and a path less worn. Let your curb appeal sing your home’s unique tune, welcoming all to a haven within.

Read more:-

• 9 Ways To Improve A Property’s Curb Appeal
• Home Repairs: Which Ones Increase The Value of Your Home?