Christmas Deadline for Building Projects

Christmas is a time for family gatherings with time to spend at home, visiting relatives and lots of food to prepare so it’s also a time when you need your house extensions and upgrades completed!

If you’re looking for that extra space to accommodate a large dining table for festivities a ground floor extension might be the perfect option, you can create a large open plan space, add extra rooms and re-model your existing layout.  Open plan spaces are particularly popular as it promotes a sense of space and allows the family to be together while all indulging in different activities such as cooking, reading or watching a favourite movie.

Do you need bedrooms for these Christmas guests?  How about a first floor extension or loft conversion?  Both options will provide one to two additional bedrooms and usually a bathroom or ensuite to cope with the extra demand.  You can use the space for an office, gym or hobby room when the Christmas guests have gone so that you get to enjoy the space all year round.

There’s no better showcase for your new kitchen than a spectacular Christmas lunch!  Put your new appliances to the test and say goodbye to old, unreliable ones!  It will be a pleasure to spend time in a kitchen that you’ve planned around your needs and design preferences.

So if you want your new space ready for Christmas, how far in advance should you be planning?  A lot will depend on the type of extension or conversion and whether you need planning permission.  The planning application process in Exeter can be quite challenging and we would recommend submitting plans at least 6 months before you would like work to begin.  If you’re project will fall under permitted development then you won’t need to factor in this time.

At Silver Fern we have multiple teams on different projects and have a shorter waiting time than many builders so we can usually get started within 4-8 weeks of agreeing scope and costs.  We have completed loft conversions in 7 weeks for a Christmas deadline before now and will always do our best to deliver results as long as we can guarantee the quality of the work

We generally like to finish projects before we break up for Christmas with new projects starting in January.  Silver Fern is closed between Christmas and New Year so that the whole team can enjoy the festivities!

Why We Love Garage Conversions in Exeter

The Silver Fern team love helping Exeter homeowners with their garage conversions because they’re such a quick and simple way to add extra living space.  The main structure is already in place and the transformation from garage/storage space to inspirational living area is complete in just a few weeks.  Here are more reasons why we love garage conversions and the advantages of transforming your garage into a functional and valuable space.

1. Increased Living Space:

One of the key benefits of a garage conversion is the opportunity to create additional living space. Many garages are left unused or become a dumping ground for clutter. Converting this often neglected area into a useful room, such as an extra bedroom, home office, gym, or even a playroom, can significantly increase the overall functionality of your home.  Compared with an extension, garage conversions don’t affect the natural light entering other parts of your home, inevitable when side or rear extensions are built in front of original door or window openings.

2. Cost-Effective Solution:

Compared to other home extension options, garage conversions are generally a more cost-effective solution. Since the basic structure and foundations of the garage are already in place, you can save on construction costs, making it an affordable way to add value to your property. By utilising an existing structure, you can also minimise the hassle and disruption associated with building an extension from scratch. 

3. Hassle Free:

The Silver Fern team is able to work within the garage area itself until the last minute if any knock through is required to the main house, this may be just a doorway or a larger opening to create an open plan space.

4. No Increase in Council Tax:

One of the advantages of converting a garage is that it usually does not have a direct impact on council tax. In most cases, this type of conversion is considered a permitted development, meaning it does not require planning permission. 

5. Enhanced Property Value:

In the UK's competitive housing market, adding a garage conversion can significantly increase the value of your home. Potential buyers are often drawn to versatile living spaces, and a well-executed garage conversion can enhance your property's appeal and desirability. This added value can make a significant difference should you ever decide to sell your home.

6. Versatility and Adaptability:

Here are some questions we often get asked about garage conversions:

  1. Do I need planning permission to convert my garage? No, most garage conversions can be carried out under permitted development, read  more here; https://www.silverferndevelopments.co.uk/what-is-permitted-development/ unless the building is listed or you are in a conservation area in which case it is worth checking with your local planning authority.
  2. How much does it cost to convert a garage?  It is much more cost effective to convert your garage compared with an extension.  A good guide price is £15000 to £25000 and a lot will depend on finishes such as flooring as well as installation of utilities for shower rooms, WCs, sinks and washing machines etc if needed.
  3. What is the cheapest way to convert a garage?  Selecting options such as timber frame for the inner skin of the new room and choosing windows instead of patio doors can help manage costs.  We have lots of other suggestions if you want to manage your garage conversion budget.
  4. Do I need building regs to convert my garage into a room? We would recommend that you do engage with building control so that you have the necessary documentation to classify the space as living accommodation rather than garage/storage space.  This is especially necessary if you decide to sell the property as solicitors will require confirmation that all alterations comply with building regulations.

Now you can see why we love garage conversions!  Silver Fern clients have converted their garages to gyms, playrooms, guest bedrooms with ensuites as well as knocking through from the garage into the main house to create open plan kitchen/living space.  If you live in Exeter or surrounding areas and are thinking about converting your garage space into living accommodation, call Matt on 01392 703373 for a chat and a free quotation.

Best Winter Building Projects

We all know that Winter in Exeter means rain, lots of rain!  We don’t need to stop building and making home improvements but there are certain projects that are better options during the Winter season so that you can still transform your living space, enhance functionality, and increase the value of your property. We have thought this through carefully and in this blog post we will share our recommendations for the best winter building and home improvement projects.

1. Energy-efficient Insulation:

Winter is the perfect season to focus on improving insulation within your home. Adequate insulation reduces heat loss, lowers energy consumption, and enhances overall comfort. Consider adding weatherstripping to doors and windows or installing insulation in attics and crawl spaces. One of the biggest sources of heat loss can be the floor area of your home, especially ground floor and an area that can make the most difference if well insulated.  

2. Kitchen/Living Remodelling:

Winter presents an excellent opportunity for remodelling your living space. Review/Upgrade outdated appliances, install new countertops, replace worn-out cabinets, or reconfigure the layout to maximise efficiency. A modern, functional kitchen not only enhances your daily routine but also adds significant value to your home. Consider incorporating energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly materials for a sustainable upgrade.

3. Re-decoration:

It’s incredible how re-decorating your space can have an impact on how you feel about spending time in spaces with a resulting positive impact on your overall wellbeing.  Unleash your creativity to create calming areas with earthy tones or choose invigorating, bold colour choices for a more energetic feel. Consider contemporary painting styles, wallpapers and panelling to update your interiors to keep you active and beat the Winter Blues all while staying dry!

4. Bathroom Upgrades:

Investing in bathroom upgrades can make a considerable impact on both your daily routine and the value of your home. From simple changes like regrouting tiles and replacing fixtures to more involved renovations like adding a luxurious bathtub or installing a rainfall showerhead, winter allows ample time to focus on enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your bathrooms. Make use of durable, water-resistant materials to ensure longevity.

5. Upgrade your lighting:

Certain lighting upgrades in your home can add value to your property as well as making spaces lighter and aren't as invasive as you think.  Ideas include changing pendants for LED ceiling spotlights, installing mood lighting and exterior security lights.

6. Outdoor Deck or Patio Enhancements:

While it may seem counterintuitive to undertake an outdoor project during the winter months, enhancing your deck or patio can significantly extend your outdoor living space for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Winter is an opportune time to repair or replace damaged boards, apply a fresh coat of sealant or paint, and add accessories that create a cosy ambiance, such as outdoor heaters or fire pits. Upgrading your outdoor area will be rewarding when warmer weather arrives and allow you to get the most from your improved outdoor space.

Don’t be put off getting projects underway because the Winter weather is approaching, choose appropriate home improvements that can be done now to leave next Summer free for days out and outdoor activities.

How Your Builder's Health & Safety Policy Affects You

Did you know that 1 in every 3 slips, trips and falls resulting in death in the UK occur within the construction industry? Construction sites are inherently filled with potential hazards and risks, such as working at heights, using heavy machinery, and exposure to hazardous materials.  

When it comes to building projects, the focus on health and safety becomes even more crucial yet it’s probably the last thing on your mind when selecting your builder. Here we will share a bit about Silver Fern’s commitment  towards promoting a safe and happy construction environment for you as our client and for us:

  1. Expert Advice - It’s impossible to eliminate all risk but the Silver Fern team take a progressive approach to encouraging safe working practices and incorporating this within our culture.  We employ the services of a great health and safety consultant who is available for general help and guidance as regulations are updated as well as site specific support.  Safety focuses on our team as well as people around the site including you if you’re on site during building works and the general public on walkways or accessible areas of the site.
  2. On Site Support - Each new Silver Fern site has a Health and Safety box which includes first aid kits, PPE and health and safety paperwork, some of which is completed each day on site.
  3. Certified Professionals - All of the Silver Fern team are certified in basic health and safety training, this includes; Manual handling, working at height, first aid in the workplace and asbestos awareness.
  4. Health and Safety Culture - Our culture is what sets us apart from our competitors.  The whole Silver Fern team attend our quarterly meetings.  With several sites running at any one time, it’s one of the few occasions we are all in one place at the same time and health and safety progress is one of the topics that we always discuss.  It’s an opportunity to get feedback and recommendations from the team and work together on solutions that support rather than inhibit our working day. 
  5. Awareness -  By proactively identifying and addressing potential risks, we strive to create a safe working environment that inspires confidence and trust between  ourselves and our clients.

The importance of health and safety in construction cannot be understated. As a homeowner, it is crucial to understand the significance of implementing robust safety measures during construction projects. Silver Fern's commitment to health and safety ensures that your construction projects are carried out with utmost care, protecting both the construction team, the integrity of the project and those around the site. 

What is Permitted Development?

In the UK, homeowners can carry out certain types of development on their property without the need for planning permission through a regulation known as permitted development. The Silver Fern team are working on building projects in Exeter under permitted development rights and with full planning permission right now so we have a good understanding of what types of project can be completed under permitted developments rights.   In this blog post we will provide insights into permitted development, alongside an example, ways to determine if a project qualifies, and highlight how we can guide you through this process.  Here are some questions that we get asked most frequently;

What is classed as a Permitted Development?

Permitted development refers to construction or alterations that can be carried out on a property without obtaining planning permission from the local authorities. These permitted development rights cover a range of projects including house extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions to allow homeowners to make improvements to their properties more easily and quickly. 

What is an Example of a Permitted Development:

In Exeter examples of permitted development projects that we have completed include single storey rear and side house extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions, knock throughs and remodelling inside the house as well as constructing external buildings such as garden offices.

How do you know if something is Permitted Development:

The UK government provide detailed guidance in this document to help you understand whether the home improvement project that you’re considering falls within permitted development rights;  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance

There’s no getting away from it, it's a really long document but we are familiar with the guidelines at Silver Fern so can help research and highlight areas of the regulations that apply to your project.  Factors such as the property's location, type, and size of the proposed development, as well as potential impact on the neighbouring properties and the environment, are considered. Generally an extension or external alteration should match the existing property externally ie rendered external walls, slate roof tiles if pitched roof etc

What Size Extension Can I Build under Permitted Development in Exeter?

As a general rule, a single-storey rear extension should not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3 metres for an attached property or 4 metres for a detached house. However, it's important to note that these limitations can be influenced by other factors such as conservation areas or listed buildings.  There are other factors that can alter permitted development rights such as the proposed extension covering over 50% of the curtilage and the proposed height of the extension.

Silver Fern Developments: Your Trusted Guide

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed, just give us a call and we can walk you through exploring permitted development options for your home improvements in Devon or Exeter.  This is what we do every day so it is much easier for us to assess and advise you.   We are experts in our field and can assess your project's compliance with the guidelines and limitations, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process.

To explore the full range of services and expertise offered by Silver Fern Developments, call Matt now on 01392 703373 or browse our website now https://www.silverferndevelopments.co.uk/