Helping Innovate Property (HIP) – Blog, Housing Market News and Articles

Are you in the preparatory stages of a new build? Maybe you’re ready to bring in an electrical contractor but are worried about how they’ll fare coming up against Part L of the Building Regs? In this article, I’ll be covering how to choose an electrical contractor for a new build that will be required to pass an air permeability test.

What is Part L

In 2006 the government passed Part L of the Building Regs setting the standards for air permeability in certain new builds and extensions in the UK. The Regulation is concerned with the conservation of fuel and power through limiting heat gains and losses via the building’s fabric. Split into 4 parts the documents lay out guidelines for both new and existing buildings.
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It’s a well-known fact that a properly maintained garage can add serious long-term value to your property. However, if fallen into disrepair, or poorly insulated, garages can also act as parasites, siphoning off your fuel energy and allowing the elements in.

First Things First

Before insulating any garage, it is important to know what that garage is going to be used for. Garages can double up as workshops, exercise spaces and games rooms, offices and studios. To know what type of insulation to use it is essential to know what it will be required to do.
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At the end of 2015 the Daily Mail asked a simple question: Has Britain created the most efficient home?The four-bedroom home described in the piece allegedly cost a total of £15 a year to power – including heating, lighting, cooking and water – thanks to a pump for pulling in heat, solar panelling, triple glazing and other insulation.

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In the latest house price index, it was revealed that property in the UK had seen an annual price increase of 6.7%, with the average property now valued at £217,928. Naturally, with a rise in house prices will come an increase in home improvements. Recently, home services marketplace, Plentific.com, ran a survey which found that 1 in 3 renovate their property with the aim of increasing its value. As such, whether buying a new property or updating their current one, many homeowners will plan to renovate to take advantage of the increasing value. Consequently, many areas will see an increased rate of householder development planning applications being submitted to the government. Through these statistics, we can see the latest trends of home improvements in different regions across the UK.

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Previously, we talked about how to survive remodeling your home. We gave advice on what you should do during remodeling, what to expect when you decide to stay at home during the renovation period, and what to see in your kitchen in the early hours of the morning. Today, we’re also going to talk about remodeling but not the usual overhaul that most families undertake after living in the same house for several decades. This time, it’s about remodeling your house before installing solar panels.

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Ask anyone who has stayed in their home whilst they are remodelling what their advice is, they will tell you not to stay in your home during the process under any circumstances. However sometime this is not always an option, especially if you are under pressure financially. Sometimes you just have to deal with the dust and grin and bare it.

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You pull up to your house after a business trip, holiday or weekend away with friends and something doesn’t feel right. You get out of the car or taxi and walk up to the front door, fiddling to find the keys in your bag. The front door is unlocked. Your suspicious feeling grows stronger. You walk into your home and your heart lurches into your throat. Your house is completely ransacked. No corner hasn’t been left unturned and every precious valuable gone. That is not exactly the welcome home party your were looking for.

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People decide to put an extension on their kitchen for a variety of reasons: bigger family, need for more social space or to get some ‘outdoor’ space that isn’t actually outside. Whatever your motivation, a kitchen extension is a great way to add value to your property and is definitely cheaper than moving house all together. Read on to get advice about your kitchen extension.

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When you set of on a new project such as an extension, it is always helpful to have an idea of how much money your project should cost so you don’t get ripped off. Building an extension can be quite a complex project with lots of moving parts that you may want to keep your eye on financially. From the architect to the construction itself, you will deal with several different people. This blog acts as a guideline to how much your extension should cost and some factors that will affect the price of your extension.

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Not all of us have the ability to enjoy a large and spacious bathroom. Smaller units can feel cramped and stifling and, as we are literally unable to avoid these rooms, it is important to realise that even the tiniest of spaces can be imbued with a style and a class of its own. In fact, there are a handful of novel ideas which can be employed to create a stunning, clean and open environment.

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You may have heard the new buzzword in the lighting world? So what is so great about LEDs??

Quite simply LEDs are the future for home and business lighting. As traditional light bulbs are gradually phased out, the answer is not to switch to energy saving light bulbs, but to invest in LED technology.

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