Level 3 survey before you renovate: what it covers and what it misses
A level 3 survey explained for anyone renovating an older house: what the surveyor inspects, what it cannot see and how to use the report before design.
Blog
Homeowner guides
Guides by Craig Bellamy for homeowners planning an extension, a loft conversion or a renovation: what it costs, what planning involves and how to get the finish right.
Party wall agreements explained for Essex homeowners
What a party wall agreement is, which work the Party Wall Act covers, the notices and timings, and why a record of next door protects you both.
Cowboy builders: how to protect your money on a building project
How to spot a cowboy builder, why a wildly cheaper quote is a warning, and how deposits, stage payments and a contingency keep your money safe.
Do I need a structural engineer for my extension or knock through?
When an extension or knock through needs a structural engineer, what they design, what a padstone is, and when to bring them in. Real Brentwood example.
Kitchen extension ideas from real Essex projects
Kitchen extension ideas from homes we built in Billericay and Cold Norton: the kitchen at the back, a utility for clutter, light and garden doors.
Do you need planning permission for an extension?
When a house extension is permitted development in England, what the 50% rule means, when you need an application and how long planning takes.
Planning an extension, step by step: from first sketch to handover
The stages of planning an extension in order: brief and budget, design, planning, engineer, building regulations, party wall, prices, build and handover.
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