In our line of business we come across our fair share of unusual projects requiring renovation insurance. One such project that caught our attention recently was the proposed renovation of London’s Keeling House – or, more accurately, the water tank on top of the building. Continue reading…
In terms of the value adding modifications you can make to the exterior of your property, conservatories are among the most effective. First impressions count, and studies suggest that the addition of a conservatory or orangery to a home can increase the home’s value by 15%. Continue reading…
In an attempt to simplify the existing Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2007), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) looks set to replace these with a different set of regulations – dubbed the ‘new CDMR’. Continue reading…
How many of us watch Grand Designs on Channel 4 and become inspired to build or renovate our dream home? A glass covered seashore abode, a rural circular wooden cabin or a palatial column fronted country retreat are all innovative places envisaged by people with big dreams. As the series rolls by and the ‘dream homes’ become ever more visionary, the one constant with all of the projects is the desire to adhere to the ‘eco-friendly’ rules. Each and every build or renovation incorporates environmental awareness into it and in some cases becomes the focal feature Continue reading…
We’re really pleased to announce that our Broker Portal is now up-and-running and ready to process your renovation insurance quotes. Continue reading…
Once upon a time there were areas in the UK considered no-go zones. Shuttered shops, boarded up houses, row upon row of vacant, empty dwellings. Property in such areas couldn’t be given away, let alone sold! Then out of the mist arrived the next big boom town. Life started to filter into the houses, shops began to open their doors and neighbourhoods began to come alive. Continue reading…
There’s been much debate recently around the issue of mansion tax. This follows in the wake of the Labour party’s pre-election pledge to tax owners of homes worth in excess of £2 million. Continue reading…
Even if you follow the clichéd (yet true) advice to love what you do and do it well, it’s often difficult to earn a decent living by following your passion. Whether you bake cupcakes or renovate properties — this is true of any profession. When times are tough it’s easy to stick your head in the sand and ignore the storm. However, the only true solution is to ride the waves in search of better weather. Continue reading…
Although the real estate business blossoming in many places, it’s often difficult to find appropriate locations to develop. Thus settling on a particular location is perhaps the most crucial decision for a real estate developer, and requires research and precise planning. It involves studying demographics, scoping the competition, sticking to a budget, understanding the building and planning laws, and much more. Continue reading…
Everyone would like to think that their renovation project will run to time. More often than not though, this isn’t the case. Continue reading…
