Blog
25/07/2013 Why Self Build?
Are you struggling to find a home within your budget that fully meets your criteria? Well you are not alone and self build properties are becoming more and more popular for that reason. Most people searching for a new home will come across issues such as poor energy efficiency, not enough space, small garden etc etc.
So image building a home with everything you require? Sounds good to me. Constructing a self build property could ensure it's as energy efficient as you require as well as the design is exactly to your taste!
Kevin McCloud TV presenter states that much of the housing stock in the UK is made up of 'identikit Noddy houses built at the lowest cost.' he continues 'the government sees self build as a solution to the housing crisis. Self build is greener and empowers people more. It can create communities and makes houses a reflection of their owners.'
But how much is this likely to cost? The average self build project including land, according to Lloyds, would cost around £255,543. You can expect this home, when put on the market, to be worth 20-25% more, if done well. The only stamp duty involved in a self build project is on land, which starts at £125,000.
It all sounds very tempting to me!
Check out the Self Build Portal for tips, ideas and options available.
18/07/2013 Holiday in comfort this summer!
One of our most interesting projects is the renovation of two holiday cottages. These cottages offer 5 star self catering accommodation and both benefit from heat recovery systems (MVHR) supplied by us!
Lucy Weis the owner of the cottages wanted MVHR because after visiting other holiday cottages always noticed a fusty smell and often found mould. This is usually caused by poor ventilation in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Mould and dust mites thrive in these warm, moist areas and airbourne detritus which may cause asthma and other bronchial conditions.
Lucy's gorgeous cottages Red Kite
s Retreat and Buzzard View are able to accommodate up to 12 people and are set in an idyllic rural location, creating a truly relaxing environment.
Lucy commented " When we chose the MVHR system we expressed our concerns about continuing to provide ventilation to the windowless en-suites during summer. ADM Systems suggested choosing a summer by-pass option because it allows cooler air to be fed into these areas. It was the perfect solution to retain the fresh, clean feel throughout the house. " Leaving customers with a truly positive experience!
I know where i'd like to holiday this year, especially in this lovely weather!
Want to hear more? Read the case study in full.
11/07/13 How we helped one family cut their heating bills by a quarter!
One of our homeowners managed to cut their heating bills by a quarter last year! Bet you are wondering how they managed it?
The Kwan family live in a modern house which didn't quite live up to expectations even though it has been designed to current building regulations.
The lack of ventilation caused issues such as condensation and minimum energy efficiency. Instead of struggling with poor ventilation and a poor living environment they fitted one of our systems! Marcus Kwan was so delighted with the system and the reductions in his bills he stated "I would estimate a 20-25 per cent improvement in my heating bills and the issue of condensation has been completelty resolved."
Marcus was also impressed with our service "From the initial enquiry to final sign off, the support from ADM was impeccable."
Want to hear more? Read the case study in full.
We are so pleased we helped the Kwan family achieve a healthier living environment as well as helping them to save money. If you would like more information on how a MVHR can help you contact us now.
02/07/13 Kevin McCloud looking for £1.5 million to fund self build project
Did you know that less than 1 in 10 homes are built and designed to the owners specifications? This is lower than anywhere else in Western Europe and the USA! But accounding to TV presenter Kevin McCloud this is set to change! Along with his company Happiness Architecture Beauty (HAB) they are looking to raise £1.5 million to be able to build customised homes on self build plots! How great does that sound!
The money raised would enable them to build 1,000 self build homes a year from 2018. He has until 24th August to raise £1 million via crowdfunding website Crowdcube, otherwise the money will be returned to investors.
Investors are promised dividends of at least 5% by the end of 2016 and they will also benefit from a 5% discount off a new home! Crowdcube are offering 20% of the business and the minimum investment is £100!
Unlike other schemes that offer kit homes or extensions of existing work, these homes will be customised for the buyers as HAB Housing will be working closely with architects.
"We want to emply architects to do community consultations and the proposition would be for self build to be part of a planning application, where self build makes up a part of masterplan," Kevin continues "We would ask buyers to use our architects to design the homes, or we would ask them to appoint their own."
It certainly sounds like an interesting scheme and I hope they manage to raise the money to help the falling self build industry!
