marchitects home alterations

We have project which started in September, and despite all efforts it was not possible to get it wind and watertight before the winter storms hit.  It's always worth considering postponing construction to the period between Easter to Autumn especially if you are still staying in the property whilst work is underway. No one is living in the property we are extending. But it's still demoralising fighting the weather as well as trying to make progress.

Busy managing the construction of a large house extension near Inveresk on the Carberry Road. Timber frames all up but waiting on the bad weather to subside before cracking on with the roof finish work making it wind/ weathertight. This will allow us to forge ahead with the internal finishes. Hopefully this week.  before  present keep you posted Mark Anderson www.marchitectsltd.com

Chasing for information, progress of warrant and planning applications, window subcontractors, builders, roofers, stair fabricators, acceptance of completion, water authorities, and on and on.....thank goodness you employed an Architect. Didn't see the value in one? Let an Architect manage your project from start to finish. You not only get quality control but a professional dedicated to the successful delivery of your project. From the smallest alteration to a house extension or new house. Mark Anderson RIBA RIAS ARB www.marchitectsltd.com

Are you thinking of extending or altering your house to improve the layout and facilities for a disabled relative? Both planning and building warrant applications may be determined for free by your Council if you meet their eligibility criteria. In Scotland building warrant "f ee regulations state that no fee shall be payable where the purpose of the work to which the application relates is to alter or extend a dwelling to improve its suitability for use by a disabled occupant." This can help reduce the cost burden of getting a project designed. We also offer discounts. Mark Anderson www.marchitectsltd.com

Had a number 2 all over yesterday at Paul Smith barbers in support of the MOVEMBER charity supporting awareness for men's health, specifically prostrate and testicular cancer. In need of a hat but its all in a good cause. http://uk.movember.com/about/ www.marchitectsltd.com

I recently attended a seminar on Fabric First approach to the design of houses. In brief, the house-builder improves the energy and air leakage performance of the built elements by front end investment in the quality of the built fabric to exceed current building standards rather than relying on technology such as renewable generation which is often plugged in at the end. It provides considerable benefits in performance. This would seem like common sense, but the built fabric rarely meets the specified performance. The quality of site works is the main culprit. (Ill fitting/missing insulation, following trades puncturing vapour control layers etc etc.) Mark Anderson www.marchitectsltd.com

I was recently called out to give some advice to a couple looking at buying their next door neighbours house in order to extend their own. The viability of the project hinged on the purchase price of the property against what it would cost to extend the footprint of the existing house to match the resulting floor area. However if you don't have a garden large enough to accommodate this extension then this is largely irrelevant. Then it comes down to whether the value of the enlarged house covers the expenditure on purchasing the current and next door properties. If the equation works out then there is no doubt that its is appealing. You don't have to move house to gain the space, the alterations next door need not be significant, and the building work can be contained. www.marchitectsltd.com