Garage Conversions – Creating More Space in Your Home
Garage Conversions are becoming more popular as a great way of creating more space in your home. More and more people are choosing to utilise their garage space and convert it into a more useable room. We have done garage conversions for people that have converted their garage into an office space, a new bedroom, a gym, a living room, a utility area, a bathroom and one customer who made a fantastic cinema room.
Creating the Space
If you have a garage, the chances are it is used as a storage area rather than a space for your car. In most modern homes the garage space is quite small which is not great for bigger cars and SUV’s. More and more people are considering utilising the mostly unused space and changing this into a room that can be used for a variety of purposes such as another bedroom, a living area, or a utility space or bathroom.
Garage Conversions give your home the extra space that most families need. The great thing about converting your garage into a liveable space is that in the majority of cases it is not an overly complicated process. The main changes are swapping your garage door for a brick/window, choosing appropriate flooring, working out the required electrics into the space and boarding and plastering the walls. The building/footprint of the space is already there so there is not the need for the extensive building work that you would need when creating an extension.
Matching Your Brickwork & Windows
One of the first things that would be done is to match the brickwork and the windows on your home. This enables the front of your home to look like the new garage conversion was always part of your home. Matching your brickwork is commonplace for a lot of construction companies who are either creating an extension to your home or doing a garage conversion so that chances are that a perfect match will be found. With the windows, the majority of homes will have UPVc windows in the property so finding a suitable match will be no problem.
Electrics & Plumbing
Once you have decided what the space is going to be used for, be it a bedroom or living room or utility, the next thing to plan is what electrics, lighting or in the case of a utility or bathroom, what plumbing is required. Discussing electrical points or plumbing points is an important part of planning your new room and the contractor will make sure that the necessary work is undertaken to give you the amenities that you need.
Boarding and Plastering
When the electrical and plumbing first fix has been done, another stage will be to board and plaster the internal walls. Sometimes it is necessary to look at insulating the walls to ensure the new space is warm and as cosy as the rest of your home.Once the boarding and plastering is completed you can look at the decorating options for your new room. Again depending on the type of room you may want to either paint or wallpaper the walls or even look at tiling for a utility or bathroom. The contractor should be able to give you the right advice on what will work well for your new room.
Choosing you flooring
The choice of flooring can largely depend on what you are using the space for. For a bathroom or utility you are likely to want the space tiled. For living areas or bedrooms you may want carpet, wooden flooring or laminate.There are times when the height of the sub-floor or the original floor in the garage will need to be raised to match your existing property. This is not uncommon an the majority of contractors will be able to do this without any issues at all.
The flooring can also make a huge difference to the final look and feel of the room. Make sure you take the time to choose the most suitable flooring for your new space.
Internal Finishes
The final touches of a garage conversion would be to match the internal finishes in the new room to your existing property. These final touches would include the skirting boards, the light fittings, the switches and sockets and the internal door from the garage conversion into the home.Thinking of Getting a Garage Conversion
If you’re considering getting a garage conversion, check out our page on Garage Conversions for inspiration on projects we have done. Alternatively, if you would like a free no obligation quote, feel free to contact us on 0151 545 1400
- Published in Building, Garage Conversions, Home Improvements
Get Your Home Ready For Summer
Is your home ready for summer? You may be pre-occupied with holidays, festivals, BBQ’s and all other summer plans, but why not give your home a fresh summer glow and get your home ready for summer.
Giving your home a summer look should focus around having fresh, light and open spaces. You don’t need huge renovations, but with the right creativity and changes, you can turn your home from a cosy winter fortress to an open, bright hospitable summer home.
Celsius Home Improvements have compiled 5 ideas to get your home ready for summer.
Bring the outdoors in
Spending as much time as possible outdoors is all we want to do in the summer months, and it’s easy to bring the outdoors in with a few adjustments to your home.
Patio doors or bi-fold doors can really help accentuate a light, airy feel and create seamless access between the outdoors and your home. Not only do these doors look stylish they are perfect for hosting summer gatherings. Even when closed and the weather isn’t so good you won’t sacrifice anything, with the large glass panes allowing the light to flood your home and create an un-obstructed view into your outdoor sanctuary.
If you aren’t thinking about this much of renovation or your budget doesn’t stretch that far then why not add some green. By adding some easy to care for indoor plants and allowing nature to influence your home decoration you can really bring an element of summer inside. Take a look at some of the best indoor plants here.
Head to your nearest garden center and get choosing.
Get a colourful front door
A trend that we are seeing a lot more of recently is more and more people going for colourful front doors. Choosing a front door can often be overlooked or brushed passed when thinking about freshening up your home, but the right front door can add style, freshness, curb appeal and fun to your home.
This idea offers a unique perspective on home décor, but it can really liven up your home. Look at some of our options here.
Update your outdoor space
Summer is the time for socialising outdoors, so it goes without saying that you should have a well-kept outdoor space. Create a welcoming and hospitable outdoor space that can be enjoyed by everyone. Summer is the perfect excuse to buy some new outdoor furniture or a new BBQ, but if you’re stuck for ideas look at an article we put together here.
Get rid of some clutter
Clutter can really weigh down your home, excessive mess laying around can make your space feel stuffy. Why not freshen up your rooms with a de-clutter. This is also a chance to purchase some seasonal products that can add something summery to your home. Freshen up your bedsheets with lighter covers, put your winter pillows and blankets in storage and create a lighter space.
Even re-arranging your furniture can change the feel of your home, push the sofas to the side to open your living area. Forget about the formal dining area. Think laid back, eat at your breakfast bar or outdoors. Nobody wants to be stuffy and confined on a bright sunny day so move the telly to one side and make your outdoor area a focal point.
Clearing some of your surfaces can make your home feel ready summer. This also gives you a chance to purchase some natural accessories such as woven baskets that add a real summery feel and give you storage space without sacrificing a summer flair.
So, open the windows and let that warm summer breeze flow through your home.
Think about summer scents
So, you now have your home looking ready for summer, it’s now time to get it smelling like summer. When choosing a fragrance for your home its important to choose one that makes you feel happy. Choose a summer fragrance that matches your new look, think light, fresh and floral. If you love the comfort of a candle or you prefer scented oils, summer scents can brighten up your mood. Get some summer scent ideas here.
Summer is the time to enjoy and love your home and put all that handwork to good use. So, dust off the winter blues and enjoy a bright, fresh summer home.
- Published in Bi-fold doors, Building, Home Improvements, Uncategorized
Get Your Home Ready For Winter
It’s that time of year where summer seems like a distant memory, the days are short and cold with much more time spent indoors. With this, you want to be as comfortable as possible, so you need to make sure that you get your home ready for winter.
There are many different things you can do to prepare your home but these tasks may seem easy to put off until its too late.
That’s why we’re here to help, we have compiled a list of things you should do to get your home ready for winter.
Check your boiler and heater
Having no heating or hot water can be a real problem on bleak winter days, and all you can do to resolve it is a simple maintenance check.
Contact a gas safe registered company to get a certified engineer to make sure you’re not going to end up in any preventable issues when the winter really kicks in.
Look at our plumbing services here.
Secure your roof
It’s important that your roof is secure enough to stand the winter onslaught. You should take the chance to check for loose tiles as heavy snow and strong winds can wreak havoc on an unprepared roof.
It may also be a good chance to think about changing your conservatory roof if you have one. The winter months may see your conservatory neglected but with a lightweight roof system, this can mean you can enjoy your conservatory all winter. Find out more about solid roof conservatory’s here.
Keep central heating on
To save money on your bills and avoid any frozen pipes it can be useful to keep your heating on a timer and set to low heat throughout the day. Rather than turning the heat up high when you feel cold, keep it an all-around warm temperature and reap the benefits.
Prepare your windows
This is not the time of year to be letting the elements in due to ill-prepared windows. If you’re experiencing drafts or condensation, it’s probably time to upgrade. Our windows are designed to make your home feel safe and comfortable.
Amongst our choice of windows, we also supply secondary glazing, which can be applied to your existing windows for increased energy efficiency and insulation.
Make sure your windows are prepared and check our range here!
Clear gutters
Be sure to keep gutters and downpipes clear from leaves, moss and other material that can cause blockages. If not, water can fracture pipes if it freezes in them or causes quicker deterioration of soaked wall faces in frosty conditions where gutters spill over. You want to make sure that water runs away from your house, so a blocked gutter can cause much more serious problems.
Winter is a time of year you want to be warm and enjoy the comforts of home, so keeping on top of these issues and making sure your home is in working order can prevent unexpected, unnecessary headaches. So all you need to do is sit back and relax and enjoy the comforts of winter.
- Published in Building, Conservatories, Home Improvements, Solid Roofs, Uncategorized, Windows
What window colour is best for your home?
Do you know what window colour is best for your home?
Choosing the right colour for your windows can be a task you may overlook, but colour can be one of the most important design aspects to your home. Picking the right colour can be the most dramatic and personal statement you can make in your home project.
How to choose the right colour
With a magnitude of different colours to choose from it is possible to be overwhelmed, so it is essential to understand what colours to choose. It would be better if you chose a colour scheme that you can enjoy for years to come so your colours should work in harmony with the rest of your home.
When choosing the right colour for your windows, you should be aware of the effect you’re trying to create. Choosing a neutral shade can give you great looking windows that work together with your property and compliment the tones of the building.
If you have an older home and want to keep with the traditional look then you would just stay with the original colour palette, for example, Georgian homes tend to suit white frames.
If you feel like you want to choose a bolder colour for your windows you can make a statement and break up neutral tones. However, it would help if you thought carefully when doing this and should pick up on the property’s surroundings.nds a growing beyond what used to be ordinary, there is an increase in colours such as stylish pastels which create a sense of tranquillity in your home décor. Trends in 2018 have seen the rise in pastel shades so why not be a little bit bolder with your decision.
If brighter colours aren’t for you why not look at the ever growing in popularity Anthracite Grey. Grey is a colour that will work on many different styles, and with so many different shades to choose from each style can create its feeling. Lighter shades of grey can promote character and sophistication on period properties, whereas a darker grey will promote a modern and architectural feel.
Whatever you decide to go with Celsius Home improvements can help guide you along the way, our window expertise will help you decide on the best look for your home. Find out more by visiting our website or call the office now. (0151 5451400)
- Published in Home Improvements, Windows
6 Inspiring Ideas For Outdoor Living Space
With summer seemingly never going to end now is the perfect time to make use of your outdoor living space.
It can be easy to overlook your outdoor area as a living space, but by bringing your eye for interior design outdoors, you can create an outdoor living space that can transform how you spend time at home. Think further than deck chairs and plastic furniture and utilise whatever outdoor space that you have to create a haven to suit your personality.
We have compiled inspiring examples to get your creative brain working and to inspire your next renovation.
Lighting
By introducing lighting outdoors, you can enjoy your new space well after the sun goes down. Not only does light have a practical element it’s a great way to set the ambience for your outside space. You can use lighting creatively to illuminate the focal points of your living area.
Upwards facing lights on trees or your home can accent the structure, while you can create softer, cosier glow using lanterns and downward facing lights.
Decking
Having a solid base is almost imperative when you are building your dream outside space. A great option when creating your new decking is composite decking. Wooden decking used to be the popular choice. However, composite decking has now taken over as the new desired surface.
Composite decking looks excellent while being maintenance free; you can achieve your desired service without having to worry about sun fading, cracks or bowing. Composite decking will last around 20-30 years and requires occasional cleaning only, and with every board being the same colour and texture the finish is considerably more consistent than a timber deck.
Find the best location for your outdoor living space
When designing your outdoor living space picking the best spot is very important. To get the most out of your new space, you want it to be comfortable and inviting, an area that accommodates your furniture and comforts.
A lot of the time your new space would be for activities like enjoying food or a couple of drinks, therefore locating your new area adjacent to your property will be ideal for practicality.
Furniture
Having the right furniture in your outside living area is probably the most crucial decision you will need to consider. It’s arguably the most enjoyable part as well as it allows you to express your creativity and eye for style. You can have fun and play around with different ideas to create a comfortable, cosy area to be enjoyed by you, your family and friends.
Garden furniture doesn’t need to look like garden furniture, you can think further than deck chairs and side tables. Introduce a broad range of comfortable furniture items, such as couches, bean bags, cushions, blankets even outdoor rugs. You should look to arrange your furniture so that it strategically creates a well thought out area that is practical and comfortable.
When choosing your outdoor furniture, you ideally need durable, weatherable, lightweight furnishings that have low maintenance costs. Sitting outside becomes much more inviting and comfortable when you add your personal touches. Whether you want to use your outdoor area for dining or just relaxing you can make it customisable with the right furniture.
Garden Rooms
When the weather begins to turn and the colder days start to arrive many people tend to neglect outdoor living spaces. However, by introducing a garden room to your property can make the most of your outdoor area whatever the time of year.
Adding bi-fold doors to your garden room will be a shrewd addition also, the bi-folds will open your room up while offering the protection that it needs during the harsher months.
Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace can be captivating in your outdoor space. Having an element of fire can automatically transform an ordinary space into one that is inviting and warm. Introducing a fireplace in your outdoor living space can be perfect to keep you outside enjoying life on summer nights, and it can also be a beautiful winter feature on a crisp day.
With a wide array of fireplace ideas to choose from you can select an option that works best for your budget. There isn’t a right or wrong choice when selecting your fireplace as there is nothing like a fire for conjuring up a welcoming atmosphere.
Whatever the ideas you have for your outdoor living space you should aim to create a friendly space that you can benefit from many times throughout the year.
- Published in Home Improvements, Uncategorized
Optima Windows for your Home
It’s important to have as much product knowledge as possible before making a purchase such as windows. That’s why we have compiled an in-depth article to help you learn about Celsius Home Improvements range of Optima windows.
Why Optima windows?
Celsius’ Optima windows are some of the most energy-efficient 70mm systems available. The components and options allow the fabrication of windows that perform to the best quality. Celsius can cater to all customer needs; triple glazed frames are available if you require the highest level of insulation. However, if you are on a budget, you can still get excellent insulation without breaking the bank. Our windows work at the top end of the energy efficiency scale, and they can reach the latest A++ WERs and an excellent U-value of just 0.8 W/m2K.
Celsius’ Optima windows are the ideal system. They are produced using state of the art equipment and tooling to guarantee exceptional quality and high environmental standards.
Our windows can achieve a 0.8 U-value as well as being well insulated. We have such high performing windows due to having more chambers which gives a much better thermal performance. An extensive range of cills, baypoles, accessories and packers give our windows better ancillaries. Our Optima windows have the best range of choice on the market giving you more ways to offer affordable and energy efficient windows.
What makes Optima windows better?
- Deeper drainage channels carry water away quickly improving weather performance.
- A central Eurogroove gives superior security and strength.
- Deep add-on legs allow increased tolerance during frame installation.
- Strategic, local wall thickening for better screw and hardware retention.
- Secure bead system passes security tests without glazing clips and is ready for proposed enhancements to PAS24.
- 10mm overlap for improved weatherability.
- Narrower frame for more light and improved solar gain.
- Can achieve U-values of up to 0.8, and WERs of A++.
Celsius’ windows are ideal for replacement windows, new windows, self-builds and commercial applications. Contact us today for a free no obligation quote.
- Published in Home Improvements, Windows
A Guide to Window Styles
The time has come you need new windows. Your old windows just aren’t doing the job they once did. But what now? With so many window styles to choose from picking your next windows may seem like a daunting task. Especially when you want them to look good while performing to the highest standards.
To help give you some guidance and make your decision easier. We have compiled an in-depth look into a variety of different window styles and their capabilities.
Casement windows
Casement windows are best suited in modern or period properties as the system is adaptable, stylish and high-performing. The casement windows product features include 10mm cover on weather seals, Yale hardware, sculptured edge design, five chamber sash, six chamber outer frames, 28 and 40mm glazing as standard.
Balance is imperative when it comes to Casement windows. Our windows are designed to provide slim aesthetically pleasing windows without sacrificing strength. Celsius’ Optima windows can achieve a WER of A+++ and U-value of 0.8W/m2K.
French Casement windows
French casement windows are ideal for cottages and smaller window apertures. Our windows offer exceptional weather-tightness and thermal insulation and the thermal insert for improved insulation to suit all budgets.
Despite a traditional appearance, Optima windows are very advanced. The casement windows have a sculptured profile with a simple but elegant design. The windows have bubblex gaskets that offer consistent compression. While also sealing the windows to prevent air leakage. The deeper drainage channels clear water away from the frames and sealed-units to avoid damage. These windows are ideal for any budget and property.
Tilt and Turn
More people are appreciating the practicality of Tilt and Turn windows in their home. Tilt and Turn offer many opportunities to all sorts of properties but are ideal for homes with access restriction or homes near a busy road. Celsius’ Tilt and Turn windows have a light and streamlined look but a reliable and robust performance. The tilt and turn windows have high levels of insulation and weather protection.
Glazing gaps can range from 24mm right through to 44mm; you can also get thermal inserts to enhance insulation. Our windows always reach the customer demand for high specification windows, with energy ratings of A++ and U-values of 0.8 W/m2k. Our Tilt and Turn windows are simple to operate and maintain while they incorporate all the advanced security hardware.
You can choose from a vast choice of woodgrain and coloured foils, including dual-coloured options and flat textured finishes.
Flush casement windows
The windows that we use created by Optima replicate the original features of timber casements accurately while giving superior thermal performance over rival products. Our windows have a four chamber sash, six chamber outer frame and 24mm glazing as standard.
Celsius offer different styles on casement windows, such as;
- Traditional style – These windows keep the conventional casement style while improving the product. A dummy sash provides a balanced look for frames with fixed lights, and there are foiled options which include period colours.
- The Blacksmiths art – Our monkey-tail handles show homage to hand forged hardware from the past.
Even with a lot of focus placed on appearance performance hasn’t been neglected. Our windows have 24mm double glazing, an A-rated window and an effective U-value of 1.4W/m2K is achieved with ease.
Contact Celsius Home Improvements now for a free no obligation quote here.
- Published in Home Improvements, Windows
The Best Front Door For Your Home
There are many options to consider when choosing a front door that is perfect for your home. Take a look at what you need to know to help you make the right decision.
Your front door will remarkably alter the appearance of your home. Meaning that with some consideration and planning you can make your home stand out at first sight. You may consider other options to make your home aesthetically pleasing. But, when the front door is the first thing that you and visitors see. Why wouldn’t you want to make it a statement piece?
You can choose from a vast array of different colours, styles and hardware configurations to make your dream door a reality.
Pick your Material
When choosing your door, you want to pick the best material to suit your needs. Selecting the right material is probably the most integral part of the whole decision-making process. You could consider a timber door; however, this would require some maintenance. You would also have to be aware of how open it was to the elements and whether it will withstand water ingress.
One of the most popular and stylish looking front doors are composite doors. With a composite front door, you can improve the beauty of your home with an exterior door that combines the aesthetics of timber with all the benefits of modern materials. Our composite doors provide class-leading security and insulation standards, in a made-to-measure package that’s virtually maintenance-free. You can completely personalise your doors with a massive range of styles, glazing options and design details. Making your entry will look sensational for years to come. Unlike timber doors, Composite requires no rubbing down, painting or varnishing. They won’t swell, warp or rot, whatever the conditions. They’re also highly resistant to dents and scratches, so they’ll look every bit as good in 5 or even ten years’ time.
Alternatively, you could choose a uPVC front door. Although a Composite is the better option uPVC doors tend to be cheaper, however, if you can afford to pay that extra money composite doors should be the option for you to choose.
Pick your style
Making the most of your front door often comes down to pairing it with the style of your home. Meaning that if your house is a more of a modern style, more times than not a contemporary style door will suit your house best.
Most doors are in two categories:
- Contemporary / Modern
- Traditional
The best advice on choosing a style may seem obvious but keeping it in conjunction with your home is key to get the most out of your product.
Pick your colour
Composite doors can be painted in most colours to suit your specification. Timber doors can also be very versatile when it comes to colour and finishes, and you can play around to satisfy your need depending on the type of wood that you use.
Aluminium doors are slightly more limited on colour but not as much uPVC which tend to be only available in white and most suited to a tight budget.
Pick your hardware
When picking a front door, you can customise it to suit your style with the introduction of hardware.
There is a massive array of choice to create a door that is individual to your style. From the handles to the letterbox you have the option to accessorise your product. Types of hardware you can purchase for your door include;
- Lever handles
- Knockers
- Pull bars
- Letterboxes
- Spy holes
- Letters and numbers
It’s important to know how much you want to spend when looking to purchase your front door. Of course, the more you spend usually reflects on the quality of a product. However, you shouldn’t have to pay the earth to get a good quality front door. You can pick up a front door off the shelf for cheap, but you aren’t guaranteed the sufficient insulation nor security to what you would when purchasing from a specialist company. When buying your door though you should always make sure that the company offers a robust 10-year guarantee, which Celsius Home Improvements provides.
You can get more information on sizes and specifications on our website or contact us today for a free no obligation quote by clicking here.
- Published in Doors, Home Improvements
How to Add Value to Your Home
Wanting to add value to your home is usually the main reason that a person would look to develop their home. Working your way up the property ladder is an achievable goal, but you need to know how to maximise the value of where you live now.
The co-op insurance conducted a study in which it found that 60 percent of homeowners had added value to their property with renovations. As well as finding that people had typically spent £18,224 and seen a £14,900 profit.
Whether you are planning on selling or just looking to add long-term value by investing in your home, this article will cover the best ways to achieve this.
Garage conversion
A well-done garage conversion can potentially add 20% value increase to your property. A lot of garages are left empty and unused meaning wasted space. Converting your garage doesn’t have to cause a headache either, if it is attached to your property then converting to a habitable room shouldn’t cause an issue. To find out more about converting your garage read here.
Kitchen Refurbishment
Kitchens are becoming the focal point of a lot of homes due to the popularity of open plan living, and a well-done kitchen refurbishment can add up to 6% value increase. When updating your kitchen, it’s essential to keep expense in proportion to the size value of your property. A clean looking kitchen is necessary both to buyers and valuation surveyors. When revamping your kitchen, there are fundamentals to consider such as shape and position. You may also decide to make structural changes, or you may relocate it. However, you can make a big difference to your kitchen by making modest changes to the fixtures and fittings. New doors and handles and other soft touches can make a massive difference to your existing kitchen as well as energy efficient appliances. Head to our kitchen page here for inspiration for your home.
Conservatory / Orangery
Extending your living space is always a good idea if you have that opportunity. A conservatory or orangery can be an excellent way to achieve this if done well. This means making sure that they are proportionate to your home and matches the style. You don’t want the build to look separate to the rest of your home. At Celsius, we always give the best advice on what’s right for your property. We can deliver bespoke designs to enhance your property. An orangery can also offer a fantastic alternative to the traditional conservatory. The additional use of brick built pillars means an orangery has a feeling of an extension at a fraction of the price. Allowing glass windows and roof to give an airy and bright feel to your home. Read more about Celsius’ Conservatory and Orangery installations here.
New Bathroom
Redeveloping or adding a new bathroom to your property is usually a good investment. A new bathroom can add 2.88% value to your home. To get the most out of a new bathroom creating an ensuite is the best option. However, you can also remodel existing space. Ideally, there should be a toilet facility on every floor that has bedrooms. Therefore, if you are converting the attic, try to include a toilet, if not a full bathroom.
Keeping the existing layout of a property can be an excellent way to keep costs down when updating your bathroom. Moving sanitaryware could mean relocating soil pipes and so forth which can become expensive. A bathroom doesn’t need an awful lot doing to increase value on your property. It can be more about the features that you put in. You can make a considerable difference with a set of new taps, a big shower head and power shower, a glass screen or door.
Extension
When deciding to extend your home, you can add a few rooms or extend existing living space. Your extension can differ from adding extra square feet to your home to make an open plan living area. You can also undertake a much more significant project like second-storey addition. An extension can potentially add up to 10% value to your property. To reach its full potential your build will need designing carefully so that the new space is integrated well with the original home.
During the planning process of any extension, you want to develop the rooms to be as big as possible, without sacrificing too much of the outdoor space. Our experienced team at Celsius can make the design stage as comfortable as possible. Read our pages here for more information. The most critical process for any extension is choosing the right people to do it. Read our comprehensive guide for selecting the right building company here to make your decision streamlined.
Loft Conversion
A safe investment for your home and one that can be carried out relatively easily requiring the layout of your home suits is a loft conversion. Converting your loft can be the easiest way to add an extra bedroom in your home and depending on the size of the space possibly an extra bathroom, which can add up to 10% value. For more information read our loft conversion page.
Replace windows
Replacing your windows with the most energy efficient and up to date windows available can be seen as essential to add value to your property, although thermal efficiency is significant, in higher valued features you will need to address the aesthetics of your windows. Look at the vast range of windows that Celsius offer here.
- Published in Building, Conservatories, Home Extensions, Home Improvements, Orangeries, Windows
Choosing the right building company
You need to make the right choice when it comes to choosing the right building company for you. With so many companies vying for your business, it’s essential that you do some research to make sure you pick the best company.
Online searches, general enquiries, word of mouth recommendation and general marketing can be good ways to find your next contractor. In order to get someone you can develop a relationship with it will be better to delve further.
We have compiled some useful tips on how to choose your next builder. So read further to make your first steps in shaping your dream home.
- In the early stages of looking for a contractor conduct research by searching online. Doing this, you can look for companies that are local to you. Examine their portfolios and customer reviews to get a good understanding of them. Speaking to friends and family who have already had similar work completed is also an excellent early indicator of the standards set by the contractors, so advice from them is well worth considering.
- Once you have managed to get together a shortlist, you would then need to obtain quotations. You will need to have a brief prepared as this is your project. Having a firm idea of what you want from work undertaken will be essential. The company you choose will need to visit the property and survey the project to give you a free quote. A good project manager will consult with you about what is possible in order to reach your house goals.
During your meetings you will need to get as much information in writing as can be provided, you should ask about;
- Site maintenance
- Clearance
- Material supplies
- Time-scales
- Costs
- Disruption
You will also need to ask for confirmation as to whether planning permission is required and if they will need to apply for Building Regulations approval. Having a healthy relationship with your contractor is very important, so you want a professional yet personable rapport. You need to have sharp lines of communication.
- After meeting with a list of possible contractors you should have narrowed your search. A good building contractor will show you other sites and jobs that they have completed, so you should visit other properties, notably ones with similar work. When site visiting make sure to pay attention to the craft and take note of things you like and dislike. Discuss whether this can be translated to your property and bring up any issues that you may not like.
- When you are discussing costs, you will need to agree when and how you will pay. For example, ‘stage’ payments when specific tasks are completed. Some contractors may require payment upfront for materials, however, make sure you pay when the materials are on-site.
Choosing the right contractor can seem daunting, but knowing what you want and developing a good professional relationship you can make your decision easy. Following the steps laid out should lead you to find your perfect contractor one that you can trust and work with to create your dream home.
Celsius Home Improvements could be the company for you
100% of customers who answered our satisfaction survey said they would recommend us to a friend, and as mentioned earlier reviews and previous customer satisfaction can be a crucial indicator when securing your next building company. You can see further accreditation for our work from our online reviews on CheckaTrade and our testimonial page here.
At Celsius, we have the largest showroom in Merseyside so feel free to visit us to help make your decision. We are open 8 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday and by appointment only on Sunday.
We offer free no obligation quotes, all you need to do is call 0151 545 1400 and speak to a member of our team to organise a surveyor to visit your home at a time suited to you.
- Published in Building, Home Extensions, Home Improvements, Uncategorized
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