DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: Erik Mclean
Higher building and construction costs, soaring demand, and lower energy bills are just some of the reasons new-build homes are rising at a much faster rate than existing properties.
A rule of thumb is 1.5 times a joist's depth but in feet when spaced at 16” centers. In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet. Based on all...
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Condensation is what happens when water vapour reaches a temperature low enough to turn back into a liquid. This is called the dew point and...
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The cheapest way to build a shed is by doing it yourself. Hiring someone adds labor costs plus materials, and pre-fabricated sheds are marked up...
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Black Roses, Rainbow Roses and Blue Roses are created by florists. Black Roses, Rainbow Roses and Blue Roses can not produced in nature, they were...
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Millions of workers now have a home office, for example, and no longer need to commute into a city centre. Many new builds have been designed with this in mind, and homeowners can often customise the design and finishings, so when they move in there’s not much else to do. Chris Gardner, joint chief executive officer of the development lender Atelier, says: “New builds are emerging as big winners in the post-lockdown property market – for the simple reason that they are the most likely to offer exactly what buyers want. “The past two years have made people think long and hard about what they want from a home, and the most astute developers have responded by adjusting their designs accordingly. “We’ve financed several developments of a dozen or so homes that are perfectly tailored to what buyers want in that area, and which also boast ultra-energy-efficient designs and sustainable construction techniques.” There are many advantages to a new build-property, which is also why they are more expensive. They come with lower maintenance costs and these homes are generally far more energy efficient which means gas and electricity bills are also lower. Energy bills are a huge topic right and two new measures have been announced by the government to lower costs. VAT for materials needed for energy-efficient measures, such as insulation and solar panels, was cut to 0 per cent in the spring statement and a £5,000 grant scheme for those replacing an old boiler with a heat pump was launched last week, yet costs remain high. In fact, 45 per cent of homeowners have looked into making their property more energy efficient but have found the costs too expensive without government support, according to new research from tax advisers Cornerstone Tax. The price of construction materials has also played a big part in rising costs. The cost of building materials is at a record high, while supply issues have also had a knock-on effect on the price of new builds.
Tips to Keep Your Shed or Garage Cool in Summer Heat Increase ventilation. During the summer months, increasing airflow in the garage or shed ranks...
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Depending on various factors, a 2×4 floor or deck joist can span a maximum of 6' 7” at 16” spacing or 7'11” at 12” spacing.
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Eve McCurrich, managing director of Whiteburn Projects Ltd, a new-build construction company, says: "New-build housing inherently is a higher price comparative to existing housing stock. This is due to a combination of factors. “Recently, the costs associated with construction and development have seen unprecedented inflation due to short supply following Covid, Brexit and now wider geopolitical uncertainty in Europe with the invasion of Ukraine.” The availability of mortgages for new builds is another reason for the rise. The help-to-buy loan scheme, which is only available for new build homes, will end next March, so buyers could be trying to take advantage of this before the deadline. Some experts have also suggested that mortgage providers are more willing to lend to those buying new-build homes because they are seen as less risky than older homes. New builds, for example, typically come with a new home warranty which should cover the homeowner if anything goes wrong. The most common is the National House-Building Council (NHBC) which cover 70 to 80 per cent of the market, according to the Home Owners Alliance. David Hannah, group chairman of Cornerstone Tax, says: “Most mortgage lenders prefer to lend on new-build stock because it comes with NHBC guarantees and I have heard of first-time buyers being turned down for mortgages on second-hand homes but then accepted for a more expensive new-build one.” “The reasons for this are probably that the mortgage lenders regard these as lower risk.”
Vinyl sheds What type of shed lasts the longest? Vinyl sheds tend to be more durable than wooden or metal sheds. They don't crack easily and are...
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The wood of normal exterior plywood is not particularly resistant to rot, as it is glued with weather-resistant glue. For that reason, pressure-...
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Failure to obtain a permit before commencing a project can result in a penalty. The fees are set out in Section 109 of the Florida Building Code as...
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A minimum installation depth of 450mm underground is typically recommended for best practice. This increases to 600mm in locations where there is a...
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