Choosing Luxury Building Contractors In London

You’ve always dreamed of a luxury home, so you’ve finally saved enough, you have a budget as well as a deadline. Now what you need is professional luxury building contractors in London. But with a myriad of building contractors out there how do you find one that suits your needs especially if you would like to have a high end loft conversion? Where do you start? To make your search less daunting, here’s what you need to do when looking for a contractor in London to help build your luxury home:

Ask Questions

Building your luxury home isn’t a task you want to delegate carelessly. Being inquisitive is one way to ensure that you select an experienced, qualified, and reliable design and build expert for your project. Ask questions before you hire, after – and all the way through to the completion of the project. After all, it’s your building. Some of the questions to ask include:

  1. Are you licensed, insured and certified? A contractor that is licensed and insured means that they have the professionalism and qualifications to build your luxury home. Insurance protects you and your property in case of damages and accidents. Make sure that you see a copy of their license and certification of insurance.

A certified luxury building contractor in London means that they are members of an association and must, therefore, offer integrity of services and top-tier craftsmanship. Moreover, members of an association agree to adhere to a code of ethics that encompasses compliance with permits and London building codes. They also must follow all the requirement for the loft conversions planning application.

  1. How many jobs do you tackle at a time? Consider the size of the contractor’s company when asking this question. This will give you an idea of how much time and resources the contractor will devote to your project.
  2. Do you typically work with luxury building projects in London? Never forget that there’s always apples and oranges. Luxury building contractors in London will also be as good as their previous projects. An experienced and professional contractor will have not only a great track record in luxury building projects but also a solid reputation with clients and even suppliers.
  3. Check all the builders will be working and what is the price for the building work. Work with professionals not the cowboy builders. It less hassle and easier to go with the company that has in-house architectural team. Most companies will outsource it so check if they have one as it will speed up the work and look more professional. A quote will help to understand the overall and down to the details what it will cost to construct a home.
construction

Do your homework when looking for luxury building contractors, and you will soon have a luxurious, comfortable and unique building.

A new build

Mistakes to avoid when choosing the right builder

Builders are an integral part of any construction project. Your builder’s skills, experience, and expertise level in the industry will determine how well they execute their work and turn your vision into reality. Whether it’s a simple renovation project or a new build, getting a qualified and reliable builder is crucial. You also need to be cautious of any ‘cowboy’ builders as this would in turn cost you a fortune. But what are some of the mistakes you should avoid when hiring a suitable builder for your new build?

A new build
A new build

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a builder for your new build

Hiring an unqualified builder for your new build is one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make. You need to be diligent when finding a suitable builder for your project. Most times, you’ll find that incompetent builders tend to offer some of the best deals. Most homeowners make the mistake of choosing a builder simply because their deal is too good instead of being thorough. Some of the common mistakes to avoid include the following:

  • Hiring inexperienced builders
  • Opting for the builders with the cheapest quote
  • Fialure to ask for the builders accreditations and documentation
  • Not checking reviews from previous clients
  • Failure to have all agreements in writing
  • Not asking for a detailed breakdown of the quote
  • Paying all the cash upfront

Hiring an inexperienced builder

You need to establish a builder’s experience level before hiring them. Looking at the number of years the builders have been active in the industry will give you an idea of their expertise and skill levels. The more active they’ve been in the industry, the more knowledge they gain.

Opting for the builders with the cheapest quote

Whoever came up with the saying, ‘cheap is expensive,’ wasn’t wrong. This doesn’t imply that hiring an ideal builder should have you breaking the bank either. Getting quotes from several builders is one way to get an accurate estimate that you can use when budgeting and planning for your project.

This way, you can easily choose a builder whose quote is within that range. With the collective estimate, it would be easier for you to spot any cowboy builders that may approach you with below-average quotes.

Failure to ask for the builder’s accreditations

A professional builder should have the necessary documentation like certifications and licenses required to verify their identity and existence.

You should also check if they’re registered with any trade body and whether their membership is active. This will help you establish whether you’re dealing with scammers or trusted builders.

Not checking reviews from previous clients

One way to find out how builders treat their customers is by looking at reviews from their previous clients. Most of them are without bias and they will give an honest review of the builder’s work.

These reviews will help you point out any ‘red flags’ that the builder may have and save you unnecessary trouble.

Failure to have all agreements in writing

The best way to go about any formal agreement is to put it all down on paper. Word of mouth shouldn’t be a reliable way to get into an agreement with anyone. You should be cautious of any builder that suggests a word-of-mouth agreement.

You should also ensure that everything included in the quote is clearly specified in the agreement to avoid any disagreement or surprises while your new build project is underway.

Not asking for a detailed breakdown of the quote

You should be able to clarify with your builder whether the price they give you is an estimate or a quote. An estimate can change at any time since it’s just an approximated value of how much the project might cost whereas a quote is more accurate and can be legally binding if you agree to work with that amount.

The builder should also clearly state all the costs covered in the quote in writing before coming to an agreement. This will help you avoid any unplanned costs.

Paying all the cash upfront

The biggest mistake you can do with a new build is paying all the cash upfront. Most builders ask for a certain percentage for the purchase of materials and whatever else

may be needed for the project. However, it’s very rare to get a professional builder asking for the full payment before commencing the project.

With an idea of some of the mistakes to avoid when selecting a suitable builder for your new build, we can only hope that choosing a reliable builder has been made easier. When the deal is too sweet, think twice! You should always bear in mind that cons have a very lucrative way of enticing their victims.

loft design and build

Choosing a design and build company

Starting a construction project and bringing it to life brick by brick has to be one of the best feelings. The entire process is quite demanding and you can’t afford to be unsure of the contractor you will hire for the job. Choosing an under-qualified company may bring immense losses and for the more qualified companies, finding one that doesn’t affect your budget. When it comes to choosing the right design and build company, we have prepared a list of some of the things you need to put into consideration.

Choosing a suitable building company

You might get spoilt for options when it comes to picking a design and build company since there are so many options to pick from. However, you can’t afford to rush things, especially when choosing a building company. You should ensure that you choose a builder that will not compromise your budget. You have to carefully go through your options to avoid settling for any cowboy builders. 

With the considerations below, choosing the right company will be a no-brainer for you. 

Here are some things you should consider when choosing a building company:

  • Reputation and references
  • Location
  • Previous projects of the company
  • Prize and budget
  • Building design
  • Relevant working experience
  • Licensing, insurance, and bonding

Reputation and references

For any company to be successful, it has to have a good reputation, from its customers and even other companies. A reputable company is almost guaranteed to do a good job. This is because a company’s reputation is its most important asset. During your search, be sure to go through the various reviews to establish whether a company is the right match for your project.

Location

For most building companies, there is a specific area in which the pricing is most competitive. In most cases, building in metro areas is considered cheaper than choosing to build in the more outlying suburbs since it is easier to access materials because everything is close to hand. 

For most companies, a contingency will be added when working away from their comfort zones. With this in mind, you should find a building company that is well represented in your desired area so you can avoid any extra costs all because of builder nervousness.

Previous projects of the company

One of the best ways to choose a building company is to visit some of their previous projects. From this, you will be able to know the kind of outcome you are to expect. You will also establish whether the company can handle both the design and build aspects of your project. This allows you to rate one company’s finished job with another so you know better which to choose.

Price and budget

The pricing and budget have to be the most important things to consider when doing anything. You can’t start looking for the right building company without having a budget. The charging rates for different companies tend to differ but there is such a vast number for you to choose from. 

It’s advisable to get quotes from different contractors so that you can have an idea of what you’re expected to pay. Choose a company that won’t leave you financially crippled all in the name of a good job done. Pick one that fits your budget and is convenient for you.

When it comes to the design, it’s essential to note that getting bespoke furniture is one way to make the most of your money and also get outstanding pieces. But with a professional design and build company, you will get the financial guidance you need.

Building design

In most cases, each building construction company has a particular design that it prefers to specialise in. Get to know how each company does its job and the design it’s well conversant with. Having done this, you are assured of great results since this will be a field the company has expertise in.

Licensing, insurance, and bonding

As someone who is hiring, you will want to make sure that the company you are giving the job to is fully licensed to work within your area. You should ensure the company has adequate property damage and worker insurance in the event of any damage that might occur. 

Last but not least, you will want to pick a company that is bonded so you are protected in the event of the company executing the job poorly or if it is unable to complete the project. In the same way, it’s advisable to hire a qualified mover for your office or home relocation to avoid any unnecessary mishaps.

There are plenty of other things you should consider when choosing a qualified builder such as years of experience, and recommendations from friends among other things. Checking out various builders will help you choose the most suitable option for your project. It will also help you spot the red flags in case you’re approached by any cowboy builders.

Benefits Of Bespoke Fitted Furniture

New furniture is something that can really transform your place from looking old to looking brand new. However, you need to invest in the right furniture to really get the most for your money. While it can be a significant investment, furniture can really bring life back to a room and it can pay off in the end. Below, we will be going over some of the benefits of bespoke fitted furniture.

Benefits Of Bespoke Fitted Furniture:

More Input In The Furniture’s Design.

For one, getting your furniture custom-made is something that is going to allow you to achieve the kind of design that you are looking to accomplish with your room. With a qualified design and build company, you’ll get professional guidance on how to dress up your room exactly how you dreamed up. Getting bespoke furniture will help you maximise the satisfaction that you are able to get out of outfitting your room. That way, you don’t have to compromise on your design by outfitting each room with store-bought furniture. It is a better way to really get the kind of design that you want out of your furnishing.

Have Unique Pieces.

Another benefit that you will be able to get from getting your furniture custom made is the ability to have something that is completely unique. Having furniture that is designed just for you is something that can be really rewarding. Not only will you be able to look around your home and know that you have something completely unique, but it is going to allow you to showcase your design chops and creativity.

Better Quality.

Another major benefit that you will be able to get from getting your furniture bespoke is the fact that you will be able to have furniture that is much higher quality. Having someone design and create your furniture for you is a great way to ensure that you are getting the most value for your money. You will know that your furniture is getting the care and attention that it deserves. Whereas, if you purchased it from a retail store, you would pretty much be limited to getting something that was mass-produced. Therefore, the quality is not going to be nearly as good.

Better Storage.

One of the good things about being able to design your own furniture comes down to being able to customise the storage. By having it designed for you and only you, it will allow you to really be able to come up with the best possible design for your storage needs. Having the ultimate say when it comes to the design of your furniture is a big benefit for those that have unique storage requirements or needs. You will be able to alter the furniture to suit your specific storage requirements which can help you organise your home much better.

In the end, you can’t find a better way to get high-quality furniture than to invest in bespoke fitted furniture. You simply cannot find the same quality at a retail store. Sorry, ikea bespoke furniture won’t cut it. By getting it custom made, you will be able to put more say into the design and any alterations that are made. Along with this, you will be able to get something that is completely unique to your home and something that you can be proud of. Because furniture can dictate the overall value of your home, it can even be seen as an investment into the total value of your home.

Steps To Take To Relocate To Your New Renovated Office

After the new office has been successfully constructed and fully renovated its time to move in. For ay office move to be successful and devoid of any stressing elements, it depends on two things: your preparedness and an apt partnership with the staff in conjunction with an experienced office mover. Size notwithstanding, relocating an office can be a bit more complicated compared to moving a residence.

As with any relocation, detailed preparation is necessary when the whole construction of your new office has been finished. That is why it is wise to create a moving checklist that will help make sure the process is as smooth as possible. With the list, you and your employees can be on task and know which is assigned to who, and therein clear communications as to what as to be done in an orderly manner. On the list, you should definitely have a task to cross-checking whether office removal company is BAR certified and proper insurance in place will only do good.

  1. First Things First
    You should determine the timeframe for the move before you start making the office moving checklist. You will need a detailed schedule to help you figure out the pre-planning time you have, the expected date for the relocation, and the time you will need to reassemble and get organised when you get there. Overall, you should be realistic with the timeframe. For this, you will need to account for things such as the office equipment, furniture, as well as do a comprehensive inventory that also accounts for digital assets and data.
  2. Plan For Downtime And Notify Your Clients
    You should plan for the unexpected; you may encounter a hiccup or two during the move that extends your downtime. You need to inform your business partners, associates and customers about the office move in advance. Make them aware of the projected downtime.
  3. Create Teams To Help Prepare For The Move
    It is hard to plan an office relocation on your own; therefore, never see any of it as a small operation. If you have employees, then make them part of the process. They will be who you need on your side to assist you in preparing. Create teams and assigned a particular task related to the move to each group or individual. Breaking up what needs to be done into multiple teams make it easier to reduce the downtime as you get ready for moving to a new office.
office move

Work With Reputable Office Movers

Lastly, as you play your part and with the help of your staff, you still need some expert input in the process. Relocating the office is a significant job for many companies. However, office-removals-london.net has gained reputation, skills, and experience in an office move. This significantly reduces the hassles making the process smooth therein, reducing the downtime needed for the move. The movers use the latest equipment and innovative moving practices that make the relocation process look simple and with little interruptions.

When Should I Clean My Granite Counter Tops? 

granite counter topGranite countertops are a gorgeous addition to any kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor bar area. This durable stone lasts for many years and gives your home an elegant and pristine look. The shiny and smooth surface is easy to take care of when messes and spills occur. This gorgeous surface can begin to lose its luster and shine over time though even if it was installed with a sealant. Over time this protective layer can begin to wear down, making it easier for bacteria, germs, stains, and liquids to get stuck within the porous areas. Granite counter top cleaning may be the best way to keep your granite counter tops looking their best.

Many stores sell granite counter top cleaning solutions. Unfortunately, many of these products cause more harm than they do good. Cleaning solutions that contains harsh chemicals can break down surfaces over time and cause them to appear dull. This can be avoided if you use green certified cleaning solutions that safely remove dirt and grime during your counter top cleaning.

Healthy Benefits

https://www.sunrisechemdry.blog provides a deep cleaning and protecting of your granite counter tops. Your trusted carpet cleaners who also specialize in granite counter top cleaning use the best cleaning solution on the market. The green certified cleaning solution breaks down dirt and removes carpet cleaningbacteria without causing damage to the granite counter top itself. Using a safe and healthy cleaning solution also provides many other benefits when performing your  counter top cleaning.

The natural granite counter top cleaning solution that Chem-Dry uses has been tested by independent laboratories to prove the benefits it has. The granite counter top cleaning in conjunction with a sanitizer removes 98.4% of all bacteria and germs! This makes your home safer and you can rest assure that nothing placed on these surfaces will become contaminated.

This professional cleaning gets deep within the porous surface and removes dirt, build up, germs, hard water and much more. The non-toxic and chemical free cleaning solution does not cause any damage to the granite itself but actually helps keep it in pristine condition.

The Granite Counter Top Cleaning Process

1) The Cleaning

During the cleaning, granite counter top cleaners will use a special brush to remove dirt, grime and bacteria. This brush cleans within every crevice without causing damage to the granite counter top. Harsh scrubbing can cause minuscule scratches that over time will spread and cause splitting. The special brush that Chem-Dry uses has soft bristles that move in a large circular motion and get within the prose dips and cracks of the granite counter top.

2) Clear Residue

Once the cleaning has been completed the residue is then removed. Once the granite counter top cleaning has been done, the dirt is brought to the surface for an easy removal. This is done to ensure that there is no opportunity for the dangerous particles to make their way back into the granite counter top. The cleaning process does not stop there though! At this point the granite is completely cleaned but now it is bare and can still soak up more dirt and bacteria.

3) Sealant

Normally granite counter tops are installed with a sealant on them. Over time this protective barrier wears down and does not protect the porous granite any longer. A new sealant is applied to the granite counter top after the cleaning. This prevents dirt and bacteria from making its way back into the granite. Sealant acts like a thick barrier upon the surface and penetrates into the surface. This will not only make it easier to clean but also keep it cleaner longer! Unlike many other sealants, Chem-Dry’s high quality sealant dries within just 3-5 minutes rather than hours! There is no risk of bacteria entrance or dirt to make its home in the granite because of this.

4) The Final Step- Polish! 

The final step of the is a good polish! Shiny granite counter tops are always the most beautiful and extraordinary. Chem-Dry finishes off their granite counter top cleaning with a polishing to bring back that shine and glisten it once had. Your granite countertops will not only look phenomenal but they will also be healthier and safer for you to enjoy!

Chem-Dry provides wonderful granite counter top cleaning and renewal that will leave your kitchen, bathroom and more looking and feeling phenomenal. It is recommended to get your granite counter top cleaning done every year- year and a half to ensure its life and keep them looking beautiful. Get your granite counter tops cleaned today and love your counter surfaces once more!

Construction Builders Tips For Newbies

construction builders tipsDo you need construction builders tips and aren’t sure of what you can trust? It’s a good thing you came here because you will now get information that is useful and that will help you to save money. Always be sure to learn more about construction before you get started with it.

There are a lot of people that just think they can build something without a plan. That is never a good thing, because if you are not sure of how the build will go it can seriously cause you problems in the long run. Just one wrong piece here and there can create problems in the long run for you. If you’re not good at designs, you can hire someone to come up with blueprints for you if you need them to. Learn how to read design plans, too, so you can build anything.

Figure out a price that is fair for the project. From the materials you have to buy to the work you are going to do for someone, it’s best for you to know what you’re going to make so you know if it’s worth your time. If you have people on your team that are going to be building with you, then they have to be paid a wage. Usually, you pay people by the hour so make sure you add that in along with any taxes that they are going to have to pay so you’re not losing money on the job.

When working on commercial buildings or homes, make sure you know what the building codes include. You must avoid trying to just guess at what is legal or what you’re able to do without getting fined. If you have someone come out to inspect the property during the build, you could potentially get in some trouble if you are trying to cut a few corners here and there. Even if you don’t get caught now, later on when someone is using the building they could learn that there were issues you ignored and that can cause problems for your reputation.

The builders that are trained and have more experience than others make more money. If you’re not skilled in building at this point in time, you can start to build a portfolio by charging a little less so that people pick you even if you’re not showing them a lot of references. Once you have a lot of good experience, you can start to see that there are more and more people that are interested in what you have to offer. Make a website or have a place where you can store photos to show clients later to get more work.

When you get construction builders tips like these here, you can expect them to work with your needs as long as you are careful. You need to avoid doing any work that you don’t get information on first. That way, you’re not stuck with bad results that cost you money in the end.

Building Construction Process

house contractor

Here we want to share information with you that can help when you want to work with construction. The building construction process starts with a design and ends with you having built whatever it is you worked on. These tips make it easier to see where to get started and where you can go with this.

First, you are going to have to work on what your customer wants from you. If they are going to want a new shed, for instance, you need to know what size it should be and what kind of features it has. This is generally something someone will already know about so they will ask you what you can do for them. But, if they don’t seem to know what they want you can always just come up with a few ideas yourself to pass onto them based on what you have done before for other people, if anything.

Having a design drafted is next. You need to have plans that let you know what you are doing every step of the way so you don’t make any mistakes. It can seem like it’s difficult to get everything on paper, but with computer programs or a skilled person doing the drafting work for you it shouldn’t take more than a few days for a small structure or a few weeks for something large. Either way, you never should build something off the top of your head or it could end up not working out that well for you.

There are plenty of materials you have to get together before you even build a home, so make sure you have what you need and then some. You shouldn’t begin if you have barely anything because if you find out there aren’t as many options as you through for some materials, you may have to switch what you’re using. For instance, if you were going to go with a certain kind of wood for the walls you would have to stop and replace what you already put up if something else was all that’s available so you really need to be careful.

The final stage is to actually build. You may need to hire employees or you’ll have to work on this a day at a time but either way try to come up with an idea of when you’ll be done so you can figure out what you’ll have to pay people and just so a client can know what’s going on. Never try to tell people that you’ll be done in a day or two and then keep stringing them along. That’s a surefire way to get bad reviews, so it’s better to overestimate and end the job early than the other way around.

The building construction process you’re going to go through will be different depending on what you’re doing. That’s why you have to take these tips and then just work with the ones that pertain to what you are trying to do.

How To Find A Good One Builders In North London.

Selecting a builder is one of the most important tasks as it has a huge impact on the outcome of a construction or remodeling project. Working with the right people can be the difference between a job which comes in on time and budget and a job which tests both your wallet and patience.

Things to consider when looking for a good builder

Reputation
The best way to choose your builder is by asking your friend or colleague for a recommendation. A builder who has done a good job for somebody you know is a good sign that they have a good track record. Ask that person if you can go and see the work the builder did for them.

If possible, it can be a very good idea to speak to former clients and ask them about a certain builder. Did the builder give an initial quote that matched the final costs? How was the quality of the work the builder offered? A client’s happiness should always be a builder’s number one priority even after a project is finished.

Professional trade unions
It can be a good idea to approach an accredited and professional trade union such as The Federation of Master Builders or FMB in short. The FMB and other unions only allow those builders with a great track building record and those that are fully competent at doing the job.

FMB will first take up several references from the builder or make site inspections to inspect the builder’s work. A builder will also have to meet other requirements before becoming a member such as supplying professional references from a local building control officer or an accountant.

Just select builders registered with the FMB and pick 2 or 3 builders and ask them to come and look for them and ask them for the quote of your project. You should avoid working with builders whose membership isn’t active.

Level of customer input with projects
A good builder will always allow you to be involved with their work. You should be in full control and input with your project through every single stage of development. Ensure that you ask any builder detailed questions about client control and input. If they seem uncomfortable by these questions, keep looking.

Communication
Good builders in London are usually pro-active when it comes to communicating with their clients. The builder should not only be responsive to your questions but also provide full information before you even ask for it. A good builder is usually concerned about how comfortable you are with the progress.

Before settling on a builder, you need to know how the builder will communicate with you and how often. Get as much information and specification as you can before starting any projects with any builder in London.

There are many reputable builders in London and what you need to do is to follow the tips in this article. You can get high-quality structures with a little research, time and understanding. The process of finding a good builder should never be a daunting task if you are willing to do some homework.

North London Specialist

We have covered various factor what to look out for when choosing north London specialists who will do a good job. To recap make sure they are reputable, pro-active and has FMB. This should be a good start to help you with your search.