Editor's Blog

NEC Show This Week!

Jason Orme — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:10:41 +0000

We're all looking forward to meeting users of the site and readers of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine at the NEC H&R Show this Thurs-Sun. It promises to be a great event.
One of the highlights for us on the magazine is to meet self-builders in the middle of projects. We've got the usual army of experts ready to answer your questions so come armed with your plans and we'll do our best to help you out.
See you Thursday.

New Building Regs Finalised Today

Jason Orme — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:43:40 +0000

At long last the Government has announced formally the introduction of changes to the Building Regulations. The big news is that homeowners who 'elect' to modify their home through extension/conversion and even replacing windows and boilers will have to meet the new Part L standards (which specify a 25% improvement on energy efficiency requirements on the current standards.

The Perils of Lifts

Jason Orme — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:03:08 +0000

We've met many self-builders - not necessarily those of advancing years - who have expressed an interest in installing a lift in their new home recently.

Sir Stirling Moss's recent travails might make you think twice.

http://www.stirlingmoss.com/articles/news/press-release-following-stirli...

Feed-in Tariffs - They Make Sense

Jason Orme — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:56:34 +0000

Just doing a back-of-a-fag packet calculation for Michael Holmes in the office today - he expressed some interest in solar panels and wanted to see how it would stack up.

It was quite illuminating, and so I'll share it. I can't guarantee these figures are exact but they are pretty close, I think.

The Self Build Master

Pete Tonks — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:34:14 +0000

Turning to page 86 of this months magazine, i happen to see a very familiar smiling face... that of, the one and only, Peter Hutchinson!

This man, without a doubt is one of the most significant names in this industry and was awarded a very well earned OBE in 2007 for his contributions to the building trade.

Green Loans - Updated

Jason Orme — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:15:52 +0000

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the Govt has announced the roll-out, amongst many other green measures, of its Pay As You Save scheme - the green finance initiative.

The problem with many renewable technologies such as heat pumps is their initially high capital cost. This new scheme will provide loans that will be payable out of the money saved (or revenue earned through Feed-in Tariffs) meaning that the capital cost argument against installation is taken out of the equation.

Replacement Dwellings in Conservation Areas

Pete Tonks — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:46:39 +0000

Thought i would share some recent experiences with you on this one....

We have done a large number of these recently and whilst general central and local planning policy indicates that a replacement dwelling within a conservation area is accetpable in principle, you should gear yourselves up for going the extra mile when it comes to the design, content and presentation of your application.

She can have a stove. How much further can a man go?

David Snell — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:10:38 +0000

It’s always very nice when, at Homebuilding & Renovating Shows or elsewhere, people thank me for all my years of writing and speaking. You’d imagine it would make me bigheaded, but the strange thing is that it has quite the reverse effect — I feel quite humbled.

Tories Planning Policy - A NIMBYs Charter

Jason Orme — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:01:34 +0000

Although a Conservative government in May looks less likely than it has done for some time, their publication of a green paper outlining their proposals for the planning system - out today - make interesting if slightly scary reading.

The proposals, in a green paper entitled 'Open Source Planning' - more on that later - could best be summed up by saying, 'We're giving more power to local people to be able to say no to development they object to, and getting rid of national targets, but we'll make sure that houses still get built."

Feed-in Tariffs - Mainly Love, Some Hate

Jason Orme — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:56:38 +0000

The general reaction to the announcement of Feed-in Tariffs earlier this month - you get paid big money to generate your own electricity (more here) - has been almost overwhelmingly positive. Everyone I speak to agrees that the scheme - also known as the Clean Energy Cashback scheme - will revolutionise interest in installing previously onerous features such as Solar PV and even wind turbines.

Feed in Tariffs will Revolutionise Renewables

Jason Orme — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:18:36 +0000

The more I read about the Government's Feed in Tariff and Renewable Heating Initiative announcements last week, the more impressive they become.

In simple terms, they pay you between two and four times the market rate for energy you generate in your home - and extra if you sell it back to the grid. So you're winning both ways - getting an income for everything you produce, and also not having to buy it in from the grid too.

Missing the Point of the Four Year Rule

Jason Orme — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:43:56 +0000

Why do people go to such great lengths, and risk such great financial calamity, to try and subvert the planning system?

The news has been full of stories recently - here's the latest example - of self-builders who seem to hit upon the bright idea of not bothering to get planning permission, build a new house anyway, and figure that 'hiding' the whole thing, usually behind straw bales or basic tarpaulin, is the most sensible course of events.

Man Utd's Gary Neville - Eco Self-build Hero

Jason Orme — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:14:53 +0000

Footballer in 'building amazing house' shock.

Man Utd's captain Gary Neville has submitted plans to build an £8m eco house in Bolton.

It has been designed by Make Architects, headed up by H&R Favourite and Awards judge Ken Shuttleworth.

It's actually very impressive, too. Read the full story here

I Can't Watch Another Self-build TV Show

Jason Orme — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:17:45 +0000

I'm sorry to say this, because I know so many self-builders and renovators got hooked on the notion of creating an individual home because of them, but I simply cannot watch another Grand Designs. I get fidgety sitting through a re-run of Property Ladder. And, despite there being simply nothing else on, I will not watch another episode of Build a New Life in the Country.

Are the Building Regulations becoming sexy?

Mark Brinkley — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:41:24 +0000

Back in 2009, I volunteered to sit on a Steering Committee looking at the future of the Building Regulations in England. They were looking for someone to represent the small builder/self-builder/DIY enthusiast and, as it’s an area I frequently write and talk about, I was interested to see if I could add anything to the debate. But, to be honest, it sounded deadly dull and no sooner than I had put my name forward I began to have regrets. But there were no other volunteers – there’s a surprise – and so I duly headed off to London to put in an appearance, hoping that I wouldn’t let the side down by nodding off during the three-hour meeting.

Free BT Line Connection

Jason Orme — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:43:11 +0000

If you're yet to set up a phone line connection, now's the time - BT's free line connection offer is back.

It's usually £125 to get connected to BT, which in itself is actually pretty good value - but obviously not quite as good as this!

Find out more here

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/free-BT-line-installation

In praise of self-sufficiency

Jason Orme — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:27:11 +0000

Amid the nightmare we've all had over the past week getting to and from work, keeping the house warm, working out how to walk on icy pavements without looking a complete idiot, and so on, I have been listening to our local radio which has come up with an interesting story.

Poor souls in rural areas, it appears, have been having a bit of bother getting their regular oil supply. I heard the boss of a local oil firm here in Worcs saying that he was getting calls from homeowners who were effectively cut off - and the oil trucks had no chance of getting up there.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme

Jason Orme — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:51:51 +0000

The boiler scrappage scheme is launched officially today - good news for the thousands of homeowners - like my dear parents - stuck with an old boiler and a big bill to replace it.

Underfloor heating and cold weather

Jason Orme — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:01:23 +0000

While most of my friends shiver their way through sub-zero temperatures (minus 6 as I walked the dog at 6.45 this morning) that look set to last for another couple of weeks, one of the joys for me and my fellow owners of recently self-built homes is the ability to feel rather smug about modern heating systems.

Some Predictions for 2010

Jason Orme — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:43:38 +0000

I couldn't resist not joining the dozens of commentators looking ahead to what the next year will bring. Looking at our little world of self-build and renovation, here goes:

1. A huge upsurge in interest in renewables. The introduction of attractive Feed-in Tariffs - essentially getting paid to export energy back to the grid - in April 2010 will instantly transform the financial viability of many renewables, in particular PV solar power.

New year, new project?

Peter Harris — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:39:11 +0000

The turkey has had its last hurrah and the first wave of visiting “children” and partners have scampered off back to the city. Thoughts start to turn towards plans for the new year. Will this be the year we take the plunge, put the house on the market and find a new project?

Gardens, Tory planning policy, and the Sunday Telegraph

Jason Orme — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:41:32 +0000

So the Sunday Telegraph - on a weekend where the world's leaders have failed to find an agreement to deal with climate change, thousands of people are left stuck in the Channel Tunnel and, worst of all for this fan, Man Utd lost again - chooses to lead with a story rehashing old stereotypes about 'developers grabbing our cherished gardens to build houses.'

We’ve self-built 12 times, but the excitement is still there

David Snell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:55:39 +0000

We’ve recently moved home again — this time into our 12th self-build project. It’s easy to think that by now we’re getting blasé about our exploits. It’s also tempting to feel that those who chronicle their self-build exploits in H&R are nothing really special, and that we’ve seen and done it all before. But it’s not like that.

Treat Builders Kindly....

Jason Orme — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:20:31 +0000

It's a funny old world for builders these days. There's little work around, and to make matters worse a mysterious body called 'The Payment Council' has decided that cheques are going to be phased out by 2018.

As if builders didn't have enough difficulty getting paid. Still, at least your bad builder didn't resort to this.

Tory Self-build Policy Announced Today

Jason Orme — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:35:37 +0000

Grant Shapps, the boyish Shadow Housing Minister, is today announcing plans for the way self-build will form a fundamental part of the UK's housing strategy under the Tory regime he hopes will form the Govt. next year.

2 Good Things from Alastair Darling

Jason Orme — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:22:42 +0000

For the self-builder, renovator and average homeowner, two good things from today's Pre-Budget Report.

Firstly, 2010 looks like being a good year to change that old boiler (insert slightly old joke about husband/wife here). The announcement today means that, at 'the earliest opportunity in 2010' a scheme will be launched to allow homeowners to claim up to £400 as a trade-in for their old, inefficient boiler. A bit like the car scheme, but for boilers.

Sainsbury's Energy Centres

Jason Orme — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:46:30 +0000

Just had an email from Sainsburys - my local store has just opened a 'Home Energy Centre' which promises, among other things, advice and possibly sales on Solar PV systems "which could provide up to 50% of your home electricity needs", solar thermal systems and, best of all, advice on an "Air Source Heat Pump System", which uses heat generated from the outside air to heat your home and water."

The Green Movement - Barely Scratching the Surface

Jason Orme — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:59:03 +0000

So, a big week for the green movement as the world's leaders gather in Copenhagen. It brings into stark relief the key issues facing all of the economy and our particular corner of it, housing.

The magazine has covered in great detail over the past 10 years the rise in interest in green features for new builds - from energy efficiency (through insulation, solar gain and so on) to renewables (particularly solar panels and heat pumps).

Builders and Price Rigging

Jason Orme — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:47:02 +0000

So, proof in black and white that builders collude on contracts. Not all builders, by any means, and certainly not on all contracts.

But a report just released by the Office of Fair Trading (you can see it for yourself here) lists, in shocking detail, the levels at which builders speak to each other to portion out building jobs and, so the OFT argues, keep prices high.

What actually happens when you fall out with your builder?

Mark Brinkley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:48:49 +0000

What actually happens when you fall out with your builder? Is this when you find out what a contract is good for? Or are there other ways of sorting out the mess? We can start by listing the sort of things that can happen: