Archive for May, 2010
Those that are looking to make large home improvements such as an extension to their home must make sure they submit a basic drawing of what they wish to do to the department of planning in order to gain approval for such work.
The planning department will look at what you are wishing to do and how it will affect the overall look of the property, and also what impact it may have on any neighbours or other residents. The builders working on the property or the owner themselves will have to submit an application to the building control department in order to assess any health and safety issues, the structural stability of the property any energy efficiency regulation that may be in place.
Drawings which are extremely detailed must be submitted to this department who will then follow this up with a visit from an inspector. Provided the inspector is satisfied with the property and plans then a completion certificate will be issued to the owner. The certificate is very important for quality reassurance and also in the event of the property being up for sale then future buyers may wish to see it.
Failure to gain permission for any work done could result in demolition of the property or even restoration therefore to avoid such hassle make sure you follow the appropriate steps.
Here at Central Scotland Joinery we take care of all the building plans and warrants, ensuring complete peace of mind.
Many men are really looking forward to the world cup kicking off on in South Africa on the 11th June and research has found that they are making preparations to watch the games in comfort from their own homes. A men’s den has become a recent trend; a room with everything a man could possibly want at arm’s length which usually includes a large television, a computer and speakers to allow them to feel like they are there. Surveys are now showing that around 36% of men that build such a place will spend a small fortune on gadget in order to make it a mini home for the world cup season.
The trend is growing as many people are seeing their friends build such a luxurious space and are determined to follow suit. Many men even keep their DIY tools in the den to be ready for any more den improvements that may be needed in case one of the gadgets may experience a fault.
The world cup is about the invade many homes in all different ways, many may feel a den is the best way to keep their men out of the way and to keep the football to one room. Either way many women may wish to give a den budget to avoid a large world cup sized bill.
Effective bathroom extractors are extremely important to consider when making home improvements or when redesigning a bathroom. A good extractor fan should prevent paint work from deteriorating and will help keep a bathroom dry. The extractor will also help mould build up on shower curtains and around surfaces which can cause an unpleasant look and smell. By fitting an extractor fan above a shower can help keep moist air away from a bathroom.
In order to keep your bathroom staying fresh you may also want to consider the type of paint that you use otherwise you may find yourself painting a couple of times year as it can peel and crack. Many experts suggest oil based paints for a bathroom revamp as they avoid moisture penetration and can last a lot longer.
To help keep bathrooms bright and fresh a crisp white lick of paint can do the trick well, they allow light to be reflected and also provides you with a blank canvas in order to update accessories when you want to. Light colour also help make your bathroom feel bigger and with an effective extractor your bathroom will also stay cleaner for longer which for many busy people is a real bonus.
Research conducted by Central Scotland Joinery reveals that Dundee is home to the most accident prone people in Scotland, finding that the average person in Dundee has broken three or more mirrors. The poll also shows that Scottish women are more unlucky than their male counterparts.
One of Scotland’s leading double glazing, conservatory and door installers polled 1,231 people across Scotland in a bid to find out which region was the most accident prone, and found that people in Dundee were the most unlucky, being the place where the most mirrors and panes of glass were broken.
The research commissioned us, shows that of the people polled in Dundee, 52% admitted that they have broken mirrors. A further 18% claimed to have smashed a window in the past.
Of the people polled in Dundee, the majority, 36% admitted that they had broken three or more mirrors in their lifetime. If urban myth is to be believed, each individual will receive 7 years’ bad luck for each broken mirror. In total, the average resident of Dundee can expect at least 21 years of bad luck each. The second most unlucky place in Scotland is Perth, with 49% of people admitting that they’ve broken mirrors in the past – and 32% saying that they’d broken more than three mirrors in their lifetime.
Below are the top 10 places in Scotland that home the unluckiest people, based on the percentage of the public that admitted to having broken mirrors in the past:
1. Dundee – 52%
2. Perth– 49%
3. Helmsdale – 47%
4. Tayport – 46%
5. Aberdeen – 44%
6. Edinburgh – 41%
7. Avoch – 39%
8. Glasgow – 36%
9. Fort William – 28%
10. Hamilton – 24%
Scottish women are more likely to drop glass things than men, with over a third, 34%, of women saying they have broken a valuable possession. However, only 21% of men admitted to breaking anything made of glass.
62% of Scottish men admitted to having smashed a window, compared to 37% of women – with 32% of men admitting that they have broken a window playing football.
Of those polled, 11% have broken a family heirloom. When asked, almost half, 47%, said that they haven’t confessed the fact to anybody yet.
Un-used conservatories have been highlighted as one of the biggest wasters in energy in the UK. A company called the EnergyCrowd has highlighted that the material upvc that is used in many windows nowadays is a good way to keep heat locked into a home and avoid allowing harmful gases they can unfortunately allow the level of heat to rise to what is thought to be unacceptable.
EnergyCrowd has come up with an energy efficient way to install a solar chimney to the side of a building which will then allow warm air, which collects in a conservatory, and redirect it through a home via loft space.
The solar chimney may not be something that is seen in homes around the country however there are other ways to help make your home more energy efficient. Loft insulation is just one of the ways to do this and although it is important for the environment it is also a great way to save money on your energy bills. Taking such measures may sound drastic, expensive and time consuming therefore it is important to consult specialists in order to get the job done properly. DIY mistakes may cost more in the long run if you don’t.
Fire prevention is extremely important, especially in multi-occupancy properties. So, here’s our brief introduction to keeping your home fire safe!
Many people who have an multi occupancy home or are a landlord should consider fire safety when designing a home, or when making alterations to one. It is very important to check the fire regulations in order to make any home improvements. The British Woodworking Federation regulations only direct relate to those in an office building, apartment or multi occupancy homes and communal area it is very important for anyone who is planning any home improvements to take fire safety into consideration. A fire door provides an exit route in an emergency and can also give a property the best chance of preservation therefore ensuring these are in place is vital; it may just save your life or someone dear to you.
Although fire doors may not look quite as cosmetically pleasing they are necessary in ensuring the safety of residents, clients or visitors in any building. Fire doors should be appropriately marked and no obstructions should be put in their way. Landlords should always ensure that their residents know not to make any home improvements that will cover the fire doors and they should consult a professional if they are ensure what the regulations in place are.
More and more Brits are decorating their home for cosmetic improvement; a new lick of paint, some great new wallpaper or by upgrading their kitchen has been found to be the latest way to make home owners happier in their home. This does not however always reflect in an evaluation of a homes selling price, many home owners make amendments based on their taste instead of a generic choice that may attract buyers.
Around 0.3% of homes lost their value according to the latest Land Registry figures between January and February 2010.Many people have now decided to utilise the space that they have in their current homes by converting attic space, garages or by adding an extension. More and more people are however searching for a bargain or doing work the DIY way, it is important that the changes are cost effective but achieve the look they crave.
Figures show that home owners are ten times more likely to want to make their home aesthetically pleasing rather than increase the value of the home. Many people are deciding to invest in their home rather than choose to sell which makes home improvements an outlet for their own self improvement.
Tesco have recently revealed that there are more women than ever scouring the shelves for home improvement products in order to do up their home, a revelation compared to the amount that would have done so ten years ago.
Some say this may be due to amount of single ladies out there, yes the independent women doing it for themselves, which would explain the rise in sales for the likes of paint brushes, paint and of course rollers by 33%. Many women are no longer as dependent on men to be their Mr Fix-it, they are in high powered jobs and are taking their DIY matters into their own hands. In fact 60% of women are now taking their plastic to hard ware stores and supermarkets compared to 20% the previous year.
DIY is a great and affordable way to rejuvenate your home, whether it’s from a lick of paint or by tiling a bathroom. The recession has meant many people have no other option but to do it themselves, however it is important to remember that whether you are a man or a women there are just some jobs that should be left to the professionals.
Many companies often offer great deals as they too are struggling in a recession stricken world therefore why not try companies such as ourselves who offer a free quote – wouldn’t it be nice just to put your feet up, get the job done properly and also get a quote that suits you? On big home improvement jobs this can also save you money in the future as fixing mistakes through botched DIY can often be pricey.
As a company we’re thrilled to be able to donate money to good causes throughout Scotland, including charities, sports clubs and individuals. If you’re looking for sponsorship, simply e-mail us at the following address:
Remember to include what you do, your website address and how much you are looking for. If you are a charity of Ltd company, please include your incorporation details.
Important: As a general rule, we tend to offer a one-off financial donation in return for a permanent mention on your website with a link to our homepage e.g.
“We’re sponsored by Central Scotland Joinery“.
By operating this way, we’re then able to move on and assist other applicants and offer our support throughout Scotland.
In most cases, we endevour to reply to each request within five working days via e-mail. See some of the companies we’ve sponsored already.
Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!
