UK Home Renovation Questions & Answers  Kitchen and bathroom for best ROI  Eco-friendly building materials for better energy savings  Home renovations popular questions that homeowners ask

A Quick Glimpse on Global Home Improvement Product Sales Market It is estimated that in 2013 total global home improvement product sales market rose 4.2% to £171 billion and are expected to increase by 6.5% in 2014 to £182 billion. Source: HIRI/IHS Global Insight

Kitchen And Bathroom Are Among Popular Home Renovation Projects In United Kingdom In UK, in last 3 years, new kitchen is the most popular home renovation project and the most planned home improvement in coming years new research shows. New bathroom was second most popular at 41% followed by new boiler and central heating at 31%. KitchenKitchen: 59% Bathroom: 41% Bathroom Source: PropertyWire

Did you know that energy saving improvements add 14% to the average property's worth? New research has shown that using eco-friendly building materials to make energy saving improvements to your property in England could increase it's value by 14% on average and in some other parts of the country by up to 38%. Source: PropertyWire

House Refurbishment Questions and Answers Homeowners must answer several important questions before they begin construction projects on their homes. These questions are:

Why home renovation may be the right choice for homeowner over new construction? Many homeowners prefer to renovate rather than undertake a new construction project for several important reasons. They may be sentimental toward their home or simply concerned about their budget. This project can range from repainting the walls, laying new flooring, or replacing outdated appliances with newer models.

What's the best place to start refurbishment project for best ROI and what costs are involved? The costs of a renovation can vary. People who want to lay new flooring should assume that they will be paying for their material by the square meter rather than a lump sum for the entire floor. Supplies like paint brushes, tape, and hand tools also must be factored into the overall cost of the project. The best places to start a house refurbishment project may be the bathroom, kitchen, dining, and living areas of the home. If the owner wants to sell the house, these key areas are guaranteed to catch a potential buyer’s eye first.house refurbishment

What is the best season for house refurbishment and how to ensure your project adheres to standards? Renovation projects can be done anytime during the year but people wanting to stay on budget can find the lowest prices and the widest selection of supplies during the spring and summer months – times of the year when people usually work on the insides and outsides of their homes. General contractors General contractors in the U.K. are required by law to obtain the proper licensing from government authorities such as the Health & Safety Executive. Regardless, homeowners may do well to have the final results of their projects professionally inspected, particularly if the contractors are new to the business or have had to make numerous restarts or repairs during the project.

What is home over-improvement and how it affects your property? Renovation projects that cost more than the owner could hope to recoup if the house sold is referred to as home over-improvement. Over-improvement can be avoided by keeping the project affordable and by avoiding the temptation to buy top-of-the-line products and extra accessories for the home.

How will an ongoing home refurbishment project alter a home owner's day-to-day routine? Even a simple refurbishment project will alter homeowners' everyday lives. They will have to adjust daily routines such as avoiding touching walls that are currently being repainted, staying out of rooms that have equipment like saws and drills in them, and even putting up with noise from hammering, drilling, and sawing for hours on end. People can expect reduced privacy as workers go in and out of rooms and require access to their houses. They also may be unable to get to personal possessions stored in their closets, garages, and other locations that are being worked on presently.

Move out temporarily or stay put while refurbishment project is underway? Indeed, homeowners may wonder if they should even stay in their homes while the project is ongoing. If they can tolerate the temporary interruption of their lives, they would do well to stay put while the work is ongoing. However, if they decide to leave temporarily, they could stay for a few days at a local hotel or bed and breakfast. They could also stay with friends or family members until the work is done.

How to be well prepared for unexpected costs discovered during and after renovation project? Going over planned budget is something homeowners should consider and have modest contingency fund set aside for such situation. As the work begins, they should be prepared to pay not only for the materials being used in the project, but also for other hidden costs that may not be evident when they first plan their refurbishment. Contractors, for example, will charge customers for labor costs and any extra materials, therefore it's important to have all costs involved outlined in written agreement. Homeowners also will be expected to pay for a professional inspection after the project is completed.

What is the role of the architect and how important is consultation with him before commencing the renovation project? Devising a professional plan of action is vital when homeowners want to stay within their budget and ensure their project's total success. Rather than take on this plan alone, they can work with an architect who can secure the building permits, estimate the refurbishment's costs, and also obtain a final completion certificate once the work has been done according to his satisfaction. Architects additionally work as liaisons between local authorities and their clients to secure an inspection once the work has finished. They can help clients abide by the local codes for such projects.

About Fresh Home Fresh Home is a regional construction company operating in central, west and north parts of London serving clients in both private and public sectors undertaking new build, property maintenance and refurbishment schemes. Their extensive range of schemes embraces all sectors within the industry: commercial, residential, leisure, industrial and general works. Health and safety along with client care are paramount to their success. With over 8 years of building experience in London, specializing in major building renovations and house refurbishments, employing qualified and reliable tradesmen with guaranteed attention to detail, you know you’re dealing with the experts.