Over the last 7 years or so we have gone through a barrage of different DIY programmes on TV, representing the countries need to be different within our homes. There was a time when, keeping up with your neighbours was the thing and wanting to have the “in colour scheme” or bathroom suite was the way to live our lives, but the DIY show revolution, gave us the confidence to be different from our neighbours and show our own personality through our home.
But after the “zillionth ” show (if there is such a word,) there was obviously going to come a time when the ideas ran out and we the public got bored with seeing the same things done with just a shade different here or there. But rather than giving up the ghost, there seems to be an upsurge in DIY houses, yes forget about the small jobs within an existing house, the British have now taken a bigger interest than ever in DIY, by building their own home.
Being pushed on from new TV programmes that show what is possible for the same money, as a ready-made home, has stimulated the entrepreneurial minds of many of the British public. Knowing that if they do it right, their home would immediately be worth more than they paid for it the day they moved in and have a home where every part of it was part of them.
Of course there are many countries out there, where building their own home is a common as fish and chips, but the “Brits” have up until recently left this mainly to the bold and brave, within a small island where land is more at premium than others and where new families don’t necessarily want a house next to their parents.
The positive point I see with the new TV programmes and magazine articles is showing the downfalls of taking on such ambitious projects. In most cases it ends up costing more than the initial budget and taking longer. Trying to get workmen to do what you want, keeping the quality of build together, dealing with weather issues, getting deliveries on time and even points you did not consider are all part of the trials of building your own home. But rather than putting people off, there is almost a feeling that this enormous challenge actually encourages a normally boring “9 to 5er” to get off their butt and do something with their lives. They can then not only show off their new beautiful home but feel good inside about the personal challenge they overcome to get there. They really do want their home to be their castle, built from sweat and tears.
Understanding that you can build your home from more than bricks, is doesn’t have to be square, it doesn’t have to conform to normal popular building practices, so long as it is safe and conforms to planning permission, really does open the mind to what can be achieved. The cost of the project is only market driven by the cost of the land. Then materials drive the rest of the project costs and labour costs, rather than house prices, which do mean if you get everything, right a very good investment opportunity. However DIY does not mean do everything yourself. Having professional support through the design stage and management of the project might seem expensive but could save you much more in lost time and correct building procedures in the long run. Because if you get this project wrong, a dream home can become a nightmare building site.
Mark is wbmaster for Home And Contents Insurance and Distance Learning and Spanish Car Hire
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tylers lock-history reborn !!
The new site everyone is talking about, and featuring the now
massive cult status Stiffsteiff Teddy Bear family, also contains
details of this famous Worcestershire landmark. Nestling on the
Worcester and Birmingham canal at Tardebigge, this used to be
the pump house for the longest flight of locks in Europe, which
still exist, and still work perfectly. Until recently the same
could not have been said about the Pump House, however, with
sheer determination, one of the country’s leading chefs has
transformed it into a Wedding /special occassion venue
extraodrinaire, and in the process saved a piece of local
history intact and secure. The owners would very much welcome
any material whatsoever relating to the Pump House and it’s
history, especially old photos and maps, which could be scanned
and returned by the Stiffsteiff expert, or brought in person.
The Stiffsteiff bears site itsselfwill allow you to LAUGH, and
have FUN, without resorting to crudity, smut, or porn. This is
somewhere your kids can actually go without you wondering about
the content, and they will learn new things through following
the bears; gardens, countryside, photography, ponds, walks,
National Trust houses. I am sure you would rather have them
being interested in proper, real pursuits than being cooped up
in their room with a TV and a computer for friends. So through
their computer they LEARN there are more worlds than their
important seeming virtual world. For bigger kids there are
superb fully downloadable photos, and the originals can be
requested and delivered via email. There are practical,
pictorial step by step projects showing how to do various jobs
outdoors, ponds, lawns, landscapes, gardens. Also there are
computer tips, and an amazing feature where the author of the
site, an ex systems programmer will ressurrect cds sent to him
deemed ruined; so your holiday snaps might well NOT be beyond
repair!! He also fixes pictures, either via email or by scanning
in posted snaps, and returning them. The site can be found by
typing Stiffsteiffs or “Tylers lock”into ANY search, or by
clicking the link below now.
http://www.stiffsteiffs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk ylers.htm
Now I know why people PAY for domain names!!
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Developing an energy efficient, yet ample, heating system for your property can be complex. Retaining a professional is a smart way to make sure you get it right.
It gets chilly in the winter in most parts of the world. This means you need to install a heating system that is tailored to your specific property characteristics to make sure the property receives equalized heat throughout. At the same time, the system must be efficient to take into account rising energy prices. This balancing act can get pretty complex.
The heating industry is where you should look for answers on your heating plans. If you expect to have the heat on for months at a time during the winter, it is all the more important to get professional advice. Retaining a heating professional will cost you money, but you will save far more over the life of the property.
A heating professional is essentially a combination of an architect, contractor and engineer. They are going to be able to look at your property and map out the best method for getting the heat where you need it while keeping your utility bill under control.
Depending on the structure of you home, the professional may recommend limited flow systems to heat certain parts of the property at certain times, geothermal heating to reduce bills and so on. The point is they are readily familiar with the available solutions while you probably have a passing knowledge of them at best. You can use their knowledge to avoid very expensive mistakes. This is one situation where using an expert is a very wise choice. Many heating system manufacturers will even supply them for free.
Installing heating systems is like getting married. Since most are imbedded in the structure of the property, you have to commit to them. Much like a divorce, trying to change them later can be expensive and messy. Get professional help so you and your property can have a long, happy life together.
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on building your own home.
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