Changes to Building Regulations – Advice From Building Surveyors in HighGate

You might know that the UK has a goal to have net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.

The government has set out many measures to help meet this target, some of which are having a major impact on building regulations.

In December 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) announced a series of changes to standard building regulations, all of which are to come into effect on the 15th of June.

These measures focus mainly on energy efficiency through increased insulation, improved materials, and low carbon technologies. They also work towards the 2025 Future Homes Standard, which will ensure that new builds produce 75% less carbon dioxide than those built nowadays.

So, what will actually be changing?

New Builds

The updated regulations aim to cut current carbon emissions by 30% in new build homes.

As for commercial new builds, the new measures should cut carbon emissions by 27% compared to current standards.

These goals will be met through a variety of measures, including ventilation and other modern, energy-efficient techniques.

Energy Efficiency

While the average energy efficiency of homes has undoubtedly improved over the past ten years, we still have some way to go if we have any hope of averting the climate crisis.

The new regulations will help us on our way by changing the standard requirements for insulation, thermal bridging, air leakage testing and primary energy testing. It is the hope of the government that households will adopt more sustainable heating systems, such as heat pumps, for their homes.

Ventilation

A big part of the new regulations involves proper ventilation to ensure better air quality in airtight buildings.

This particular regulation may come as unsurprising, considering the recent pandemic. Increased ventilation, particularly in non-residential buildings, should go a long way in preventing the spreading of airborne viruses. Moreover, they should also help buildings avoid a buildup of mould and condensation.

Several other more specific measures are also being introduced, such as the requirement for new offices to have carbon dioxide monitors.

Contact Building Surveyors in Highgate for Expert Advice

These are just a small handful of the updated regulations that are coming into effect next week.

Confused? That’s what we’re here for.

All Building Control comprises an experienced team of building surveyors in Highgate, happy to help with any enquiry you might have. If you’re in need of building control, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Top Tips to Improve Your Home From Building Surveyors in Chelsea

Do you ever get the feeling that your home isn’t quite where you want it to be? Luckily for you, we’ve compiled some expert advice from top building surveyors in Chelsea for making your home the best it can be.

Bigger is Better

Sometimes, all you need is more space.

If you’re in a situation where you don’t want to move, but you also feel like you’ve outgrown your current living situation, a home extension could be the perfect compromise. You’d be shocked at how big a difference just a little extra space can make.

Think Outside the House

Never underestimate the usefulness of your garden space.

Nowadays, more and more people are adding stylish summer houses or log cabins to their houses, transforming them into a practical spaces.

Whether you’re looking for a brand new office away from the noisy house, a place to unwind with a book in nature or space to practise your hobbies, a garden structure could be the perfect addition to your home.

Dream Lofty Dreams

If you’re not willing to splash out for a home extension, a loft conversion could be an ideal alternative. This is an amazing way to transform the space you already have, making it that little bit more practical and stylish.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Why not bring your home into the 21st century?

There are hundreds of ways you can now upgrade your home with smart technology, whether through a smart security system, a smart lighting schedule, a smart fridge or even a smart coffee maker.

The possibilities are pretty much endless.

Go Solar

Want to make your home more environmentally friendly?

We are all about sustainability here at All Building Control. Solar panels are an amazing, cost-efficient way of generating power for your home and are becoming all the more popular with each passing year. 

Add Those Finishing Touches

Of course, one of the most obvious but effective ways of improving your home is by whipping out that trusty paintbrush. Nothing quite makes a house a home like decorating.

Not only will decorating make your house more personable and homely, it’s also your perfect opportunity to patch up all the little defects that could cause an eyesore or, worse, could present risks to your safety. 

Got squeaky doors and windows or door latches that don’t work? Or perhaps one of your taps won’t stop dripping, and there’s a persistent damp smell lingering around the kitchen? Maybe there’s the occasional crack in the wall or ceiling, or the floorboards have lifted, so they no longer lie flat?

Luckily, all of these issues won’t prove too difficult to fix yourself. If you’re not a fan of DIY, hiring a professional shouldn’t prove too costly.

Make Sure Your Home is up to Code

Building regulations are there to make sure your house is safe, energy-efficient, and basically as good as possible for your comfort. The team at All Building Control are passionate about making sure every home is as good as it can possibly be.

If you’re making over your home, get in touch with us to see how we can help make your renovation journey a flawless one. We can also help you with planning permissions where needed, and can even assist in party wall matters.

Make your home more homely with All Building Control.

Building Regulations to Consider Before Hiring Building Surveyors in London

No idea where to start with building control? Don’t worry. When you hire building surveyors in London, they’ll do all the hard work for you. 

If you’re renovating, building or buying a property, the term ‘building regulations’ has probably cropped up at some point or another. While they might sound like a pretty scary concept, they’re actually just a series of guidelines designed to keep your home safe and as environmentally friendly as possible.

Of course, it’s all very well and good throwing around the term ‘building regulations’ without explaining what they actually are. 

We’ve broken down a few of the most universally relevant building regulations that might crop up during your building control experience. 

Stairs

Got stairs in your new property? Chances are, you’ll probably have a handrail to go alongside them. As insignificant a detail as this might seem, building regulations require that every stair bannister is a certain height and depth to maintain complete safety.

Speaking of measurements, you will also need to make sure the ceiling over your stairs exceeds the minimum height, and your landing is over a certain width so as to not compromise areas of access.

Fire

One of the most common and crucial building regulations involves preventing fires, which would (obviously) be catastrophic to the property and potentially its inhabitants. UK regulations require homeowners to have a certain amount of wired fire alarms throughout the property. The exact requirements will depend on the size of the home itself.

If your property has an open-plan design, you may need to install a sprinkler or mist system somewhere in the house, as open-plan homes cannot have fire doors. This will ensure a further layer of security and reassurance from anyone living on the property.

Fans

For obvious reasons, kitchens are one of the most likely places in the house to catch fire.

To ensure you’re not putting your property at unnecessary risk, your building surveyor may ask that you install an efficient extractor fan. This will help to pull the air out to an external area.

It Depends...

…on your property, your location, and many other factors. Your building surveyor will always make a calculated, expert judgement based on an extensive inspection of the property. During that inspection, they will also uncover any building faults that have the potential to cause problems in the future. At the end of the process, you will receive a detailed report explaining their findings, along with expert advice on how you can overcome any issues that arise.

Making Homes Safer One Survey At a Time

We never want anyone to feel unsafe in their home. Our building surveyors are highly versed in the art of inspection and building control, which is what makes our services so unparalleled in the London area. We will always go above and beyond to make sure all our clients are satisfied and happy with our work.

Mid-building project and in need of the all-clear before you can go ahead? That approval is just a phone call away. Give us a call on 02072054938 to chat to one of our friendly staff members. We’re always happy to answer questions, or we can book in an inspection if you need building control services.

Your dream home is within reach; come and get it.

Don’t Start Your Home Extension Until You’ve Considered These 3 Things

Renovating your home can be an exciting time.

It’s a chance for a fresh new start; for you to level up your home and make it a more functional, comfortable, stylish space for you and your family. Unfortunately, several caveats come along with planning a home extension that you need to consider before starting.

We’ve compiled a handy list of all the things you must remember to think about when planning your home extension.

Energy Efficiency is the Way Forward

Nowadays, there are much stricter regulations surrounding the parts of your home that will affect the environment.

Energy efficiency is one of the biggest considerations here. You need to make sure that your extension meets all the necessary standards for thermal efficiency, which can affect various parts of your home. The main things you will need to consider are your windows, insulation, ventilation and wall construction. This may impact your entire design, particularly if you were considering having large expanses of glazing. In order to meet requirements, you may need to install double or triple glazing.

Assess Your Foundations

Over the past 25 years, certain regulations surrounding house foundations have changed, requiring that foundations for an extension must be deep enough for an extra storey to be built later if needed. For this reason, you will need to take a look at your foundations and check whether or not they meet the required standard. If they fail in this regard, it may be worth assessing the rest of your property to see if the extension would be best placed elsewhere. This may be the best option if meeting the regulations prove extremely costly.

Know Your Limitations

Planning an extension can be difficult when it comes to considering your limitations. First, you need to figure out whether or not you will require planning permission to carry out the project. If you’re unsure, we recommend contacting your local planning department and letting them assess the situation.

Even if you don’t require permission, it’s always worth notifying your neighbours before you begin construction, if only to prepare them for any inconveniences when it comes to the building process.

Regardless of the size of your extension, you will need to make a building regulations application. Your building control surveyor will come and assess the space’s suitability for living, considering such elements as the structure, safety, energy efficiency, ventilation, insulation and the materials used.

All Building Control: Building Surveyors For Every Homeowner

There’s a lot that goes into planning, designing and building a home extension. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as having an idea and executing it.

Here at All Building Control, we understand how simultaneously exciting and stressful it can be. We make it our mission to help every client on their journey to happiness and safety in the home.

Still confused about the whole process? We’ve got you. Our expert team are always on hand to help you and answer any questions you have about building control. If you’re planning an extension and need building control services, never hesitate to get in touch with us. We provide unparalleled services in and around the London area and have a real passion for helping our clients build their dream homes.