You never know what tomorrow will bring – and that’s true for your self-build home too. If you’re worried about needing to move as your life progresses, you can eliminate the anxiety by ensuring you future-proof your self-build.
Planning to raise a family? Or to provide accommodation to elderly relatives? Wherever life takes you, you’ll know your home is built for every eventuality. Here’s how…
Self-building a home can be costly, so it’s tempting to go for the cheapest options during the initial construction stage. However, this might not be the best long-term solution. Poorer quality materials may mean more repairs and replacements are required through your property’s lifespan. So, whether it’s triple-glazing or choosing the right insulation, it’s better to spend more upfront than having to fork out for costly replacements just a few years down the line.
As energy bills continue to rise, it’s more important than ever for homes to incorporate sustainable design. There are many ways to achieve this – from choosing a renewable energy source such as an air source heat pump, installing solar panels, or by selecting sustainable insulation. As a gold standard, properties should aim to meet the guidelines required to be recognised as a ‘Passivhaus’.
Technology can ensure your home is equipped to take on the challenges of the future. Keep your possessions safe with an automated home security system that you can control remotely from a smartphone app. Why stop there? Everything from heating to lighting can be automated, making your home easier to use – as well as adding to its value should you decide to sell.
Lives change – and our homes have to change with them. You might be working from home, then decide to start a family. In a standard house, that could mean it’s time for yet another move. But in a future-proof self-build, that doesn’t have to be the case.
By creating rooms that can be used for multiple purposes, you open out the possibilities for your home. Using flexible partitions, for example, allows you to transform an open plan room into separate home-office and nursery spaces.
As you enjoy life in your forever home, you need to be sure that it can meet your needs at every life stage. Ensuring, for example, that you have a fully accessible downstairs bathroom and bedroom is a key preparation for later life.
Providing enough room for a stairlift and wheelchair access through doors and hallways prepares your home for your twilight years. Consulting the Lifetime Homes standard could provide you with further ideas for a multi-generational home.
The best homes are built to last a lifetime. If you’d like to build a house that will truly stand the test of time, it’s important to have the experts by your side. CODA Bespoke has over 40 years of experience creating life-changing self-build properties, making us the perfect choice to create your dream home.
If you’re ready to step out into your self-build journey, get in touch with our expert team today. Or take a look at our portfolio for inspiration.
If you’re working on an extension or renovation, you might think project managers are an unnecessary expense or will take your control away from the project. If you’re confused about whether or not this is a role you could actually fulfil yourself, don’t fear. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
First and foremost, what does a project manager do? Project managers take on the responsibility of managing the development of your extension, coordinating builders and tradespeople, speaking with the local authority, and ordering materials.
In essence, you give them the designs and guidelines for the renovation, and they take charge of the hard work for you – all whilst working within your timeframe, budget, and specifications.
If you’re not familiar with renovations or you’re strapped for time, then employing a professional project manager can be a life-saver that helps to deliver your dream home. However, there are some other factors to consider – not least the kind of workload you’re taking on…
If you decide to take on the role of project manager, there will be several key tasks on your list. These include:
Generally speaking, the smaller the renovation, the bigger the benefits of being your own project manager. For one thing, due to fixed prices, project manager fees can be considerably higher for smaller projects. Larger projects are also usually quite complex, requiring you to liaise with more tradespeople and contractors – so it’s not always the right choice if you have other things on your to-do list.
Time is an important consideration. If you’re working full time, for example, how will you oversee all the project management responsibilities alongside your other commitments? Do you have a set time frame to complete the project? If time is an issue, then some professional support may be beneficial.
Though project managers will consult you on the most important issues of your renovation, there will always be times when they need to make a decision to enable contractors to do their job. You need to be clear on whether you feel comfortable with this. If you’re a stickler for small details, then it might be better for you to manage the project yourself.
Whether you decide to hire a project manager or do the work yourself, it always helps to have the experts by your side. As award-winning, Sheffield-based architects, we have the knowledge and experience to ensure the design and planning of your renovation runs smoothly.
If you’d like to learn more about our services, take a look at our portfolio of house renovations and extensions – or get in touch with our friendly team today.
