Tag: Legal & Planning
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Why are Building Costs So Expensive in the UK?
I spend a lot of time researching the cost of home improvements. Extensions, loft conversions, even simple jobs like building internal walls. And in recent years one thing has stood out. Costs have gone up. A lot. We all know this. Costs go up all the time. But actually the scale of the increase recently…
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What are U-values and How do Different Materials Compare?
In the UK, a U-value is the critical metric for a building’s insulation. It measures how much heat can pass through a material. This is known as ‘thermal transmittance’. At its simplest level, a U-value is a number, and lower is more insulated. A double-glazed window might be 1.4, whereas an external wall might be…
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What is FENSA and how does it work?
FENSA is a scheme that regulates window and door installation. Specifically, it’s what’s known as a ‘competent persons scheme’. These are authorised by the government. In Fensa’s case, it works like this: The key point of a competent building scheme is that it avoids a separate building inspection. It’s faster, while also protecting the consumer…