Month: March 2020

Many construction workers are working on build sites across the UK, and despite enormous pressure from experts and leading figures within the construction industry, the government is continuing to resist calls for all construction sites to be shut down. 

Safety for all builders and on-site staff is paramount, and build sites must ensure precautions are taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). Social distancing should be implemented across all active build sites, and building site managers need to recognise, now more than ever, they have a duty of care towards their workers.

Paul Kempton, managing director at Self Build Zone, recognises that self builders with construction workers on site certainly have more to consider than usual, but notes that securing your site is vital with regards to more than coronavirus.

(MORE: Building As Usual: LIVE UPDATES on Lockdown, Merchants and More)

Secure Your Build Site

“In times such as these the main problems outside of your control are going to probably be theft and arson,” says Kempton. “It is vital to protect your project and this can be done either proactively or reactively, or in layman’s terms, ‘before or after the stable door has been shut.’”

If you have a fire or flood, Kempton says, don’t go into the building or house yourself. Phone the emergency services as a matter of urgency.

For theft, Kempton says that prevention is better than cure, “Particularly now because if something does happen it may well take longer probably to source materials and product when things return to normal.

”When it comes to theft – remember all that you can do is to ‘buy time’ and make life as difficult for any would-be thief. Hopefully you could make it so difficult and not worth the trouble they will go and find an easier target.”

Kempton recommends implementing a number of preventative measures to reduce the risk of theft. These include:

Install Perimeter Security 

Gates are only as good as the final link, being the padlock. Always use a closed shackle padlock as it makes it harder to get bolt cutters into it. With hasp and padlocks – make sure you bolt them through the door/gate, and not screw them onto the door/gate.

Any gate should have the hinges burred over to prevent them being lifted off. Make it as awkward as possible for an intruder to get in and out of the site and the building.

Window Locks

Few people have ever thought as to why you have window locks; it is to stop the thieves getting out easily. If they haven’t got a quick exit route they won’t hang around and they won’t want to break a window and risk leaving DNA.

Secure Your Site Container

If you have a site container, make sure that you not only use it but that it is secured with at least a ‘closed shackle’ padlock and make sure the doors cannot be lifted off the hinges.

If you can, get an alarm system linked to your mobile and put one in the container but with an external aerial. Consider fitting drop-down posts in front of garages and site containers to prevent the doors opening and/or to limit space to drive machinery out of the storage.

Use Technology

For a few hundred quid, you could buy a GSM or wireless battery alarm intruder system, including a webcam that can feed photos back to your mobile. This is perfect for garages, site huts, containers or the house.

Kempton also recommends:

• Don’t leave portable hand tools and equipment lying around anywhere on site – take as much home with you as possible, every time you visit the site to do some work or shut the site down
• If you’ve built the garage first to use as a store, make sure it’s secure by using things such as window bars or shutters, good-quality locks and hinge bolts on door frames
• Flat packs, valuable metals (copper, zinc and lead) and kitchen and heating equipment are all favourites of thieves, as they’re very easily disposed of. A garage may look secure but of course most have a back door which is nicely concealed from the road or passers-by so they can take their time.

“The key point is to make sure the product warning signage is in clear view of any would-be intruder, so they think twice and perhaps go somewhere else not so secure,” Kempton says. 

“Finally, reduce the potential risk and only have materials and goods delivered as and when you need them, if at all possible, and store them out of sight or covered up in a secure area.”

Boris Johnson has announced that the UK is in lockdown for three weeks to combat the escalating threat of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, causing confusion for the construction industry about what this means for building sites across the UK.  

One of the Prime MInister’s most notable rules from a self builder’s perspective was that all gatherings of more than two people in public will be ceased, excluding people you live with. This led to many builders going to sleep on Monday night unsure if they would be going to work this morning.

Late on Monday night, housing secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed that builders working on sites can continue to do so. But all building sites must follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.

Advice for the housing, construction & building maintenance industries:
?If you can work from home, do so.
?If you are working on site, you can continue to do so. But follow Public Health England guidance on social distancing.
?Outside of work, remember to #StayHomeSaveLives

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) March 23, 2020

However, Michael Gove muddied the waters during an appearance on Good Morning Britain this morning. He reiterated that when a building site is empty, workers can carry on providing they adhere to social distance, but then stated that if families are living in the buildings where repairs and maintenance are occurring, then work should not continue.

Builders are understandably concerned at the prospect of travelling to building sites, even if stringent hygiene measures have been implemented. 

Merchants Close Their Doors

Another major announcement was that all shops selling non-essential goods would be closed immediately. It was later clarified that hardware stores were among the shops exempt from the government’s ban.

But this morning several of the UK’s biggest builders merchants revealed they were closing their doors for the day, and no deliveries will be made. These merchants include:

All of these merchants have confirmed that they are in discussions with the government over how to provide services safely to customers during the lockdown, and it remains to be seen over the coming days whether they will reopen in any capacity. 

Screwfix remains open and has pledged to introduce a number of measures that enable customers to obtain materials. 

(MORE: Coronavirus: Keep Busy at Home With These Easy Home Improvement Projects)

Jason Orme, Content Director of Homebuilding & Renovating, believes merchants closing for the day, and possibly longer, is a significant development for self builders who’d hoped to be able to continue with their projects.

Orme said: “With merchants now mainly closed then the reality is that for homeowners employing builders for self builds or home extension project, work will end today as the materials supply shuts.”

Size of Building Sites

Another area of uncertainty for builders is the difference between small building sites and larger sites. Whereas small sites will only have a handful of tradespeople working at any one time, larger sites that include communal changing areas and eating facilities pose a greater risk that builders could become ill. 

It has not yet been officially confirmed whether larger sites will be differentiated from smaller sites by the government.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, called for greater clarity from the government with regards to which construction sites will remain open.

Berry said: “Our members want to do the right thing, but the advice coming from the government is anything but clear. I am calling on the government to tell my members, today, whether they can continue to go on site and work. Small builders cannot work from home, but without cash grants available now, they risk seeing their livelihoods lost.

“Mixed messages are spreading further anxiety at a time when hundreds of small builders face immediate lost earning, having to make their staff redundant, and seeing their companies go to the wall.”

New Guidelines Recommended

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published new operating guides for build sites to ensure builders are protected on site and the risk of the spread of infection is minimised.

Andy Mitchell, co-chair of CLC, said: “It is vital that the health and safety requirements of any construction activity must not be compromised at this time. If an activity cannot be undertaken safely due to a lack of suitably qualified personnel being available, or social distancing being implemented, it should not take place.”

The guidance is intended to introduce consistent measures on build sites of all sizes in line with the government’s guidance on social distancing. The CLC is not a regulatory or enforcement body with the power to instruct sites to close.

The government’s unclear advice on building has also been questioned by the British Safety Council. It also raised concern that construction workers will be braving the London Underground to commute to build sites.

Lawrence Waterman, chair of the British Safety Council, said: “The construction sector needs clarity from the government – on most sites social distancing will be impossible or simply unsafe. All non-essential construction should end now so that construction workers can go home and stay home like everyone else.

“Some building work will be deemed essential – for example, building work that will improve access to hospitals or road access which will help tackle the virus. It is also the case that half-built buildings need to be made safe and workers should prioritise work that can safely suspend construction for as long as necessary.”

Content supplied by Self-Build Zone

If you plan on carrying out any kind of construction work on your home, whether you are building from scratch, renovating or extending, then you will need to not only be aware of site insurance and structural warranties, but also know when you need them and to what extent you are covered.

It’s important to have public liability cover in place from the moment you own the site as you could be liable if someone injures themselves on your land. As soon as works begin it’s crucial to have site insurance to cover you and those you employ while clearing the site, installing services or starting construction.

Policies range in length from 3-24 months and will end at the date of Building Control sign off or at the natural expiration of the policy.

You will need to understand the technical terminology found in such policies to ensure you are effectively covered throughout your project. Here, we explain the specifics.

What is an ‘All Risks’ Site Insurance Policy?

This is a specialist policy that covers construction projects ranging from new build properties, extensions, internal renovations or even conversions of former agricultural/industrial buildings into dwellings. 

This kind of policy predominantly covers physical perils to the structure, such as:

• fire
• vandalism
• malicious damage
• storm damage.

As the employer on a homebuilding or improvement project, this policy will cover your workers, the land and all materials due to be used in the project.

Covering Workers, Accidents and Legal Fees

These are major aspects of the policy. Public Liability covers third party individuals or property, while Employers Liability covers the risk of your workers submitting claims for illness or injury whilst on the site. 

Personal accident cover is also included in the event that you or anyone else named on the policy are injured during the course of the build.

Legal expenses cover should be provided as part of the policy and is designed to help pay towards the cost of any contractual dispute you may have with your builder, architect  or engineer. Additional levels of cover can be obtained for plant, tools and equipment as well as any caravans or site huts you may have for the project,whether you own them or are hiring them. 

What is the Difference Between Site Insurance and a Structural Warranty?

While site insurance covers the project during the construction phase, the structural warranty policy is designed to cover the reinstatement or partial reinstatement of the property and can be transferred to all future owners (if sold within a 10-year period). 

The warranty provides cover for major damage as a result of defective design, workmanship and materials, and the policy only begins once the property has received a Building Control Completion Certificate.

There are two routes through which the structural warranty operates:

• the Technical Audit process whereby an approved inspectors carries out surveys at key construction stages solely for the purpose of issuing the warranty (Building Control is arranged with another provider) 
• the Building Control process in which an approved inspector carries out the Building Control instead of the Local Authority, therefore combining both sets of required inspections and thus issuing the Building Control Completion Certificate and Warranty Certificate at the end of the project. 

It is worth noting that the longer you withhold from purchasing the structural warranty, the more expensive it will become. 

In today’s climate, a structural warranty is often required by mortgage lenders in order for them to lend against a self build project, so it is very important to check that they accept the warranty provider you have chosen. 

The UK Finance Initiative has a comprehensive list of approved structural warranty providers. 

For more information on securing the right kind of cover for your self build, renovation or extension project, contact Self-Build Zone.

Coronavirus has led to the government urging people to stay at home where possible, and with many people now homebound, taking on a renovation or home improvement project is the perfect opportunity to keep busy.

Self-isolation isn’t an overly pleasant experience, but opting to renovate or improve your home during the coronavirus crisis could be more beneficial than you think.

Not only could these changes help to add value to your home, but they could focus your mind away from working from home and keep you occupied while the outbreak continues.

(MORE: Renovating a House: The Complete Guide) 

DIY Home Improvement Ideas

While tradespeople may not be able to attend your home to perform a job, there are several quick makeovers or larger-scale improvements you can take on, including:

Creating a Dedicated Home Office

Having a dedicated home office could be valuable when the schools shut on Friday. If you have a room that isn’t used very often, or is used for storage, such as a spare room or garden room, consider setting up your home office there. 

Make sure you have adequate natural light and consider adding some task lighting, which can be particularly useful if you are working later in the evening.

You’ll need adequate power points and a good wifi signal too, so consider these when setting up.

(MORE: 12 Home Office Design Ideas)

If you are moving your home office into a storage room, you’ll want to remove the stored items in advance, helping you to optimise the space. These storage ideas can be used to effectively maximise your room’s space.

Laying Laminate Flooring

If you have a busy household that is self-isolating, there could be more wear and tear on your floors, so laminate offers protection. Laminate is also easier to keep clean. 

You will need the right equipment in order to lay this flooring yourself. And depending on your design of choice, it can make your home feel more spacious, which could feel most welcome if you’re homebound for several weeks.

You can probably buy everything you need online, however, while 7-day delivery is available on tools sites such as Screwfix, the current problems facing some businesses could delay deliveries. 

This how-to video from builder Andy Stevens demonstrates how to lay a tongue and groove dry-fix flooring system.

Insulating a Loft

Insulating a loft can make your home more energy efficient by reducing heat loss and thus your heating bills. And this is a task you can do yourself. For materials such as boards, rolls or slabs, tools sites such as B&Q remain open for delivery. 

Decorating Your House

Have you been putting off a painting or decorating job? Now’s the time to get to it. Not only can the job be completed within a couple of days, but the whole family can get involved — keeping you all busy and doing activities together.

Furthermore, adding a lick of paint can add around 5-10% to the value of your home. These tips for decorating your own house will help you ensure a long-lasting, professional finish.

Planning Future Home Improvement Projects

You’ll likely be spending a sizeable amount of time with your family in the coming weeks, so why not use this time to assess future home improvements you could benefit from? This might be the perfect opportunity to begin planning an extension project.

Alternatively, if being in the same living room for large chunks of the day with your family members leaves you fighting over what to watch on the TV, you could consider converting your garage into a separate living room for your children. If you are longing for a larger plan space, you may also consider creating a new kitchen diner by remodelling or knocking down internal walls. 

These projects could also help to boost your kerb appeal, and do not need to be particularly expensive. They also shouldn’t be hugely disruptive. But make sure you do them once you’ve finished work for the day.

What does a bathroom renovation cost? The answer to this question will largely depend on the size of the room, the amount of renovation work required and the level of specification you are aiming for.

However, on average a new bathroom will cost upwards of around £3,000. The factors that will impact on this figure include:

• the quality of the fittings you choose
• whether you are starting from scratch and need an entirely new plumbing system
• the size of the space
• how much of the work you will be doing yourself.

If you are hoping to keep costs down, you should be pleased to hear that some suppliers sell complete suites for under £200. However, it is important to clarify exactly what is included in these impressively low prices and thoroughly check their quality — it is often a case of getting what you pay for.

How Much do Baths Cost?

• Low end: from £80
• Average cost: from around £200
• Top end: upwards of £500

Baths tubs tend not to be included in the price of a ‘complete bathroom suite’ (usually this only includes the WC and basin).

The cost of a bath will depends on the material it is made from and whether it is a standard (700 x 1700mm) or more unusual size.

The very cheapest baths are usually made from thin acrylic and come ready to be built in to a frame, which can then be tiled or finished with a purpose-made bath panel.

These cheap acrylic baths cost from around £80, but can be flimsy and easily crack, so do give them a thorough check before buying.

Not all acrylics baths are cheap though and those made from thicker, fibreglass-reinforced acrylic are of a much better quality. Acrylic also keeps the water warm for longer than steel.

Steel baths are perfect for those on a budget who want durability without the hefty price tag. They tend to be more hardwearing than very low-cost acrylic baths and often cost little, if any, more — starting from around £120.

Once you start looking at cast iron, timber, composite and stone, the prices rocket. However, if you want to make a statement in the bathroom this is the way to go.

(MORE: The complete guide to bathroom design)

The Cost of a New Shower

• Low end: £50
• Average cost: £60 – £500
• Top end: £500 – £2,000+

Electric showers are the cheapest option here and are ideal for those looking to carry out a quick, low cost bathroom update.

Electric showers have a connection to just the mains cold water supply and heat water on demand. This means that they struggle to reach the level of power provided by power showers and those using stored hot water, although choosing one with a higher kilowatt rating will help.

On the plus side, they are economic to run, installation is straightforward and they start at around £50.

Bath/shower mixers are another good option for those looking to keep their bathroom renovation costs low, with prices from £50.

The shower hose and head are combined with the bath mixer tap and this is how the temperature is adjusted They are easy and cheap to fit, but the pressure can be lacking and getting the water temperature right can be fiddly. 

A manual shower mixer (from £60) has the hose and spray coming out from a wall unit, with a temperature control to adjust the temperature.

Thermostatic mixers are similar to manual mixers but have a built-in thermostat that automatically adjusts the water temperature (but not the pressure) if a tap elsewhere in the house is being used. They start at £125.

Power showers start at £150 and are connected to an integral pump to boost flow rate. However, they are not compatible with combi boilers as they need a supply from both a cold water cistern and a hot water cylinder.

These are just the basic shower types. Digital showers, shower towers, columns and cabins all offer a luxury showering experience, with a multitude of sprays and jets — at a cost of course, from £250 upwards.

(MORE: Designing the perfect family bathroom)

How Much do Shower Enclosures Cost?

• Low end: from £100
• Average cost: £120 – £300
• Top end: £550+

The cost of a shower enclosure depends on its configuration and materials.

Basic shower enclosures featuring one glass side panel and a door, or a quadrant enclosure with double doors, can cost as little as £100.

Don’t forget, however, that you still need to factor in the cost of a shower tray, which will cost from £60 at the lowest end.

A complete ‘wet room‘ style enclosure, complete with walk-in tray and frameless shower screen will cost from £550. A frameless fixed enclosure, with no door, will start at around £200.

Wet room kits can also be purchased. These come complete with  everything you need to form a platform, drainage and waterproofing equipment (but excluding tiles) — they cost around £500-£600.

New Basin Prices Explained

• Low end: from £50
• Average cost: £60 – £150
• Top end: £300+

From as little as £50 you can pick up a ceramic pedestal basins.These are also convenient in that all pipework can easily be concealed behind the pedestal.

If you are after a more contemporary basin, consider a semi-pedestal or wall-hung basin. These basis cost from around £60. Remember that a wall hung basin will require a stud wall to be constructed from which to hang it and conceal the pipework.

Basins designed to sit in or on top of a vanity unit (including freestanding basins and semi-recessed models) allow for useful storage beneath. These basins cost from £90, but remember to factor in the cost of the unit they sit on or in, too.

While most basins are ceramic, glass, metal and stone are all options but cost more. The most common basin size is 550mm x 400mm.

How Much Does a WC Cost?

• Low end: From £50
• Average cost: £200 – £400
• Top end: £500

Floor-mounted, low-level WCs cost from £50. Traditional-style high-level toilets are another option, as are more modern-looking wall-mounted WCs — here the cistern and pipework is typically concealed within a frame in a studwall.

How Much Will New Taps Cost?

Pillar taps (taps with a separate tap for hot and for cold) are the cheapest type of tap, costing from £30 per pair. Mixer taps that have separate controls for hot and cold flow tend to be next up the scale, from around £45, with monobloc mixers (where flow and temperature are both controlled from one lever) usually at the top, from £50 up to the low £100s.

Your choice of sanitaryware will affect which taps you can have. Counter-top, bowl-style basins, for example, will require wall-mounted taps or those set into a vanity unit, while freestanding baths will need wall- or floor-mounted taps. These can be more costly than simple mixer taps located on the bath or basin, both to buy and fit.

Check out our latest subscription offer!

For more advice, information and inspiration delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Homebuilding & Renovating magazine.

Subscribe Now

A Welsh council has responded to criticism after a woman was told she was no longer eligible for planning permission to self build her home.

Gwynedd Council has been questioned about its affordable housing policy after Nia Ferris, 33, from Llanengan, Gwynedd in Wales, and her partner Dylan, were told they could not self build in the area, subject to stringent conditions.

Local councillors and a local MP had criticised the council’s barriers blocking the couple, claiming its affordable housing policy would drive self builders away from the area.

But Gwynedd Council has defended its affordable housing policy and believes it is still fit for purpose. 

A spokesperson for Gwynedd Council told Homebuilding & Renovating: “The aim of the local planning policy along with national policy is to provide affordable housing for those in genuine need and those who are eligible for affordable housing. The planning criteria include proving the need for an affordable house and that the size of the house is affordable.

“It is generally believed that the policy is fit for purpose and has contributed towards providing affordable housing for communities in Gwynedd.”

Applying for Planning Permission

Ms Ferris lives in close proximity to the village of Abersoch, which is an expensive area to live in on the Welsh coast. She said she had been priced out of buying a home in the area –  the average price is around £447,000 – and had applied to build a home on land gifted to her by her family. 

The couple, as well Dylan’s sister and her partner, filed for planning permission to build two affordable homes. As they planned to build on a rural village or rural exception site, the home was required to meet affordable housing guidelines. 

According to TaiTeg, a register which provides information on homebuilding schemes and criteria that must be met within Gwynedd, applications for affordable homes are considered if you can’t afford to rent on the open market and/or buy a property that suits your needs.

Initially, Gwynedd Council’s planners recommended rejecting the application, but council members ultimately voted in Ms Ferris’ favour.

The application was approved subject to an affordable housing section 106 agreement with a 60% discount on the market price, if the houses were sold at a later date. This is because the three-bedroom houses were both judged to have a value of around £370,000 if they were sold on the open market, a figure 60% higher than the £142,000 upper limit for selling an affordable home.

A significant factor behind Ms Ferris’ application receiving the 106 agreement is because her plot is in a rural area. 

Ms Ferris said this wasn’t overly concerning as the couple did not plan to move once the house was built. However, when Ms Ferris became a headteacher earlier this year, her salary increased, jeopardising the application. 

The financial threshold for self building an affordable home in Gwynedd states that applicants must have an annual gross household income of between £16,000-£45,000. 

Ms Ferris’ salary increase meant their household income rose above the £45,000 thresholdand she said that, following a review by Tai Teg into her application, the council told her this breached the criteria enabling her to build an affordable home. 

Gwynedd Council said: “The applicants have been assessed by Tai Teg and one couple did not qualify for an affordable home, and will not be eligible to live in the houses if the application is approved subject to an affordable housing 106 agreement (with 60% discount).

“Tai Teg assesses applicants for affordable housing on behalf of the council against recognised criteria. To date the applicant has not signed a relevant 106 agreement which means that the planning permission has not been issued.”

Criticism of the Council

Local councillor John Brynmor Hughes, who represents Llanengan on Gwynedd Council, was among the vocal critics of the policy. He believes the current policy will drive self builders, looking to build under the affordable housing scheme, away from the area.  

“Here, where we have local Welsh speaking couples who want to remain in the village and have the land and expertise to build a house of their own, all these barriers are being thrown in their path.”

Local MP Liz Saville Roberts urged Gwynedd Council to approve their bid, saying: “If these local people – who have the financial means and the skills to build two houses for themselves – are not worthy of affordable housing in accordance with Gwynedd’s policy, there is something wrong with the interpretation of the policy.”

But Gwynedd Council has defended the decision. “Securing affordable housing that offers local residents the opportunity to own their own homes is one of the Council’s top priorities.

“The site in question is in a rural area and is on the edge of Llanengan’s cluster of houses. The location of the application did not meet policy requirements, and the size of the houses did not reflect the size of affordable housing.”

Does the Definition of Affordable Housing Need to Change?

Ultimately, it is up to Gwynedd Council whether it deems a home to meet affordable housing criteria. But the house prices in the area, which restrict Ms Ferris and her partner from buying a home, raise a problematic question: should Gwynedd Council’s definition of affordable housing change?

Earlier this year the West Midlands Combined Authority became the first local government authority to redefine affordable housing based on salary, which it hopes will increase the number of affordable homes developed in the region.

Gwynedd Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance for affordable housing states: “Planning applications for self build affordable housing under the Rural Villages or Rural Exception Sites policy basis must be based on genuine proven need for such housing and should not be submitted on a purely speculative basis.”

It appears unlikely that the criticism of Gwynedd Council will amount to policy change, but this standoff is emblematic of the problems facing affordable housing in the UK.

As Ms Ferris and her partner had a gross household income too high to meet this criteria, they have been deemed ineligible. Ms Ferris has not yet signed a relevant 106 agreement from Gwynedd Council to build her planned home on her plot.