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When it comes to renovating a bathroom it can be tempting to let your enthusiasm run away with you and walk straight into your nearest bathroom retailer or go online and start ordering your new sanitaryware, tiles, flooring and lighting.

But, before you do that it’s worth giving some thought to some details.

Choosing a New Layout When Renovating a Bathroom

Firstly, it’s wise to pinpoint the layout. Plot the position of the essentials and mark down plumbing, windows, doors and the sanitaryware.

You’ll see snaggy spots that don’t work that you can lose and the bits that you want or have to keep.

Once you’ve got your existing bathroom design plotted out you can start to play around with the layout.

At this stage ask yourself some questions like: who uses the bathroom the most; do you have room for a separate shower; would twin sinks be a godsend?

A Space Fit For the Whole Family

If you want to renovate to create a better functioning family space then adding a bigger bath or more storage could be a practical move.

Similarly, ask yourself if you can move sanitaryware around to create a better layout that works for all the family.

If space is tight and your bathroom is small think about introducing wall hung basins and units. They open up the floorspace creating the illusion that the room is bigger than it is.

An En Suite

If you’re designing a luxurious en suite include statement pieces like a raindrop shower head or a roll top free standing bath. Or go all-out and design a wet room.

But there’ll be work involved to make the wet room installation watertight. You’ll want to avoid any nasty leaks ruining rooms adjacent or below.

Decide if You are Remodelling or Updating Your Bathroom

Remodelling

Remodelling a bathroom often means you’re thinking about moving things around or creating a bigger space. For example, bringing together a separate WC and bathroom. Remodelling also means more work. Plumbing will need to move to accommodate the new layout so think about what impact this will have on the design and your budget.

Your layout plan will come in handy here. Pay particular attention to the pipework and soil stack. It’s important to establish where it all is and where it all goes so that you can be sure your new layout will work. For instance, it can be costly to move a soil stack, so it can often pay to leave the toilet where it is.

You can discuss the relocation of plumbing/pipework at the design stage with your plumber and builder.

Updating the Space

If you’re happy with the current configuration or you want to keep costs down by keeping plumbing in place, then the design is a lot more straightforward. You’ll already have your layout partly done.

So, think about how you can create a more functional bathroom with the configuration you have: space for a shower cubicle if you haven’t already got one, built-in storage shelves, a heated towel rail or underfloor heating (UFH).

Don’t be afraid to introduce colour into your bathroom scheme. The softy dusky pinks and beautiful blues combine to create a fun but sophisticated scheme. The luxurious wallpaper starts from £65 and is from Charlton Island

How Much Does it Cost to Renovate a Bathroom?

The average cost of a new bathroom is from around £3,000+, but this will vary depending on the size of your renovation project and the level of luxury you’re going for. Likewise, if you’re doing a lot of the work yourself, on a DIY basis, then this will bring your costs down.

A plumber should take two to three days to remove your old bathroom and retrofit your new one, which will cost around £1,000.

If you’re factoring in a tiler, a small bathroom would take one to three days and cost between £350 and £800.

Prices are dependant on the tiles and sanitaryware you specify.

Main image credit: Tile Giant

Around £82bn worth of property sales have been put on hold due to coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown measures, according to new research.

This equates to almost 373,000 home sales which have stalled since the end of March, when the government urged the public to delay moving into new homes if possible.

Due to social distancing rules, home viewings and valuations have been made challenging, leading to a freeze in the housing market.

The lockdown measures have also affected self builders and renovators in the midst of projects, with some deciding to step back from their projects and prepare for work to resume later in the year.

The research from property consultants Zoopla, reveals that the majority of the 373,000 sales were agreed between November 2019 and February 2020, and were expected to have been completed between April and June.

Richard Donnell, director of research and insight at Zoopla, said: “Parts of the market are at a virtual standstill as a result of the physical restrictions that have stopped new supply coming to the market and the viewing of homes for sale.”

The government has said that people can continue to move houses in limited circumstances, such as when a property is vacant, but otherwise home-movers should agree alternative dates to move.

Could Demand Start to Rise?

While housing sector activity has diminished, there is evidence that demand for housing could be rebounding.

Last week, Rightmove reported that buyers were making offers based on virtual viewings of properties. And Zoopla’s report revealed that Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds have all experienced increased housing demand in the past fortnight.

(MORE: Rightmove Cancels Monthly Report on Asking Prices Due to Covid-19)

While the rate of sales falling through peaked on 23 March, Zoopla says the outlook “depends upon how long the restrictions remain in place, the scale of the economic impact, and how this impacts would-be buyers and their ability to proceed with sales”.

Donnell added: “Demand is rising but there is a long way to go until we see a return to typical levels of market activity. However, the online browsing of homes for sale and buyers expressing interest in property have been rising off a low base over the last two to three weeks.

“Many households have spent more time at home in the last few weeks and some may feel the urge to move and find more space or consider the potential for remote working.

“This could boost activity in the second half of 2020, but this all depends upon how much the economy is impacted over the rest of the year and the impact on levels of unemployment.”

(MORE: Get LIVE UPDATES on Lockdown, Merchants and More)

A glorious green lawn can be the perfect finishing touch on a renovation or self-build project but starting from scratch can be daunting, especially for new gardeners. There are new costs for almost every aspect of designing a garden and deciding to lay a lawn yourself rather than paying a landscaper is an easy way to save a little as it is work that can be carried out by even the most inexperienced of DIYers. 

Lawns can be a gardener’s worst enemy and soil and preparation are key. Learning about how to lay turf before cracking on can be the difference between a looking out onto a thriving garden and watching some ready-to-roll grass die an expensive death. 

How Much Does it Cost to Turf a Lawn? 

For larger gardens the cost of lawns is one that keeps many awake at night, so saving a little by doing the hard graft yourself is a smart option. Lawns require preparation of the soil before turf can be laid. Expect to pay £150 and upwards per hour, depending on the site for a landscaper to do this job for you. 

To lay a lawn DIY costs an average of £650-750 for a 50m² garden, but this will obviously depend on the quality and grade of the turf you choose.

Turf is generally sold in individual rolls which cover approximately 1m² (check before you order as other sizes are sometimes supplied) and some shops after deals for multipacks. 

For the ground preparation, DIYers can choose to hire a rotavator to turn over the soil which can be hired for around £40 a day and adding topsoil before laying the turf increases the chance of successful growth so this cost should also be taken into account. 

How do you Prepare the Ground for Laying Turf? 

The conditions need to be right for creating a lawn so avoid laying turf in extreme cold conditions or before the wetter weather begins. Ground preparation is critical to success but there is a lot of hard work involved, so do this in advance of the turf arriving. 

An obvious way to save a little extra money is to turn the soil the old fashioned way using basic hand tools, but a rotavator will save time and effort. The base soil needs to be screened as much as possible to remove debris and larger stones/rocks etc that might impede drainage.

Adding Topsoil to Ground

You’ll need to assess the access arrangements to the site and notify the supplier as how best to deliver the soil as, depending on the amount needed, it can arrive in one tonne bags. 

1. Once the site is free of weeds, distribute a minimum 100mm of topsoil using a wheelbarrow, ideally 200mm or more in areas of particularly low-quality existing soil. 
2. Distributing the soil requires some logistical forethought. It’s much easier to simply cut open the bags and let the soil fall out but don’t make the mistake of stacking bags on top of each other, which can make it much more unwieldy. 

How to Level Soil Before Laying Turf

The topsoil can now be manipulated and levelled out as much as possible using a simple piece of spare timber. This process helps to reduce the effect of the slopes on a site. 

1. Rake and then compact — this can be done by jumping on something as simple as a scaffold board across the whole site. 
2. Further compact by walking in different directions and tamping down any obvious areas of weakness using flat-soled shoes. 

How to Lay Turf

If laying in the autumn/winter, you’ll need to lay the turf within 24 hours of delivery and immediately in summer. If there is a delay, turves should be laid out flat to prevent discolouring. 

1. Before laying the turf, lightly rake the compacted topsoil in order to allow them to bind. 
2. Start at a straight edge on the site and work from there, using a board to avoid foot indentations. 
3. Abut the top of the turf to the one above it, slightly tucking it in to ensure there is no gap. 
4. Slowly roll out the turf. One person will need to hold onto the top of the turf to keep it in place — particularly on a sloping site. 
5. Once in place, it is critical to tuck in the edges of the turves to allow them to bind to each other, ensuring there are no gaps.
6. If laying on a hot day, make sure you water the turn — do not let it dry out. 
7. Allow the turves to follow the run of the ground. Any shaping of the turves should really be left to the end of the project but initial cutting out can minimise wastage during the laying. 
8. The turves should also be lightly pressed down to connect with the soil, perhaps using a rake held vertically and pressed against the turf. Never use a roller on new turf.
9. Unless there is heavy rain falling immediately after laying the turf, you should give plenty of water to the new lawn upon laying, and for a couple of days after. Continue to water until the turf has established itself. 
10. Keep off the lawn for at least two to three weeks. You should only begin to walk on it once its roots have begun to bind with the soil below. It is also vital to mow the lawn regularly, allowing the maximum sunlight and water to get into the roots. In theory you can mow the turf a week after laying it.

The lockdown measures implemented to help combat the spread of Covid-19 have led to sizeable changes within planning departments. Case officers are working from home and site visits have been suspended, factors which could understandably deter homeowners from submitting new applications for projects.

But could this actually be the best time to apply for planning permission to build an extension, or remodel a home? 

Delays responding to major project applications have been observed, and some applications have reportedly become harder to process due to planning committees being unable to meet in person and determine applications in the normal way (although virtual committees have taken place in recent weeks). This means that planning officers, in some instances, have more time to focus on smaller applications. 

Aspiring extenders and remodelers across the UK could yet make the most of this situation, so we asked homebuilding experts if now is in fact the optimal time to apply to remodel or build an extension.

Do Planning Officers Have More Time Available?

Planning committees normally have to meet in person to discuss major projects, reviewing any objections or problems with an application. Despite the launch of virtual committees, experts agree that there is likely to be delays in some decisions. 

“These delays could leave planners with more time to determine minor applications, including most homeowner applications,” says Michael Holmes, director of content at Homebuilding & Renovating. “Most minor applications are dealt with under delegated powers and so do not go to planning committees.” 

Paul Testa from Paul Testa Architecture agrees that the possible delays favourably impact those applying for smaller projects. Testa told Homebuilding & Renovating: “What we are hearing is that generally for big schemes getting planning permission is less clear-cut, but for smaller schemes like extensions and remodels, case officers don’t have many consultees to deal with. 

“Planning officers aren’t able to deal with their normal consultees in the same way, so they’ve actually got a bit more time to be empowered to make decisions quickly, to clear the smaller jobs off their desk.

“Providing highways issues aren’t a factor, then now is the best time to submit a planning application in most locations.”

Merry Albright, Creative Director at Border Oak Design & Construction, adds that planning officers could be incentivised to approve smaller schemes.

“Extensions and remodelling applications should be taking less time to review because the government has issued advice saying that these are the applications that should be going through,” she told Homebuilding & Renovating. “Unless there is a specific reason for an applicant being rejected, right now there’s no reason for an officer to delay these applications.”

Holmes urges caution, however. “For homeowners, this could be a double-edged sword, as case officers with a reduced workload could pay greater scrutiny to even minor applications. 

“Moreover, the reality for most planners is that they have been hugely understaffed and overstretched in recent years, so a reduced workload would just mean a more manageable workload.”

What Should Extenders and Remodelers Do?

The first thing you should do, Albright says, is look at whether you definitely need formal planning approval. There are many changes you can make using Permitted Development, which grants rights to enable homeowners to undertake certain types of work without the need to apply for planning permission.

“You don’t always need planning permission to extend. If you’re right at the beginning of the process, investigate whether you need formal approval. There are lots of things you can do without need to file an application,” she says.

(MORE: 20 Things You Can Do Without Planning Permission)

If you require planning permission, Albright urges all applicants to be helpful and proactive with your planning officer.

“Be as helpful as you can. One would imagine on smaller applications that case officers would be less likely to scrutinise, but if it’s all they’re working on then they have more time to review it. We’ve had a lot more phone calls from planning officers asking us for more information, such as ‘can you send us this photograph?’, which normally they don’t have time to do. 

“You might need to email and phone your case officer and enquire about any problems and how you can help. Keep applying pressure if you haven’t heard anything back.”

What Problems Could You Face?

With site visits suspended and case officers working from home, local authorities’ planning departments have been appreciably affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Holmes says that, on a general basis, “I am finding, and hearing, that it is taking longer than usual to get certain applications registered, probably due to staff being quarantined and not immediately set up for home working.

“I have also heard of some authorities not accepting any new applications whilst they clear the backlog.”

Albright states that, for new applicants, filing a new application ultimately depends on your planning department and the case officers involved. 

“The government has been clear though that planning departments should find innovative ways to review applications, even if it’s done a slightly different way,” she said.

These alternative ways of working are wide-ranging. For example, a site visit is usually made by a case officer to review the application after the consultation period of 21 days, but under lockdown these visits are not happening and applicants are being advised to submit photographs to provide officers with as much information as possible. 

(MORE: Securing Planning Permission During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know)

Testa added that good quality photos were vital in his firm securing a recent approval. “We had one approved last week that was two weeks early, which seemed a bit tricky at first because the council couldn’t do a site visit, but because of the photos that we sent, suddenly it was done.”

Holmes added: “I expect Google Earth and Street View are playing a more important role in development control than ever.”

Meanwhile, planning notices (which are undertaken by local planning authorities to ensure a formal period of public consultation prior to a decision being made on an application), are usually updated by council employees or contractors, but some councils are not putting up site notices about the status of applications during lockdown. 

Holmes and Albright both suggest that the method of publicising planning applications during lockdown could be changing, and these new routes could subsequently speed up applications.

“Under lockdown I have heard of notices being mailed out to applicants and owners to put out to display, and parish councils can too play a role in this,” said Holmes. 

Albright added: “There are other ways of publicising planning applications. It could be through community websites or through planning officers approaching parish councils or their clerks who often have more knowledge about the area. If you can get notices up, people will see them.”

Holmes concludes that local authorities will generally want to approve small applications to help stimulate the economy, and this is a primary benefit of applying for permission now if you want to remodel or build an extension.

“What is for certain is that the whole of the UK will need to do all it can to generate economic activity to rebuild the economy. Home improvement projects could play a big part in this.” 

Disposing of household waste has been a notable problem facing homeowners since Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced in March. Tips and recycling centres were among the businesses to close their doors, leaving households without a valuable resource.

Waste and rubbish collection facilities are still operating across the UK, but several councils have reported sharp rises in illegal fly-tipping. MPs and councillors have since pleaded for tips to reopen, providing measures are introduced to allow for social distancing.

And the plea has worked, to an extent. Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council announced last week that all its recycling centres will reopen, albeit with temporary restrictions in place to allow for social distancing. And some centres will reopen in Manchester during the next two weeks, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham revealed on Wednesday.

However, depending on where you live, your local recycling centres may remain closed for the foreseeable future. And if you’ve been using lockdown to make home improvements, or were in the middle of a building project, you will likely be left with building waste on top of your everyday household waste, so here are some tips to make the most of a rubbish situation.

Can You Hire a Skip During Lockdown?

Yes. Many skip hire companies and comparison sites remain operational, including SkipHire, Biffa and Skip Hire Comparison. However, the template message to expect is that delays are likely, due to demand problems and delays in fulfilling orders. 

Alternatively, those with smaller amounts of waste could consider hiring a skip bag. Skip bag services are ideal if you’ve been performing DIY tasks and you’re looking to remove anything from old bathrooms and kitchens, garden waste, as well as soil and rubble.

Contact-free delivery and collection companies such as Hippo Waste, Clearabee Skip Bag or Skipbag will deliver a strong bag to your house and collect it from your driveway once it’s full. On average, you can expect to purchase a 90cm x 90cm x 90cm bag for £110-£135, which is delivered and collected from your home. 

Harry Lloyd, head of marketing at Hippobag, said: “We are open for business as normal and aiming for all collections to be made in five working days.

“With a range of Hippobag sizes to suit every need we can support all requirements, removing waste from all manner of home or garden projects. Our unique craned fleet allows for a contactless pick up to ensure we adhere by the social distancing guidelines.”

Hippobag also recommends making the most of your space. “Fill up items that can’t be broken down to ensure there is no wasted space in your bins. And aim to use every square centimeter of space you have.”

Be Creative With Building Waste

In addition to using a skip or skip bag, you may want to consider ways to minimise waste by being creative with surplus building materials.

For example, you could:

• Use whole bricks and blocks elsewhere – they could potentially be used in landscaping projects
• Compact clean rubble and reuse it as hardcore for landscaping purposes (hardcore essentially refers to a gravelly mix that can be used to create a level base for heavy load-bearing surfaces)
• Keep clean hardcore for use beneath patios
• Use any clean wood in a woodburner, and use offcuts or shavings to make a bird table or another garden ornament.

Not only does recycling, reusing and repurposing old items have environmental benefits, but it can help you save money by maximising the life of materials. 

(MORE: How to Get Rid of Rubble)

A self build and custom homes specialist has submitted plans to construct 12 homes in a Cambridgeshire village, but is facing uncertainty due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Pelham Structures plans to transform a four-acre plot on Hardwick Road in Toft, Cambridgeshire, into a residential development. Should the application be approved, aspiring homeowners will be able to build their home themselves or have a bespoke house designed for them.

The plots will be provided for “self-builders who are generally looking for detached houses and more space than is normal of estate housing”, according to a planning statement. 

The 12 homes would all include garages and large gardens. To ensure each self build and custom build property is appropriate to the village setting, each plot would be developed in line with a design code, but self builders could customise the home within certain parameters. 

(MORE: What is custom build?)

Pelham Structures, which operates within Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, owns a factory where it manufactures timber frames. Upon selling the plot to the homeowners, Pelham will tailor its level of support according to each self builder’s requirements.

A spokesperson for Pelham Structures told Homebuilding & Renovating: “We generally find that most people effectively have a desire to build their own home but not really to get stuck in, so they’re very grateful to have the support to build.” 

There are roughly 600 people on the Right to Build register in South Cambridgeshire, Pelham Structures says, and it hopes that approval of the planning application could make a notable difference to those waiting to build their own home.

Backlog of Applications

The coronavirus outbreak could yet prove problematic, however. Pelham Structures filed the application with South Cambridgeshire District Council eight weeks ago, but is yet to hear back from the council.

“There’s a backlog of applications which has been exacerbated by coronavirus,” the spokesperson said. “We have a planning reference number, but I don’t think the council has put notifications up.

“We submitted around eight or nine weeks ago, so we’re almost approaching termination of the deadline.” 

Most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, unless they are unusually large or complex, in which case the time limit is extended to 13 weeks. If South Cambridgeshire District Council cannot decide on the application by this time it will need to obtain written consult from Pelham Structures to extend the period. 

(MORE: Securing Planning Permission During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know)

While planning applications are still receiving approval during the Covid-19 pandemic, applications which have been submitted could take longer to go through the consultation process.

The land in Toft, which is currently used for sheep grazing, has previously been the subject of plans for 30 dwellings, and a subsequent proposal was refused in 2018. But Pelham Structures is confident its application meets the needs of the area. 

“We think that the benefits considerably outweigh the harm, and we obviously want to protect the landscape so there will be a planning balance to strike.”

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Gone are the days of thin sheets of a wood-effect or stone pattern, modern Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a versatile and customisable flooring material

LVT is a stunning flooring alternative with new designs in colours, patterns and textures which give engineered wood, stone and porcelain a run for their money. Practical and warm-to-touch, finishing a project with LVT is certainly worth the time exploring. 

Low Maintenance in High-traffic Areas

For modern families when it comes to choosing flooring it isn’t all down to design. There is a lot to consider, including for those with children or pets, and that’s where LVT comes into its own. Ticking all the boxes, LVT is water-resistant, hardwearing and durable, and therefore perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms and hallways and usually comes with guarantees for at least one decade. 

Requiring little maintenance, LVT can be cleaned simply and easily with some warm water and doesn’t require any silicon sealant if fitted correctly. 

LVT is Heating up the Competition

Many families are renovating and extending existing homes to bring them up to date with the latest mod cons. Underfloor heating (UFH) is one such luxury which is a staple in projects big and small, but the flooring you choose will massively impact how efficient and successful this installation will be.

Most LVT works incredibly well with UFH up to a temperature of 27ºc (most UFH is set at around 21ºc) but also offers a naturally warm feeling which is comfortable underfoot — anyone who has lived with natural stone or porcelain floors will certainly understand how important this can be! 

Get the Style you Want

Huge leaps forward in LVT technology means realistic stone and wood effects can be created. More cost-effective than the real thing, the latest LVT collections are tactile and characterful, replicating the unique patina or grain of natural products. Some suppliers also offer room visualisers which means different styles can be tried and tested before any decisions are made. 

Express Yourself

We spend more time in our homes than ever before and expressing your individual style is an essential aspect of any renovation, extension or self-build project. Cast aside thoughts of tacky linoleum rolls as modern LVT is fit as individual pieces, meaning a unique aesthetic can be customised in the rooms we use the most.

Create herringbone, linear block and even art-deco inspired geometric patterns by exploring different ways to lay LVT and really let your personality shine.