Federation of Master Builders

Iain kirtley joins Delroy at one our latest handovers in the historic town of Burford in the Cotswolds.

Read more at the link below.

FMB highlights for members in the South | FMB, Federation of Master Builders

What is a Passivhaus?

As we encounter more and more clients looking to live in a more sustainable way, we thought we would explain more about what Passivhaus actually means -

It is a building standard that aims to improve energy efficiency at the same time as maintaining the occupants comfort; aiming to create buildings that use very little energy for heating and cooling with the primary objective of maintaining a constant temperature all year round.

Here are 5 key elements of Passivhaus: ⁠

*Insulation - Thermal insulation is considered one of the top requirements in the design and building process of a Passive House. This keeps warmth in during winter and heat out during the summer.

*Triple glazing - windows must be fitted to prevent heat transfer⁠ with insulated frames that won’t feel cold to the touch.

*MVHR mechanical ventilation that works throughout the day and night to keep the air fresh and a constant temp of air⁠.

*Air tight- Passive houses are designed to have a continuous airtight outer shell and to prevent air leakages. The build requires airtightness to be around 20x that of a standard build – allowing for clear comfort benefits that include reducing draughts and cold spots. The longevity of a building is also improved when the structure is so tightly looked after.

*Thermal bridges - Passivhaus is designed to reduce the thermal bridges around a property, heat leaves the building through the path of least resistance so for example under doorways, the gaps and holes between the buildings fabric. These areas are given extra insulation and will then minimise any cold spots around the building.

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Are you looking to make significant improvements to your home and reduce your carbon footprint? We can discuss how to make your build more sustainable, to schedule a site consultation with us please email Hannah@ireson-bailey.co.uk and tell us more about your project.

Why do Building Regulations matter?

How do Building Regs Help me?

Building Regulations are government imposed rules for construction projects to keep the build safe and secure by making sure builders don’t cut corners.

Your builder is required to complete your construction to these regulations but how do they help you?

Protecting your health -many older houses that were built pre current regulations might have rising damp or other toxic chemicals in the construction materials. by sticking to the approved documents your builder will need to rectify these issues and ensure your build is safe for your wellbeing.

Structural integrity is a key component of the building regs, making sure the building is on top of well laid foundations is a top priority; the trenches must always be inspected pre concrete pour and this is why you will see our groundworkers collecting photographic evidence of as they dig and fill them.

Drainage if badly designed can come back to haunt you with some really unpleasant side effects so we are thankful for the building regs at this point!

Fire safety, especially when it comes to the loft, sticking rigidly to the regulations will save a life. Say YES to the fire doors even if you think they aren’t attractive.

Energy efficiency is a biggie at the moment with some of the most significant changes happening in regards to insulation and the efficiency of your home heating. The desire for large glass and a highly glazed look has also impacted the regulations with an addition in June 2022 to prevent over heating - some houses had been over heating due to the amount of glass in homes with not much ventilation.

Wider impact of building regs is that we can reduce water consumption, make homes more accessible and safer for the person/people living in them and prevent fire spreading from one property to the next.

So when your looking to choose your builder make sure they are upto date on all of the regulations to make your home more efficient and safer!

If you would like to schedule a site consultation with us please email Hannah@ireson-bailey.co.uk

Finding Build Inspiration!

It all begins with an idea, but where do you go to expand on that idea? Our clients use a number of ways to get inspiration for their up-coming build projects.

We thought with 2024 nearly with us we would share with you some good ways of gaining build inspo and answering those questions that you haven’t yet answered.

• Attend Home Build and Renovation Show, you can go and visit a number of trader stands and see some professional talks with Q & A often times they offer free tickets.

• Your local area, it sounds obvious but sometimes we forget the houses in close proximity to us, you can also see what type of builds have got planning permission and what you ‘must haves’ are for you home.

• CheckaTrade not only has the tradesmen on their site they offer plenty of information to help you get your build plan underway.

• For those larger projects Grand Designs on channel 4 is a must view!

• You could set up a Pinterest to create a number of idea boards, pinning down what colours and designs you like along with interior design, perhaps you are considering open plan but not sure how to configure the kitchen and dining space, Pinterest is great for visualisation.

• Instagram is great to look at because you can follow real time projects and see many before and afters with home owners documenting their progress and areas where they could have improved or had more budget. Use #homedesign #homeinspo #realhomes #showusyourgaff #federationmasterbuilders #oxfordproperty #oxfordhomes

Make more space with less demolition.

How many of us have a garage that is just full of clutter, probably stuff that you can happily get rid of?

Extending your space by making use of the footprint you already have is a cost effective way of making home improvements, maybe you want to add one of the following ideas below;

• Turn your garage into a bedroom for guests or teenage children.

• Convert it into a playroom for your children or grandchildren.

• Add a practical laundry room, utility, boot room or shower.

• Build a home gym or yoga studio.

• Set up a home cinema or games room.

• Create a home office or studio for your creative pursuits.

Transforming this often overlooked area into a functional and stylish extension of your living space will not only add value to your home but will give you a new living area to enjoy.

Here are a couple of things to consider before you make any changes;

• Check for building regulations, will the change be under permitted development?

• Damp proofing and checking for subsidence

• Ensure you have good ventilation, do you need to add a window/sky light to add extra light?

• How is the garage attached to your home?

• Insulation should be a top priority so you can be comfortable in it throughout the seasons.

• Where do you need your light and electrical fittings and do you need plumbing?

Calculate your costs before you start the project to make sure you can complete your space in the way you would like it done, then you know it will be put to good use;

• Measure up your material requirements and add 10% for contingency

• Calculate labour costs or get a quote from a builder to do the project for you

• Will the job include VAT?

From early in the journey of building your dream home we can give you this advice - to organise a consultation email 📧Hannah
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Let us help you bring your vision to life and create a haven that reflects your unique style and personality. ⁠

Budgeting Checklist.

Planning your dream home build? ⁠

✏️ A comprehensive checklist is essential for budgeting your project. From selecting materials to co-ordinating deliveries, every detail counts. ⁠See our checklist below;

• Make sure you have a detailed plan of the works you intend to carry out right down to paints, tiles and plug sockets.

• Get samples of materials and fixtures you like so you can be sure what you are choosing and to make sure they arrive on time. Some products might have a longer lead time than others and can impact the speed of your project completion.

• Agree the schedule of works with your builder. That way you will know if you need to plan moving out for a bit of the build phase. Planning for these extras will allow you to budget accordingly.

• It's also good to have a contingency budget in case you go over; we say "in case" but going over budget is easy to do, we know this ourselves from our own projects. ⁠You might also decide you want higher end tiles in your bathroom or kitchen, you may look at the plug sockets and consider if you'd prefer to have USB sockets instead of your normal 3 pin. Or you might look at venetian plastering as an alternative to a smooth plaster finish.

• Setting up a Pinterest is a good way to find looks that you and your family like, you can then create mood boards.

From early in the journey of building your dream home we can work with you to ensure you work in lime with budget and time scales.

To organise a free consultation email 📧Hannah
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Let us help you bring your vision to life and create a haven that reflects your unique style and personality. ⁠