You can extend your home in several different directions. This could be building up into the loft, excavating down to create a basement, or extensions to the front, side or rear. A lot of home owners choose the latter because it can transform the entire property. There are lots of potential design ideas for rear extensions. A sensitive extension If you plan to use your permitted development rights to create the extension, you need to ensure it is sensitive to the main buildin

Spring is a great time of year to extend your home - once the chaos of Christmas is over and hopefully the project can be finished in time so that you can enjoy your garden over the summer. However many of our clients don't understand how long things can take before you can actually start building. On average a project take 6 months between starting the design process and starting work on site, that six months is made up of the following: Initial design stage (4 weeks): Our i

As you look out your window on these cold, snowy winter days, it probably doesn’t feel like you should be thinking about extending your home. However, now is exactly the right time to start the process to be finished during the summer. Unfortunately, the weather here in the UK is not the most conducive for external works from late October through until about February or March – as there are more rainy days and less daylight hours. At Thames Design & Build we usually advise cl

Due to the national shortage of PIR (Celotex, Kingspan etc.) insulation, we did some research into alternative solutions at Thames Design & Build. We came across Actis Insulation, which have a product called Hybris, which can be installed between studs, rafters and joists as an alternative to PIR board in lots of situations. When this is combined with their HControl Hybrid or Boost Hybrid products, the required U-Values for Building Regulations are easily achieved. The pros a

The Halifax have just released their June 2017 house price index and the results show house prices are falling slightly - but they are still higher than this time last year. In a time of political uncertainty it certainly makes sense to make the most of the value and living experience of the home you are currently in rather than moving. Moving house is an expensive business, especially in London and the home counties with huge stamp duty to pay as well as the associated fees.

At Thames Design & Build we have recently found that many of our clients seem to be opting for sliding doors as opposed to bi-fold doors, so is the fashion changing? Below are some pros and cons of sliding versus bi fold doors: Sliding Doors Pros * large glass panes possible * Wider overall width available * Open and close in line, not protruding * More traditional as a replacement * Up to two thirds opening * Narrow frame widths * Works well with curtains and blinds *H

The Pamborises loved the idea of a new family home and moved to Ewell to achieve this. What they missed was a real family hub to share and so they engaged Thames Design and Build to realise their vision The Pamborises live in their 1920s house in Thorndon Gardens, Ewell, with their 20- month- old toddler. They moved from Earls eld, where they had a two-bedroomed at, to enjoy more of the family lifestyle they wanted with their young daughter. The house that they fell in love