Garage & Attic Conversions | Posted 29.08.09
Over the years, your house space requirements will often change. You may need an extra bedroom, or an en-suite bathroom. Removing or repositioning the internal walls of your property will often introduce more light and warmth into your house and create a sense of more space.
In most cases, unless your property is a listed building, you are free to put up partition walls as well as to install en-suite and understairs toilets. etc. Building work that involves load bearing walls or changes to the outside of the house may require compliance with the relevant building regulations.
These modifications will allow you to make the most of your existing space and convert otherwise unused space from one room into say, a larger kitchen or living room.
Many building firms specialise in attic conversions, and the introduction of even a small window into the roof or gable end wall can transform a house. Even if your attic is small, you may have enough space for a child's bedroom or study area.
Before you make definite plans for this space, you should check to see if any beams and trusses that take up additional space can be built around. Also, is the floor reinforced to take the weight of the furniture you intend to put in the attic? You may need specialist advice on your options before going ahead.
Full Article | Garage & Attic Conversions
Landlord & Tenants | Posted 28.08.09
One of the most common, yet most
easily resolved disputes between
landlords and tenants, relates to
the condition and the content of
the property to be rented.
Landlords should provide tenants
with a detailed list of the
contents of the house and
agreement should be reached as to
the condition of the house before
the new tenants move in.
Landlords must be prepared to
accept a certain amount of
unavoidable normal wear and tear
in the furnishings and fittings
of the house, especially if they
are lucky enough to have their
property continuously rented out.
Full Article | Resolving Rental Disputes
Legal Issues | Posted 27.08.09
Steps involved after you have agreed a price with the Buyer,
Appoint a Solicitor
Once you have agreed a price, you should seriously consider appointing a legal representative as early as possible. Solicitors need your agreement to find and secure your property's Title Deeds if they are held by a bank or building society. The earlier this is done, the less chance of any delay in issuing Contracts at a later stage.
Take up Title Deeds
After they have received your written authority, the Solicitor will take up your Title Deeds from your Bank or Building Society. This takes about 14 days and at this stage your Solicitor will pay a scheduling fee to your Bank or Building Society on behalf of you, the seller.
Details Of Sale
The details of sale should be written once the price and conditions have been agreed by you and the booking deposit has been paid by the buyer. The details of sale contain basically what has been agreed by the buyer and seller, that is: the price, conditions of sale contents, buyer's name and address, name of buyer's solicitors and estimated closing date.
Contracts are Issued
After receiving the details of sale, your Solicitor will write the contracts and send them, together with a copy of your Title Deeds to the Solicitors representing the buyers.
www.moloney-solicitors.ie, 6 O'Curry Street,
Limerick, is a firm of solicitors based in the heart of Limerick City, with a broad range of specialist legal knowledge. They offer practical and insightful advice, tailored to the needs of each individual client.
Full Article | Legal Issues | Selling Your House
Log Cabins | Posted 26.08.09
Log cabins are available in a variety of sizes and designs. They provide an ideal and affordable way of obtaining that "little bit of extra space", with minimum disruption. Most small cabins are erected quickly and can be custom built to your own specifications or to standard designs. Log cabins range in size from small units suitable for home offices, teenage retreats, utility rooms etc. to dwelling houses and larger buildings.
Small units such as home offices, playrooms etc. up to 25 sq/m do not usually require planning permission falling as they do into the category exempt from development. However larger buildings and dwellings may require planning permission depending on size and proposed use. Full details regarding planning permission may be obtained from your local county council offices.
Coppola Cabins are constructed from Scandinavian Spruce with different log thickness, tile effect felt roof, wooden double glazed windows and doors.
Wooden Windows | Posted 25.08.09
Many modern homes have uPVC windows and doors, which for the most part, are virtually maintenance-free. However, if your property features wooden windows and doors, you will need to protect them from damage caused by rain, frost and the suns' UV rays.
Weather protection systems for wooden structures are either paint based or varnish based. In the past, most exterior paints were oil based, but nowadays many paints are water based, which allows for easier brush cleaning and less toxic residues and reduced heavy odors.
The technology behind varnish coats has also improved recently, with a vast range of colors and stains to choose from.
Whatever system you choose, the key to long lasting protection is preparation. The effort taken to remove all loose paint and sand down surfaces is well worth it, as it will save you time later in repairing damage due to badly applied paint.
The best time to renew your woodwork paint is at the end of summer when the least amount of moisture will be trapped within the wood.
Before starting the actual painting, you must spend as much time as necessary in the preparation of the surface. You will need a scraping knife, sanding paper and a sanding block for flat surfaces. If you are burning old paint off woodwork, make sure you can quickly and safely douse any small fires that may result. Paint stripper may be a better choice and remember to keep oil-based paint and white spirit away from sources of heat. Wear rubber gloves and protective glasses whilst working.
Full Article | Wooden Windows
BER Certificate | Posted 24.08.09
The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) recently passed into law in Ireland. It lists a new set of provisions aimed at improving energy performance of residential and non-residential property, both existing buildings as well as new or proposed structures. Property owners are now obliged to provide a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate, which is basically an energy performance label. They will be required at the point of sale or rental of a building, or on completion of a new building. A BER is similar to the energy label for a household electrical appliance.
The label has a scale from A to G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient. The information contained in the BER certificate allows consumers to check the energy performance of a building and enables them to take this into consideration in any decisions on property transactions.
The Directive is designed to ensure that building standards across Europe comply with the goal of minimizing energy consumption. This Directive affects consumers all across Europe and attempts to reduce energy consumption, whilst not requiring huge additional expenditure at the consumer and business level.
Full Article | BER Certificates
Mortgages | Posted 23.08.09
Before applying for any mortgage, no matter how small, you must be absolutely certain of how much you can afford to pay back. If you need to, get some independent professional advice and make sure that you have included everything in your budget calculations. Be realistic about the sacrifices, such as a smaller car or the lack of an overseas holiday, that you may have to make in order to repay your mortgage.
Obviously the amount you can borrow will depend primarily on the amount of money you earn. Shop around for the best deal or go to an independent mortgage broker.
There are two things to bear in mind when applying for a mortgage: what is the percentage of the house value you can receive as a mortgage, say 80 to 95 percent, and what earnings limit will the lender impose, a typical example being three and a half times your salary.
If you are applying for a mortgage with your spouse or partner, what extra amount of mortgage is available if two salaries are available for repayment?
Many people applying for a loan worry about being turned down, but remember, lenders can usually adjust loan terms in many ways in order to help you qualify for a loan.
Full Article | Applying for a Mortgage
Bedrooms | Posted 22.08.09
A bedroom is not complete without beautiful and comfortable furniture. Bedroom sets such as beds, dressers, armoires, chests, and nightstands come in a variety of style, shape and size. Beautiful furniture sets adds a beautiful look to a bedroom.
Bedroom Studio features Flou, one of Italy's foremost design house for bedroom furniture. Since 1978, Flou have been trendsetters in this area through collaborations with world-class designers.
Architects | Posted 21.08.09
Using an architect from the earliest planning stage of your project allows them to gain more opportunities to understand your needs, develop creative solutions, and propose ways to reduce your construction and maintance costs costs. A well designed building can both reduce your costs and increase its long-term value.
Architects can manage your project from site selection to completion.
In many building projects the role of the architect includes co-ordinating a team of specialist consultants such as landscape architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, interior designers, builders and subcontractors.
Louise Sliney Architects, based in Munster, is a dynamic young practice offering a full range of architectural services for residential and commercial projects including:
one-off housing,
house extensions and renovations, interior design consultations, multiple housing, apartment developments and office and commercial developments.
House Insulation | Posted 20.08.09
Efficient home insulation, as well as reducing your home heating bills, has another major benefit, it reduces sound transmission, both from nearby houses but also from noise created in your own house from home appliances such as your heating system, washing matching as well as TVs and radios.
Three main types of insulation are used in modern houses.
Fibrous insulation uses narrow fibers bonded together and which trap air between them. Examples of fibrous insulation include fiberglass blankets and boards. In the past asbestos wool was often used as insulation but health concerns now prevent its use in the home.
Cellular insulation again uses small pockets of air but now they are trapped within tiny bubbles or foams. A prime example of cellular insulation is polystyrene.
Fibrous and cellular insulation reduce heat loss by absorbing air, whereas radiant barriers and coatings are composed of a surface that reflects radiant heat. Aluminum paint and metal foil are examples of reflective coatings.
One measure of the usefulness of home insulation is given by the R Value. "R" stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R- value, the more heat it can resist.
Premier Insulations Nationwide are established over 25 years and are considered market leaders in the home insulation business. Based in the midlands and operating nationwide, they offer advice, surveys and quotations on cavity wall insulation,
Full Article | Home Insulation