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You and Your Architect

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Your ArchitectThe Architects Registration Board was set up by the Government in 1997 as part of an independent body within the UK that regulates architects. The reasoning behind The Architects Registration Board is that they appeal and support the public and are created to protect their interests as consumers. This leaflet provides you with information about what to expect if you are thinking of hiring an architect for your home projects.

You and Your Architect

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UK Property Market In Christmas Bounce

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In recent years trying to find or sell your home on the market has been a struggle. Amid recession and economy fears it would seem that the property market is benefiting from a pre-Christmas boom as reported by The Little House Company a private house sale website. It recorded a 14% jump in new listings published on its website compared to 2011. These figures were supported by similar findings taken from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They discovered that more homeowners were listing their properties on the market and equally their has been a rise in the number of potential buyers.

Studies into this latest property market phenomenon from the RICS showed an increase in new buyer inquiries since October with 18% of all respondents reporting rises of an overall 5% from previous months.

A representative for RICS, Ian Perry, said “The number of potential buyers going out and viewing property saw a welcome boost last month. It seems that with Christmas around the corner, those who are in a position to buy decided to get out there and see what is available.”

Since October 2011 the RICS has seen an increase in the number of properties being put on sales market this represents the largest rise since April 2011.

Ian Perry went on to say “Overall activity is still very low in most parts of the country and what the market desperately needs is for this to translate into actual sales.”

However though this report seems promising the UK’s property market is still in jeopardy and remains weak. Many mortgage lenders have accounted an 18% drop of loans and lending towards purchasing property in September 2012 alone. These findings would suggest the Pre-Christmas boost will not be a long term solution to the housing markets continuous instability.

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People Risk Homes To Fund Christmas

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A recent article suggests that hundreds of thousands of people within the UK risk their property in order to pay for Christmas. In Scotland alone 280,000 people are expected to skip paying their rent or mortgage in December, in order to purchase presents, food and other luxury Christmas items.  The survey which was initiated by YouGov a housing charity for Shelter Scotland whereby they asked 1,029 people whether they would forgo paying housing payments in order to support the cost of Christmas, the results were then applied to the population as a whole. They discovered that around one in 12 adults equating to 83,690 people; were planning on missing their rental payments in preparation for Christmas. This was then compared with the one in 14 homeowners the equivalent to around 196,000 people who were expecting to miss mortgage payments for the same reasons.

The director for Shelter Scotland Graeme Brown stated : “Too many people are risking their homes by missing or delaying rent and mortgage payments. With Christmas just around the corner, many can feel pressured to spend money they simply don’t have.We urge people to think very carefully before delaying rent or mortgage payments. It can seem like a quick fix, but can have long lasting implications.”

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Winter Home Repairs

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Winter Home RepairsThe UK weather forecast has issued many regions with continual freezing temperatures and unpredictable flooding caused by heavy rain. Lloyds TSB Home Insurance is advising property owners to maintain their homes by carrying out home winter health checks in order to reduce the risk of damage.

Last year Lloyds TSB handled over 26,500 claims for burst and freezing pipes the cost of which averaged to £1,479 per claim to fix. Furthermore as many as 14,000 claims were made for windstorm damage to properties costing on average around £350 to repair.

Tim Downes a senior claims manager for Lloyds TSB said:  “In winter we tend to think less about our homes’ exterior and like to retreat indoors, however there are some essential checks that need to be carried out to see it through the bad weather. Prevention is the key, as much of the damage could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing for the bad weather”

Lloyds TSB goes on to advise homeowners to check the conditions of their roofs during the winter period, being careful to examine for cracked or broken tiles, or any problems extending to the chimney or pointing. If you should require repairs it is best to seek professional help immediately and do not hesitate in having work carried out, especially if the weather is to worsen.

They are also recommend that homeowners clear and remove any vegetation from their gutters and drain pipes as this reduces the risk of blockages and overflowing. Secure all outside gates, fences and loose garden items. Also check external lighting, fixtures and fixings to maintain the appropriate lighting to the exterior of your property. In cutting back overhanging branches, trees and garden foliage you will also reduce the risk of potential damage that can be caused by high winds during storms.

There are also preventative measures that you can use within the interior of your home such as having heating and boilers checked and fully serviced on an annual basis to keep them in working condition. The same can be done with central heating and gas fires to ensure they work efficiently and safely. It is also good practice to have a fully insulated property concentrating on loft insulation with adequate ventilation. A simple way of keeping your home warm and well insulated during winter is by using thicker curtains and keeping the central heating set at a consistent 10 degrees in order to prevent pipes from freezing.

Additional advice includes keeping a home emergency keep as precautionary measure to deal with them tricky winter problems that may crop up. These can be anything from blackouts, flooding and severe snow.  You should include in your kit items such as torches, spare bulbs, batteries, candles, tools, emergency numbers, documentation, food supplies, spare phone, warm clothing, blankets and a shovel.

UK Home Owners Urged To Check Out Winter Repairs Now

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Winterizing Your Home

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Winterizing your HomeMaking sure that you maintain your property through winter will ensure that it will be kept in good condition for the rest of the year. As winter begins to firmly settle in for the next foreseeable months then it is a good a time as any to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to dramatically drop your home requires regular maintenance in order to ease it through the winter period.  Here are 10 top tips to help you keep your home in shape right through to spring.

1. Maintain your boiler and heating system.

If you find your heating system or boiler is struggling to cope with the change of season it could warrant calling a professional to perform a check to make sure everything is in order. They always say prevention is better than cure and no one wants to their home to be left in the cold during the winter. Consider changing your thermostat to a programme setting, and timing regular intervals in which to heat your home this can prevent the pipes from seizing up if it becomes excessively cold. If your home has radiators installed then it is good to get into the practice of bleeding the valves to allow the air to pass and water appear when open.

2. Check the exterior of your property, including doors and windows.

Make a complete inspection of the exterior of your property, looking directly for crevices and cracks which may leave exposed entry points, these should be sealed immediately. This will increase your homes energy efficiency and help keep pests and unwanted visitors out.  Block out draughts with weather proofing items or draught excluders to prevent cold air from entering the property.

3. Prepare your fireplace.

If your property consists of a fireplace it will need careful maintenance over the winter period, if not at least some prior preparation. First you should start by screening off the top of your chimney to keep out any pests such as rodents or birds who are most attracted to warm homes when temperatures drop. If you chimney hasn’t received any cleaning in a while then this would be the ideal time to hire a professional to remove any soot and debris. If you intend to use your fireplace during the winter months then remember to purchase or collect enough firewood and store it in a cool dry place away from the exterior of the property.

4. Inspecting Roofs, Gutters and Drainpipes

In winter temperatures can severely drop adding extra insulation into your home is key to keeping your home warm and energy efficient.  Starting with loft insulation and ventilation will allow your property to benefit and will prevent air from being lost and from cold air creeping in. In addition you can insulate your home better if you maintain your roof and replace any worn or broken tiles. Too prevent further blockages, flooding and overflowing empty any debris and vegetation from guttering and drainpipes. You could consider applying leaf guards or extensions to certain areas of your guttering to direct water away from your home.

5. Checking foundations

Maintain the exterior foundations of your property to ensure that it will not cause any harm or damage to its future. Remove any vegetation and debris that may have built up around areas of your foundations that could lead to damp and mildew. Prevent the possibility of infestation and pests by sealing up and filling in small areas in your foundations those creatures could use to gain entry. Sills around the exterior of your property may become easily damaged during winter and could also harbour nasty surprises. Check that these sills are not rotting and becoming possible homes for pests and insects.

6. Installing Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors has been greatly published over the winter. Installing a carbon monoxide detector near your boiler can be a live saving device especially due to the increase in which we use our heating systems during winter.  You should always carry out regular checks on these devices to ensure that they are still fully working over wise the devise is fairly redundant.

7. Service and maintain garden equipment before storing

Before storing any underused garden equipment and tools for winter, be sure to service and maintain them so that they won’t damage or cause damage to your property or the item. Drain petrol from lawnmowers and over tools and equipment before any long term storage. Thoroughly clean and dry any summer garden equipment and store in the appropriate places.  Replace any shovels or rakes that are worn as these maybe be required for further use in the future winter months.

8. Prepare your exterior and garden

Any overhanging branches, trees or shrubbery should be trimmed back as to prevent any damage to the property due to close proximity. Maintaining your garden throughout the year will limit the attention you will need to pay it during winter. Move any sensitive plants indoors that will be sheltered from the harsh weather conditions. Remove dead vegetation that may be blocking driveways, sidewalks and entrances to your property. Fully seal driveways and decking to

9. Prevent your plumbing from freezing

Make sure you know the location of your stop cock in case you need to access it during an emergency. Drain all exterior gardening equipment of water, items such as hoses, watering cans etc. When concentrating indoors be sure to insulate exposed pipes and drain radiators and other central heating appliances. If you find your property is empty for continual periods during winter set your heating to come on when you are not at home so your property remains at a constant temperature.

10. Prepare an emergency kit

Additional advice for homeowners is to preparing an emergency kit, which may be useful if you have to deal with any winter problems. Having such items as candles, torches to hand in case of power cuts or blackouts can be beneficial. Also having a fully charged mobile, emergency numbers, contacts and documentation can be a good practice. Make sure that you have such amenities available to you that can sustain you during long winter periods such as water, food, warm clothing and blankets. Ensure that you have a small tool bag in order to make ant small fixes to the property if required and a plan of action if you need to evacuate the property at any time.

Derby Architects value that prevention is better than cure when it comes to home winter maintenance and by following and employing some or if not all these useful tips you should increase your chances of surviving over your property surviving the winter period.

Winterizing Your Home

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Preparing Your Home for Winter on a Budget

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Winter on a Budget

The recent winter weather can have a dramatic effect on the condition of our property and therefore winter maintenance is essential in keeping our homes fit. The recent drop in temperatures around the UK has become a wide concern for many homeowners not least for us but for the very survival of our properties.  It appears that almost every season comes with its own preparations, spring educes us to clean franticly, in autumn we struggle to balance the repairs from indoors to outside. Winter imposes on us added expenditure for our homes at a time when we are usually stretched to the limit.

Knowing when, and were and what to do in order to limit the cost of maintain your home through winter is key to those that want to finance their winter home maintenance on a budget. Below we discuss just some of the useful tips we found in a recent article demonstrating ways in which you can manage home improvements through winter with very little financial cost involved.

1. Maintain you’re garden and exterior.

Though many of us may consider our homes interior to be a priority during winter, the exterior and garden of your property is just as important. If you wish to protect you’re seasonal and sensitive plants and shrubbery, you would do best to bring them in doors and offer them shelter from the harsh weather and temperatures.  When organising your gardens design you should seek to incorporate all the seasons therefore allowing your garden to have just as much appeal in winter as other times of the year. If you are looking to just create a minimal look for your garden then purchasing winter hanging baskets can add that sense of mood during the bleaker periods.

You should also seek to remove debris and vegetation from paths, driveways and entrances to your home that may cause blockages, slipping hazards and potential unwanted environments for pests. Furthermore make sure that if you have any overhanging trees, branches or foliage that it is trimmed and kept back from the exterior of your property to prevent damage during high winds and storms.

2. Carry out a full winter clean.

As before remember to focus on both the exterior and interior of your home especially when carrying out a thorough clean of the property. Just as you would spring clean the interior it can be good practice to do the same during winter especially as dust, bacteria and allergens can build during the colder months. Cleaning and opening windows occasionally will provide good ventilation and

When concentrating on the exterior, remember to remove vegetation and debris from drainpipes and guttering to prevent blockages and overflowing. Other potential areas you should regularly check is roofing, foundations to your property, fencing and gates and other out buildings. If any of these should require maintenance or repair you should issue them immediately as to reduce further expense at a later stage.

3. Knowing when to heat your home.

The biggest change we may see in our homes during winter is the increase in which we use our central heating and boiler systems. In many instances homeowners avoid switching on their heating until it is totally unbearable to not do so, especially as temperatures begin to plummet. However we should never sacrifice comfort in order to save a few pennies even more so if it can become detrimental to an individual’s health.

By making sure that you have your boiler fully serviced and maintenance at the end of the summer you can be sure that it is in full working order for upcoming gruelling winter months. Begin regular using your heating at low temperatures when needed as winter approaches gradually working up the heating as the weather becomes colder. You can heat the house only when it is occupied though using a timer to maintain a regular temperature might be advisable especially if you wish to avoid having frozen pipes. You save more money by having your heating at a constant temperature at regular intervals then only having it switched on when it becomes too cold.

4. Change your homes furnishings.

If you are reluctant in having to switch on your homes heating so early on in the winter then there are other ways to keep warm that won’t necessarily break the bank. Changing soft home furnishings such as curtains, blankets and bed linen to thicker materials will insulate your home and keep you warmer at night.

5. Regularly save.

During winter many things can happen and problems may appear around your property that you wouldn’t expect to deal with on a regular basis. Therefore if you need to make legitimate home repairs in emergencies then covering the cost may be an issue. Having somewhere you can make regular small savings can help fund such projects and if you make these deposits through the year then the amount can soon add up. Having a little extra to fall back on in hard times is a good way of protecting your finances and your property over winter. There are many useful sites online that can help get you started such as supersavvyme.

Preparing Your Home For Winter On A budget

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Five Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winter

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Derby Architects

Though Christmas may be over it doesn’t mark the end of winter just yet, and therefore winter preparations are still key to your homes maintenance. We at Woore-Watkins.co.uk see prevention as being better then cure and if you want your property to remain in good condition for all them future home projects then following these five useful tips could be beneficial and save you money.

1. Insulation

Many of us don’t realise just how much of our homes heat and energy is lost through the roof due to poor loft insulation. In order to maintain your homes heat adequate insulation is essential. Over a quarter of our properties home energy and heating is lost due to poor insulation and The Energy Saving Trust believes that we could benefit to save £150 per household by improving our loft and roof insulation. There are also little adjustments you can make to your home’s interior such as using draught excluders and installing thicker curtains during winter to reduce the amount of warmth we lose. Also we can keep warmer at night by buying thicker bed linen and adding extra blankets and sheets.

 2. Investing in double glazing

Another necessity in keeping down the cost of heating our homes during winter can be to invest in double glazing which can dramatically reduce the amount of heat we lose by half. Insulating other exterior areas such as windows and doors can save us around £35 annually.

3. Turning down your heating

Many homeowners think they can save money simply by only having their heating switched on at times when it so cold it can’t be avoided. However it is better practice to keep your heating on regularly at a constant temperature. You can use your timer to plan when your homes heating and water systems come on and therefore prevent pipes from freezing during cold weather even when your home is unoccupied. If you were to reduce your thermostat by just one degree then you could potentially save £55 a year.

4. Investing in a new boiler

80% of the energy we use within our home is accounted for by our water and heating, therefore having an energy efficient boiler is essential for modern homes. The latest condensing boilers waste less energy than any other type due to their ability to extract heat from the gas that usually would escape. If you have had your current boiler for longer than 15 years then swapping it for a new condensing model could help you save around £235 per year. When looking for new boiler models be sure to find those that have the label of recommendation from the Energy Saving trust.

5. Change your energy supplier

If you are finding the cost of your energy bills just to much to contend with then don’t continue to struggle and start by searching for a new supplier. You can easily save money on future energy bills by changing your provider and there are many helpful sites that can compare and locate the best prices and deals for you. In the first instance contact your current provider to see if their is anything they could do to help reduce the current costs and if there isn’t a cheaper alternative available then compare other suppliers that can offer you better value for money.  There are many approved comparison websites available online such as The Energy Shop or U Switch.

Wewould like to wish you a Happy New Year and we know that concentrating on the future of your home is of great importance to you. If you wish to have any help or advice in the home projects you will be undertaken during 2013 then Woore Watkins could be of assistance to you!

Five Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winter

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Marx for Trying – A Look at Karl Marx on Masters of Money from BBC2

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We’ve spent a little time thinking about how different life might be if Karl Marx’s theories were adopted successfully into the UK. Improving the value of your home is an easy thing to do under Capitalism, but if Marx’s communism was introduced to the UK, would living conditions be better? It’s likely they’d be more basic, but would they be more comfortable? What if social economy – family, friends, time spend working and living together as equals etc – were adopted, would we be better or worse off?

The BBC’s put together a fantastic TV show, presented by Stephanie Flanders, investigates Marx’s theories’ relationship to money, property, and the difference between personal and social wealth. While many people living in the UK would be desperate to keep hold of their homes, we can’t help but wonder if socialism would benefit worse-off people – especially the lonely.

Masters of Money – Watch Clips of the Show Here

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Derby Architects: The History of Architectural Photography

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We wrote this post on architectural photography a while ago, but as we didn’t do anything with it, we decided to make it into a fancy presentation. So sit back and relax and enjoy some featured content courtesy of Woore Watkins Derby Architects!

Some of the text is a bit small, so if you can’t read it, click the Scribd icon on the bottom left of the iframe and you can see the document a bit larger on there.

Thanks for taking the time to read our article, we very much appreciate it. Feel free to embed in into your site using the code below:

About Woore Watkins Derby Architects

We are genuine Derby Architects, but we are also architectural bloggers and if you’d like us to write for your blog, feel free to get in touch with us, we can never have too many requests!

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5 Top Architecture Blogs

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Earth Architecture

Our planet still holds plenty in the way of natural beauty, and this blog seeks to highlight every single bit of it. Their tagline is fantastic.

“One half of the world’s population, approximately 3 billion people on six continents, lives or works in buildings constructed of earth.”

It’s not full of the typical shiny skyscrapers with perfect lighting, but what it does have is genuinely brilliant buildings made from the very ground upon which they stand.

http://eartharchitecture.org/

Bad British Architecture

This is brilliant for all the reasons we’re not used to. There aren’t many architecture blogs that are genuinely funny, but this is one of them. As far as they’re concerned, Britain has got some shocking examples of architecture and they want to make us all aware of it, whilst having a witty little dig.

http://badbritisharchitecture.blogspot.co.uk/

The Architecture Blog

This blog is fantastic because of its simplicity and clarity. It offers beautiful photography of both grand and small architecture: massive cathedrals, office buildings and hotels, to small homes and even back yards. The blog is styled in such a way as to draw your attention to the photography, which truly is wonderful.

http://architectureblog.tumblr.com/

A Daily Dose of Architecture

New York City is arguably one of the most important architectural cities on Earth. So what better place to blog about architecture? A mixture of text-based musings and photographs, Archidose is run by John Hill, who is a published architectural writer.

http://archidose.blogspot.co.uk/

Anarchitecture

Based in Austria but blogging on architecture worldwide, Anarchitecture contains blog posts courtesy of architect Christoph Wassman. Not only posting on buildings, but on interiors and even fixtures such as arcade gaming machines, Anarchitecture is an interesting and wonderfully unique blog.

http://www.an-architecture.com/

Derby Architects

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Woore Watkins Derby Architects News Round-Up

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Derby ArchitectsAn architect’s life is often a challenging, rewarding and sometimes stressful place; it’s never a boring one. Architects around the world are often the centre of news stories for the work they’ve done. We’ve been Derby architects for over 60 years, but we’ve never had a single day go by without something newsworthy piquing our interest.

Here’s what’s been grabbing our attention around the world of architecture recently:

Melnikov House at risk of collapse, warn architects and experts

Melnikov House at Risk of CollapseThe home of Konstantin Melnikov, the celebrated Russian architect, is under threat of collapsing if construction continues in such close proximity. The architect’s daughter Ekaterina Karinskaya has explained that apathy from local government is to blame from the cracks which continue to appear in the structure’s foundation. Fans of Melnikov’s work are working towards having the structure protected and repaired.

Melnikov House at risk of collapse, warn architects and experts

Films for ArchitectsTop 50 films for architects

This article released today by BDOnline.co.uk provides an interesting distraction for architects, or even anyone interested in architecture. The top 50 films for architects gives a list of 50 movies of particular interest to those of us in the trade.

Top 50 films for architects

Rick Mather dies aged 75

Rick Mather, the American architect, has passed away aged 75. He was shortlisted for 2010′s Stirling Prize, and celebrated for his quiet manner and pragmatic design. He graduated from the University of Oregon but moved to the UK, where he established his practice in Camden in the 1970s. The cause of death has been established as a brief illness brought about by asbestos exposure.

Rick Mather dies aged 75

Housing without developers: Argentina’s architects show the way

This article from the Guardian claims that the UK’s current housing crisis may be helped by following Argentina’s example. Housing developers often bypass using architects’ services altogether, leading to what writer and philosopher Alain de Botton famously referred to as “hugely overpriced rubbish, the architectural equivalent of the turkey twizzler”. Argentinian architects are allowed to develop housing without consulting with a traditional housing development company’s involvement, allowing for better housing.

Housing without developers: Argentina’s architects show the way

Architects appointed for Norfolk Corn Hall project

Heritage Lottery funding is being used to improve Norfolk’s Grade II listed Corn Hall. Another £1million is required to complete the project, but the project manager, Sheila King, is confident the money can be found. The Corn Hall is one of Norfolk’s most popular venues.

Architects appointed for Norfolk Corn Hall project

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Improving Your Home by Woore Watkins Architects in Derby

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How You Can Improve Your Home – an Article from Woore Watkins Architects in Derby

Architects in DerbyThere are a number of things that you can do to not only improve the overall look of a home, but also increase its value. These types of renovations can be a little complicated, since they may require an overhaul of the original building plan. Because of this, it’s important for you to hire the services of architects in Derby who has the necessary expertise to complete the job on time and without hassle. Some of the changes that a home-owner can do to increase the value of your home include:

1. Bathroom addition

If your home only has a single bathroom, adding another can seriously increase the value of your home. If you’re struggling to find space in your home, think about the space available in the area found beneath the stairs. An architect will be able to advise you accordingly, and draw up the plans depending on the type of bathroom that you’re after. When it comes to a small half-bathroom, you need at least 18 square feet of space. If you opt for a full bathroom, inclusive of a stand-up shower, then you require at least 35 square feet. Architects can also advice on the best materials and accessories to use, depending on your budget.

2. Constructing an additional room

Adding more square footage to your home by building a new room can really increase the market value of a home. This can either be done by developing used space in the existing structure, or construct new rooms. You can develop a garage or build a room above it. An attic with high ceiling can easily be transformed into a game room or lounge. This additional space should be made as versatile and open as possible, so potential buyers can use these rooms however they choose.

3. Decking

Another way to significantly increase the market value of any home is by installing decking in your garden or back yard. Open-air living areas are becoming more and more popular. This is mainly due to the fact that many people are spending their vacation time at home. Your decking and backyard should be made attractive. Apart from making your home a more attractive place to live within, this will make your house more appealing to buyers if you ever choose to sell the house.

4. Installing energy-efficient windows

This another great way for home-owners to increase the market value of their home. Homes with energy efficient windows have become popular with buyers since they significantly help to reduce the total heating and cooling costs of a home.

There are numerous home improvement plans that can make your home more valuable and appealing. By renovating your home, you will also get to enjoy living in it. Get in touch with Woore Watkins Architects in Derby for more ideas on how to improve your home’s value today!

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Woore Watkins Architects in Derby Monthly News Round-Up

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This month’s news round-up contains items from all across the world. From Japan to the US, Amsterdam to Brazil, all the way back to us in the UK, the world of architecture has been alive with activity this month. Here’s what we at Woore Watkins Architects in Derby have found particularly interesting:

derby-architectsJapanese architect Toyo Ito wins 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Toyo Ito is the fifth Japanese architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize. His work includes the 2002 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London. Pritzker Prize jury chairman Lord Palumbo said “Throughout his career, Toyo Ito has been able to produce a body of work that combines conceptual innovation with superbly executed buildings.” The Pritzker prize was established in 1979 to honour a living architect whose work expressed a deep and profound talent, vision and commitment to architecture.

Japanese architect Toyo Ito wins 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize

The final piece: Sneak peek at the metal spire which will top New York’s 1,776ft One World Trade Centre

derby-architects2

The final piece set to complete the new One World Trade Centre in New York has been revealed. This stunning metal spire will act as a broadcasting antenna replacing what once stood atop of the Twin Towers before 9/11. It will make this new iconic skyscraper one of the world’s tallest buildings, standing at 1,776ft.

The final piece: Sneak peek at the metal spire which will top New York’s 1,776ft One World Trade Centre

‘Temple Of Football’ Reopens After $500m Facelift

Coined ‘The Temple of Football’, Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium recently reopened after being renovated. Set to host the 2014 World Cup final and the 2016 Olympics, it required a much needed make over. It was originally built in 1950 for the World Cup and has since undergone several transformations. Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo said ‘It looks amazing and I’m happy to see the stadium ready again’.

Temple Of Football’ Reopens After $500m Facelift

The renovated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam wins rave reviews

After a decade of renovation work, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum has reopened to high praise and acclaim from the media. Heralded as ‘profoundly transformed’ and ‘a triumph’ by the public, it has cost around £320 million to complete. Tthe museums directors predict it will generate over 2 million tourists a year.

The renovated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam wins rave reviews

£188m Birmingham library project ready for finishing touch – 2.3m booksderby-architects

A Birmingham library is ready and preparing to receive over 200 million works of literature. It marks one Britain’s largest public cultural projects and has cost £188.8 Million, causing much controversy amongst the public.

£188m Birmingham library project ready for finishing touch – 2.3m books

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Tips To Help You Navigate Through The World Of Commercial Real Estate!

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Buying commercial real estate is nothing like buying personal real estate. The following advice from Woore Watkins Ltd Derby Architects will help you get the best deal on your property.

Keep in mind that commercial real estate takes longer to sell, renovate and purchase. It is still a great way to make a nice profit when buying and selling it, but always keep in mind that it is a longer process than buying and selling residential real estate would be.

Take the time to consider your investment options when you decide real estate is where you want to make money. Consider the variety of properties you may want to own. Will they be commercial or residential? Will they be single units or multiple units? Decide how much you are willing to spend on renovations.

When it comes to real estate, make sure to have an experienced and knowledgeable real estate professional who can help you. Make sure you have a trusting relationship with them to avoid any conflicts. These agents can help you by providing you with inside information that can help you make the best property choices.

To find the right commercial property, make sure you choose an optimal location. Choosing the right location could be the best way to ensure that those you wish to be your customers are able to see you clearly, access you easily, and find you even when they aren’t looking for you.

If you are trying to choose between two desirable commercial purchases, the larger one may be the better choice. Getting the proper financing is going to the same hassle for a retail building with ten outlets as it would be for a retail property with twenty or even thirty units. By choosing a larger piece of commercial property, you will be getting a better rate per unit, giving you the best potential for success.

In conclusion, you must consider many different things when you are going to make a commercial real estate purchase. Be sure to follow the advice of this article to get your best deal in commercial real estate, and continue on a successful path.

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Tips on How to Be Successful In Commercial Real Estate

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This short article, courtesy of Woore Watkins Architects in Derby, offers advice regarding commercial real estate investment.

Buying commercial real estate can be very intimidating to someone that has never done it before. It can easily lead to a bit of information overload because of all of the resources available to new buyers. Below are some tips to assist you in getting all of this information organized to where you can start buying commercial property smarter.

Be aware that you may lose money before you even buy the property. Doing your due diligence and having a commercial building properly inspected can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Inspections have a tendency to uncover items that are deal breakers for the purchase. If that comes up, do not buy just because you’ve already put money in for the inspections. Trust your instincts, if this property turns out to be a monster, take the loss and be grateful it wasn’t more.

One important tip to remember when investing in commercial real estate is that you cannot do this alone, unless you are already a seasoned commercial real estate veteran. You need to consult with experts in the business to mentor you, and you also need partners to provide you with a financial backing.

Utilize online reviews and ratings when comparing real estate agents. A lot of people will review an agent on various websites. People will also discuss any problems they may have had with the real estate agent. There can be a lot of useful information that can be found online through reviews. Be sure to check these out.

Hopefully, these tips have provided you with some very valuable information, as well as given you a way to organize all of the thoughts and information you may have already had on buying commercial property. Keeping these tips in mind when you start buying can help you one day become a smarter commercial property buyer.

The post Tips on How to Be Successful In Commercial Real Estate appeared first on Woore-Watkins.co.uk.


Effective Ways To Get Your House To Sell

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Free advice from Woore Watkins Ltd – the architect Derby can trust!

If you are looking for all of the basics regarding selling real estate plus some other tips that you might not have heard of, this article is for you. This can be a confusing subject with all of the different opinions and information that is available, especially when a lot of it is contradictory.

Real estate experts agree that a great tip for anyone wishing to sell their home, is to neutralize personal decor, as much as possible. It is important for prospective buyers to be able to picture themselves living in the house and a large volume of items specific and personal to the seller, can make that difficult. Therefore, try to make the home’s style, appeal to as wide an audience as you can.

When you’re selling your home don’t let your ego or pride get in the way about the house. It isn’t about you it’s about your home. Yes, it may be just brick and cement but these people are looking for their future home. Be inviting and willing to let people do a walk-through. Of course you wouldn’t want to buy something without being in it and neither would they.

When house hunting during the autumn months, prospective buyers should always watch for telltale signs of neglect that could easily be missed during warmer weather. As an example, perhaps the home’s gutters are stuffed with fallen leaves, or the downspouts do not appear to function due to excessive seasonal debris. A seller who has allowed this type of situation to develop may also have permitted other problems within the house to go unaddressed. Buyers should beware in cases such as this.

As stated at the beginning, there is quite a bit of information in regards to selling real estate. Hopefully you will find these tips beneficial. You should now find yourself ahead of the game if you are working to become an expert, or just trying to get a bit of background information.

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Understanding The Selling Process With These Simple Real Estate Tips

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Most of our Derby architects’ work comes not from new home builds, but from planning extensions on existing houses. If you’re looking to sell your property, follow these tips from Woore Watkins Ltd:

Despite what you might be hearing in some circles, there are plenty of homebuyers out there today. They’re simply not interested in spending too much money for too little property. In this article, find out some great tips about how you can cater to homebuyers and give them exactly what they’re looking for.

Clearing out closets and other storage areas will allow potential buyers to visualize their own items in that space! The more a prospect can see your home as their home by picturing themselves, their family members and their belongings inside it, the more interest they will have in buying it. Empty half of your closets, drawers and cupboards as if to welcome the new owner and you will have one much sooner!

If you are selling your home in the autumn, it is important to be flexible with the dates and times that you show your residence. With the holidays looming just around the corner, both buyers and sellers have very busy schedules. To maximize your chances of making a sale, consider allowing your home to be shown in the evenings or on weekends.

When looking to sell your home, always make sure the first impression is a great one. Cut back shrubbery and mow the grass regularly. Re-paint old trim around doors and windows and replace or re-paint shutters if necessary. A new front door can also do so much to give your home a fresh, updated appearance.

If you’re trying to sell your house, keep your pets away. Before showings, take the dog or cat to a friend’s house, put away pet toys and bowls, and remove any appearance of a litter box. Many a potential buyer has been turned off by the smell/sight of a homeowners furry best friend.

Homebuyers might seem fickle and stingy, but they’re really not. Most people wanting to buy a home just proceed with the upmost caution. You can follow the tips in this article to make sure that your property is standing out to a potential homebuyer. Put these tips to work for you and your home will sell.

The post Understanding The Selling Process With These Simple Real Estate Tips appeared first on Woore-Watkins.co.uk.

Get The Help You Need To Sell Your Property Fast

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These tips from Woore Watkins Ltd Derby Architects will help you sell your home.

Selling a home can be one of the most biggest decisions a person can make in life. That is why it is very crucial that you are educated on the topic. In the following article, you are going to be given advice and tips that will help you through this important decision.

When selling your home, remove anything of a personal nature. Prospective buyers want to be able to envision the house as their own. So, the last thing they need to see are photographs or keepsakes. If possible, keep furniture to a minimum also. This way, you are creating a blank space for the potential homeowner to fill up with their own belongings.

Don’t rely on your estate agent alone to do all of the advertising for you. In today’s real estate market, you need all the exposure you can get. Always refer back to their contact information, but put the word out there yourself to ensure that no one misses out on the property that you have for sale.

When your real estate agent calls to schedule a showing of your home, pop some cookies in the oven before prospective buyers arrive. The smell of freshly baked cookies is better than any air freshener and this homey smell can remind buyers of fond memories in their childhood home, encouraging them to think of the house you are selling as their new home.

As was stated in the beginning of the article, one of the most important decisions a person makes in their life is to sell their home. Being educated on the topic can make selling your home a success. The advice provided to you in this article is the first step in becoming educated in the home-selling process.

The post Get The Help You Need To Sell Your Property Fast appeared first on Woore-Watkins.co.uk.

Take The Frustration Out Of Real Estate: Selling Your Home The Easy Way

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by Woore Watkins, Architects in Derby

Trying to sell your home for what it is really worth can be hard when the economy is struggling. It is important that you make a selling plan for yourself. This article can help you write that plan, by giving you many tips that you will need to use when selling your house.

Once you decide to sell your property, add some energy efficient updates to increase the interest of buyers. Get LED bulbs, solar-powered outdoor lights or an energy monitor to convince buyers that they will save money on their energy bills after moving in.

Decorating the inside of your residence with seasonal items can make selling your house easier. Choose a few inexpensive products, such as window treatments that display the colours of the season, and complete a mini-makeover on your home. This will make your residence look fresh and well taken care of, giving the buyer a more favourable impression of the property.

Minor kitchen updates can do much to increase your home’s attractiveness and value. You might want to switch out one appliance to update the look and provide a focal point. Creating an island made with a butcher blog top and a pot rack above it is an upgrade very popular today. If you cannot afford to change your cabinetry, apply a fresh coat of paint on it.

When selling a home, spring is the ideal time to do it. Many families do not want to uproot their children during the school year. Get your home ready for the market during the winter months and list it by late February. This will give you five months to sell during the peak months of the year.

In the beginning of this article, the importance of making a selling plan was stressed. Doing this will help you get through the selling process. You also learned many tips that can help you successfully sell your home. Make sure that you do all that you can so that you don’t end up selling your house for less than you owe.

The post Take The Frustration Out Of Real Estate: Selling Your Home The Easy Way appeared first on Woore-Watkins.co.uk.

Sell Your Home Quickly with These Tips from Architects in Derby

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- Expert advice from Woore Watkins Architects in Derby

There are so many details to the home selling process that many people are not aware of. This could be because they have not known where to find these details. The following article is going to provide you with information that you could use to become more educated about selling your home.

Architects in DerbyGive your home the best possible curb appeal when selling, by making sure that the lawn is watered and mowed, excess items are not left outside, and putting a couple of potted flowering plants by the front door. The clean cut appearance will help attract buyers to your home.

You should hire your own estate agent to represent you. An agent that works for both the buyer and the seller can possibly have a conflict of interest. Ask friends to recommend an agent to you. Interview several agents and make sure you are comfortable with the person you choose. A knowledgeable agent is an invaluable resource.

When selling your home, have a real estate appraisal done before you meet with an estate agent. An appraiser uses some of the same information that a real estate agent does, but is an independent assessor of value. An appraiser can give you a reasonable idea of what you can expect for your home, as well as show you proof of his or her findings.

Staging your house can be one of the most effective tools for selling in a difficult market. Keep your house as neutral as possible, removing personal pictures and painting walls an ivory, light brown, or off white. This allows a potential buyer to picture themselves as the home-owner, rather than you.

As was stated in the beginning of the article, there are so many things about selling a home that people are not aware of. The above article gave you advice that you may not have learned from anywhere else. Use it to help your house selling process go more smoothly.

The post Sell Your Home Quickly with These Tips from Architects in Derby appeared first on Woore-Watkins.co.uk.

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