Industry News Archive - September 2010

Give a DIY tool for Christmas

30 September 2010
With Christmas now just a few short months away, power tools manufacturer Black and Decker has suggested that Brits give their friends and family the equipment they need to improve their house. While some projects, such as bespoke conservatories, are...

North-south divide to widen further

29 September 2010
Brits living in the north of the country could see the value of their homes fall even further behind those belonging to their southern neighbours, it has been claimed. It could encourage homeowners to invest in their property by adding a bespoke conservatory...

Wolverhampton conservatory set for repairs

28 September 2010
An historic conservatory in Wolverhampton is set to undergo major renovations after a programme of repair and redecoration saw experts discover decay in its timber frame. According to Wolverhampton city council, the West Park Conservatory will have structural...

House prices set to dive again

28 September 2010
Homeowners should expect to see the price of their property fall over the next six months, it has been claimed. The prediction from Firstrung may encourage Brits to stay put and improve their houses with bespoke conservatories, a kitchen extension and...

Remember the weather when upgrading homes

27 September 2010
Brits investing in bespoke conservatories, pool houses, kitchen extensions or other glazed improvements should consider how they might stand up to the weather and how to protect them from the elements. While glass is a strong and durable product, it may...

Heating bills start to climb as temperature drops

27 September 2010
Homeowners planning to buy a bespoke conservatory may be well advised to invest in a quality model which traps the heat. Recent research by moneysupermarket.com showed that the cost of energy is on the rise once more, just in time for the fall in temperatures...

Fashion making its way into kitchen accessories

27 September 2010
Homeowners renovating their properties with improvements such as glazed kitchen extensions or bespoke conservatories may be interested to hear that interior accessories are taking a lead from the world of fashion. According to BlissHome founder and managing...

Assetz: Government should force banks to lend

27 September 2010
With Assetz calling on the government to improve bank lending to homebuyers, the case for owners staying put and improving their current property may have been strengthened. Some Brits may look at the inhospitable market as the perfect chance to consolidate...

Kitchen 'a great place to have fun'

27 September 2010
The kitchen can often be the hub of the home and is a great place to entertain guests, it has been claimed. Those planning to build a glazed kitchen extension may see the benefits by turning the space into a fun cooking environment. According to Joseph...

How to save money in the home

24 September 2010
Brits paying for a bespoke conservatory, pool house or garden studio may be keen to cut back on their monthly bills to help finance the improvements. However, it has been claimed that investing in another upgrade could be a good way of doing this. Build...

Conservatory owners could grow their own food

23 September 2010
Brits who have invested in a bespoke conservatory or glazed kitchen extension are often keen to create their perfect garden to give them a favourable view. Many have taken to growing their own fruit and vegetables in one section of their green space in...

Brits turning to home improvement

23 September 2010
The uncertainty and weakness in the housing market is having a positive effect on the home improvement industry. According to Elstead Lighting, Brits are spending more cash on improving their property as a result of unstable house prices and difficulties...

Grey and slate 'great colours for kitchens'

23 September 2010
Brits planning to invest in a new kitchen extension could be interested in the latest comments from Garden Trading. The firm explained that a trend has emerged for slate and grey colours in the kitchen and that the shades work well in both contemporary...

Save cash with DIY insulation

22 September 2010
While large projects such as bespoke conservatories or pool houses should be left to experts, many home improvements can be carried out by the homeowners themselves. According to the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon, one such DIY...

First-time buyers still struggling to obtain finance

22 September 2010
The case for extending your current home rather than moving to a larger one has been strengthened by the latest Council of Mortgage Lenders figures. According to the stats, gross mortgage lending was down to an estimated £11.4 billion in August...

Both sexes have home improvement responsibility

22 September 2010
When it comes to home improvement, both sexes in a household are responsible for getting things done, it has been claimed. While large projects such as kitchen extensions and garden studios may require expert help, DIY projects could and should be attempted...

Protect conservatories from burglars

21 September 2010
Homeowners who invest thousands of pounds in a bespoke conservatory or garden studio should also make sure they are secured against burglary. In order to install the most effective measures, Brits should look at their properties "through the eyes...

Need for conservatory permission highlighted

21 September 2010
Brits planning on investing in a bespoke conservatory should be sure that they will achieve planning permission before they proceed with their plans. This has been highlighted by the story of a Yorkshire couple who could be £4,000 out of pocket...

Millions of Brits to improve homes

20 September 2010
Millions of homeowners are set to invest in home improvements such as bespoke conservatories and folding sliding doors. According to new research, 18 million Brits will make changes to their property over the next 12 months. The average spend will be...

London property market to struggle

20 September 2010
Homeowners in London have been told that the city's property market could "struggle for some time". It could encourage some residents to make the best of their current homes in the capital and invest in home improvements such as a bespoke...

Build It: Recession has led to home improvements

20 September 2010
The recession has led Brits to look at their homes in a different light and many have now chosen to invest in them as they realise they could be there for the foreseeable future. According to Build It magazine, people are increasingly installing home...

Londoners given home improvement class opportunity

17 September 2010
Londoners who wish they were better at home improvement are being given a chance to pick up new skills at a forthcoming event in Ealing. Chix & Mortar will hold a two-day course on September 25th and 26th, with Big Brother winner and celebrity builder...

UK homeowners not proactive with maintenance

17 September 2010
While Brits may be proactive in their approach when installing home improvements, such as bespoke conservatories or garden studios, they are less so when dealing with maintenance issues. According to the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in...

Aviva: Equity release has many uses

17 September 2010
Equity release has become a feature of the news in recent times as Brits once more begin to consider it as a means of financing their dreams. Whether as a way of freeing up cash for a round-the-world trip or to fund the building of a bespoke conservatory,...

Wood-burning stove helps couple enjoy conservatory all-year round

16 September 2010
A couple from Scotland have vouched for the installation of wood-burning stoves as a way of keeping conservatories warm through the winter.Tim and Linda Woodrow moved into a bungalow in the hamlet of Woodlands of Durris in County of Kincardine in the...

Housing figures 'not as confusing as they appear'

15 September 2010
Brits may be forgiven for being flummoxed by the latest housing statistics from two of the UK's biggest lenders.According to Knight Frank, the data from Halifax and Nationwide "paint a similar picture", despite disagreeing over whether house...

Mortgage market to dip and then grow

14 September 2010
Recent figures showing a slowdown in the growth of mortgage market could be followed by an autumn revival, it has been claimed. The uncertainty in the housing market could cause some to make the best of what they have, with home improvements such as bespoke...

Lending down again, new figures show

14 September 2010
Brits may be more inclined to make the best of what they have by investing in home improvement after new figures showed that mortgage lending is down again. Mortgage advisory firm John Charcol noted that the latest Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) figures...

Orangeries 'inject 18th-century glamour'

14 September 2010
Brits looking to add a touch of 18th and 19th-century glamour to their homes could consider building an extension with a roof light and folding sliding doors to create an orangery effect. Once the domain of fashionable rich folk, orangeries were used...

Mortgage market continues to struggle

13 September 2010
The mortgage market is continuing to struggle, which could lead some homeowners to believe that it is best to stick with what they have and invest in a home improvement, such as a bespoke conservatory. According to the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries...

Brits 'overestimating house values'

10 September 2010
Brits have been warned that they may be overestimating the value of their property, with Firstrung suggesting that the market has reached a "dead zone". The firm explained that house prices are still too high and that the industry has now reached...

Equity release 'not the only option' for home improvers

09 September 2010
Brits planning to invest in a bespoke conservatory or pool house could use equity release to fund it, but this is not the only way of doing so. According to a financial advisory firm, the equity release market has begun to recover following the banking...

Bank keeps rate frozen again

09 September 2010
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to freeze the base rate of interest at 0.5 per cent for September. It is the 18th consecutive month that the MPC has elected to keep the record low rate of 0.5 per cent, which could...

Atelier to showcase new model at Grand Designs Live

09 September 2010
Homeowners planning to invest in a garden studio might benefit from a trip to the forthcoming Grand Designs Live 2010 event. Taking place in Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre between October 8th and 10th, the expo will be packed full of fantastic...

CML hits out at FSA mortgage suggestion

08 September 2010
The case for improving rather than moving home could be strengthened by the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) decision to call for a debate on whether interest-only mortgages should still be available. According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders...

Homebuying costs more than you think

08 September 2010
Brits may be more inclined to invest in home improvements like bespoke conservatories rather than move after hearing the latest figures from money.co.uk.The firm conducted research which found that many Brits are thousands of pounds out when budgeting...

New stove 'perfect for garden parties'

07 September 2010
Brits who have invested in a garden studio or folding sliding doors may be hoping to make the most of the Indian summer and their new facilities by hosting garden parties. Green Stamp has encouraged homeowners planning on doing so to consider buying one...

Bank 'unlikely to raise base rate'

07 September 2010
Brits considering taking out a personal loan to help finance a home improvement could be buoyed by the latest comments from Informed Choice. The cost of loans to help build bespoke conservatories should remain fairly competitive until at least the end...

Mortgage tips ahead of Bank decision

07 September 2010
Homeowners and buyers across the UK may be waiting with bated breath for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to decide on whether to change the base rate of interest. The committee's choice could have a serious impact on both...

Housing figures show lack of confidence

06 September 2010
Brits might be tempted to improve their current property with a bespoke conservatory or other home improvement after hearing the latest comments from What Mortgage. According to the firm, recent statistics show that there is a lack of confidence in the...

'Grow your own' still going strong

03 September 2010
Brits who have built a conservatory or glazed kitchen extension that gives them views of the garden may be considering making better use of their green space. According to a leading gardening magazine, the 'grow your own' trend is continuing in...

Kitchen extension customers should 'consider new boiler'

03 September 2010
British homeowners who are planning to build a kitchen extension may also wish to consider changing their boiler. The National Home Improvement Show recommended replacing old units as a great way of cutting energy bills and reducing the carbon footprint...

House prices drop for second consecutive month

02 September 2010
Now may be the time to improve your home after it was revealed that house prices fell for the second consecutive month in August. Homeowners who need additional space may be more inclined to build a bespoke conservatory or other extension than sell their...

More confidence needed to boost mortgage market

02 September 2010
Homeowners deciding whether to move or improve might be interested in the latest comments from MyMortgageDirect. The firm suggested that the home loan industry needs a rise in confidence from both lenders and buyers if it is to get back to full strength....

Living by the sea 'has its own problems'

01 September 2010
Recent research showing that Brits are willing to pay thousands of pounds more for a home with a sea view has caused the Little House Company to speak out about coastal properties. The Post Office Mortgage Homebuyers Report revealed that people are often...

Scots in good position to afford conservatories

01 September 2010
Property owners in Scotland may be in the best position to afford home improvements such as bespoke conservatories or pool houses. This is because recent research from the Council of Mortgage Lenders has shown that Scots use less of their income to cover...

Brits willing to work on home improvement projects

01 September 2010
Brits are very open to the idea of undertaking home improvement projects when buying a new home, research has found. Whether it is building a bespoke conservatory, converting a loft space or knocking down walls to create space, homeowners are not shy...