b. To better appreciate the location of their second home.
This has meant that coastal towns have seen an increase in the number of development and renovation
projects, along with an
increase in both property ownership and buy to let activity. This increase could indicate the start
of a trend for more people to own second properties
in coastal cities and towns, both as an escape, but also, more importantly a way for people to avoid
the risk of being exposed to the health risks associated
with working in cities, which were exacerbated by covid, and contagion is found central cities and
suburban areas, where the concentration of people in close proximity tends to be much higher.
5. Good news for builders
In cities like London, the increase in demand for builders has been driven by redevelopment,
restoration and home improvement.
That is not to say that the demand for new properties is down, but that existing builds also require
work, and this is based on the existing
labor force complying with covid spread prevention guidelines. In Sheffield and Birmingham, as well
as a shortage of properties to meet demand,
the government Is driving initiatives to create more commercial and financial
opportunities in northern cities,
this has garnered an increase in homeownership, as jobs migrate to, and; are created in these northern
cities.
6. Collaboration on build projects is on the up
With homeowners having more disposable income, they may choose to spend money on high-ticket items
in home development and home renovation,
in the UK home development and renovation is a huge industry. A survey by Hiscox reported in the
independent suggests the number of homeowners
looking to home improvement stood at around 15% in 2019, up from 3% in 2013. Builders in Southampton
are both advising and collaborating
with homeowners both to help them reduce costs, but also allow homeowners to participate in
different types of building projects in a more hands on
manner. These projects range from property renovations and improvements, to installations,
extensions and conversions.
This can be both rewarding for the homeowner as the project sponsor and stakeholder, but also
empower the homeowner to learn and develop new
skills as well as help with gaining new experiences, that are memorable and exciting.
7. Being covid safe is how builders are building trust
Alvin a builder from Birmingham has noted that he has worked on several projects with customers, and
whilst Covid has meant he has had to change
some of his practices to be compliant with homeowners requests, and government guidelines, he has
been more than happy to adapt,
as this keeps both him and his customers safe, which everyone he thinks prefers. Some of the things
he has had to adapt to include:
- Working on fewer projects that require interacting with large groups of people outside of his bubble
- Working with homeowners to ensure he understands if there are vulnerable people in the property
who are shielding or isolating because of the higher risk Covid presents due to their age or health or because
they have reason to believe they should be isolating due to ping on Track and Trace
or government guidelines given their recent activity and where their is a reasonable assessment to do so
- Being vaccinated to protect himself from suffering the more severe effects and treatments required
if he were to catch Covid
- Ensuring that he is wearing the right Preventative Protective Equipment (PPE) as required on each
job, on a case by case basis this includes face masks and the use of hand sanitizers
- Taking lateral flow tests after a given project, if in his reasonable assessment he deems it
necessary, and then determining
- Signing up to the government Track and Trace initiative as well
8. What should you consider with a build project
As with any project there may be more than one party that is involved, but the principle processes
that all builds should cover include:
- Planning and Designing
- Permissions
- Building and Development
- Planning for the unexpected
- Paperwork
- Materials and equipment
Builder's Depots
On the topic of materials, builders have access to a strong network of builder's merchants and builder's depots. builder's merchants tend to be more specialist and
typically cater for commercial or specific material requirement projects. But builder's depot's are equally essential for builders and home DIY enthusiasts, as
they can offer a range of materials and solutions in one large central location. The fact that the advent of online booking, ordering and collections, means
that efficiencies can be offered by builder's depots, such that they can also support bill of material, scheduled orders from builders for projects, and subsequently booking collections, or delivery slot,
means more flexibility and productivity solutions for builders. Projects can be supported in a JIT (Just in Time) way as well as financially viable for the builder, to aid cash management.
Materials are delivered in a JIY way are available when needed and not before, enabling better resource and
Cash-flow management for businesses, these are typically smaller or independent business, which need to hold onto cash until it is needed to be called up.
Builder's depots also have very experienced and well trained staff who support the builder trades, and as such the staff can work better and in a more agile way, with the different trades and their approaches.
On our platform billntrade.com when you create your quote, ensure your include some or all
of these process points as to where you expect the expert to come in,
this can be in separate quotes or a single quote, but effectively should ensure that when you go
through the tendering process on the platform,
by creating your project overview, with a clear structure, will ensure your trade builder, knows
what area they will be responsible for from the
outset, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
9. Planning and Designing
One of the first things to do is research what previous similar projects have cost
and how much you need to spend, this will help establish both what you can afford and
what you can expect for your budget. The next step is to secure the funding this could be in the form of your own savings,
leveraged debt (loan), mortgage or consortium fund, a mortgage broker can help establish what kind of funding is appropriate,
and how you can access it as well as the payment schedule. Depending on the complexity you may need to bring in an
architect, and/or a designer, or it may well
be that you can do the planning and designing yourself.
In which case you can save time and money, and to some extent really communicating the idea or
concept that you want to achieve.
Use the Request for Quote response from billntrade.com to arrange a time for your builder to
visit your property to determine
what work needs to be done, (with the architect and designer) how long it will take, what it will
cost, and potentially when and how you want to work. This should be documented on the RFQ, that the
builder has printed off and brought with him,
this ensures any topics discussed are summarized, costs are worked and pre=agreed, and any aspects
and details agreed will make their way into the final draft of the contract, which the
builder can complete and send back to you electronically on our platform.
10. Permissions
It is essential that you apply for planning permission via your LPA or Local Planning Authority, if
you are either/or
(1) Building something new
(2) Making a change to the building or
(3) Changing the use of the building
If you do not seek planning permission and get permission for the work as per the application, you
risk having all the changes undone by way of being served an enforcement notice.
On billntrade.com once you are happy with the provisional quote that the builder has given
you, you can electronically agree to proceeding with the activity of converting the RFQ to a formal
quote, which is an agreement to proceed with the work. This will enable your builder to produce a clear
documented Quote, with anything agreed in a structured and auditable way,
your builder simply needs to fill in the details using the creation of quote screen, and at each
stage they will be able to check the detailed evolution of the quote to completion
to ensure that the collaboration agreement, translates into a formal document of work.
11. Building and Development
A lot of the work that is done to a high standard will add value to the property by way of the new
build.
This will typically add more value than the cost of the work all in, to the value of the property,
therefore,
this is a big incentive to look to a build solution. The build should be consistent with the permission
received from the
LPA and reflect the material realisation of the plans submitted. Using billntrade.com your
builder should
be able to create a clear quote for work, based on the your customer requirements is a good place to start.
12. Planning for the unexpected
As with any project, there will be unforeseen and unplanned things that arise. One of the best ways
to deal with this is the need to have a contingency budget of at least 10% of the original project
budget, in the event that the unforeseen arises and
requires that this money be reserved, for allocation to this eventuality,
this should not be the result of a change in scope, but in the event that anything comes up that the
original budget did not cover for, but is essential to ensuring the project success. This is typically
something that comes up when the project has started, and is a roadblock to ensuring the
continuation of the project. Additionally, always get the right insurance for the development or renovation.
Ensure the policy complies with your development or renovation else it could be left null and void,
if the policy was ever to be called upon. Ensure the builders are compliant with health and safety standards on site,
which include things like tidying up, using scaffolding, dust protection etc.
13. Paperwork
This is probably one of the more important aspects of the project and includes having records of
quotes, invoices, work completed, costs, notes taken etc. This will help with any discussions or disputes that may arise
in the undertaking of the work or any issues that result before, during or after the assignment or
project.
14. Build projects work better in the summer months
Over 80% of builders surveyed prefer to work in the summer months, on outdoor projects like
extensions and conversions. There is a big incentive for builders to work in better weather and this helps both with progress of
the project, project attendance,
but also, commitment to delivery on time, all this ahead of the change in the weather.
We hope these tips can help you with your projects and help you on your way to a successful build. You may also want to read our blogs,
How to find a builder which guides you through finding a builder and Hire a builder
which helps you understand how to hire a builder with technology, but also in the traditional way.
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