PROPERTY · CONSTRUCTION · DEVELOPMENT
A clearer view of property.
Ideas, practical guides and informed perspectives for the places we build, buy and live in.
From your first property purchase to your next development project.
START HERE
Plan your next home improvement.
01 / APPROVALS
Understand the approvals
Find out how planning permission and building regulations differ before committing to work.
02 / EXPERT HELP
Know when to seek advice
Understand how a building consultant can help you define the problem and plan the next step.
03 / PROPERTY CHECKS
Investigate before repairing
Learn how to investigate damp and identify the cause before choosing repairs.
INSIGHTS
Ideas worth building on.
Browse our latest published guides and perspectives.
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Home renovation handover checklist: records, checks and maintenance
Handover should leave you able to use, maintain and understand the work you have paid for. Plan the information you need before the last week…
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How to write a home renovation brief before contacting builders
A useful renovation brief explains what your home needs to do, what you can spend and which decisions remain open. It gives designers and builders…
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How to build a renovation budget that includes the hidden costs
A builder’s price is one part of a renovation budget. To understand whether you can afford the project, also account for the work you buy…
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How to compare builders’ quotes before a home renovation
Three builders can visit the same house and return three very different prices. The first task is to find out whether they have priced the…
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Planning permission vs building regulations: a homeowner’s guide for England
Planning permission and building regulations approval are separate checks. A home improvement can need both, one or neither. Before booking a builder, establish which rules…
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Office design: creating a welcoming and practical first impression
An office makes its first impression through how easy it is to enter, navigate and use. A reception desk or fashionable finish cannot compensate for…