Building Services

Self-Build Mortgages – An Overview

Self Build Mortgages - An Overview

The main difference between a self-build mortgage and a house purchase mortgage is that with a self-build mortgage, money is released in stages as the build progresses, rather than as a single amount.
Some lenders will lend you money to purchase land, typically 75% of the purchase price or value, which ever is lowest.

During the build you can borrow typically 75% of the cost of the value of the house as the project progresses, depending on the chosen lender.

There are two methods by which the money can be released during the build, known as arrears stage payments and advance stage payments respectively.

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Visit The Autumn Self Build & Renovation Show 2008

Visit The Autumn Self Build & Renovation Show 2008

With many people still needing to get on or move up the property ladder, The National Self Build & Renovation Show, sponsored by EDF Energy, will show visitors how to build their way out of the housing slump, through self build, renovation, or home improvement.

BuildStore’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon will host the Self Build & Renovation Show, where visitors can discover the many inspirational and educational features and exhibits, including a full-size timber frame Potton house (featured) and a renovation house, a self-build education journey and a Trade Village.

They will be inspired by great ideas in design and innovation, plus inside knowledge on everything they need to know, to build their dream home.

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Visit The London Home Building & Renovating Show

Visit The London Home Building & Renovating Show

The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show at ExCeL London from 19th to 21st September, (featuring over 200 exhibitors, 12 free seminars and 12 free master-classes), is the only show in the South East dedicated to improving, renovating, extending or building your own home.

The current lack of confidence in the property market means, for many, moving house is no longer an option and making the most of your current home is the most sensible strategy.

As energy prices continue to rise, environmentally friendly improvements and energy saving measures have to be a consideration; indeed new building regulations insist upon it.

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500th Anniversary Of Palladio – 1508 – 2008

500th Anniversary of Palladio - 1508 - 2008

One of the world’s most important architects, Andrea Palladio, was born on 8th November 1508.

His influential book, I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), includes his designs for symmetrical structures with classical architectural features, including Corinthian and Ionic columns.

Palladian style is still prominent today and features heavily in the Haddonstone Collection; indeed, the company has based many of its columns, temples and pavilions on Palladian principles.

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The Screwfix Catalogue 92 Offers ‘More of The Best’

The Screwfix Catalogue 92 Offers 'More of The Best'

Screwfix is the UK’s leading multi-channel supplier of thousands of high quality screws, fixings, hand tools, power tools, plumbing and electrical supplies.

Combining trade prices with a massive range of leading brand items, Screwfix offers over 18,000 products and is fully committed to customer care and support.

Their latest Catalogue 92 focuses on offering ‘More of The Best’ and comprises a collection of products that provide the best deals, are best for the task and represent the best new brands.

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Stunning Stairs From Spiral Staircase Systems

Stunning Stairs From Spiral Staircase Systems

Spiral Staircases work with their customers to create the best quality staircases to complement their existing home interior design.

Spiral Staircase Systems create technically and aesthetically pleasing designs of glass, stone, steel and wood, focusing on the design, manufacture and installation to achieve the highest level of quality in the finished product.

Working with customers to their design specifications, the company creates stairs that are not only visually striking, but also practical too, to ensure they fulfil their functional purpose in the home.

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Why Not Build Your Way Out Of The Credit Crunch?

Why Not Build Your Way Out Of The Credit Crunch?

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre will host its second Self Build & Renovation Show of the year in Swindon, from Thursday 2nd October 2008; offering lots of advice and inspiration, for anyone looking to climb up the property ladder through self build or renovation.

Whilst the wider housing market is suffering a major downturn, due to the credit crunch, building your dream home, through self-build, renovation, or conversion, is becoming a more appealing and realistic option.

At a time when house-builders have ‘downed tools’ and the Government’s new homes targets are under threat, self builders and renovators are taking advantage of the increased availability of land, labour and specialist advance payment mortgages.

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Cosy, Original and Stylish Interior Decor From ORAC

Cosy, Original and Stylish Interior Decor From ORAC

Established in 1970, Orac a Belgian family business, has become a leader in high quality products in plastic for interior decoration.

Their range is broad and complete including, different mouldings, ornaments such as ceiling medallions, pilasters, columns, skirting, niches, garlands, pediments, windowsills, wainscoting and decorative lighting – in short, everything to give your house a new look in no time.

With an extensive range of synthetic mouldings and ornaments, the interior decor specialist ORAC offers a wealth of ideas:

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Ten Steps To Saving Money And Energy In The Home

Ten Step Guide To Saving Money And Energy In The Home


Further to our article on Pilkington’s new energiKare glass on 10/12/07:

There follows a ten-step guide, to help you make some simple changes to your home and implement more energy efficient practices, to reduce your CO2 output. (Courtesy of the Energy Savings Trust and Pilkington Glass)

1. When replacing windows, look for those carrying the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Recommended logo along with the Pilkington energiKare™ branding ; assuring you of high levels of energy efficiency, with a quality name you know and trust.

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Griffin Glasshouses At Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Griffin Glasshouses At Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

With five family members working within the company, Griffin Glasshouses can truly claim to be a family business; they have been designing made to measure glasshouses and greenhouses of distinction, since the early 1960s, so you can be reassured by their wealth of experience and expertise.

To see these wonderful glasshouses first hand, visit their stand at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show – 8th to 13th July.

You will find Griffin Glasshouses at stand C46, where they will be launching their new glazing bar and new shape cap on their Victorian style lean-to glasshouses.

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