home improvements

5 tips to keep your home improvements eco-efficient

2 December 2018

Making home improvements can be costly and disruptive but our friends at the HomeOwners Alliance have come up with a handy list of the top five things to keep your project as eco-efficient and environmentally friendly as it can be.

  • Minimise waste! It sounds obvious but once you’ve briefed your Architect or builder it is essential that you plan your entire project from the start. Think about the plans and measurements in advance.If your kitchen project will impact on the dining area, make sure you’ve covered this in the plans to ensure the right amount of materials are ordered. Over-ordering building materials and excess off-cuts are one of the biggest contributors to excess waste!

    Many tradesmen won’t consider the environmental impact of the project unless it’s part of the brief, so make sure you find a recommended tradesman or you could even consider hiring a planning consultant.

 

  • Measure carefully and budget efficiently! In many cases of home improvements, costs can easily escalate. The HomeOwners Alliance recommend adding at least 10% to your planned costs for contingency and don’t forget the smaller but essential details.Things like disposing of waste responsibly, clearing old kitchens or even furniture are often not budgeted for, so make sure you factor in rubbish clearance or a man with a van into your budget from the start! This will keep your project environmentally friendly with minimal trips to the tip for you!

 

  • Upcycle and recycle. Buying new, off the shelf kitchens and bathrooms is the obvious way to update and add value to your home but more and more people these days are using old items to add a touch of creativity to their home improvements.So before you invest, why not see if you have old items you can upcycle and utilise or old materials you could recycle. Check out Homeowners Alliance Home Improvement guides for more ideas…

 

  • De-clutter your home. Before you start your project why not use the time to de-clutter your home and get rid of those items that don’t bring you joy, read our guide on top tips for cutting cost when de-cluttering.While you’re already investing in a man with a van or rubbish clearance now’s the best time to start sorting through those old items and getting rid of the clutter.

 

  • Build Responsibly! If you’re extending your home or adding a loft extension it’s always best to check you’re following building regulations and that your work meets building control standards and energy-saving measures. For more information on building regulations check out HOA’s Guide to Loft Extensions.

 

The HomeOwners Alliance is a property advice website who help homeowners every day, whether they are buying, selling or improving their home, so follow their step by step guide to help you minimise disruption in your project. For more advice, visit HOA’s guides and top tips for more information.



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