What would you like to see in our Design and Build Guide? Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

Back in September we published our very first print publication: the NappyValleyNet 2015/16 School's Guide

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/schools/

It was such a success that we've decided to extend the concept to building and interior design, subjects we know from all of your posts and questions are of great interest but fraught with uncertainty and stress. As a result the very first "NappyValleyNet: Design, Source and Build Guide" will be door dropped to over fifty thousand local homes at the end of next month.

The main "source" (pun intended!) of content for this new guide has been your questions on NappyValleyNet.

So expect to read articles covering "Things I Couldn't Live Without in My Kitchen!" alongside "Party Wall Nightmare!" and "How Much is a Basement Conversion?"

If there are any questions/topics/features you'd love to see covered, but haven't seen on the site to date, please do let our amazing editorial team know by posting on this thread.

You never know, you might just see your questions in print!

[kellyelectrics]

I'm an electrical contractor and we are a team of female electricians. Iv done a lot of work for NV mums and the feedback from the families I have worked for is that they feel so much more comfortable with a team of females working in their home and around their children. It would be fab to do a feature in the publication about female Tradeswomen (I've appeared in the Sunday Times, Homebuilding & Rennovating Magazine and most recently, Women In Trade magazine) to spread the word and it could also be used to encourage mums to take that leap when going back to work if they're thinking about a career change.
We have 100% positive genuine live feedback via Mybuilder and I have a blog with lighting ideas, safety advice, latest technology and recommended builders that we have worked with!
I think it would be great Kelly Vincent (Kelly Electrics, Female Electricians Ltd.)
kellyelectrics@live.co.uk
http://www.female-electrician-london.co.uk/Media.html
http://www.female-electrician-london.co.uk/About.html

[Balhammom]

Costs.

I have no idea how long and how much various builds cost.

I know that a loft is about 50k and a side return about 70k and a basement about 300k but everyone I talk to then falls out with their builder and it seems a cost more.

Real costs and real timescales please

[legalconsultant]

I'm a local mum running a legal and training consultancy focussed on construction and engineering projects, and recommended on NVN. I receive a lot of enquiries from local homeowners about the contract terms which they are asked to sign, as well as problematic build issues (eg payment, quality, guarantees, subcontractors, "add ons"). I run 1 hour "Top 10 Tips" workshops which people may be interested in. In addition I work for local businesses who offer build and/ or design services, as they encounter issues too, such as insurance claims and poor subcontractors. Acting as mediator between the 2 is a service I am developing, as the issues can be emotional.

I'd be willing to contribute to an article raising awareness of typical issues and giving practical ideas on how to deal with them.

It's really important that people understand what they are signing up to eg typically builders exclude liability for certain types of damage caused during the build, and people don't understand the consequences. There are neighbor, liability and insurance issues.

A little time spent at the outset can prevent many of the issues arising, and should they arise, then the homeowner is prepared and can act accordingly. Businesses could do more to engage with their clients early and to manage expectations- closing the deal is only the beginning.

Disputes are draining of time, energy and money. Prevention is better than cure!

[Bee@lifeafterlondon]

Sounds great.
Would be good to get an article on the impact of house improvements on the value of your property perhaps.
As in - can you get the value of a loft extension, side return, basement, new windows, new boiler, bathroom etc back when you come to sell....that sort of thing.

[mumbelievable]

How to budget for a large renovation would be a great article (including all the little things that have to be bought that add up - for example, all the different items you need that SDS sells!). Budgeting is not easy as many times you do not know what you are dealing with until you start ripping a property apart.

It would also be good if there was some sort of rating facility for different London based businesses that are used by nappy valley users - we had some excellent ones and some really appalling ones that i wouldn't want my worst enemy to ever use!

And the trades you think you can get away without - an interior designer might sound like a luxury, but when your spending big money, its the best investment to make.

And tops tips as well - I found out that you can buy the entire Hansgrohe range of products for about half price from a german website (also sell Vilroy products for 30% less), with very reasonable delivery costs. It cut over £5K off the burge and gunson quote, good old Rip Off Britain hey! Also did you know you can use a private building control that could be over £1000 cheaper than Wandsworth BC.

[amapola]

I would like to know about the cost and risks of opening new windows.
Also about porch extensions and loft extensions and how to choose the builders.
Thanks!

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi Everyone
We're about to start work on the 2017 Design and Build Guide!

Do reply to this thread with any suggestions or ideas for what you'd like to see.

Thank you!

A

[africaodyssey]

Hi, i would love to see a travel section. We are a local company (Putney based) specialising in family travel to Africa and would love to help readers plan their trips

[balhambrunette]

We would love to see an article about correcting previous owners mistakes. For example, our loft was done over 20 years ago. It's poorly designed internally and the velux windows are in all the wrong places (i.e. not centred over the windows on the second floor). Does this mean we have to replace the whole thing? Or can someone "fix" or update it easily? Should we be speaking to a loft company, or a normal builder? Thanks!!

[DavidDecorator]

I'd like to see me in it please. How do I go about getting an advert in.
It would be a marvellous way to help your members improving their homes and supporting my family by paying my rent and bills.
I'm already on Mumsnet.
Please email me with details to david@beirneandsons.com for private domestic homes
Or 4Genbuilds@gmail.com for landlords, agents, commercial etc.

[pie81]

I'd like to see an article about things that commonly go wrong and how to avoid them!