Homes with stories and history are ones that are special. Lots of people end up living in homes that belonged to their parents and sometimes even their parents’ parents. Family homes are really special to people because they grew up or raised a family there, most beloved childhood memories took place within the walls and parameters of the property. They are integral parts of our identities.

People who inherit a home or have their home to themselves again after the kids move out can find themselves blindsided by memories and unable to part with things belonging to the people that previously lived there before. When living in an old family home, people face the tough task of putting their stamp on it without changing everything too much. Personalities evolve so the way one might interact with or experience the home the first time they lived there will be different as time goes on.  

For example, Michael & Mary Boland came to their home in 1978, they have lived in the same house since then, raising their kids until they were old enough to move out and live by themselves with their own families. The idea always crossed their mind to freshen up their home, so they got an extension and renovation. The project saw them adding a lot of extra space to the back of their home which Michael says he loves as he can “sit out in the back with the sunshine having my cup of coffee”. On the other hand, Mary said that doing up their original home was “a daunting task” but something they are glad they did.

It’s unrealistic to expect that every part of your home should remain untouched until eternity. It is important not to live in the past too much but what you should do is incorporate its significance and the opportunities it offers into the new design of your current home.

Getting involved with projects involving family homes is really special and here at Sigma Homes, we get invested into the stories and history of peoples homes as well as the project itself. We are passionate about renovating homes incorporating whatever aspects our customers want to make their lives better. Nothing is a problem whether that is something big or small, see how we can renovate your current home into the home of your dreams by calling us today on 021-436-5866.

Renovating your home can be a daunting thing to do whether that be a particular room of the house or the whole house itself. There is a lot to go through and take in which can leave you forgetting about the minute details that are very important. Things like storage, energy efficiency and electrical sockets all sound small, but without proper planning these things your new refurbished home could soon be chaotic and disastrous. To ensure your new home is both functional, beautiful and efficient then consider these three key details.

1: Plan Ahead

Thinking ahead and planning for the future and not just now is very essential. Establishing your needs now is great but considering your changing needs over time and incorporating that into the renovation is very important. If you are considering or already have children then you must take into account their growth over time and what they might need to be accommodated into the design. Planning ahead will not only save you money but avoid hassle in getting more work done in the future.

2: Maximise Space

Everybody in every home has some bit of space that is being occupied by nothing, others have space that is being occupied by nothing useful. Thinking about these underused areas in your home that could be transformed into some useful space. Whether that be for an installation of something of some kind or for some storage space. Stairs are a great example of this, there are great ways to subdivide that stair space into cupboards or drawers to get good use from this part of the house. A spot for clothes storage whether it’s big or small will be an important space in your home. Without it, you risk clothes being piled up all over your house maybe even on the floor. Designated storage is more efficient and useful than a general-purpose cupboard, so it’s worth including it in your plans.Doing research and looking for ideas online can give you some great indications of what you can do with some of your house space.

3: Consider Smart Systems

If you are considering changing your heating/lighting system, then you should look at installing a smart electrical system. These are intelligent systems that you can control remotely from a laptop, computer or mobile phone. Smart technology systems will ensure you don’t waste heating and lighting as you can control them even when you are not at home. This will significantly drive down your electricity bills saving you big money in the long term. Some electrical systems can even adapt and react to how you use them like knowing how warm you like your home and adjust accordingly to save you time and effort. Being efficient is an investment worth making to ensure your home runs efficiently. It will allow you to save more money which will give you more disposable income to spend on the nicer things in life.

Home extensions can be overwhelming. So many things have to be considered and getting the right advice early on is crucial if you want your project to have the most benefit for your day to day life. Luckily, Sigma Homes are here to help. Here are 2 more tips for building a house extension.

1: Budget

Budget is one of the key components to any house extension. It determines what’s possible when it comes to revamping your home. The bigger the budget, the more freedom you will have, the smaller the budget the more creative you will have to be. At the start, you probably don’t have a clear indication as to what an extension is likely to cost. At this stage, you might not even have a clear idea about what it is you plan to do until you ask those vital questions and visit your architect to draw up plans to suit what your needs. Even after the plans are drawn up you might not know exactly how much it will cost you, but an experienced and reputable builder will be able to give you an accurate estimate. It’s important to know how much your willing to spend. Being forthright about your budget with your architect/design and build team from the beginning will give them a better understanding of what is achievable for you and what they can do to help get you as much as possible for your budget. You design to your budget, or you design to a wish-list. Unless money is no issue for you then you can’t do both, so your priorities will come into it. The main thing to identify is how much you are willing to spend and what are your priorities for the extension project. Finally having an additional house extension emergency fund is essential in case you encounter some things that haven’t been previously identified or you want to make changes to your plans on the fly that can’t be easily accommodated within your original budget.

2: Using The Best In The Business

An excellent architect and building contractor is essential to creating a quality house extension. It is all about successfully getting your ideas and plans from inside your head into reality and the best way to do that effectively is to hire the best in the business. Do your research online, ask around and also talk to previous homeowners who have had work done. This will all give you a better indication as to who you should go with to turn your house into the home you’ve always wanted.  An architect will steer and guide you through the planning process, you need expertly drawn plans for your builder to follow so having a great architect is a key component to a quality extension plan, if the builder and architect work together often that is even better. Your building contractor has to be able to execute those plans with precision. Make sure you do your homework and make the right decision on who you choose.

If you want to eliminate the stress of building a house extension and ensure the best outcome then be sure to clearly define your budget and use the best architect and building contractor for you. If you would like to learn more or to book a consultation then visit us online or contact us on 021-436-5866.

Get more great tips for building a house extension.

For many people getting an extension can be stressful. Everybody wants their dream home and we are here to provide you with key tips/pieces of advice to eliminate stress from your life. Here are 3 tips for building a house extension.

1: Ask Yourself Plenty Of Questions

Questions are the most important stage of an extension process. What kind of extension do I want to get? Where do I get it done in my house? Who do I contact to make the extension? These are all questions one must ask prior to going ahead with a house extension. A great design solution does not start with an amazing designer. It starts with questions, it’s is all about what you want and think not just about the designer or architect. In the beginning, you are probably approaching the process on your own. You’re ringing someone to take it to the next stage because it’s just you and the surroundings of your home with ideas in your head and no idea what to do with them. Write out every question you can possibly think of, and try to answer them. Show them to your family and close friends and get their input. Ask yourself practical and non-practical questions, identify your priorities. Try to identify the potential you think it would have and the limitations also it may have. Think about changes in your situation since you moved in and think about possible changes down the line. Start with a no-holds-barred approach to your brainstorming session and then continuously critique the list to identify the main priorities and results of your house extension brainstorming session. This is the start of your design brief. You won’t get the right answers unless you ask the right questions. This preparation is key to a successful project.

2: Planning Permission

If you are happy to go ahead with a house extension then you need to figure out if you need planning permission or not to make the proposed extension a reality. To do this you will need to get in contact with your local county council or your architect to get their expert knowledge. Lots of extensions don’t need planning permission if the extension is to the rear of the property and under a certain size etc, but even so, you should check with both expert parties. Planning permission does add some extra expense, it does take time to for an application process to be successful. You should put the long-term benefit ahead of the short-term one just to save time and money. An example of this would be a house having some extra room at the side. An exempt extension could be built behind the house, but using hat room at the side of the house instead (may require an application or thorough investigation) could preserve light in the house, could give a better designed layout, and could mean the extension you build doesn’t need to be so big which might save you money. The key is to look & investigate before you leap into anything. Keeping an open mind and putting in a bit of effort at the start will pay dividends in the long run.

3: Talk To Neighbours

When planning on getting a house extension, It’s a great idea to tell your neighbours that you’re planning on an extension and tell them exactly what you’re planning.They will appreciate you going to them in advance about this and getting their opinion on it. It can be hugely beneficial and reduce the number of complaints/issues that may arise regarding complaints and objections. If they are going to object to your plans, it’s best to establish what their complaints will be so you can address them at this early stage. It is better for you to be prepared and have a plan in place to hopefully deal with these complaints than getting completely blindsided and being unprepared. For example, your neighbours may have issues regarding privacy or be concerned about the possibility of a reduction of light to part of their house. Our advice is to approach your surrounding neighbours prior to execution of your extension plans and talk with them about it and see if there is anything alarming that could cause problems or delays.

If you want to take the stress out of building a house extension then be sure to ask yourself plenty of questions before beginning, research whether or not you need planning permission and talk to your neighbours to avoid being denied planning permission or developing a frosty relationship down the line. If you would like to learn more or to book a consultation then visit us online or contact us on 021-436-5866.

If you’re thinking about remodelling your bathroom, the possibilities seem like they are endless. With so many different bathroom styles floating around choosing the right ideas that reflect the functionality you need and your own personal design taste early on is very important as you will likely have to live with those decisions for years. Here are 3 tips for your next bathroom remodel.

Choose The Right Surfaces

The surfaces such as walls, countertops, floors etc are not solely about looks. They actually play a much larger role as your choice of surfaces will affect how much time and money will go into maintenance once the project is complete. A wooden floor in the bathroom might have the aesthetic that you are going for, but will be a nightmare to keep looking well as it’s not a suitable material to deal with daily water spillages. Similarly, you should consider quartz countertops over marble and glass shower doors that have been treated with anti-water spotting agents.

Consider Lighting

One of the best ways to show off your bathroom remodelling project is with plenty of light. Bright open spaces are nice to be in, but it will also make the room look larger and showcase your investment. If your bathroom does not already have good lighting, you should consider adding extra windows or skylights to make the most of the available natural light. If that’s not an option then make sure you choose reflective finishes that are light in colour and add more lighting fixtures around your bathroom wherever they are necessary.

Plan For Efficiency

With uncertainty constantly surrounding how the government will handle water bills in the future and in advances in technology, there’s never been a better time to remodel your bathroom with energy and water efficiency in mind. Consider using LED lighting solutions in your new fixtures and even tankless water heaters to save on electricity, well-insulated windows to save on heating costs and to save water you can install low flow toilets, low flow taps. You can discuss your options with your designer/builder to see what will work best for your space.

When carrying out your next bathroom remodelling project make sure you choose the right surfaces that don’t compromise on looks or functionality, take lighting into account to make your bathroom look it’s best and plan for an energy and water efficient bathroom that saves you money long-term. Start planning your bathroom remodel with Sigma Homes today, call us on 021-436-5866 or visit us online to book a consultation.