Don't move, improve! This was the strategy for our clients.
It is important to plan for your retirement years. This is what our clients did with their home.
Our clients love living in the location they had got to know so well, and rather than move they adapted their home to suit their future needs and to be more environmentally friendly (energy efficient & renewable)
To be more energy efficient they also integrated renewable technologies into the design, and have already seen the benefits of their solar panels and heat pump.
THE PROJECT
Our clients got in touch with us as they were about to embark on a project to future proof their home. Having lived in their 1930’s ex-Police home for many years, they are now retired and plan to enjoy their active lives in comfort and with an eye to a future in which getting upstairs may be more difficult. So their aim was to add a bathroom downstairs, in fact an accessible but stylish wet room. Our clients other major aim was to upgrade to greener and energy-efficient heating and power technologies.
To make space for wet room and new energy systems, our clients needed to extend the rear of the property for a larger ground floor. At the same time they would renovate to high insulation standards, including replacing all windows and doors with double-glazed one replicating exactly the design of all the 1930 Georgian originals.
After carrying out lots of research, our clients had plans drawn up from a local architect and had gone out to tender locally for builders. However, this is when the scale of the project became apparent.
After a bit of internet research, they came across our website and got in touch – it was as easy as that. This project was so rewarding as CLPM helped clients future proof their beloved home.
THE CHALLENGE
To ensure they had sufficient space, our clients were extending the ground floor back of the property by 3m. In an effort to be more green, they were keen to introduce renewable energy technologies where they could. However they were challenged on space.
They were very keen to install a heat pump, but they had to gain specific planning permission for the assumed noise.
The project was planned to take 20 weeks, and our clients had moved out during the works. This gave them an excellent opportunity to sort out their possessions and only take back the things they need and love.
THE SOLUTION
First CLPM “was a huge help” in short-listing builders and getting comparable quotes for the final selection of the builder. To begin with our Project Manager visited site weekly, but we were able to reduce this as the project progressed due to the processes in place with the build team. This contributed to the savings made on the project.
The extra space downstairs enabled the addition of the strategic wet-room and a utility room too, with enough space for a “plant room” section for all the ASHP internal components and water-softener (while the ASHP main fan unit is located at the far end of their back garden).
In the extended living room a vaulted ceiling was added with wall-to-wall electric triple-glazed Velux skylight. This allows more air flow and is a lovely design feature. The entirely new kitchen includes an induction-hob and A-rate appliances. Upstairs a stylish new bathroom was installed too, and the loft room (2nd floor) was deeply insulated.
All the heating and energy plans were implemented, so the house is now all electric. They have a battery power storage facility; the batteries charge cheaply overnight while during daytime excess solar PV generated electricity is sold back to the grid at a higher rate. Obviously this will fluctuate, but they are delighted at this return.
THE RESULT
Our clients are delighted with the end result. Their home is beautiful, with traditional original and carefully matched new red brickwork and new sash windows proudly standing out. They decided on Amtico flooring which is a fabulous addition, “a treat”, for our clients.
On their climate and energy objectives, our clients have already seen the benefits of their solar panels, domestic batteries and heat pump. They have successfully integrated several renewable technologies, and so have eliminated entirely fossil-fuel (gas) use.
The best result is that the project came in just over budget, which our clients were very happy with. We feel a sense of pride when our clients are happy, and in this case our clients were able to future proof their beloved home.
CLPM
Are planning to improve or future proof your home. If you love where you live, you can make it work for you as you get older?
If you are keen to gain some independent expert advice then do get in touch. Call 01923 896550, email info@cl-m.com or complete a contact form. CLPM help clients future proof their beloved home
CLPM Services used by our client:-
Heating and Energy Consultancy
Document Review
Tender Analysis
Contract Placement
Contract Administration
We would have no hesitation in recommending CLPM to anyone carrying out renovation works.
The whole team were very professional, from Jules in the office, Jane in Quantity Surveying to Amanda visiting on site. As CLPM are independent of suppliers and manufacturers we felt that all the advice given was in our best interests.
We are delighted with our home, and look forwards to our retirement years here.