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Loft conversions have become the next big thing with homeowners and it’s no wonder when you consider all of the potential uses for this space. If you don’t want to build an add-on to your home that would encroach on precious garden spaces, a loft conversion is the way to go. Do you need an extra bedroom, a home office or a playroom? A loft makes the perfect sanctuary. Do you crave a home entertainment suite, a creative studio or a home gym? A loft conversions Sydney can make those dreams come true, as well. Place your bed under a sloped ceiling in loft conversions to make the most of the space. If the windows in your extension aren’t large, keep the decor pale to maximise light.

Most homeowners want a full loft conversion; complete with a new staircase to access the new room. Others just want an area suitable for occasional use or need extra storage. A basic conversion will not add to the value of your home in the same way a full conversion will, but may still be the perfect solution for your needs at this time. In either case, a reputable loft conversion specialist can help you to decide, draw up plans and carry out the work to your exact specifications.

In fact, whatever your needs; whatever you can imagine for your underused loft can be achieved with a loft conversion. And loft spaces turn out to be surprisingly bright and cheerful.

In today’s uncertain housing market, moving to a larger home is not always the best option. On top of the expenses incurred just to gain one or two extra rooms, there is also the hassle and stress of moving to be considered.

There are many reasons homeowners may need extra space. Perhaps you have a growing family; a new baby or a teenager who craves more privacy. Maybe you’re considering moving an aging parent in to live with you or you could use the extra space for a home office.

Whatever your needs or wants, a loft conversion is one of the most cost effective and efficient ways to add to your living space without actually moving.

How much unused space do you have above you? An extra bedroom or study will fit easily into the loft of most homes and bungalows. In a two-bedroom terraced house, the loft space will usually have room for a third bedroom with en-suite.

Compared to the cost of moving house, a full loft conversion might not be as costly as you may think and it will increase the value of your home by 20-30%. The amount of work needed varies, depending on the structure of the roof and the design of the conversion but the whole project can take as little as 6-7 weeks from design to completion.

Feasibility

This type of home renovation involves a complex structural alteration. It can be undertaken as a DIY project but is more easily done by a group of qualified professionals. Make sure to hire a loft conversion specialist who employs only the best skilled tradesmen in the field.

Several factors must be considered before undertaking a loft conversion. An inspection will be made to ensure that there is enough space in the loft to make a conversion feasible and that the area under the roof bridge allows for adequate headroom. There must also be enough space for the access stairs.

The roof will be checked for any signs of leaks. If there is a problem with leaks in the roof, repairs can be carried out either before or during the conversion.

Next, a decision is made about the type of conversion you would like and this, of course, is based on your requirements and budget. Talk to your loft conversion specialist about your needs and have them advise you about all of the possibilities available to you.

During the preliminary free consultation, the company will take measurements and, at the next meeting, present you with a design showing the position of the stairs and the size and shape of the loft room. At this point, you should receive a carefully detailed quote for the work needed to complete your loft conversion.

Once you have decided to accept the loft design company’s proposal, they will begin the process of obtaining planning permission, if required, a certificate of lawful development and building regulation approval. Where appropriate, they prepare and submit detailed structural engineering calculations to your local building control department for approval. Most companies handle all of the paperwork associated with your conversion.

Once permissions are received work can begin on your new loft conversion at a time convenient to you. A reputable loft conversion company handles everything, right up to the time when your new loft is ready to be decorated. Contract managers work alongside each construction team and should always be available to answer your questions and deal with any problems that may come up. Their job is to keep you informed from start to finish.

Complete Lofts are a family run specialist loft conversions company with over 15 years experience employing only the best skilled tradesmen in the field.

Our aim is to work closely with you and give our undivided attention throughout the entire project thus enabling you to enjoy many different loft conversion types.

We provide our unique service to all inside the M25 London Area

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/James_Luke_Williams/1072392

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6323789

Shawnee on Delaware, PA – Nothing says summer in the Pocono Mountains like the taste of freshly harvested sweet corn and finger licking BBQ. Shawnee Mountain invites young and old to come eat, drink, dance and play at the Sweet Corn & BBQ Festival Saturday and Sunday August 12 & 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join this BBQ events to experience and observe the taste of the food being served.

Vendors will surround the festival grounds offering mouthwatering items such as roasted or steamed sweet corn with multiple toppings along with a variety of beef, pork and chicken BBQ served-up in Memphis, Carolina, Texas & Kansas City styles. An awesome line-up of local and award winning BBQ vendors will present festival-goers with a tasty assortment of sweet, spicy, dry rub, smoked and “smothered in sauce” BBQ. Plus tons of other festival treats!

The festival will feature nonstop live entertainment all with a western theme! The Brian Dean Moore Band will perform on the main stage both days. Country line dancing demonstrations and instructions will also be provided in front of the main stage. Local favorite the Liz Nordstrom Trio will perform both afternoons in the air-conditioned EZ Bumps Saloon.

The Country Kids area will provide staged magic and juggling shows and summer picnic games.

Under the Educational & Demo Tent will be a Close Encounters with Birds of Prey show with Bill Streeter from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. The show will include six live raptors and provide viewers with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the raptors of the Northeast.

Finally guests are encouraged to bring a shopping bag as fresh locally grown corn and other produce will be available for sale at Sue’s Produce tent.

The event will be held rain or shine. Advanced Festival Admission Tickets, Adults $9 and Children ages 5–12 $7.50, age 4 and under FREE, are now on sale. Plenty of FREE onsite parking is provided. For more Sweet Corn & BBQ Festival information, vendor applications, and online ticket sales visit www.shawneemt.com.

Whether you’re interested in a durable concrete driveway, a decorative brick one or a utilitarian access road topped with asphalt or gravel, the materials you need represent only part of the cost of installation. Cutting and paving a driveway is a labor-intensive job that is virtually impossible without heavy machinery, and the cost of a contractor often surpasses the cost of materials. Get several labor estimates, and remember that compatibility between you and the contractor you choose trumps bargain prices. The cost of new driveway Perth depends on the space of your driveway.

Your cost estimate begins with an accurate measurement of the width and length of the proposed driveway, using a surveyor’s tape. Don’t forget to take into account the garage pad — if it’s part of the project — and any width variations. After multiplying the width and length to find the area to be covered, multiply that by the thickness of the proposed covering, in feet. This gives you the volume of the material you need, in cubic feet.

Multiply this number by .037 to convert to cubic yards, which is the unit most used by materials suppliers.

For example, a standard concrete driveway is usually 4 inches — 0.33 feet — thick. If the driveway is 100 feet long and 6 feet wide, you need 200 cubic feet of material. That’s 7.4 cubic yards.

Before laying concrete, you need to lay a 1- to 2-inch layer of drain rock, and an asphalt coating requires a 4- to 6-inch bed of compacted rock, depending on the terrain and drainage characteristics. Don’t forget to include those costs in your estimate.

Bricks and Pavers — Bricks and pavers come in predetermined thicknesses, so you don’t need to quote a volume when ordering them — just the area of your driveway. Calculate the number of bricks or pavers you need by dividing the dimensions of a single unit into the area of the driveway and adding a 5 percent overage. Driveway Edging — You may want to create a border, using bricks, pavers or rocks — this is recommended for gravel driveways because it prevents material from draining or being thrown off the roadway. Measure the length of the driveway, multiply by 2 and add a 10 percent overage to be sure you have enough edging material. Other Features — If you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider installing a heated concrete driveway.

This involves the installation of pipes under the roadway and a boiler to heat the water. You’ll also need extra materials and labor if you want to stain or stamp the concrete.

When it comes to estimating labor, there’s no single method that works for everyone. Much depends on the availability of qualified contractors with the necessary equipment in your area as well as on the topography of your property. Expect complications, such as large tree roots and the need for culverts or drainage ditches, to add to the labor costs. Get at least three estimates.

Of course, you can always go it alone by renting the excavation equipment you need, which may be the best option if you live in a sparsely populated, rural setting. Don’t forget to include the cost of delivery and pick-up of the equipment in the rental costs.

It’s possible to get a rough idea of the cost of your new driveway by consulting online sources, such as Home Advisor. The best way to use calculations performed by using information from such a site is to present it to a contractor as a benchmark. Even though there’s no such thing as a standard driveway, having a rough cost estimate in hand provides the basis for negotiation.