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Cost guides, planning, and the work behind the work
One thoughtful post a fortnight on extensions, lofts, planning and buying construction services properly.
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- Cost Guides
- Planning Guides
- Buyer Guides
Roof Replacement Cost in the West Midlands (2026)
What a new roof costs in 2026, when to repair instead of replace, and why re-roofing is the one moment insulation is nearly free.
Open-Plan Kitchen Diner: What Opening Up Actually Involves
The structural work, Building Regulations and heating changes behind an open-plan kitchen diner — and the mistakes that make them cold and loud.
House Renovation Cost in the West Midlands (2026)
What a full house renovation costs in 2026, the right order to do the work, and why the survey matters more than the quote.
Double Storey Extension Cost in the West Midlands (2026)
What a two-storey extension costs in 2026, why it is better value per square metre than a single storey, and the planning and party wall issues to plan for.
Removing a Load-Bearing Wall: Cost, Steel Beams and Building Regs
What it costs to remove a load-bearing wall in 2026, how to tell if a wall is structural, and why the steel is the cheap part.
Garage Conversion Cost in the West Midlands (2026)
What a garage conversion costs in 2026, why it is the cheapest habitable space you can add, and the damp and floor-level problems that catch people out.
Bathroom Renovation Cost in the West Midlands (2026)
What a full bathroom renovation costs in 2026, what drives the price up, and the waterproofing failures that make cheap bathrooms expensive.
Loft Conversion Cost in West Bromwich (2026)
Realistic 2026 prices for Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard loft conversions in the West Midlands.
Permitted Development for Extensions in 2026
What you can build without planning permission — current rules for single-storey, two-storey and side extensions.
Choosing a Builder: A 12-Point Checklist
How to vet a builder properly — references, insurance, contracts, payment terms.
Kitchen Extension Cost in 2026
Budget for an open-plan kitchen-diner extension in the West Midlands.
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