Strathaven Self Build. Image Updates

The build at Strathaven is progressing at quite a pace. These are the photographs from last week and I hope to take more tomorrow when I am on site. Find out more about self build at
http://www.blockarchitects.co.uk/self-build-homes/info_39.html

New Build House, Uphall, Broxburn

I wanted to write today to let you all know that at block architects we have and can assist with the certification of your new build even when we have not designed the house through our company. Our Clients on this project Mr & Mrs Swanston received a very good drawing package from their Building Consultant who was unable to certify the build due to the fact that the Consultant did not have adequate PII cover.

The main contractor being a great Advocate of our business invited us to act on behalf of the Client who accepted our fee proposal to certify the build. This involves 8-10 site visits at key intervals throughout the build:-

• Site Scrape


• Foundation Trenches


• Visual Drainage Inspection


• Foundations


• Timber Kit Erection


• Windows Door and Roof Coverings


• External brick or block


• First Fix


• Completion

Following key site inspections at the above stages we will Certify the build esuring that the banks interest is looked after as well as that of the Client's interest.

Our Certification covers the build post 6years from construction. Now in theory there should be little to no come back on this certfication process as the build has been inspected regularly.

Where does this differ to e.g NHBC sign off. Well they are similar however I know from previous experience that NHBC do not necessarily conduct the same number of site visist as I would. The only draw back with this is that if something should go wrong with the build with NHBC cover that they will fix it but to my knowledge do not compensate for the heartache of post construction repair and remedial works.

In my opinion it's always good to get an Architect or Project Manager involved in the inspection stages. Make sure that the Professional has adequate cover.

If you want to find out more about this you can contact us through our official web page or please feel free to contact me by email

Block Architects Construction Projects

Our latest video on Construction Projects.

For more videos from Block Architects, click here.

Block Architects Scotland Launch New Brochure

Block Architects launch its New Company Brochure available now as a download.

Block Architects can Improve Your Home - Don't Move.

Top motivation for home improvements is creating ideal home rather than increasing value, says a Shelter survey.Seventy four per cent of homeowners who dream of improving their property want to create the ideal home rather than increase its value, new research reveals. Shelter Scotland and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), commissioned the survey to find out more about their home improvement aspirations.

The results showed that nearly three quarters of homeowners across the UK (73%) have a dream home improvement project and that making the most of space and improving the look of their property is the top motivation (74%). One in ten homeowners (12%) seeking to improve their property want to make it more environmentally friendly or energy efficient, while just 8 per cent were hoping to improve its value.

Kitchen extensions were the most popular home improvement (13%), closely followed by conservatories (12%) and attic conversions (10%). Shelter Scotland and RIAS released the research to coincide with the launch of Architect in the House, a successful fundraising initiative now in its 14th year, in which architects nationwide offer free hour-long consultations to the public in return for a £40 suggested donation to Shelter. So far, the scheme has raised over £1m for homeless and badly housed families at the same time as helping 50,000 homeowners realise their home improvement aspirations across the UK.

It also aims to change people's perceptions of architects and demystify what they do. Over a quarter of homeowners surveyed across the UK said they would consider using an architect (28%), with almost half (49%) agreeing that architects add value by creating a property that stands out. Over half of those not planning to use an architect (51%) felt their project was too small to warrant one.

David Dunbar, President of RIAS said: "Architects can add a huge amount to any home improvement project, however big or small. Whether it's knocking down a wall or creating a new extension, only architects can give the bigger picture, offering design inspiration, knowledge of the latest fixtures and fittings, and advice on everything from planning regulations to energy efficiency. "

Architect in the House is a fantastic opportunity for homeowners to benefit from this expertise and see what architects can offer. A consultation for a suggested donation of just £40 can help homeowners take the first step towards improving their home, while raising money for a very good cause at the same time."

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: "This survey reveals that homeowners across the UK are almost ten times more likely to want to improve their home rather than merely increase its value, showing that home is so much more to people than just a financial asset."

Do Our Customer's Really Care About Customer Service?

If you are a potential Client reading this blog then please ask yourself now if you care about Customer Service. Of Course we all want a great service from those whom we engage however, and this is what I find extremely interesting, only 0.015% of people who access our web page actually click on the Customer Care Section of our webpage. Furthermore the Tab is right there on the top navigation bar of the web page so there is absolutely no reason for not clicking on it.

What this leads me to believe is that we simply do not care enough about the service we are about to receive or we all trust that we are going to receive a good service and as such we do not want to read more about it.

Certainly for me whilst block architects will continue to work on and grow our customer care deliverables I will be reviewing the web page with a view to getting another topic in the top navigation bar and perhaps a topic which is of more interest to the readers.

Kenneth Martin Architect Invites Your Queries

I am very interested to receive your industry related questions and I am sure I can readily convert these into blog posts.

Please enter your comments in the fields below.