Survivalist Chronicles

Even in today’s market place self build mortgages continue to enable the self build enthusiast to gain a healthy return on their time and money when their particular project is finally completed, even with the current trend on falling house prices a properly managed self build project can end up with a healthy return on investment in the end value of the property against the costs taken to get it there.

For any lender to consider a self-build mortgage/project there are three main considerations that need to “stack up”

1 Cost to purchase or initial value of land or plot,

2 Total funds required and when required

3 End value of the project.

These three factors that would be initially be taken into consideration by any lender considering lending funds for any such proposition, quite simply if they do not fit the lenders criteria then they will not fund it no matter how keen the self builder is the project.

A self build mortgage differs (amongst other things) from a more traditional mortgage in that the funds are released in stages generally as the build progresses and reaches certain stages, an important point to make at this early stage is that the lender will be guided by the valuer/surveyor comments on all the stage values and not by the self builders estimates. Hence if a plot of land is purchased for £100,000 but the valuer only deems it to be worth £90,000 then that is the figure that the lender will work from, this would also apply to both the end value and the value of the project through its various stages of build.

A self build mortgage is also different from a traditional mortgage in that you only pay the lender the monthly payment for the particular amount drawn down at a particular time, hence if you have been offered a mortgage for £100,000 but have only drawn down £35,000 then you only pay for borrowing the £35,000 until you draw down more funds.

There are two main ways to fund a self build mortgage the first is the arrears based route which is generally direct to the lender (normally 25% deposit required) or the advanced accelerator system which would be going via a specialist packager, at this initial stage it worth seeking professional advice from a specialist mortgage broker on which way would best suit your particular circumstances.

The main difference between the two types are with the arrears based scheme the funds are released after each building stage is completed where as with the advanced accelerator scheme funds can be released prior to the start of the first stage, as always in life there comes a penalty (in additional charges) for the privilege of the advanced payment system however it can allow for a lower initial deposit. Again before deciding on which system could suit your needs the best speak to a specialist self build mortgage broker particularly one that has access to the whole of market.  

Some lenders have bespoke mortgages for their self build clients while others can give access to their normal product range but on a self build basis, as to which one is best depends on the applicants circumstances and possibly the length the mortgage will be required for. A short term self build client may want a slightly higher type of rate but with no financial tie so they can remortgage to a more traditional mortgage when finished, where as a longer term self build client may prefer a lower fixed term rate and be happy being tied in bit controlling their monthly payment      

Lenders will vary on the types of project they will lend on hence some will not assist on the initial purchase of the land where others will allow funds for this purpose though it has to be said the more deposit you have the better the choice of lenders. Another area where lenders differ is the type of project as some only lend on a “flat “ plot of land where others will be happy to consider such projects as barn conversions etc. An important point to note is that no lender will release funds (other than for the initial purchase of land) unless full planning permission has been granted.

Another important point to consider is to who is going to manage and sign off each stage of the build, is it going to be architect supervised and what type of certificate will be available for the property at the end of the build, again here different lenders have different criteria so you need to be very clear on what you intend to do and how.

Costing the project and drawing up a schedule of works is both vital for your own finances and will influence the initial decision of the lender as to the viability of the project, some lenders will be happy to consider your own projected costings (subject to valuers approval) where others will require a professional person to have drawn these up. Either way it is vital that a contingency plan is in place to allow for any unforeseen costs such as delayed building times or a rise in the cost of materials.  

Most lenders would look for (after the draw down of the first funds) the project to be started within the first year and be finished with two years however they do realise that every project is different so a degree of tolerance can be applied with the main issue being that the mortgage is paid on time. 

Obviously most self build mortgages are carried out by applicants who intend to carry out the majority of the work themselves and of course the lenders understand and allow for this, though going back to a previous point you will need to consider what type of certificate you will need at the end of the build, this could be an NHBC or architect supervised build etc this needs to be planned in and run through the whole project and not be an unforeseen panic at the end of the build.

The above points cover the main basics of a self build mortgage and there are of course many other factors to take into careful consideration before embarking on such a project however as stated earlier self build mortgages can prove to be superb investment of both time and money, though again before deciding on any particular way forward it would be prudent to seek the advice of a self build mortgage specialist.                 



By: Jenny Austin

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When looking to a source for interior decorating inspiration, be critical in a way that will help you to refine and define your own taste. When turning to the work of another designer for decorating ideas, carefully look at the room and consider the basics: floor, walls, ceiling, and overall ambiance. Do not focus on details. When you are done, ask yourself these questions:

• How does this room make me feel?

• Is it too formal?

• Are the colors too light or too dark?

• Is the flooring too dark or would I rather have something darker and more anchored?

• Is the wallpaper/wall color intriguing or annoying?

• Is the furniture warm, dark, white, or colored?

• What do I like and or dislike?

Here are some sources of inspiration for home decorating ideas you may not have thought of:

Visit Design Models – Visit model homes, take home tours, or go to decorator show houses and checkout the work of talented interior designers.

Design Shows on TV – Watch a few shows to see what you like, then visit their websites for project information on interior decorating ideas.

Museums, Auctions, Antiques – If you are interested in period or antique furniture, visit the decorative arts departments in area museums and online interior design museums as well as auction houses, antique stores, and antique shows. This will help you become familiar with what is available in home decorating and educate you in the value of such pieces.

Interior Decorating Books and Magazines – Browse your local or online bookstore or library, or subscribe to magazines on home decorating. They will expand your knowledge of the design process and the materials and choices available to you as well as offering many interior decorating ideas.

Choose a Home Decorating Theme – Selecting an interior decorating theme is one of the easiest ways to decorate. Themes range from teddy bears in the baby’s room to pears for the kitchen. The list is limited only by your imagination. When choosing a theme for decorating ideas, consider hobbies, dreams, locations, and design elements in your home.

Choose a Decorating Style – Decorating styles provide a guideline defining which colors, textures, and elements to consider while excluding the things that won’t work. Common interior decorating styles include contemporary, Japanese, Tuscan, Mediterranean, and Country Ranch styles.

Research Online – The Internet offers thousands of links to online decorating tools, sites, and examples of home decorating ideas, as well as links to furniture manufacturers, color pallets, and wallpaper and fabric samples.

Fabric – The starting point for many successful decorating projects is a wonderful piece of fabric. Visit a fabric store for decorating ideas and get cuttings of everything that appeals to you. Be sure to stand at least 10 feet back from a sample fabric to get an overall sense of the design and color.

Decorating File – Keep a file of home decorating ideas with printouts, pictures, magazine clippings, and samples of fabric, paint, flooring, and paint.

Work with a Designer – Seek out a designer for a consultation, to complete a project, or for interior decorating ideas.



By: Kim Stone

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laworder825 asked:


Anyone know of any good home decorating contests I can enter? I’d like to redecorate my bedroom in my home. Maybe one in which they come in and redecorate for you, but any will do.

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The field of architectural technology has advanced quite rapidly during the past several years. The new developments in alternative building techniques tend to make traditional methods obsolete. It is therefore an immerse responsibility for architects to keep up with recent developments, to gather information effectively, to investigate alternative building techniques and to embrace a broad vision towards the future. Today the challenges that lie ahead of us are not only the concerns of cost, time or workmanship in building constructions, but also construction debris that makes up almost half the total municipal waste stream according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports. An article in Architecture Magazine, Gina Goldstein in her article named, Waste not, Want not, stated “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports the gritty truth: Constructing, renovating, and tearing down residential and commercial buildings in this country produced almost 136 million tons of waste in 1996, the equivalent of 2.8 pounds per person per day. Despite increased recycling, most of the debris still winds up in landfills, where its sheer volume imposes an enormous environmental burden.”

If the current trend continues, we will spend more time and money to clean up the construction debris than building our future environment. In other countries, efforts for recycling building had already begun. In Portland, Oregon, 92 percent of the Portland Trail Blazers basketball Arena was recycled. One of the more traditional strategies involving recycle is to maximize the reuse of the building materials. In Europe, EPR laws require companies to take back and recycle the building products. At the present time deconstruction costs little more than the traditional demolition; however the cost difference will soon to be changed when contractors gain experience and the market for recycled building materials grows. In the United States, there are currently no such laws to force the building industry to practice techniques for disassembly. It will not be hard to imagine in the near future that private industry may be forced to change current building practices, when the landfills over flow and there are increases in charges for waste dumping. The key to all these problems is to design recycled architecture or green architecture. The design of recycled architecture begins from simple disassembled screws rather than permanent nail, uses of recycled materials to the design of recycled construction systems. Every designer wishes his or her designs could last forever; however most of these buildings will not even outlast a man’s lifetime. The effort to reduce our construction debris begins with a design concept in the environmental protection. The building has to design for disassembly in the preliminary design stage rather than waiting till its demolition. In most architecture schools today, the education often focuses more in the construction of the building rather than deconstruction of the building. With recycling in mind, a slight modification of our current building practices and school curriculum will lead our next generation to a better life.

The importance of the material technologies in building systems is previously described. It is essential for architects to learn the properties of the basic materials- their strength and weakness in building systems; however the curriculum should not exclude new materials in building systems such as plastic, paper, hybrid composite materials, shape memory alloys, and piezoelectric cells in anti-earthquake superstructure designs. Plastic is the product of the late twentieth century. While it’s usage and influence are growing rapidly in many industries, plastics comprise less than one percent of the total tonnage of construction materials used in the United States. The new carbon-fibre time trial bicycle (developed by Lotus Engineering and ridden by English cyclist Chris Boardman) wouldn’t have won a gold-medal if bicycle designers had not used carbon-fiber tubing to build its ultra-light frame. Diaphanous plastic bubbles floating at the every edge of the atmosphere may one day take the place of more expensive (metal-made) satellites and conventional spacecraft. The material scientists have now chemically stitched molecules together into polymer sheets, and this new plastic material lasts much longer than other types of polymers now used for the same purpose. What do these technological/material discoveries mean for architecture? To begin with, they mean that some of the fatal disadvantages of plastic such as its durability now can be conquered. Polymer science is advancing rapidly. Plastic now can be used in structural framing. New discoveries are announced weekly in scientific journals.

Shape memory alloys are metal alloys which when conducted by heat and electricity will modify into different shapes and properties. This special quality of shaped memory alloys is great for structures to prevent damages in earthquake. Other technology includes piezoelectric structural material that can dampen vibration range from the sway of a building to the vibration of an air conditioning unit. By significantly reducing the vibrations found in the building we can reduce the wear and tear placed in structural components. These are few examples of the new building materials for building industry. The new building materials are not only supplanting older materials for many conventional applications; they are also recyclable and stimulating architects to innovate new types of structures and to experiment with architectural designs. The alternative construction systems should also take into considerations, such as prefabrication in wall panel systems, tilt concrete wall system, and lift slab construction…etc. The works of Buckminster Fuller and others are alternative choices for building constructions, and expected to work well under some situations. The 21st century architect should involve a broad spectrum of new building materials and new construction systems. The awareness of such advancements pushes forward the wheel of the evolution in architectural technologies.

In the past few years, the price of a personal computer has dropped considerably. Computer is reaching every households of the world. More than seventy millions of people in the United States ’surf’ the Internet. The computer has touched yet another territory of our humanity- our shelter. Intelligent building is not mere science fiction, but a current new building system practice. Intelligent building uses a highly integrated computer technology to make heating, cooling, lighting, communications and every familiar aspect of our shelter more convenient and efficient. The study of intelligent buildings commences from the automated system management, case study, and the design to the implementation. The study of TRON building or Gate’s house, failure or success (it remains to be seeing), will greatly prepare us to the next century where a more fierce technology evolution will anticipate to take a place. An effective education in architectural technologies brings forward a new vision to our future. The automation in building systems is part of that vision, which requires further research, development, and study.

As architects of the 21st century, there is always a two-fold concern with architecture demonstrated by the previous history of mankind. The first is the philosophical and artistic point of view, which addresses architecture as an aesthetic form. The second is the architectural technologies and engineering point of view, which acknowledges structure as a built form. This is the two-fold nature of architecture; architectural technologies should assist architects to design a better-built environment. Architects must fully and quickly digest the new information in order to pass it on to their students to learn, to expand, and to mold it into a working technique. There are also some qualities of construction materials that should be noted by architects/engineers, including their colors, smells, sounds, and textures, which can never be adequately delineated by drawing. The benefits of alternative building techniques take on a simple approach that reflects on the constant evolution of our humanity. Our future still lies in the past and the present; thus, without the past and the present there is no future.

 



By: Mi Tsung Chang

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An important aspect of home decorating is choosing home decorating fabric. When picking a theme such as Victorian, Modern or Oriental, the choice of fabric makes a difference to the overall theme. There are many kinds of home decorating fabric. If you are looking for fabric that compliments a particular theme, perhaps doing a little research regarding the theme would be helpful. This sort of information can be found in home decorating magazines, books and also the Internet on home decorating websites.

If you decide to use a Victorian theme for your decorating project, whether you do one room or the entire house, it is essential to remember that Victorian decorating is quite elaborate and tend to be very feminine. Choosing home decorating fabric for a Victorian theme, you should strive to pick those which resemble those used during the Victorian period. Home decorating fabric for bedding and curtains should be made from heavy materials. Choices such as velvet and brocade are popular for Victorian home decorating fabric. To accessorize the fabric, ribbons and bows, face and beads can be used as trim.

Choosing a modern theme would suggest the use home decorating fabric which is bold and vibrant. Modern home decorating is usually based on an open concept with big spacious rooms. The large space is intended to draw your attention to the various details in the room which would include home decorating fabric. These bold and vibrant fabrics, used in curtains, slip covers or throw pillows, will certainly stand out in a modern, spacious room with light to cool colours used on the walls. In this situation, the home decorating fabric would definitely be noticed and appreciated.

Oriental home decorating seems to be popular nowadays. Its unique design with accessories such as Chinese dragons, elephants, fans and screens, make a room interesting and a great topic of conversation. Home decorating fabric or an oriental theme usually includes coral, red, ivory and jade colours. The most popular fabric used in oriental home decorating is silk. Using silk in colours like coral or red would definitely stand out and compliment the rich dark wood furniture recommended for oriental decorating.

Home decorating fabric is sort of like icing on the cake. You add great pieces of furniture to a space with walls painted in beautiful colours. Then to accent the furniture or a window, you choose home decorating fabric. A window, because it provides access to the outside, is always a focal point in any room. Using fabrics made from materials suited to the theme, your window treatments would definitely draw attention to the window.

If you are wondering where to find home decorating fabric, there are several places to shop. You may want to buy slip covers, cushions or curtains that are already made. Department stores have a great selection. There are also stores that specialize in home decoration. These would certainly provide a selection of home decorating fabric.

If you are a crafty individual, you may choose to make your own decorative items for your home. Again, department stores usually stock a big variety of fabric. There are fabric stores in most areas as well. If undecided regarding what you should use or would like to use in home decorating fabric, the Internet will surely be able to provide links taking you to all the right places.



By: Uchenna Ani-Okoye

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There are assorted pre and post ceremony decorations, considered for any wedding; one of them being marriage ceremony decorations for ceremonies in banquet hall. Decorations characterize the ambiance and style for a marriage reception and ceremony. The diversity of nuptials decoration designs is indefinite and the components one can consider for the decorations are immense. For instance, one must consider entryway and pew decorations for the wedding ceremony.

Reception decorations comprise the cake, receiving line, tables and banquet hall. With numerous things to consider, a couple has to be keen on the decisions made for the nuptials decorations of that special day. Wedding decorations for banquet halls can be delightfully enthused by the season of a couple’s marriage celebration. Embrace the season and incorporate it into one’s banquet hall wedding decorations to present a captivating ambiance for family members, friends and guests as they walk into the banquet hall. Consider seasonal nuptial decoration ideas as a way of incorporating seasonality into a marriage ceremony.

Magnificent candelabras, multi coloured fabric yards, an alter full of flower stands and a stunning bride looking at a striking groom; such a marriage ceremony celebration is the height of elegance. Nuptials decorations for banquet halls and ceremonies vary and a couple has the freedom to choose what they please. A balloon-filled walkway, coloful confetti and guests blending in a room full of sparkling lights. This kind of a marriage ceremony makes up an exceptional event. To achieve ambience on one’s wedding day, nuptials decorations are the answer. Marriage ceremony decorations can create an elegant, exquisite, lavish, captivating and inviting atmosphere on a wedding ceremony. Glowing candles and beautiful flowers exhibit innocence and romance creating an alluring atmosphere for marriage ceremonies. For banquet halls, decorations such as rich, deep fabrics, spectacular table settings and sparkling light can do the magic and define a luxurious atmosphere. To decorate a banquet hall or ballroom lavishly, use enormous flower-patterned centerpieces to crown each table.

If one’s intention is to hold a themed marriage ceremony, find out if the interior designer one has hired will be able to decorate the banquet hall accordingly. Whichever marriage ceremony decorations one chooses, first discuss the rates with one’s decorator and discuss on any extra costs. Decorating a banquet hall in a particular style is really a matter of choice. Some halls are permanently decorated but if that is not the case, install decorations like murals and it is wise to be as neutral as one can. Elegant lighting and tall columns present a perfect compliment for virtually any theme. No Canadian banquet hall wedding ceremony can be complete without marriage ceremony decorations in it. Wedding decorations are important in every wedding and this gives every couple a reason to choose the decorations with a lot of care and contemplation for the marriage ceremony. Choose the interior designers have the experience for decorating banquet halls under their belts. Subsequent to obtaining a few names of potential interior designers for one’s ceremony, make visits to the interior designer’s offices to find out their levels of expertise.



By: Rafi Michael

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