The home improvement market in the UK has been steadily growing for years. This is driven by lifestyle changes as well as a focus on making homes more energy efficient. At the same time, people are moving away from a demolish and replace approach to renovate and reuse. There are often challenges though, particularly with hidden problems. We want to have a closer look here, then you can rely on us if you want to plan a home renovation with top architects in London.

Old stock

The main problem with the renovation market in the UK is the age of homes. Did you know we have the oldest housing stock in Europe? Almost 40% of homes are from before 1946. As much as 80% of the stock is pre-1990.

Because of the age of buildings, there can be big challenges with adapting them for modern use. Some simply have inflexible layouts and won’t allow big changes. Some even have protection to prevent renovations that will have result in a loss of character or historical value.

Older buildings have also had more time for changes and issues to develop. For example, there could have been decades of settlement and a change in load bearing elements. Moisture ingress could be causing hidden problems with the building frame and floors. Call us and discuss potential concerns with top architects in London.

The biggest problem by far with old housing is buildings are likely to have had several different alterations over the years. In cases there will be no documentation of them. Some won’t have had formal approval or involved professional structural engineers. As a result, there could be serious hidden issues such as missing load bearing elements, incompatible materials, or insufficient load paths.

What to do?

The most important thing to do is reduce the risk of hidden problems revealing themselves too late in the project. In many cases people only find them when they start making changes, such as removing finishes or partial demolition. At this point they likely have already put a significant amount of money into the design and planning. They may even have ordered materials and hired contractors. If an unseen problem pops up, it can cause huge delays and extra costs. In some cases, it may even require a full redesign if there are serious structural concerns.

If you want to avoid issues with home renovation, the best thing to do is investigate the structure early. Get help from top architects in London. Remove finishes and get a look at the bones of the building. Check where there have been alterations, if there has been settlement, or if there are other issues like moisture ingress. Discovering them earlier means you can be proactive rather than reactive.

Another critical thing to keep in mind is the value of working with experts, including architects and structural engineers. Collaboration is the key to overcoming obstacles. It can add a lot of value to a project, enhancing the overall design.

Finally, think ahead with designs. In a number of cases, old buildings have several hidden problems because of alterations at different times. Plus, there can be issues because the original design was rigid. It’s better to design with flexibility and future adaptability in mind.

Design your renovation with top architects in London

Coffey Architects has plenty of experience with home renovations. We can plan it all, from completely new internal layouts to extensions or small upgrades. You can rely on us to deliver incredible designs. Plus, we’re dynamic and can react quickly if there are any issues. It can help keep your project on track.

So, get in touch today if you want help from leading architects in London. We have the skills and creativity to create your dream home. Even better, we can work with what is already there to provide a greener, more sustainable project.