T-Square Architectural Services

We're no strangers to commercial projects either, and have worked on offices, storage units, garages and shops. We can advise on new builds and conversions, and come up with a solution to suit your needs.

Whatever your opinion on the causes of climate change/global warming, whether it's man-made or a natural cycle, we all have an obligation to limit our impact on the planet. Current building regulations already require buildings to be energy efficient, but there is so much more that can be done to improve things further. The initial installation costs of solar panels, wind turbines, ground source heating, rainwater harvesting etc will at some point be recovered, and will help to save money and energy in the long term.

How much value will an extension add to a property? This will obviously vary depending on the postcode, type, size, and condition of the property. Nationwide Building Society suggested that an extension or an attic conversion could increase the value of your home by almost a quarter. Their House Price Index Special Report looked at alterations made to a typical three-bedroom house and concluded that an extra bathroom could add 6% to the value, a double bedroom could add 12% to the value, an extension or loft-conversion to form a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom could add 23% to the value, and that a 10% increase in floor space can add 5% to the average house value.

Depending on the nature of the project, you may require a structural engineer to design and certify all structural elements. You may need SAP calculations (energy efficiency) and an EPC (energy performance certificate). New buildings and some building conversions will require air-tightness testing to ensure that appropriate rates of air infiltration are achieved (for energy efficiency and ventilation). Sound tests will be carried out upon completion to measure the performance of acoustic insulation (airborne and impact sound).