Yorkshire Build Consultancy

30/12/2015

Damage assessment and repair - if the insurance isn't there

In my last blog post I discussed my experience in Hebden Bridge and two properties that had been damaged by the flood water that came on Boxing Day after the incessant rain of Christmas Day. This time I’d like to … Continue reading →

30/12/2015

First blog posting for a while!

Flooding is horrendous. It is not just gently rising and seemingly benign calm waters, but raging torrents of destruction; and when it all goes, what is left behind is an apocalyptic chaos coated in an effluent contaminated slime. In … Continue reading →

09/02/2011

Naturally Gas? The new posting on the YBC-Blog covers the future of gas as our central heating fuel & a reminder of the home insulations grants that have only this year to run.

The price of natural gas is going up. As there is supposed to be a world glut of the stuff just now – the government’s medium term energy plans are all gas based – that seems a little odd. During 2010, the actual cost of domestic gas fell after being adjusted for inflation (which is fine if you

09/12/2010

Green Deal to insulate our homes in news today. New government initiative from 2012. Financially complicated. But grants still available until end 2011, but better to get it sorted before the next budget! With 50% grant, cavity wall insulation will cost ~£200 for the average house. 35% of heat lost through walls of average detached house. Worth doing. Pay back in just a few years, less if fuel costs rise.

Limited Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation Grants of up to 70% are available to all UK homeowners & private tenants. 100% grants are also now available to those aged over 70 or on certain benefits.

07/12/2010

When is damp in your home condensation or water finding its way through the structure? With sub-zero low humidity outside & warm damp air (kettles, showers, gas cookers, etc) inside, condensation will be forming somewhere in the building fabric, but watch out for the melting snow & ice on roofs & in full gutters...

02/12/2010

saw
a contractor at work re-pointing a house yesterday. The householder
probably thought them good workers in those conditions. The cold will
prevent the chemical bonds of the cement from fully forming. Most
re-pointing contractors never go to 25mm depth as required, so mix weak
mortar with insufficient thickness....... I'll give it a year before it begins to fall out. waste of money. waste of time.

01/12/2010

How good is your loft insulation? Compare the thickness of snow on your roof with your neighbour's.

16/11/2010

by the skin of his teeth... a mini-guide guide to everything

Robert and Milla find a plot overlooking Lake Windermere in the Lake District. They plan to incorporate the existing house into a new design which will quadruple its size. Find out more about this episode of Grand Designs, from 4Homes.

05/11/2010

cheats selling roof coatings. "we're in your area just today" they jet wash your roof (by walking all over it) risking serious water ingress (they'll blame it on your roof being faulty), damaging the slate or tile (did it ever rain so hard?) and apply a dubious coating probably in an inappropriate way. do not waste your money! A shiny, but weaker roof. Want to know more? Contact YBC

04/11/2010

selling your home? when the surveyor whips out his damp meter, your sale price and maybe the sale itself ,in this buyers market, can suddenly take a turn for the worst...

02/11/2010

Channel 5's cowboy builders shows what you really don't want to happen! You can catch up with past episodes here:

Sheree and Dominic are here to run the cowboy builders out of town.