The latest home living trend is open plan living. Many people are opening up their living spaces by knocking down internal walls. But does it add value to your home? Will it increase or decrease your resale value? Before you do anything to your house, get professional advice. Contact a qualified structural engineer, architect or building surveyor and discuss your plans. Professionals will give you sound advice on structural matters and an idea of how much your renovation will cost.

To DIY or not to DIY?:

Do you know which walls in your home are load-bearing or support walls? Unless you know what you are doing, leave the building alterations to the professionals. Not only could you cause costly damage to your home, you could also invalidate your home insurance. You can find a list of qualified professionals on the Royal Institute of Architect’s database at www.ribafind.org or by calling 020 7307 3700.

Replacing a load bearing or support wall is a specialist job that requires a reinforced steel joist (RSJ) to support your house. To find a qualified builder for the job, visit www.fmb.org.uk. Don’t accept the first quote you get, get at least three quotes and compare them. Always keep an eye on your budget. The cost of materials and finishing touches can quickly add up.

How do I know if I need planning permission?:
Straight forward internal building alterations do not need planning permission unless you live in a listed building. You will need planning permission for any structural work you want to do. You must apply for Building Regulation Approval before you start any work.

Information about planning permission:

You can find all the information you need about planning permission in England and Wales at www.planningportal.gov.uk. It includes links to local websites, a glossary and online application forms.

In Scotland, planning permission is handled by your local council and appeals are dealt with by the Scottish Executive. For more information visit www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/planning.

Building Regulations:

You can find technical information and links for building regulations in England and Wales at www.communities.gov.uk.

Building regulations in Scotland are handled by the Scottish Building Standards Agency. For more information visit www.sbsa.gov.uk.

Get professional help:

A professional architect or builder will help get the job done with less mess and disruptions. They can help you get what you want on time, within your budget and can also advise you as to what building regulations apply.

How to maximise your living space:

·         One large space can let more light into your home than two rooms with a dividing wall. If you can afford it, employ an architect to design your open space and give you advice and options on how to let more light in with additional windows and skylights.

·         One of the most popular open plan living areas is a kitchen diner. It’s great for entertaining as it allows you to cook and chat to your guests at the same time. If you want to, you can separate the two spaces with a kitchen island unit.

·         Think carefully about the layout before you start. Access is very important especially if you are making a kitchen diner. Do you have easy access from one end to the other?  Think about what shape table will work best in the space. Are you going to use the dining area for an office or TV room as well? You can try making little sketches to see how things would look.

·         A larger room will carry more sound than a smaller one. You can absorb the noise with furniture, soundproof flooring and if you have wooden or laminate floors, put a rug down. Use more soft furnishings and less hard surfaces.

·         Usually when you take down an internal wall, you lose storage space. Try to include 50% storage space when you are designing your open plan area. This prevents clutter from over-running your home.

Co-ordinate your colours:

·         Décor is all about unity and harmony. This can be achieved by matching walls with furniture and by using textures and colours that visually link the two spaces together.

·         Try reflecting the colour on the wall of your living area in your kitchen tiles and/or appliances.

·         For a minimalist look, keep the same colour theme throughout by painting walls, ceilings and cupboards the same colour.

Clear the air:

• Don’t forget ventilation. Cooking smells travel and can permeate your furniture and walls. Make sure you install an extractor fan or keep the kitchen as far away form your living areas as possible.
• Moisture can also be a problem. It can cause dampness in other parts of the house. So make sure your walls and floors are damp-proofed and ventilated.

Of course, once your renovations are complete, you will need to review your home insurance policy. For more information about the types of home insurance available from Direct Line, visit our website at www.directline.com/home.