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   Our remodeling contractors estimate general contractor website is designed exclusively for the homeowner and/or renter to get their job done efficiently and in a timely manner.

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  Fill out the easy form and give us an idea of the project you wish to complete and you will receive an estimate from a qualified and licensed contractor. The benefit of a licensed contractor gives you assurance that your project is in capable hands and the job will be done right from start to finish.



Bathroom Trivia

A bathroom is a room that may have different functions depending on the cultural context it is used in.

In its literal sense it means 'a room with a bath', but as bathtubs have partly made way for showers and steam showers, the more general sense of 'a room where one bathes' makes more sense. There can be just a shower or just a bathtub or both, sometimes combined and sometimes separate (in which case the bathtub may have a second shower). Usually, it also contains a handbasin or sink and often also a toilet. In the USA, 'bathroom' commonly means 'a room containing a toilet' (in other countries this is usually called 'toilet' or alternatively 'water closet' (or 'WC'), or 'lavatory'). For this interpretation of the word see bathroom (American). If a bathroom facility is attached to a bedroom it is often known as an en-suite or if it's attached to a master bedroom it's known as a master bathroom.

A half (1/2) bath contains a toilet and a handbasin (lavatory). A 3/4 bath contains a toilet, a handbasin (lavatory) and a shower. A full bath contains a toilet, a handbasin (lavatory) and a bathtub.

  For information and articles about contractor laws and licensing we have included a link for your convenience. To find out more, simply click on the corresponding state you wish to obtain information from. - Home improvement contractor info

Additional information and resources:

Read Home Decorating Articles - We have included a great resource link for you to get ideas about designing to compliment any home improvement project. The link will open in a new window so you may keep our estimate form open for easy access.

Find Decorating Pictures - Finally...a source for interior decorating and gardening pictures! A giant selection of home and garden, and interior decorating from a great website that will give you many ideas about updating your home with an array of well thought ideas. Link opens in new window so you may return for an estimate.




Design considerations

The design of a bathroom must account for the use of both hot and cold water, in significant quantities, for cleaning the human body. Disposal of the water usually leads to a sewer or septic tank. Water may be splashed on the walls and floor and hot humid air may cause condensation on cold surfaces. From a decorating point of view the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials, is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. However, such surfaces are often cold to the touch and so water-resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable. Alternatively, the floor may be heated, possibly by startegically placing heater conduits close to the surface.

Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters and heated towel rails generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections rather than plugs and sockets. This minimises the risk of electric shock. Ground-fault circuit interruptor electrical sockets can reduce the risk of electric shock, and are required for bathroom socket installation by electrical and building codes in the United States and Canada. In some countries, such as the UK, only special sockets suitable for electric shavers are permitted in bathrooms, and are labelled as such.

Bathrooms can also be a source of decorative inspiration. One can easily decorate the bathroom by choosing shower curtains or cubicles to match a theme.




Home Improvement Information

Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know


Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is when developing or extending a property. This is potentially one of the most subjective Planning issues their is. Most Planning Departments will have guidance but I guarantee it will be specific in parts & definitely woolly or non specific in other areas leaving the subject wide open to interpretation.

One of the most common areas for debate is with regard to side windows on neighbouring properties. The general rule of thumb is whether or not the neighbours side window is a principal or secondary window. If if is the only principal window for a neighbours room then the chances are the Planners will pay great attention to your development or extension. They will want to be satisfied that the window is not interrupted from skylight by your building project. Secondary side windows on the other hand to habitable rooms or windows to non habitable rooms are far less contentious & are often ignored by Planning Departments in their impact assessments. However, this is only a rule of thumb & surprises do sometimes occur. These surprises often arise from neighbour induced objections where the Planning Officer is forced to stick out his neck & make a case to support your scheme against that of the neighbours vitriol - you don't see many headless Planning Officers these days do you - you get my point.

What about the scientific proving of light issues I hear you ask to override the Planning Officers negative opinion? Well yes their is guidance from the BRE called 'Site layout planning for daylight & sunlight - A guide to good practice' by PJ Littlefair. However, this £55 document is seriously complicated should the need arise for proving diagrams using Waldram diagrams. The novice will never understand it & the same applies to most Planning & Appeal Officers so you are advised to avoid the scientific approach like the plague. Even the official chapters of the guide clearly state that...."The advice given here is not mandatory & this document should not be seen as an instrument of Planning Policy" However, the guidance on whether or not your building works actually obstruct the light to the neighbours window is actually very useful in proving to the Planners that you DO NOT need to prove by calculation any loss of light. You would be surprised when you do work out this 25 degree vertical reference line of light just how close some new buildings can actually go to the troublesome windows. Therefore, if your getting resistance to you scheme on light issues, go get this BRE Guide first from any good stationers or the BRE direct - it could be the best £55 you have spent in helping to get your scheme recommended for approval.

In most rights of light issues, the pragmatic & practical assessment approach is often more productive than the scientific process unless you are dealing with a freshly qualified Development Control Officer who can often recall the theory of these Waldram Diagrams with distinct ease, I would stick to the commonly understood simplistic approach of 'fact & Degree' in your negotiations.

From a legal stand point, most solicitors will advise you of the 20 year rule where a neighbour has a prescriptive right to light if they have enjoyed 'uninterrupted' light for a continuous 20 year period. Now solicitors love the BRE scientific approach as it is a potential fee earning category for them in defending upset neighbours or for fighting a scheme through the appeal process for a developer. Unless you have a large pocket for to absorb abortive fees stay well clear of these sharks & only use them as a last resort.

The conclusion to side windows & right of light is this - Most neighbours that have a side window facing your development or extension will complain to the Planning Officer. Just because you chat over the fence every weekend when hanging out the washing will not automatically preclude that neighbour from complaining during the consultation process. Therefore completing a risk assessment of these windows first is vital . If you discover a neighbours principal window to a habitable room on the side of the property adjacent your own building works DO NOT IGNORE IT. Adjust the design of the new building to take this window into account. There are other clever tactics & arguments you can employ that could allow closer development if there is no other option for your scheme.

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further side window issues in more detail & sets out various risk assessment procedures & tactics that you can incorporate within your scheme when dealing with rights of light issues. I would not advocate submitting any Planning scheme until you have assessed these affecting side windows & prepared your defence - you have been warned.

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the tactics involved when developing land or a site for residential use & how to give yourself the best chance of being granted planning permission.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk


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