As a homeowner, one of the coolest experiences you can have involves a fun home renovation. It’s always nice to transform a space in order to breathe new life into it and customize it even more. To make things even better, it’s nice to know you don’t have to do the heavy lifting if you hire a contractor. However, there are a few things you’ll want to remember as the homeowner during a major home renovation project.

1. Get clear on what’s needed from you.
As you sit down with the architect and the project manager, get clear on what’s needed from you throughout the process. It might be that you need to set aside a certain amount of money for unexpected costs. It could be that you need to expect to be ready for weekly meetings. Whatever they need from you during the process, make sure you’re clear about everything before they swing the first hammer.

2. Protect your valuables.
It’s not that you’re assuming that people will steal your things. It’s nice to hope that everyone has integrity. However, you don’t know all of the contractors and workers who will be coming in and out of the home. Make sure that you put away any prized possessions or valuable assets. Whether you choose to put them in a safe or in a storage unit, protect your really valuable items.

3. Be respectful.
Be respectful of those who are doing the work. Don’t get in their way. Don’t be rude and micromanage everything they’re doing. It’s probably best if you stay out of the way and allow everyone to freely do their job. Imagine if you were being watched while you were getting work done. It’d feel pretty uncomfortable.

4. Express appreciation.
While you’re probably paying a pretty penny to get the work done, make sure to express appreciation to those who are putting in the hard work. On the first day of the new project, leave a thank-you note and a few beautiful food gift baskets. It’s a great way to set the tone and let them know you appreciate everything they’re doing to create the home of your dreams.

An oak porch is a classic and beautiful addition to many properties and are highly popular. They offer both great practicality and attractive aesthetics. If you’re looking for a warmer and more welcoming entryway to your home, they provide shelter from the weather and light the way for increased security and finding your keys in the dark! Here are some things to consider before organising the installation of your very own wooden porch:

1. Your budget amount
   Before doing anything, calculate what you have available for your project. The type of design, style and material you choose will vary in price, so you should do some research before planning your new porch and decide how much you have to spend.
2. Available Space
   It’s easy to get carried away when you see the stunning designs available, but you should seriously consider exactly how much space you have available at your property. This will help you to make the final decision on where to place the oak porch and the size and styles available.

Image credit

3. Planning permission
   The size of porch determines whether you will need to apply for planning permission or not. Structures that exceed a certain size will need planning permission, so it’s important you understand what’s required and what isn’t. In England and Wales, a porch must not exceed 3 metres squared or it will require planning permission. There are other regulations and restrictions, for example in conservation areas or on listed buildings.
4. Style Choice
   As the first thing that guests see when they approach your home, you want to make a great first impression. Most people choose a porch style that fits in with the existing style of their property for a seamless and classic look. There are many styles available so you’re sure to find a style that matches your needs perfectly.
5. What you’ll use it for
   Think about the reasons why you want a porch on the front of your house. Is it simply to look good or do you have a practical need as well? Will its purpose be for shelter, for aesthetics or does it need to be enclosed as a space for storing coats and shoes? You’re intended purpose will have a large impact on the style you choose, and you’ll want to choose the most suitable size and design.

Image credit

6. Materials
   Whilst there are many materials to choose from, an oak porch is the most timeless and attractive. Oak offers a beautifully rich colour, a good-looking finish, adds tons of character and feels warm and welcoming. It is also an incredibly durable and strong material. From an environmental perspective, oak is great at absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, easily offsetting any emissions produced during the felling and construction process.

If you’re thinking about having a beautiful Shepherd’s Hut in your back garden or on your property somewhere, in most cases It’s really straightforward and no planning permission will be required. There are a number of factors that can influence whether you need planning permission or not, so it’s always good to find out before you purchase your hut. You don’t want to discover any regulations or restrictions after you’ve bought one and fallen in love with it! Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about these huts and planning permission.

Will I need planning permission?

If you are buying a hut for your own private use and installing in it your garden, then normally you will not need planning permission. Even some conservation areas will not have an issue with a private use Shepherd’s Hut being installed in a private garden. For a stunning range of Shepherd Huts, visit http://www.cotswoldshepherdshuts.co.uk/

The reason they don’t often require such permission is that they are considered a mobile structure, similar to a caravan. A caravan is defined under law as any structure designed for habitation that is able to be moved to another place. Anyone who wants to use their hut as a bedroom, guest room, summer house or gardening retreat and has it in their own back garden, will encounter no issues. A hut also makes a great alternative if you’ve been refused permission for an extension in the past. If you want to place your hut on agricultural space or a paddock, you might have to move it every 3 months.

Image credit

If you live in a conservation area, you will need to check if there are any restrictions. This also applies if you live in a listed property as well. There could be restrictions written into your deeds if your home is in an urban area or owned by the National Trust. It is polite to discuss these things with any close neighbours, even if you don’t require planning permission.

Can I use my hut for business purposes?

Yes, you can, but you will need to notify the authorities. Using a hut for commercial or rental purposes, such as a small business or a holiday home, you’ll need to apply for a change of use for the land your hut will sit on. You’ll also require the appropriate permissions for the type of business you’re involved in. It’s best to get specialist advice to guide you through the legal requirements of operating a business.

When would I need arrange planning permission?

If you do require planning permission before installing a Shepherd’s Hut, it’s best to check with your local planning authority for details on time frames and requirements. They will be able to let you know whether you need to submit a formal application or not.

Trivia time again! Let’s have a look at the most watch tv episodes on the UK of all time. I think that this time you’ll probably able to guess what they might be more than the events. Here’s the thing a lot of these shows have been going for years and also back in the day there were only 4 channels to choose from. It’s unlikely that we’ll see such big figure for a show now with streaming and catch up and plus one hour channels as well it’s harder to judge. So, lets check that TV Aerial Installation Swansea or wherever you are in the UK and see what they are. You might wan to pop along to https://www.onevisionltd.co.uk/tv-aerial-installation-swansea first if yours is a bit dodgy.

Image credit

1. Den Watts gives divorce papers to Angie Watts, “This, my sweet, is a petition for our divorce, Merry Christmas Ang”. Forgetting his comeback and fall from grace outside of EastEnders this was an electric performance from Leslie Graham and Anita Dobson. 30.15 million viewers put the turkey sandwiches away for this moment as Den reveals that he knows Angie is lying about dying.
2. Michelle Flower reveals who got her pregnant. It was Den Watts! It could have been anyone of several candidates, but it was Dirty Den who got the teenage Michelle up the duff. 28 million tuned in to see him visit baby Vicki, so named because she was conceived on the floor of the Queen Vic pub.
3. Hilda Ogden leaves. Coronation Street is the longest running serial of all time and it was an emotional moment when the street gossip and heart of gold hero Hilda final retired her hair rollers and left. 26.25 million people waved her farewell.
4. Only Fools and Horse “Time on our hands”. Despite some ill-conceived follow ups this saw the Trotters final become millionaires after discovering that an old pocket watch they’d had for years in storage was worth millions at auction. 24.35 million people watched them go off into the sunset.
5. EastEnders. Just a regular episode. No particular drama. It shows how popular the show had become and was worrying the established order of Coronation Street. 24.30 million tuned in
6. Royal Variety performance 1965. Dame Shirley Bassey and Dudley Moore topped the bill. I imagine you’ve never heard of them? This is the surprise one but keep in your arsenal for quiz night. 24.20 million people watched it.
7. Another plain old EastEnders episode. It was about now that Corrie started to be repeated as well in the week.
8. To the Manor Born. Showing how much we invest in Comedy shows, this time posh people this was Andrey and Richard finally deciding that they loved each other. Ahh. 23.95 including my hooked Mum, Nan and Aunties.

* denotes aggregated figure with repeat showing.

Charcoal is produced by heating wood or other substances such as bone, in the absence of oxygen, leaving you with pure carbon. Activated carbon is the latest healthcare craze used in supplements and healthcare products. The carbon is combined with different gases and exposed to very high temperatures. It develops pores which then increase the surface area of the product. This surface area then has the ability to catch chemicals and toxins in the body, giving activated charcoal huge potential in the health and beauty market.

Image Credit

Products

There are many products available with activated charcoal as the main ingredient, including face masks, body cleansers and soaps, creams and gels, capsules and toothpaste.

Medical

Activated charcoal is regularly used in hospitals and in emergency situations dealing with poisons which have been ingested. The World Health Organization has included it on the list of essential medicines which means it will be found in ambulances, pharmacies and medical establishments.

Image Credit

Toothpaste

One of the most common forms found in our pharmacies is charcoal toothpaste. Because of its porous surface, it is effective in removing stains from our teeth and removes any bacteria which may cause bad breath. It should therefore only be used as a supplement to normal toothpaste which gives us the fluoride needed to fight tooth decay. Specialists, such as a cosmetic dentist in Cardiff https://www.cathedraldentalclinic.com/, will advise against using charcoal toothpaste as a tooth whitener, it is only useful for removing stains and if used regularly will also remove your enamel, so be careful!

Supplements

Activated charcoal is used in supplements to help detoxify your body. By taking it orally, it absorbs harmful nutrients and toxins from the intestines. Some medical experts believe that by using activated charcoal, the harmful toxins will not get into your bloodstream thus reducing your cholesterol level.

Tests

Scientific studies and the benefits of activated charcoal have been ongoing since the 1800s and these studies cover numerous applications. Water treatment plants are testing its use for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater or drinking water. If activated charcoal has the ability to remove taste and odours from our drinking water, there are no doubt other potential cleansing applications.

As studies and research are ongoing, always contact a medical professional before trying any new treatments; err on the side of caution.