Homeowner

Posted by CESW

Homeowners and others commissioning small scale construction work

At this time we are working with a range of industry bodies to develop a range of advice for the client of smaller scale building works and will up-date this site shortly. Sign up to our newsletter to keep informed on developments.

Useful sites you may wish to visit include:

Federation of Master Builders - contracts and some consumer advice www.fmb.org.uk
Planning and Building Control guidance www.planningportal.gov.uk
Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Construction Products Association Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Guide - An Introduction and Technical Information to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Provides information on how changes in the cost and lifespan of various improvement measures affect the payback period in both financial and carbon terms. Click here

Retrofitting for climate change

Climate Change & Your Home - interactive web portal from English Heritage designed specifically to help those who own or manage houses built of traditional construction understand more about the potential impacts of climate change and ways to save energy.

Retrofitting Existing Homes for Climate Change Impacts - The Three Regions Climate Change Group launched its fourth report - Your Home in a Changing Climate: Retrofitting Existing Homes for Climate Change Impacts: Report for Policy Makers - in February 2008 at London's City Hall. Copies of the report are available on the web site www.london.gov.uk/trccg

Health and Safety – your responsibilities

You are advised to download and read the free  Industry Guidance for small ,one- off and infrequent clients
Domestic clients are exempt from certain duties – this is explained in the guidance which you should read it through from the beginning. Also Section 3.0, helpfully advises what clients do and do not have to do for all projects and provides advice on good practice, and where, by choosing  more involvement in the project, you can take on extra legal liability.

English Heritage climate change advice here