WWW.HPMMAG.COM Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com SPECIALREPORT Extra bathrooms equals added interest With new regulations set to give the bathroom and building industries a boost, Barbara Osborne, product manager at Methven UK, looks at the changes and their possible impact on the building and installation trades... Bathrooms can be a deal-breaker when buying a property. In fact, research has shown that almost 80% of prospective homeowners say the number of bathrooms plays a significant role in the decision making process. The 4,000-strong study, conducted by PrimeLocation, also revealed that a ratio of two bathrooms for every three bedrooms is the minimum for a property to be considered as a serious prospect - and a third of those surveyed would dismiss a property with too few bathrooms. In addition, research by Nationwide has shown that an extra bathroom can increase the value of an average UK home by six per cent - equating to almost £15,000 on the £247,000 average UK house price. So, the added luxury of additional bathrooms, the financial incentive when it comes to selling, and the well-documented fact that UK homes are getting smaller, is a real motivation to extend in order to add a second bathroom. The good news is that extending your home has recently become a little easier. While building regulations still include prerequisites in terms of structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, damp proofing and ventilation - the planning procedures for home extensions in England were temporarily relaxed in June this year, in an effort to encourage residential conversions. LARGER EXTENSIONS Homeowners now have a three year window to take advantage of the latest regulations which allow for the building of larger extensions without formal planning permission. The new regulations, in place for the next three years, have doubled the permitted depth of a one storey extension to the rear of a property, going from four to eight metres on a detached property. Allowable extensions to other properties, such as bungalows and semi-detached houses, have increased from three to six metres. This provides homeowners with greater options in terms of the size and rooms which they can add to their property. Home extensions still require building approval, as do the installation of baths, showers and WCs when involving new drainage or waste plumbing, but with approximately 25 million homes in the UK today, of which 70% are owner-occupied, builders and installers alike have a great opportunity to solicit new business and encourage larger projects - due to the incentive provided by the new regulations. It is also a welcome change for an industry often fraught with red tape. These changes provide excellent opportunities for the bathroom sector in particular, as bathrooms and bedrooms are the top choices for homeowners, once they have taken the decision to extend. As one of the most used and functional rooms in the house, the benefits of a second bathroom are numerous for a growing family and make strong financial sense when it comes to moving on. However, for those looking to stay put, opting to improve rather than move, a new bathroom suite can also offer the opportunity to reduce ongoing utility bills and have a positive effect on the environment. Installing water and energy efficient brassware can not only lower energy bills - and water bills where a meter is installed - it can look good while doing it. Water and energy-efficient brassware has come a long way with the introduction of new technologies, such as Methven’s Satinjet which uses twin jets of water that collide and create over 300,000 droplets of water per second. But these new generation products also retain a focus on stunning design, performance and, of course, the shower experience. This is where experienced merchants and installers can maximise their input into the project by leading their customers down an energy and water efficient path. The shower and brassware market in particular affords a real opportunity to up-sell products which offer a greater return on investment. Installers and builders can drive these sales by educating their customers about water efficiency and to this end the European Water Label scheme was launched. This voluntary system provides an easy to understand tool that clearly displays the volume of water a product will use, per minute, when correctly installed. With the recent planning reforms, installers and merchants alike have the opportunity to take advantage by upselling from single items to full suites of products, as more homeowners take the opportunity to extend and create additional bathroom space. According to industry statistics, the bathroom renovation cycle averages at about ten years and this provides a further opportunity for tradesmen to encourage the sale of higher end products that offer durability as well as style. These government changes to planning regulations were introduced as a temporary, and much needed measure, to help jumpstart the economy. It is currently uncertain whether any lasting impact upon the bathroom industry will be seen, beyond its current three year duration. But, in an industry that is subject to the instability of the current economy, these changes offer a chance for builders and installers to secure their future. By growing their businesses today and establishing their reputations, tradesmen throughout the building and bathroom industries will have the best possible head start in years to come. 30 DECEMBER 2013 HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY enquiry number 132 Research shows that an extra bathroom can increase the value of an average UK home by six per cent The voluntary European Water Label displays the volume of water a product will use per minute
HPM December 2013
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