Whether you are planning to buy a home, just moved in, or want to improve where you live, this little book will be of interest.
Buying property can be very stressful, but knowledge will put you in a stronger position. Estate Agents work for the seller (vendor), not the buyer (you). They are trying to sell the property therefore, very unlikely to point out any faults.
Solicitors and conveyancing agents will handle the legal aspects of the sale. They are not involved with the property.
In the UK there is no Law or legal requirement for a 'builder' to be qualified. There isn't a trade named 'builder'. Building materials are easily available to anyone.
Why does that matter?
You could be buying property that has been subject to a 'make over'. There are plenty of TV shows that promote 'get rich quick' techniques.
The book explains:
- the processes involved in buying property
- the legal jargon and what it actually means
- the various types of surveys and what they should cover
- moving day - what is involves including check lists
- property security - how to change locks, the pros and cons of alarms and security cameras
- the electrical circuitry - MCBs, RCDs, CUs, fuses, cable sizing
- what to do in an emergency - gas, water, electricity
- heating systems
PLUS
- how to reduce condensation - dispelling various myths
- thermal insulation - based on proven science
- the truth about retro thermal insulation and why it can cost a fortune and ruin your property. Sir Richard explains why
- how mould grows, and how to remove it
This small book is packed with information written by a Building Surveyor and former College lecturer specialising in Building Science and Building Surveying.
A brand new up to date book explaining how Politics, Science and Energy Needs for the 21st century are all shaping Climate Change.
- There is much talk about Climate Change. Documentaries on TV showing extremes in weather, animal domains that are being cleared, the murdering of animals such as elephants, big cat species, rain forest depletion, city pollution - the list goes on.
- Kyoto Protocol and the more recent Paris Agreement - nice group photos of world leaders. Has it done anything to reduce Greenhouse gases?
- What are greenhouse gases (GHG)? What are GHG equivalents, and why are they still being legally produced?
- Is there a hole in the ozone layer? Or is it more mis-information. Does it matter?
Does burning fossil fuels actually make the Climate Change?
Or, are there other MAN-MADE reasons? This book explains why POLITICS is the biggest contributor to Climate Change.
Politicians are pawns of the wealthy. Those with substantial wealth finance Political Parties. Countries that are ruled by dictatorships have no-say in what happens.
We live on a planet that has more people alive today than all previous populations put together. We have caused more damage in the past three centuries than the 165 million years that dinosaurs inhabited the planet.
Is flying many hundreds of people to attend a conference with all of the security people involved, delegate's PAs, secretaries, special transport vehicles required, just a publicity display and a chance to have a group photo taken?
Will a signature on a sheet of paper mean anything to a factory worker being paid a pittance in countries such as China, India, and Turkey? The children in India that pull the 'recycled' car batteries apart with their bare hands and letting the acid and water leak into the local rivers?
Will changing laws actually remedy the situation? Are laws for the law abiding, or does having money mean they don't apply?
The book looks in-depth at why many ideas such as electric vehicles may not be the remedy it is hyped up to be. Building more wind farms in the UK according to Government data has barely kept up with the increased demand for electricity. According to their latest data it appears 2021 was a poor year for wind so fossil fuelled power stations actually had to produce more electricity into the grid.
Are battery powered ships possible? Is hydrogen the fuel for the future?
There are so many facets to 'Climate Change'. It isn't anything new as such.
The climate is constantly changing;
- Ice Fairs where the River Thames froze over with ice so thick that oxen could be open roasted on it.
- Several years when most of Europe remained about freezing, or below all through the year. Millions died, not of the cold, but starved to death as no crops could grow, animals died of starvation and so did the populations.
- Other extremes occurred shortly afterwards when the hottest time on record. 1666 - The Great Fire of London. That September had followed a very hot and dry period which contributed to the rapid spread of fire. The Industrial Revolution hadn't happened at that time though.
The up-dated and now in colour second edition.
An ideal text book for anyone who wants to study Surveying.
Full of graphics and explanations, this book covers the fundamentals from setting up and adjustments of surveying instruments, through to on-site techniques.
Written by a former College lecturer it is based on over 25 years of teaching Surveying students. It isn't intended to replace a Surveying course. It will be very useful if a lecture has been missed, or an issue unclear.
Spiral bound makes it easy to use when out in the field. Complicated details are clearly explained using worked examples.
In addition to the practical aspects of actual surveying, health and safety issues are addressed. Not as 'bolt on bits', but real life examples.
Construction Surveying Explained is unlike any other text book about Surveying:
- It is in colour - making the information easier to understand
- Plenty of graphics
- The required maths has worked examples
- Worked examples set out on 'booking sheets'
- Practical methods used in setting out for foundations, skeletal framed structures
Some Civils works such as:
- setting out for drainage utilities
- setting out road layouts
- 'cut and fill'
- recording contours
The techniques used on high rise buildings:
- how to check for verticality
- how to transfer levels onto concrete slip-form stair / lift towers
Construction Math's Explained
An ideal companion book for Construction Surveying Explained and students studying for:
- BTEC (EdEXCEL) National and Higher National
- City & Guilds level 5
- 1st year degree courses
Buildabooks UK
Buying Your First
Home Handbook
- A useful handbook for home buyers and home owners alike
- Packed with jargon busting explanations
Help with:
- Not buying a 'Pig in a Poke'
- Security
- Heating
- How to reduce your heating bills
- Electricity
- Emergencies [Gas - Water - Electricity]
About us
- City & Guilds: Construction [Level 5]
- BTEC (EdEXCEL) National Construction and the Built Environment qualification.
- BTEC (EdEXCEL) Higher National Construction and the Built Environment qualification.
- First year of a degree in Construction and the Built Environment course.
Reviews
A must have book! [ Caroline Robinson - 29th Jan 2020]
After 25 years of renting I am finally a home owner. This book is amazing. I am quite good at DIY and love to save money and try and do things myself if I can (except gas work of course) and this book is invaluable. Easy to follow instructions and list of tools needed too. Very cleverly written and constructed, as if the writer has first hand experience in all tasks listed in the book. I would not be without it and have even advised a couple of friends to get it. I cannot recommend this book enough. Got us out of a few situations we could solve ourselves without having to pay a tradesman saving us a fortune.
Delivery prompt a really useful book [Karen Birch - 24th Sept 2019]
Delivery prompt a really useful book . Fantastic hints and tips for first time buyers and all other home buyers too . Bought the book for a friend first time buyer and found a lot of useful info for myself as a home owner . Definitely recommend .
Buying Your First Home Handbook [Susan Dooley - 25th Jul 2019]
Very speedy delivery. Every aspect covered, clearly and succinctly, with an excellent contents list for ease of reference, and index at the back. This book had just the right touch oh humour to make it light and easy to take in, whilst providing all the professional expertise.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone buying a property, not just first time buyers.