At CD Hood our work is very diverse, it can range from building a single storey extension, building an office reception to cleaning and repairing the front of a building.  

This year we have been given the work of cleaning HSBC’s, Hitchin’s branch façade, as it had been badly soiled with pigeon’s mess. We are now half way through the project which involves installing a scaffolding tower, jet washing the front of the building and repairing the nets to stop the birds from re-nesting and causing further damage/soiling to the area. Whilst working on this project we have been situated not far from St. Mary’s Church, so we have decided to look into its history, as it has had quite an interesting past. The church was originally construction in 792 when King Offa of Mercia founded a Benedictine community on the site. However the church building still visible today was built in the 14th and 15th Century, but it sits on the  foundations of a Saxon church.

When the church was dedicated to St. Andrew in 1086, it had approximately 600 acres of land – hard to believe if you visit now, as there are so many other building surrounding it, and it would have been one of the old minister churches of Anglo-Saxon England. As the church has been built in different stages over the last several hundred years, it is not completely straight, which we think adds to its appeal. 

At CD Hood we are used to taking on unusual building projects, so if you are looking for a reliable and flexible company to take on some unusual work, then why not give us a call.

CD Hood Ltd specialise in Cambridge loft conversions and are fully versed in necessary structural considerations. New beams will be needed in the roof and in the new floor to take the floor weight and strengthen the roof when the existing rafters are removed. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house this work will probably require a Party Wall agreement with your neighbours. This refers to walls, ceilings or floors which are shared with other properties.

Planning permission is not always necessary, but as with any extension work, you should check if the work can be done within what is known as, permitted development. If the house hasn’t been extended since 1948 this is likely to be the case, but you must find out in advance. Even if your house has not been extended since 1948, you may be next door to a listed building. In some areas this means you will need permission for any changes which affect the appearance of neighbouring listed properties.

All loft conversions must meet Building Regulations, it is best to submit full plans to your local authority building control department so they can advise on any changes needed before work begins. One of the key areas when adding another storey to a property are the fire precautions required. Upgrading the fire resistance of existing ceilings and doors is usually necessary. Recent changes to Building Regulations require high levels of insulation, which will keep your extension warm in winter and prevent overheating in summer.

Some simple structures are already on the market, ready to assemble and designed to mount on wood decks, concrete slabs, and patios. Something with a  heavy-duty aluminium framing is flexible, yet strong, and the glazing materials can be  rigid, but shatter-resistant, and lightweight. 

If you already have a patio or decking you might already have the base you need. Many areas of deck close to the house already have footings and concrete patios are generally poured on a base of well drained sand or gravel so they will not move in cold weather. Depending upon your soil the base mounting surface preparation requirements may vary but your local building inspector may or may not require modifications to your deck, slab or patio.

If you don’t yet have a patio but would like to harness some of the garden for use all the year round CD Hood Ltd experienced Cambridgeshire builders can help. In  thinking of a patio you might want to consider  stone. More and more stone is being imported from more exotic parts of the world. Most noticeably, there has been a surge in the supply of an Indian Sandstone which sells under a bewildering array of names, some attempting to sound vaguely "Northern", even though the stone has never been anywhere near the north of Britain, while others emphasise their sub-continental origins with names like "Raj Green" or "Modak Brown".

CD Hood are happy to help with any building project that helps transform your house into a more comfortable and useful home.

If you are hoping to sell your property, many buyers would expect to see a spacious kitchen, and at the very least you would hope to recoup the money spent on the build.  Ben Hunt, one of the Sales Managers for Winkworths says: "Kitchen/family rooms sell houses, and, though it may not make you much more than you spent, it definitely increases the saleability."

He reckons that if you own a ground floor flat, it could be a particularly clever move : "It's almost an essential for houses," explains Ben, "but we've found that if you can add on a side-return to a flat, it can have a big impact on the value."

For the design, lots of glass is the way it is often done, but forget the mock-period conservatory style. Estate agents says, "People want a traditional look at the front of the property, but a slick, modern look at the back."  New regulations, however, dictate the amount of glass you can use. So, unless you fancy bricking up some of your existing windows, make sure your plans are within the legal limits.

And, Ben from Winkworth warns, don't cut corners: "Quality is an important issue, as is design. You do sometimes see badly designed extensions that don't make the most of the space, and it can put buyers off.  If you have a tiny garden, make sure you're satisfied that you will have enough outdoors space left: "Keep a balance," says Ben, "you'll have a nice kitchen, but you don't want to compromise your garden in the process."

CDHood Ltd can help you extend your kitchen for saleability and or living let us give you a quote.

The roof over your head is probably the most important part of your home. Many of us would be overwhelmed when confronted with the need for a new roof.  The actual cost of a new roof however is not necessarily as large or as daunting as it might seem. But sometimes the sheer magnitude of other seemingly unrelated repairs or new installations which might be suggested at the time of re-roofing can put people in a spin.

If you think your roof might need a bit of TLC why not get a reputable builder to take a look, and maybe take up some of the most common services your roofer might suggest after having done and inspection. Chances are, when you understand how best to maintain your roof you will be able to stave off any major work and you will understand why it is in your best interest to at least entertain the possibility of smaller works to keep your roof in good health

Leaks are obvious and need immediate attention but without a drama it is easy to forget about your roof and roof space.  When did you last check ventilation up there? If your loft or attic is improperly ventilated near the roof, you leave your home exposed to moisture building up in that area. Not only can this result in structural warping and damage, but it could also be the ultimate cause of black mold.

There are a number of ways in which that area can be ventilated and each system may be determined by the type of roof and attic you have. There may be several solutions to your ventilation problems, so take the time to discuss them with a builder like CD Hood Builders to find the one that suits you in terms of design and cost.