<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Tota Design & Build ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tota Design & Build delivers new builds, extensions, loft conversions, refurbishments and commercial projects across London.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:49:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Building Over Winter: What Can Go Ahead in Cold Weather and What Should Wait]]></title><description><![CDATA[Winter does not stop building work, but it changes the order and methods. Here is what can go ahead in cold weather, what is sensitive to it and how to plan.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/winter-building-works-uk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf446f18367904d84a5763</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:30:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_b9da11cad9c249f882c156237f154e14~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Preparing Your Home Before the Builders Arrive: A Practical Checklist]]></title><description><![CDATA[A little preparation before building work starts makes the first weeks much smoother. Use this checklist to get your home, your neighbours and your decisions ready.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/preparing-home-before-builders-start</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf446f18367904d84a5761</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 07:50:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_9334a5f4cfb14c6291fad01a0439b6fc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Long Does a House Extension Take? Typical Phases and What Affects the Programme]]></title><description><![CDATA[A house extension has a design and approvals stage before any building starts. Here are the typical phases and the factors that make a programme longer or shorter.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/how-long-does-a-house-extension-take-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf446f18367904d84a5764</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_09fc0de983594fa4be31b1a8e0d0ff58~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Home Renovation Budgets: Contingency, Provisional Sums and Variations]]></title><description><![CDATA[Budgets rarely go wrong because of the headline price. They go wrong because of unknowns. Here is how contingency, provisional sums and variations work, and how to keep control.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/home-renovation-budget-contingency-provisional-sums</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf446f18367904d84a5762</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:15:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_216672188fcb488289bb6c0f4b700adc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Concept to Construction Drawings: What Building Design Involves]]></title><description><![CDATA[Good building design is a staged process, from the first brief and survey to planning drawings, technical details and the construction information used on site.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/building-design-concept-to-construction-drawings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf44462da4ea9051de9acc</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:35:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_15b944faea334348937b494c04b2d639~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Build Homes in North London: From Site Appraisal to Completion]]></title><description><![CDATA[Building a new home involves far more than construction. Here is the route from site appraisal and design through planning, groundworks, build and completion.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/new-build-home-north-london-process</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf44462da4ea9051de9aca</guid><pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:55:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_7ba69befc73e43e3ac991bdcffaba4c3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Regulations for Loft Conversions: Stairs, Fire Safety and Insulation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every loft conversion must meet the Building Regulations, whether or not it needs planning permission. Here is a plain guide to the structure, stairs, fire safety, insulation and sign-off.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/loft-conversion-building-regulations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf44462da4ea9051de9acb</guid><pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:25:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_9cac1e60956f42e6bb396ea78bb55ae4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dormer, Hip-to-Gable and Mansard Loft Conversions Compared]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and rooflight loft conversions each suit different houses. Here is how they compare and what to consider before choosing one.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/loft-conversion-types-dormer-hip-to-gable-mansard</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf44462da4ea9051de9acd</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:10:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_5b921a6b7eef4370a8491d5bf575aa28~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_941,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fire Safety Considerations in Commercial Refurbishment Projects]]></title><description><![CDATA[Refurbishing a commercial building can change escape routes, fire compartments and detection systems. Here is what to consider on fire safety, from design stage to completion.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/fire-safety-commercial-refurbishment</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf4422725ee8e48335d8e2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:40:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_4a058546e70945cfb2e02f9d3b03c4fb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Asbestos Surveys Before Refurbishment: What Property Owners Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Buildings constructed before 2000 may contain asbestos. Here is why a survey is needed before refurbishment, what the Control of Asbestos Regulations expect and who has responsibility.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/asbestos-survey-before-refurbishment</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf4422725ee8e48335d8e1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:50:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_0e61ad8c1e5e49b2b7de0484d786764b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Restaurant and Hospitality Fit-Outs: What Operators Should Plan For]]></title><description><![CDATA[A restaurant fit-out has to balance atmosphere with serious technical requirements. Kitchen extraction, fire safety, layout and the opening date all need planning before work begins.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/restaurant-fit-out-planning-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf4421725ee8e48335d8df</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:20:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_081206ffc83a423e92579d70ec193352~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cat A vs Cat B Fit-Out: What Each Stage Means for Commercial Tenants]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cat A and Cat B are the two stages of a commercial fit-out. Here is what each one covers, who normally pays for what and why the distinction matters before you sign a lease.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/cat-a-vs-cat-b-fit-out-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf4422725ee8e48335d8e0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:05:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_d782495d3868402da82be1fafa03e83b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bathroom Renovations: Waterproofing, Ventilation and Layout Decisions]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most bathroom problems trace back to hidden details such as waterproofing, falls, ventilation and electrical zones. Here is what to plan before tiles and fittings go in.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/bathroom-renovation-london-waterproofing-ventilation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43f95be56dd985eb467e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:30:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_f5ed0da539ca47259126f47675f31fca~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Planning a Kitchen Renovation: Layout, Services and Lead Times]]></title><description><![CDATA[A good kitchen renovation starts long before the units arrive. Layout, services, ventilation and lead times all need planning early. Here is a practical guide to getting it right.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/kitchen-renovation-planning-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43f95be56dd985eb4680</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:45:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_1a52053dd3e64d47a96da883c1ed8402~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Party Wall Agreements Explained for London Homeowners]]></title><description><![CDATA[If building work affects a wall you share with a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. Here is what it covers, which notices are required and how the process normally works.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/party-wall-agreements-explained-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43f95be56dd985eb467d</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:15:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_a7baead56f9d4ab1a1dcc9ad5487bcb4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Planning a Full House Refurbishment: The Order Works Should Happen In]]></title><description><![CDATA[A full refurbishment goes more smoothly when trades work in the right sequence. Here is the order of works for a typical whole-house project, from strip-out and structure to second fix and snagging.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/full-house-refurbishment-order-of-works</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43f95be56dd985eb467f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:20:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_42ee793cd4924db186d9f8d4b2e3564c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Design and Build Means for Your London Project]]></title><description><![CDATA[Design and build puts design and construction under one contract and one point of responsibility. Here is how it works, how it compares with the traditional route and what to agree up front.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/what-is-design-and-build-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43c950d1c33f8e25d9f2</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:05:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_2acae95d575d4250a69f8366297cfda9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rear and Side Return Extensions in London: Planning, Design and Build Stages]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rear and side return extensions are two of the most common ways to add space to a London house. This guide covers the planning routes, design choices and the order in which the build is delivered.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/rear-side-return-extension-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43c950d1c33f8e25d9f0</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:55:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_ad566cb0e46f4597b5c1b179fac265d6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in London?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many loft conversions can go ahead under permitted development, but not all. A plain-English guide to the limits, the situations where planning permission is needed and how to get certainty.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/planning-permission-loft-conversion-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43c850d1c33f8e25d9ef</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:40:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_5b921a6b7eef4370a8491d5bf575aa28~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_941,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loft Conversion or House Extension: Which Is Right for Your London Home?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Both a loft conversion and an extension add space to a London home. Here is how to weigh up the two, from structure and planning to disruption and how you want to use the new room.]]></description><link>https://www.totadesignbuild.co.uk/post/loft-conversion-or-house-extension-london</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6acf43c950d1c33f8e25d9f1</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:12:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/834f17_d986db36e3fe4a0196e685b87496288d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Nikolla</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>