Spring is on the way along with its longer days and (hopefully) warmer weather. The Easter break and springtime in general is a popular time to embark on DIY projects. More adventurous DIYers may take this opportunity to go beyond more routine tasks such as painting or gardening and branch out into something more challenging.

The difficulty in accessing housing and the cost of property has encouraged many people to consider expanding their homes to gain extra living space or add more light. Until now certain regulations may have prevented such projects but according to a recent article published in Construction Index, the UK government is launching a consultation on proposals that would allow property owners to build extensions or large loft conversions without planning permission. 

Whether you are considering undertaking such a project now or in the future, spring is an ideal time for many DIY tasks. In this article we’ll cover loft conversions, roof repairs, landscaping and building extensions. We’ll also be covering the tools and machines you may need for these projects, all of which are available for hire at MPH.

Loft Conversions

A loft conversion transforms an attic into a functional room. It involves modifying the structure of the loft and reinforcing it to support a floor as well as installing stairs. A dorma can also be made, which extends the head space considerably, and plumbing can be added for a bathroom. The end result is a comfortable living space with a lot of light from skylights. 

Handy machines for loft conversion projects

This project entails lifting beams, timber and other heavy materials up onto a scaffold tower or directly into the loft. The best machine for this task is a telehandler such as the JCB 535-125 with a lift height of 12 metres. A machine like this one can be used with attachments such as a crane jib, lifting hook, or fork extension which improve its functionality.

Roof Repairs

Most of the time roof repairs are not major and can be carried out quickly and easily, but sometimes a roof might have to be retiled, or in extreme circumstances part of the roof or even the entire structure might need to be rebuilt. 

Essential equipment for roof repairs

A roof repair is not as complicated as a loft conversion but it still requires skill and specialised tools. As with a loft conversion, one of the main challenges is getting the heavy or cumbersome materials up to working height.

A scaffold tower is essential for this job, as well as some way to lift the materials up. Although a telehandler can be used for lifting, the Bumpa hoist is a conveyor belt which can carry materials from the ground up to the roof or a scaffold tower. At MPH we stock a number of Bumpa hoists such as the 10 metre petrol Bumpa hoist or the 5m Hoddi Hoist. If one were to assume the project of restoring an old barn where the entire roof structure needs to be torn down and the roof trusses have to be rebuilt, then a telehandler with an adjustable crane jib attachment would be a good solution.

Garden Landscaping

With more daylight and higher temperatures, Spring is an ideal time for gardening and landscaping projects. It might be time to build a drainage system for your garden, create a multi-level garden with retaining walls, replace a fence or clear a ditch of overgrowth. The possibilities are endless when it comes to landscaping.

Tools for landscaping

There are many tools and machines available for landscaping and they have a wide range of applications. Excavators are probably some of the most versatile machines available. They can be used for digging trenches, grading to achieve the desired slope or flat surface, and with attachments they can do much more. We stock an XCMG XE55E 5.7 tonne excavator alongside smaller and bigger machines which may be suitable for other projects. We can also provide a series of attachments: 

• Screening bucket: This attachment is used to separate fine from coarse material, usually dirt from rocks, rubble or roots.
• Ripper teeth: This is a single tooth that can tear through frozen or hard soil, break through roots, or break up damaged concrete. It is commonly used to remove tree stumps.
• Tilting bucket: A bucket that tilts allowing you to create gradients.
• Flail Mower: The excavator mulcher or flail mower is perfect for shredding bushes or trees down to the stump.
• Riddle bucket: Very useful attachment for separating soil from roots or clearing ditches of overgrowth.
• Clam Shell digging bucket: The clamshell bucket is ideal for use in trench digging, loading materials, handling of logs and much more.

Other tools and machines that are useful to have for landscaping projects are augers for boring holes and post removal systems like the Fence Master. These are ideal for fence repairs or to install a new fence altogether. The Fence Master will allow for the easy removal of old fence posts and the augur will create the hole for a new fence post. Dumpers are also often needed for landscaping projects and skip loaders have the additional advantage of a high lift action, which allows them to dump rubble directly into a skip. Here at MPH we stock a variety of dumpers and skip loaders in various sizes. The compact half ton MESSERSI TC50D is ideal for small projects and is operated in a similar way to a wheelbarrow, making it easy to use without experience. Larger machines like the 9 ton TEREX TA9 are better suited to landscaping projects where a lot of material needs to be moved around. 

Building and extension

Building an extension to your house can add a lot of extra space and light. There are different ways to build conservatories and there are prefabricated options which need to be assembled. Most often it is necessary to dig foundations, create the structure, lay bricks, build a roof, add insulation and plaster the walls before painting and adding the final touches. It can be labour intensive but the results are a comfortable living space with plenty of light.

Useful equipment for building and extension

This project can be quite labour intensive, as stated earlier, and will require a lot of tools and machines. An excavator will be required for the foundations and usually a 0.9 tonne KUBOTA K008-3 will provide the best results. It is an agile machine that can fit through tight spaces and is ideal for small projects. For larger projects an XCMG XE55E 5.7 tonne excavator might be required. A skip loader will also be needed to dispose of the extra soil and compactors as well as general concrete working equipment will be necessary for building the foundations. For the structure itself a scaffold tower will be needed and tools like vacuum glass lifters, beam lifters or plasterboard lifters will make the job much easier. 

With longer days and more favourable weather Spring is the ideal season to take on these transformative DIY projects. There are many more possibilities than just those covered in the article and here at MPH we stock a wide range of machines for these projects. Explore our range here.

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