When you are considering a home extension there are various things that need to be considered. If it is the first time you have undertaken this type of work it is can seem a daunting prospect. The key is to break your home extension into the various parts so that each part can be easily managed. There are two main sections to the project the design stage and the build or construction phase. The first stage is the design stage, again this contains various parts the main ones to consider are the specification, planning, and building regulations. The specification is basically the actual design and choices that will make your home extension fit your property, lifestyle, budget and the final material finishes. Even items like floor finish can affect the overall design of your house extension. For instance floor tiles may require under floor heating and that in turn will affect the structural floor height and insulation choices. So it is always best to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve as early on in the project as possible. The next stage is a planning application and planning drawings. In recent years the planning laws associated with domestic or home extensions have been changed so not all projects require a full planning application. Some will require no planning application but it is always sensible to apply for a certificate of lawfulness. The next stage is the building regulations, all house extensions require either a full plans submission or at the very least a building notice. The majority will require a full plans submission of building regulations drawings. Many home owners are now favouring a full design and build package, this is when a building company carries out the design work as well as the actual build. The advantages of this are that there are often cost savings on the design work and you have continuity throughout the project.
I want to extend my home where do I start?
June 17, 2011
Well most home extension projects will require building regulations approval and planning permission. Recent changes in the planning law has meant that many home extensions that would have needed planning permission a few years ago will now only need building regulation approval. So what is the difference between planning permission and building regulation approval? Well planning permission means that your local authority gives the permission to build what’s on your planning application and planning drawing. Building regulation simply means that your local authorities building control department has agreed that your building regulation design drawing is safe. Confused? Well for even the experienced D.I.Y ‘er a home extension project can be daunting, most sensible people employ a builder or main contractor. So what is the perfect combination for a home extension? The best and simplest way is to get your home extension project built by a design and build company. Design and build specialist differ from Architects and builders because they take a far more holistic approach to the project. They will walk you through the entire project help you get your ideas down on paper and ultimately go onto complete the build or construction phase of your project. So why chose them over an Architect and builder? One is cost because they are combining both the design and build stage of the project you will benefit from a cost saving. This is because they understand your project from day one in the design stage so the project management is far easier and there for far cheaper. There is only one set of paper work and they can book a build date far in advance as they take the project through the design stage. The other advantage to a customer is that they know that the guys on site have the backing of an experienced design team. There is nothing worse than getting into a project and finding that the builders have built it wrong. In this situation they will often blame the architect or the structural engineer. With a design and build team they will make sure at the design stage that they have ironed out any challenges before their builders get to site.
Contemporary home extensions in Derbyshire
December 29, 2010
Are you looking for a home extension that is a little bit special, have you got your dream extension planned out? Designing and building contemporary home extensions requires not only skill and experience but also careful planning with a flair for design. To get a beautiful contemporary home extension it is always best to choose a contractor and designer that can take your home extension project from the initial planning drawings through to the completion of the build phase of your home extension project. To make sure that your home extension project has the care and continuity to make it a truly beautiful contemporary home extension, make sure your design team will be there to help with the build phase. If your architect specifies a particular material choice make sure that the builders know how to install it correctly. With a design and build team on board you have one responsible party to make sure your house extension is a success.
House extension in Derbyshire
December 5, 2010
The snow has been falling for a few days, certainly long enough for the novelty to where a little thin for many home owners. Many have kept journeys to a minimum and have been cramped up in the house, enjoying the company of their family and fellow householders. This inevitably led some to dream of more space for themselves and their family. I house extension can give you that valuable extra space from as little as ?10,000 and due to changes over the last few years you may not even require planning permission for your home extension. Now is a great time to get your home extension project underway and get the design phase completed. Making you ready for the construction phase of your house extension project in the spring of 2011. The design stage of your home extension project is split in to the initial design, making sure that what will be built best suites your type of home, your lifestyle choices and your budget. The second stage if required is obtaining planning permission for your home extension, once the initial planning drawings are completed to your satisfaction then a planning application can be made. Once you have obtained a positive planning decision not only are you getting closer to having your home extension built, you have got the ?planning gain?. The planning gain is the increase in the capital value of your home, because just having a positive planning decision often makes your home more marketable and valuable.
The next stage is to get full plans building regulation application approval, or submit a building notice, this is a completely separate issue to the main planning application. The building regulations application is dealt with by the building control department of your local authority. Their job is to spot any issues with the structural or thermal integrity of the building and check for basic fire and other safety issues. They have to check that each individual section of the building process meets the current UK building regulations. These are split into various sections which are denoted by a letter for example part ?P? of the current UK building regulations covers electrical installations.
Once you have building regulation approval, it is time to find a suitable main contractor or builder to ?build out? the project. For further advice on finding a suitable building contractor visit :
http://www.buildingsolutionsmidlandsltd.co.uk/blog/category/builders/page/7/
For those who chose to improve, we wish you the best with your project.
Architectural plans for your home extension in Derby
November 7, 2010
If you are planning a house extension you will need architects plans even if you do not need planning permission. All house extensions will require building regulations approval and the best way to achieve this is with a full plans building regulation application. This is achieved by conducting a site survey and then preparing the planning drawings and once planning permission for your house extension has been approved. The planning application drawings can be amended and the details of how your new house extension will be built will be added to the drawings to form the building regulation approval drawings. These building regulation full plans submission drawings are sometimes referred to as construction drawings.
Kitchen extensions in Derby
October 24, 2010
Kitchens are one of the most extended rooms in the home, the reason Kitchen extensions are so popular is because even a small house extension can transform your kitchen into a far more impressive room. Many people chose to extend their houses and kitchens to transform their kitchen to a kitchen dinner, adding a table to your kitchen will really make it the centre of your home.
We spend a lot of our time in our kitchens and often when we look at a new kitchen we realise that we lack the space for extra appliances, tables, range cookers, American fridges etc. So the best option is a kitchen extension, with the changes in planning policies not all extensions require planning permission, but it is always best to confirm that with your local authority.
Building a kitchen extension will increase the value of your home and give you the extra space you need to give you that dream kitchen. With an increasing number of people unable to sell their houses or get a suitable mortgage to move up the property ladder, more and more are choosing to add a home extension. Their first choice is often a kitchen extension, you have the option of a single story kitchen extension or going double height and adding a two story house extension. With a two story home extension you have the option to add and extra bedroom or bathroom. More and more people are now working from home and need a home office so they will add a new extension or convert their garage. Garage conversions offer a great value way to add valuable space to your home, starting at around ?6,000 they are cheaper than a home extension but make a great home office or guest room space.
Planning a home extension
October 23, 2010
Always start with the end design in mind, stay focused on why you want to extend your home, get some basic sketches and pictures together to help your architect or builder to easily understand how your home extension will work.
The next stage is the design stage, there are two main options you can either retain an architect or commercial surveyor to design and project manage your house extension. Or the second option, employ a building company who offer a full design and build package. The second option is becoming increasingly popular as home owners realise that there is no doubling with one company taking full responsibility for both the design and construction phase of the home extension project.
Make sure you prepare for the initial site meeting get a list of questions and mark out the basic area which you want to extend, even if you just use plant pots or other items from the garden. This will save any ambiguity and will make sure that the provisional building design drawings capture your requirements.
Once your design team have completed the initial building drawing arrange another meeting to review the drawings and make sure you are happy with window positions, etc and that nothing interferes with your plans for furniture and the way you intend to use your home extension. Check that the look of the exterior of your new home extension is as you intended.
When you are happy with the basic design the next step is to file a planning application, some extensions may be exempt from planning under ?permitted development rights?. However make sure you check because some areas are built without permitted development rights or PDR as they are often called. Once your planning application for your home extension has been submitted it usually takes around twelve weeks to have the application approved.
The other permission that will need to be satisfied is building regulation approval, this is a separate application with its own separate drawings. These are the building regulation drawings or the construction drawing as they are sometimes called. These drawings show the construction detail, they are designed to show that a new build is structurally sound and meets the various building regulations for thermal efficiency, fire safety and other important considerations.
The other items that needs to be checked is if your home is a listed building or in a conservation area if it is, the conservation officer for your area will need to check that the proposed design is in keeping with your home and the other buildings in the area.
The advantage of choosing a company that can offer a full design and build service is that as issues arise during the design stage they are aware of them prior to starting the build phase. This give your design and building contractor time to plan solutions that meet with building control, planning control or the conservation officers approval without compromising your preferred home extension design.
For advice on choosing a good building contractor read some of our other blogs on how to find a builder.
Good luck and enjoy your project!
How to cut build costs
October 18, 2010
Many builders are finding themselves increasingly busy as domestic and commercial customers are looking to save the VAT before the increase next year. The VAT on larger building projects can run into thousands of pounds, so it is easy to understand why people with building projects are keen to get their building projects complete before that extra VAT bites.
Preparing your home for the winter months
September 9, 2010
Now is a great time to start thinking about preparing your home for the winter months, check that all the gutters are clear and that your home is well sealed and that driving rain and damp cannot penetrate your home. Are you ready for the winter temperature with the drop in temperature often causing the return of problems like condensation and black mould. Have you installed a positive pressure unit to rid your home of condensation, black mould and dampness?
