interior solutions YOU’LL NEED TO ”PLANNING PERMISSION SHOULD BE THE FIRST
THING A HOMEOWNER APPLIES FOR ONCE THEY’RE SATISFIED WITH PROPOSED DESIGNS.”
CHECK PLANNING GET THE RIGHT
PEOPLE ON BOARD Tis, more than anything else, will decide the success or failure of your project. Even for simpler extensions, it’s strongly advisable to hire a qualified architect, and it’s important to find someone that takes the time to listen and understand your vision for the build. “Ask friends and family for recommendations, and search the internet for companies that have worked on similar projects,” says Rebecca Lewis-Chapman, Director at the IAD Company. “We suggest speaking to at least three firms.” Once your designs have been drawn up, you’ll need the sign-off of a structural engineer - which is “required for your building control application”, says Lewis-Chapman - and a good builder to make your plans a reality. For larger projects there’s a whole range of case-by-case specialists you might want to call on, from interior designers to electrical consultants and landscape architects. Tis may feel like extravagant cash-splashing, but you can’t put a price on piece of mind, and if they can preempt any potential problems you’re probably saving money down the line.
PERMISSION “Planning permission should be the first thing a homeowner applies for once they’re satisfied with proposed designs,” says Lewis-Chapman, “and it’s important to have approval in place before spending any more money.” Some small alterations fall under ‘permitted development rights’ and shouldn’t require consultation, but the only way to know for sure is to check. Do not under any circumstances assume that a) no one will notice, b) no one will mind, or c) you can deal with it later.
AND ANY OTHER
RELEVANT PERMISSIONS Even if planning permission is unnecessary, you’ll still need to abide by building regulations - industry minimums for fire safety, structural integrity, ventilation, energy-efficiency and more. Check your builders can either self-certify with a trade organisation, or have cleared their work with the council. If you own a leasehold - as opposed to a freehold - you may need to check your lease and notify your freeholder. Don’t forget to notify your home insurance provider as well. You should also consult neighbours - partly as simple courtesy, but also because if you do need planning permission, they’ll be officially consulted. You don’t really want a formal letter on the doormat to be the first they hear about your plans. No one enjoys trudging through mountains of admin, but you really don’t want to realise you’ve leſt a box unchecked aſter knocking down several walls. So do all your homework first.
OVER-BUDGET If you’ve ever seen the TV show Grand Designs, you’ll know that making - and then sticking to - a budget on a construction project is about as easy as building the thing yourself. As ever, you’ll want to shop around. Prepare an itemised list and get quotes from at least three different companies to help you compare and contrast. Remember to check that VAT is included, and beware of overly- optimistic builders offering up numbers too good to be true. Cheapest isn’t always the best deal. Be liberal in your estimations, and make sure your architect understands in detail your budgetary constraints. If you can, keep a contingency fund in reserve for hidden costs that are bound to crop up, however sensibly you plan.
PLAN FOR DIFFERENT
EVENTUALITIES Home extensions are 1% inspiration, 99% preparation, and the more time you devote to the planning process, the smoother your project will be. “As a project progresses, there can be many bumps in the road,” says Lewis- Chapman, “and the speed at which decisions need to be made when the building work begins oſten catches people by surprise. As a consequence, decisions are oſten made in a rush, due to timescale or product availability. “We always advise people to have a range of ideas for all finishes, and one back-up for each product to cover the possibility of an item going out of stock.”
REMEMBER IT WILL
ALL BE WORTH IT Tere’s no doubt that home extensions are daunting, but the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. “It is going to be difficult,” says Lewis-Chapman. “It may well take longer than you think, it will be dirty, it will be stressful, and you’ll regret starting in the first place. Probably more than once. “But before you know it you’ll reach the finish line, and you will be living in the house of your dreams.”
PROPERTYMAIL / 15
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