I haven’t measured a house before, can I really do this myself?

Absolutely! It's as simple as scribbling out the layout of your home and noting down some measurements. We even provide you with a handy step by step guide along with a printable sketch template to doodle on.

Do I need any specialist equipment to conduct my self survey?

Not at all. You’ll need a tape measure to measure the walls and a photo taking device such as a mobile phone to take photos as you go. A laser measure can help speed up this process if you have one, but it’s not necessary.

My local Architect's fees are confusing, how do you guarantee a fixed price?

Architects often base their fees on a percentage of the total build cost. This is a efficient way to work out fees on larger, complex jobs where the Architect’s services are required all the way through the construction process, however this is not so good for the humble homeowner who’s just looking to extend their home.

How do I pay my fees and when?

Your initial deposit is payable upon submission of your survey information. A link to our upload and payment portal will be emailed following your initial enquiry.

When the time comes, we’ll send over draft drawings for your approval, once you’re happy with them we’ll issue a final invoice to cover the remaining fees.

What is Planning Permission?

You are required to seek permission from your local Authority to carry out certain works to your home. Not all works require planning permission, be sure to check out our advice page on planning here.

Who grants planning permission?

Planning officers who work for your Local Planning Authority (LPA) are ultimately the ones who grant planning permission. For more information on planning click here.

Why do I need to get Planning Permission

Planning for the future of our towns, cities and countryside is a big deal. Local development plans and policies ensure the aspirations and values of an area are adhered to and respected. You would’t want a glass box nightclub built next to your country home in the cotswolds would you?

Do I need permission?

It would depend on the nature of the proposed works. Certain developments can be done without needing to secure planning permission, these developments fall under something known as ‘Permitted development rights’.

We’ve written an advice article on Permitted development rights! Check it out here.

How do I apply for planning permission?

You can submit your planning application online, this is the easiest and most common method to submit an application. The online governmental planning portal will guide you through the necessary steps to submit your application and you can even pay your planning fee online.

We’ve written an advice article on planning permission! Check it out here.

How much does planning permission cost?

This will depend on the application type and size of job, a link to a fee calculator on the planning portal can be found here.

How long will the planning process take?

Householder applications typically take between 6-8 weeks to be processed.

More information cane be found here.

What are Building Regulations?

Building regulations are a set of standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety for people in or about those buildings.

Do I need to apply for building regulations?

Most probably. The majority of building work conducted in the UK requires approval. Generally, any work carried out that is structural will require approval, for the avoidance of doubt, check with your local authority.

There are certain types of minor extension however, that are exempt from building Regulations including; Conservatories, Porches and car ports. There are conditions that apply to these, for more information click here.

How do building regulations differ from planning permission?

Building Regulations are much more objective than Planning Permission. Whilst planning is concerned with the appearance of the proposal in its setting, Building Regulations look at the proposal in more detail and ensures a standard of construction is met.

How do I get building regulations approval?

There are two ways of getting building regulations approval in the UK.

1. Building Notice

2. Full plans application

With a Building Notice, no further drawings are required, instead, a building control inspector will make site visits at key milestones in the construction programme to inspect the works and check that everything complies to building regulations. This is the favoured route by homeowners as it is most cost effective on small extension projects.

A full plans application includes a detailed set of Building regulations, often completed by an Architect or Architectural Technician. This can be a costly process as the set of drawings required are very different to the drawings you require for planning. An inspector will need to come and inspect the work as they would on a building notice.

Do you produce the drawings for a full plans application?

Absolutely! We can produce drawings for both planning permission and building control approval. Click here for an instant quote for your drawings today!.

How much does a building regulations application cost?

Fees to process a building regulation application vary depending on your local Authority and the nature of the extension. Contact your local authority who can advise on their fees. Click here to find your local building control authority.

Can building regulations approval be applied for retrospectively?

It can, but we would strongly advise against retrospective applications. Risks include having to open up the building envelope for inspection and even prosecution should things go wrong.