When will we need to complete our extension?

janejsb

We are in the process of starting our extension, hopefully doing a lot of work ourselves. Is there a time limit on how long we can take to complete the extension?

Anyone out there done a similar thing, can you give us any advice. Just ordered a couple of books off amazon!

Thanks
Jane

tlrtone

Once you get planning permission then in Dorset you have 2 years to start the extension and then after that you can take as long as you want.
I drew up my plans about 18 months ago and got planning approval in Jan 08. Got till next year to start, so aiming just to get the footings done by then, as money is tight at the moment.

Take a look online at your local council planning website and look at the drawings etc to get and idea of what you would be able to do. My own was simple side extension (2 storey) and I want to do a lot myself, apart from the facing brickwork as my bricklaying is pants!

If you are reasonably skilled at technical drawing (ie a ruler and measure) then you should be able to do your own plans - I did mine on VISIO a Microsoft programme I had, and submitted them. Made a couple of amendments and got it through on my own, saving about £600.

Building regs are a little different and need detailed plans. I did my own again and copied a friends as his extension was done 'professionally' 6 months before.

planning_officer

All full planning permissions are granted for three years (Dorset included! - the only exception is outline planning permission) - that means you have three years to start the work, which normally means digging the foundations. There is no limit on completing it. Councils do have the power to serve a completion certificate if it's taking forever and causing severe harm to the locality - but they are very very rare, so basically you can complete it when you want!

tlrtone

Thanks Planning_officer, just checked my approval and it is for three years!
Yipee! The pressure's off for another 12 months!

For some reason I thought it was two years - I live right next to protected Heathland, so I had two years in mind - odd!