Do we need architect, if not where do we start with (eco) house renovations?

MrandMrsB

We are going to have our house renovated soon and wonder whether it is necessary to employ an architect. If we organise the work ourselves where do we start? I am very sensitive to most unnatural things, and have come across an environmentally conscious architect who can advise us on suitable materials, contractors, layout, etc.

These are the main jobs we intend to have done:

1. create a free-standing kitchen (including LPG stove) in a former lounge
2. convert our kitchen into a utility / storeroom
3. rearrange our downstairs cloakroom to incorporate a shower
4. combine our bathroom, and shower that's on the landing
5. build a porch and possibly a small adjoining "conservatory", with solid roof that can be accessed through a bedroom
6. decorate most of the house, both inside and out, including stripping paint off doors, windows & sills and wooden floors
7. solve two problems: a leaking extension roof, and rain coming in above balcony doors which is in an exposed positions (several builders have unsuccessfully attempted to solve both problems).
8. possibly convert an attic to create a hobbies room, but this could be done later.

Our next door neighbour has offered to help us to renovate the house, or to at least tell us what is possible since he has the knack. He gutted / extended his house (without planning permission and building regs!): three conservatories, a large extension (without external access to one side!), combined various rooms, moved walls, converted the attics, etc, etc, and it all looks lovely.

Any thoughts please?

macman

I can't see anything on that list that would require an architect, with the possible exception of the conservatory and the attic conversion.
But why would you want to employ the services of someone who openly admits to flouting the regulations, and may have no qualifications to do the jobs?
If you do work without obtaining the necessary building regs (and planning permission if necessary) you face having to undo/redo the work again, or making your house unsellable-not to mention the hazards that may exist if the work has not been done properly.

MrandMrsB

Thank for your ideas, Macman. Maybe I did not explain the situation too well.

There are two areas of concern. First, we have no idea where to start, since neither of us has renovated a home before. Secondly, there is the problem of my sensitivities to unnatural things: plaster, paint, fire retardants, etc. We wonder whether an environmentally conscious architect could advise us on those things as well as the layout of the house.

Gosh, when did I mention following our neighbour's example? Mr B cannot exactly claim not to know about planning laws as he specialises in the area!! Neither are we considering employing our neighbour - he is a well off pensioner who gets bored since finishing the renovations on his house - we just thought he might have ideas on layout or help us with some of the basic work! (He wife likes him to keep occupied.)

Yes, as you mentioned, if our neighbour ever needs to sell the house - unlikely since his children would want to live there - he would have major problems. He replaced an existing conservatory, and it subsided!! It did take a long time - probably around 12 years - to complete, but now I must admit that it's absolutely gorgeous.

Canucklehead

Good morning: take a look at the Green Building Forum as well as the Home Building and Renovation website.

HTH

Canucklehead

Leif

macman wrote: »

If you do work without obtaining the necessary building regs (and planning permission if necessary) you face having to undo/redo the work again, or making your house unsellable-not to mention the hazards that may exist if the work has not been done properly.

I realise the OP is not intending to flout planning laws, but thought I'd mention that I viewed a bungalow with an extension and loft conversion, both lacking planning permission, and I ran a mile. But it did sell fairly quickly, albeit at a reduced price, though not by much (~£10-20K)

System

if it's work done without planning permission, that's not the end of the world as it's just a paper process that can be applied retrospectively (and is deemed to be allowed after a certain period of time without complaints)
work without building regs can be very unsafe, and you can struggle to get insurance for some things - if you undertake work that requires a building warrant without obtaining one and the building collapses you will have serious trouble getting an insurance company to pay!

to the op: if you want a considered design for reworking the whole house then you could employ a desinger to do it, depends on the level of involvement you want yourself/and the budget - most people on here will tell you it's not worth appointing a trained professional to design something, depends on how much you value design really

macman

PP can be gained retrospectively, yes. It can also be refused, and they'll order the work to be undone or redone. The same considerations will be applied regardless of whether you've done the work in advance or not.
The work does not become lawful after 4 years without complaint, but the LA can no longer apply for an order after that period has elapsed.

System

macman wrote: »

PP can be gained retrospectively, yes. It can also be refused, and they'll order the work to be undone or redone. The same considerations will be applied regardless of whether you've done the work in advance or not.

correct, i was meaning that it is extremely rare to get an enforcement order to take something down from the planning department, but if you can't prove the structural intergrity of an addition/alteration it is much more likely to be a problem - that's just my experience anyway, i'd prefer to take a risk buying something with no planning rather than buying something with no building warrant

macman

True, but would you want to take the risk of having to demolish an extension or similar that you just purchased as part of your house? Most buyers would run a mile unless there was some indemnity insurance to cover this eventuality.

System

depends on how long the extension was standing and the nature of it

macman

Well, obviously if over 4 years you're in the clear from a PP aspect. Only thing to worry about then are any defects arising out of being uninspected by BC-anything from dodgy wiring to the whole structure being inadequately supported. Builders or householders who do not follow building control regs are trying to cut cost/corners and doubtless have something to hide.