Home extension, planning and all that...

Gillybean

OK, so we've decided to extend our house, going back into the garden and up over the garage, giving us another room downstairs and 2 further bedrooms upstairs. This wont result in either of our neighbours being overlooked at all, which is the main consideration in these things, I gather.

DH has done a preliminary scale drawing and we're going to submit this, just to get a 'toe in the water' opinion as to whether it's worth even applying for permission.

So, what happens if we decide to go for it? I'm after ideas of timescales, procedures, basically what happens from then on in. I have no clue!

Doozergirl

I wouldn't submit the drawing DH has done. Bit of a waste of money IMO. I'd go to a planning surgery at the council and tell them what you'd like to do. Maybe take some photos and see what your neighbours have done; see if the precedent is set in your road.

If they are relatively agreeable (they won't give you a definate) then I'd see an arhitect or architect's technician. They'll do the drawings for about £700ish, paying heed to planning regulations and the existing house. They may also get you a better layout! You will need to have reliable scale drawings for both planning and for your builder.

Once you've submitted the application, you should hear within 8 weeks.

Then you can present your plans to some builders for quotes! The rough fomula for build cost is £1000 per square metre; not just footprint but second storey too.

Gillybean

Cheers, The scale drawings DH has done were just to get an idea from the council, wouldn't cost anything. No precendent has been set in the street.

We know an architect already so thats sorted. DH is a plumber and so we have lots of mates in the building trade to call on!

8 weeks to hear isn't bad at all, thats what I really wanted to know. I guess it depends on dates of planning meetings and stuff too.