Pay for extension design

Andrew2010

We want a builder to make an extension. He said he'll provide a design but we have to pay him £500 for him to show us. This will then be deducted from the final price. He hasn't provided an estimate yet however. Also I couldn't find his VAT no. that he provided on the invoice for the design.
Does this sound legitimate?

stebiz

Andrew2010 wrote: »

We want a builder to make an extension. He said he'll provide a design but we have to pay him £500 for him to show us. This will then be deducted from the final price. He hasn't provided an estimate yet however. Also I couldn't find his VAT no. that he provided on the invoice for the design.
Does this sound legitimate?

No. To get an extension done you won't need planning permission - in most cases and can do your own drawings/design. If you don't fancy that then get a local architect or draftsmen to do you a drawing. Important thing is to tell him what you want to achieve and let him do the rest. If you want lots of windows, patio doors etc then tell him and he can build that into the drawing. Get some ideas off line.

You can then use these drawings to get quotes.

Andrew2010

You mean no you think it's not legitimate fora builder to ask for money for a design?

stebiz

Andrew2010 wrote: »

You mean no you think it's not legitimate fora builder to ask for money for a design?

I suppose it can be legit. Maybe he has others from jobs he has done. But personally I wouldn't. Say you weren't happy with his work and wanted him to stop after a week? Say he didn't start the job? Too many variables.

ukpete79

I don't see this being a problem....just ask him if he is VAT registered.

regarding paying for a design, I'm assuming if he feels the need to do a drawing, then he doesn't want to hand it over to you, so you can then go get a cheaper quote....

Andrew2010

He sent a VAT no. but I couldn't validate it. That's not a contract of work though is it?

stebiz

Andrew2010 wrote: »

He sent a VAT no. but I couldn't validate it. That's not a contract of work though is it?

No. Tell him your happy for him to quote but that you are getting somebody else to do the design. At £500 he's doing you no favours.

System

stebiz wrote: »

To get an extension done you won't need planning permission
.

:eek:
interesting conclusion there!

teneighty

I would suggest that you go with an independent architectural designer. Probably cost £500 - £1000 for a single storey extension.


Then you can use that drawing to get competitive quotes from 3 or 4 builders so you stand a better chance of getting a fair price.


Paying one builder for a design and build package ties you to that builder and therefore the risk of being over charged for the work.

planning_officer

stebiz wrote: »

No. To get an extension done you won't need planning permission - in most cases

Just to re-emphasise, this is not good advice - yes, for some small extensions (and in some cases, larger ones), a planning application may not be required. But always check first, as even the smallest extension can require permission depending on where you live and if the house has been extended before.

AJane

I'm with the above - for some extensions planning permission isn't needed, but the rules are quite complex about what is and isn't allowed and where... unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules, it seems. I'd check first, to make sure. Westbury Garden Rooms have some good general information on planning permission on their blog - somewhere to start at least (found when I was researching an extension...) And as others have suggested, I would get an architect or someone to do the drawings for you, and then get build quotes....