how to start with an extension and loft conversion?

lostinrates

Doozergirl, thank you for not building crystal palace in my garden. Would have made the rest of my house look silly .


Mind you, quite fancy crystal palace now.....if I forgot roof over the old bit, and the coach house and old dairy I wonder where I could put a crystal palace...hmm. Ballpark, DG?

cyclonebri1

Doozergirl wrote: »

Someone needs to look at the potential size and complexity of this job and assess it. I've suggested a builder does that and makes their recommendation on whether an architect is required, but also said that starting with an architect is fine (and perfectly normal
practice) so I can hardly have polarised views when all I'm trying to do is offer options to the OP. Feel free to offer a polarized viewpoint, cyclonebri, but this is the third post in probably the same number of days where you say you think the opposite, yet you don't really appear to have read my comments correctly.

I think it would be of benefit to talk to a few different people and see who the OP feels they can work with. Using a free meeting will help guide them in the right direction and allow them to make an informed decision.

If you google 'builder' or 'architect' you will get results. You can't google 'an experienced individual who offers plan drawing to Building reg specs' and get much back. I've already offered to give the name of a qualified but sensibly priced architect who, as far as I'm aware, doesn't offer replicas of the Crystal Palace, (because that is what the Op has indicated a preference for) but could recommend an excellent builder or any trade in the Birmingham area.

The issue I see here is that I always clarify my view of when you don't need an architect.
You just seem to spec the need for an archi in every thread you reply to that asks the same question?

Do I have a problem with that?, well not per sa, but I think you are wrong and giving expensive advise, and [COLOR="rgb(139, 0, 0)"]I retain my right to oppose that in any thread, consecutive or otherwise.[/COLOR]


The OP thinks he needs an architect as you stated above, you reinforce that but I don't.
But you are a pro, in the trade I suspect. Feel free to state .

Read the forum section title and then maybe you can see where I come in re DIY as an absolute but experienced amateur.

cyclonebri1

lostinrates wrote: »

Doozergirl, thank you for not building crystal palace in my garden. Would have made the rest of my house look silly .


Mind you, quite fancy crystal palace now.....if I forgot roof over the old bit, and the coach house and old dairy I wonder where I could put a crystal palace...hmm. Ballpark, DG?

Closing ranks again, where's your earlier input???????????????

A closer look sees it's not your house that looks silly,

lostinrates

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Closing ranks again, where's your earlier input???????????????

A closer look sees it's not your house that looks silly,

I'm sorry you seem to find my post inflammatory. It was not meant as such.

As you rightly point out, doozer girl and I know each other, and she will know I might well be wondering whether I should consider an ironic crystal palace greenhouse as the least sensible thing I can do next. I also consider deflection better than pointing as a technique when someone is perhaps missing tone, or reading something that is not there, or even being will fully awkward. And the idea of a crystal palace at home is such a lovely image. Much nicer than a few people bickering on a forum, don't you think, well done for coming up with it.



As for previous content, none is required. . But I did read all the posts.

And yes, people can look silly on forums. . No one is immune.

cyclonebri1

lostinrates wrote: »

I'm sorry you seem to find my post inflammatory. It was not meant as such.

As you rightly point out, doozer girl and I know each other, and she will know I might well be wondering whether I should consider an ironic crystal palace greenhouse as the least sensible thing I can do next. I also consider deflection better than pointing as a technique when someone is perhaps missing tone, or reading something that is not there, or even being will fully awkward. And the idea of a crystal palace at home is such a lovely image. Much nicer than a few people bickering on a forum, don't you think, well done for coming up with it.

Inflammatory? no. A direct pieces take? yes.



As for previous content, none is required. . But I did read all the posts.

And yes, people can look silly on forums. . No one is immune.

The irony was was my point, not critical.
Awkward? Me? well only when deserved, but as I said, I have views, if they differ either mildly or radically to anyone else's, |I will put forth my views

lostinrates

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

The irony was was my point, not critical.
Awkward? Me? well only when deserved, but as I said, I have views, if they differ either mildly or radically to anyone else's, |I will put forth my views

As is your right . And of course every body else's.

Um, I didn't say you were anything btw. I did not say YOU were awkward.

sam1970

Thank you all guys for the discussion and as you can clearly tell I am novice to all this so all advice will be appreciated. My main reason for looking for an architect is the extension and I am thining if Iam going to use one any way I might ask him for the whole lot from the start and submitt one application for planning permission. Doozergirl...who would you recommend in Birmingham area (Iam actually in Solihull)

lostinrates

sam1970 wrote: »

Thank you all guys for the discussion and as you can clearly tell I am novice to all this so all advice will be appreciated. My main reason for looking for an architect is the extension and I am thining if Iam going to use one any way I might ask him for the whole lot from the start and submitt one application for planning permission. Doozergirl...who would you recommend in Birmingham area (Iam actually in Solihull)

We were glad to use an architect ( who we engaged long before builders). We are convinced this approach facilitated planning and helped us focus in a different way than had we gone at it another way.

It IS more expensive but we also think it would give us better return on the property if we sold, and also benefit from two very different types of experience and approach on our project.

cyclonebri1

sam1970 wrote: »

Thank you all guys for the discussion and as you can clearly tell I am novice to all this so all advice will be appreciated. My main reason for looking for an architect is the extension and I am thining if Iam going to use one any way I might ask him for the whole lot from the start and submitt one application for planning permission. Doozergirl...who would you recommend in Birmingham area (Iam actually in Solihull)

why did I waste my breathe, (printer ink), it was a fait accompli

Doozergirl

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

why did I waste my breathe, (printer ink), it was a fait accompli

If you think you can control what other people do, then you are bound to feel disappointed. You need to consider what people are saying and then tailor your advice to their circumstances. Offering advice means listening first. What is good for one, may not be good for another.

OP, I'll PM you a bit later, I want to find a link for you.