How to approach a house renovation project?

stadler123

We are thinking to renovate the house we currently live in. Basically we do not like the downstairs layout and would like to change it by knocking down some walls, probably extending the front of the house a bit, integrating the garage and potentially doing a loft conversion. We have a good idea what we want but we are not sure what would be the best way to achieve it. The current layout is pretty bad.

So I wonder what would be a right order to start planning the project. I know that we will need a structural engineer and potentially an architect. I have look around and there are companies/people who do both. But if we would like to do separately whom should we call first?

andrewf75

architect first I would say

phill99

No, not an architect.

You need to discuss your requirements with the planning authority. If planning permission is not forthcoming, the rest is academic.

stadler123

phill99 wrote: »

No, not an architect.

You need to discuss your requirements with the planning authority. If planning permission is not forthcoming, the rest is academic.

well, if we cannot extaend the house it will not stop all other plans to remove/reposition walls inside. Probably we will come to a conclusuion tha everything can be done without any need of a planning permission.

phill99

But you don't know that it can be done without planning permission.

You need to check guidelines for permitted development

http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/when-is-permission-required/what-are-permitted-development-rights/

Once that is sorted, you would best using a draughtsman, not an architect. If your proposals arevstraightforward, using an architect us overkill. A draughtsman will work up drawings for a planning appplication (if needed)' building control and for submission to a builder to work out an estimate.

arbrighton

Usually extending to the front of a property requires PP. But would agree that an informal chat with local authority planners might be useful