Buying with a view to extend -advice needed

muser

Hello
I am looking into buying a 3 bed semi-detached property with a view to extend into the loft (mandatory), and perhaps also extend to the back as well (depending on costs/benefits). Does any of the surveys provide an assessment on whether either of these would be possible? How can I go about it to ensure that there isn't a problem when start getting the experts to assess and provide options/estimates?

What do I need to be aware of? 
Just to clarify, I'm looking to do standard conversions, nothing fancy or unusual. Loft is mandatory but extension to the back is secondary - not too important. My expectation is to make it into a 5 bed. Another house down the road has done a loft conversion but I don't want to take it for granted that my property target would be ok for this too.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

lincroft1710

You can of course ask the surveyor for their opinion on the potential for a loft conversion and rear extension. Your next hurdle would be cost and then if you think you can afford the extension(s) your next hurdle will be planning permission and building regulations approval. Do not rely on getting pp because another house has an extension.

dimbo61

Do your own homework 
Look on the local council planning portal at permitted development.
You need to check out the site !
Room for a side and rear extension under permitted development?
Your loft conversion might be simple to sort if the roof is built in the correct way or a complete nightmare requiring you to remove the existing roof or not possible at all.
Before you buy you may need to speak to a building surveyor or loft conversion firm, good builder , architect.
Having done a side and rear extension we took the corner of the house out and put lots of steels in the property.

greatcrested

A standard off-the-shelf survey will not comment on these.

But if you ring round some local surveyors and explain, and ask for prices, they will (mostly) happily agree to comment on those specific points - often for the same price.

AlexMac

I'm no expert, but like the better informed posters, above, I assume the usual pre-purchase surveyors won't claim to be experts in your local Council's attitude to Planning Permission or the newly extended Permitted Development rights,

So while you could ask the surveyors, you might need a specialist firm to advise on what you can get away with, and to reassure you that they'll be able to satisfy the Building Control requirements even if (as is likely) you won't need Planning Permission?  Maybe start with firms who offer the service locally?

Meanwhile, there is masses out there on the web/  Start with the Planning Portal
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion

and maybe look at the many articles on the incredibly helpful "Homebuilding & Renovating" magazine website; e.g
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/permitted-development-rights-guide

and 
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/loft-conversion-ideas
or similar sources such as
https://www.self-build.co.uk/how-convert-loft/

Worth googling with your local planning authority's name too; My council website is helpful about what they permit, with or without approval.  My Council has also published an online "Supplementary Planning Document" on "RESIDENTIAL EXTENSIONS, BASEMENTS AND CONVERSIONS GUIDANCE" which doesn't have the force of planning law but gives you an idea of what they'll approve- if indeed you need permission; the rules loosened up last year.

greatcrested

AlexMac said:

I'm no expert, but like the better informed posters, above, I assume the usual pre-purchase surveyors won't claim to be experts in your local Council's attitude to Planning Permission or the newly extended Permitted Development rights,

So while you could ask the surveyors, you might need a specialist firm to advise on what you can get away with, and to reassure you that they'll be able to satisfy the Building Control requirements even if (as is likely) you won't need Planning Permission?  Maybe start with firms who offer the service locally?

Meanwhile, there is masses out there on the web/  Start with the Planning Portal
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion

and maybe look at the many articles on the incredibly helpful "Homebuilding & Renovating" magazine website; e.g
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/permitted-development-rights-guide

and 
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/ideas/loft-conversion-ideas
or similar sources such as
https://www.self-build.co.uk/how-convert-loft/

Worth googling with your local planning authority's name too; My council website is helpful about what they permit, with or without approval.  My Council has also published an online "Supplementary Planning Document" on "RESIDENTIAL EXTENSIONS, BASEMENTS AND CONVERSIONS GUIDANCE" which doesn't have the force of planning law but gives you an idea of what they'll approve- if indeed you need permission; the rules loosened up last year.

Ah! As the OP asked about the survey, my response above was based on the surveyor assessing constuction possibilities/issues, not the legal or Planning ones. Though he might comment on those too. Ask.

muser

I appreciate all the feedback. I forgot to mention that the house was recently built 5 years ago. 
I am a complete newbie to extensions so I have searched and will reach out to local firms (via checkatrade), then choose one to visit and provide an assessment. I'm also researching on the points mentioned - council planning portal etc.

Thanks.

Thrugelmir

Have similar houses in the locality had loft conversions done? If so look up the plans up on the council website. 

muser

Yes. The property is on a private road and a similar 3 bed house had a loft conversion done 3-4 years ago into 5 bed. This house was built 13 years ago but my target property was built 5 years ago. (as stated before) . Both houses are similar in design with only slight differences. I've seen the planning docs on the council website.

greatcrested

muser said:

I am a complete newbie to extensions so I have searched and will reach out to local firms (via checkatrade), .....

No no no no no NO!

Do not use a commercial site. Contractors pay to be included which is no guarantee they are any good, and the reviews can easily be manipulatd. Indeed, if the website published all the negative reviews, those contractors would stop paying to be included and the website would lose income.

If you can't get personal recomendations try

* FMB

* Consumer Association

* Trading Standards

But you might do better to start with an architect who will draw up a design and schedule of works for builders to quote against.

See also

https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/extension-beginners-guide

https://www.self-build.co.uk/beginner-guide-to-home-extensions/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-build-an-extension-on-your-house-88v2hp8rj

Ain't duckduckgo great!

MovingForwards

Have a look at the title deeds to make sure there's no restrictions preventing you from extending. Just because a house built earlier has been, it doesn't mean you can.