Booking builders

tink_1983

Hopefully I'm posting on the right page.

Our planning is due back for our loft conversion next month.

We've found a builder we like.
But I'm worried to book and sign a contract till we have planning.
Loft conversion are pretty common on our estate.
Am I being too cautious?

This is all new to us so please forgive me if this is silly query 
Thanks 

FaceHead

I'm surprised the builder would accept the booking without planning in place. As any decent builder isn't taking any payment until the first day on site, I've found they would only take rock solid bookings. 

So yes, go for it - the risk of needing to cancel the booking is actually with the builder. Just be open with them about the situation. 

Party wall consents too if applicable - if you don't have planning you probably don't have them, so again tell your builder the situation and that you'll do everything you can to get everything in place for the start date.  

tink_1983

FaceHead said:

I'm surprised the builder would accept the booking without planning in place. As any decent builder isn't taking any payment until the first day on site, I've found they would only take rock solid bookings. 

So yes, go for it - the risk of needing to cancel the booking is actually with the builder. Just be open with them about the situation. 

Party wall consents too if applicable - if you don't have planning you probably don't have them, so again tell your builder the situation and that you'll do everything you can to get everything in place for the start date.  

Thankyou.
Maybe i am to nice, I've highlighted to them my concern we might not get planning and that we might need to cancel which in hindsight was silly.
I didn't want to be financially liable should we need to cancel, but there is no financial penalties in their contract?

TELLIT01

Assuming you get planning permission, when would the builder be available to start?

tink_1983

TELLIT01 said:

Assuming you get planning permission, when would the builder be available to start?

June, but the longer we wait the later that gets pushed back.