Extension drawings done - what to do next ?

Paulpen

We have finally got our extension drawings after months and months of delays, excuses etc

Am I right in thinking we do the following next -

Speak to the neighbors and show them what we would like to do.
Start contacting builders for quotes.
Once we know costs then start to look at financing options.
Once planning is approved start getting things set in stone.

Does any of that seem wrong / wrong order / anything missed ?

We have never done anything needing planning before and never had to employ a builder or trades for anything before !

SarahB16

Will the extension require planning permission?  

jj_43

you state “after months of delays and excuses”, so you need to be looking at your planning and managing skills or approach. You need to take more ownership of the work you ask people to do not just expecting everyone else will get on with things, it’s not as straightforward as that. Learning to deal with trades is a skill in itself.

babyblade41

We had our architect draw up plans & he is submitting to planning.  A notice will be displayed & neighbours who it might affect will be notified  so if they wish to look on line at the planning application & see what you are wanting to do.

If they have any objections they can lodge them online.
Builders will probably contact you from seeing plans online but do your due diligence on who to use.

You need personal recommendations & ask to look at their recent work 

FreeBear

Paulpen said: Once we know costs then start to look at financing options.

You want to be budgeting around £3K per square metre as an absolute minimum for a watertight shell (assuming a simple single storey box). Realistically, £5K per sq.m would probably be closer to the mark, and you still want 20% on top to allow for budget overruns and unforeseen complications.

If you don't have any experience of dealing with planning, builders, and project management, it would probably pay to get someone to do all that for you. It will cost extra, but then you only need to deal with one person to deliver the project on time, within budget, and to a good standard.

andy444

There's little point getting builders' quotes until you acquire planning permission. The design may have to change or you may not get planning approval.

Section62

Paulpen said:

Does any of that seem wrong / wrong order / anything missed ?

Speaking to the neighbours informally first is a good idea - you don't really want them to make formal objections to your application if there is a way of getting a compromise design first.

You also need to add in getting building regulation approval/signoff, although it is best to discuss that with the builder as they may have a preferred approach (but don't let the builder dictate this to you, and ignore them if they say the work doesn't need BR).

Paulpen

SarahB16 said:

Will the extension require planning permission?  

100% - we will be taking the garage down and making a double storey in its place

Paulpen

jj_43 said:

you state “after months of delays and excuses”, so you need to be looking at your planning and managing skills or approach. You need to take more ownership of the work you ask people to do not just expecting everyone else will get on with things, it’s not as straightforward as that. Learning to deal with trades is a skill in itself.

All we have planned and managed so far is instructing an architect back in Feburary - they then forgot about our case, had covid, a month holiday and then a family crisis hence why we have got no further.

Paulpen

babyblade41 said:

We had our architect draw up plans & he is submitting to planning.  A notice will be displayed & neighbours who it might affect will be notified  so if they wish to look on line at the planning application & see what you are wanting to do.

If they have any objections they can lodge them online.
Builders will probably contact you from seeing plans online but do your due diligence on who to use.

You need personal recommendations & ask to look at their recent work 

I understand the "official" route with neighbours however I didnt know if being a bit more informal before getting to that stage would help prevent potential issues before they get bigger etc

I didnt know that builders activly checked planning applications though !

We dont really know many people that have had work done locally however we will want to see some previous work etc

Paulpen

FreeBear said:

Paulpen said: Once we know costs then start to look at financing options.

You want to be budgeting around £3K per square metre as an absolute minimum for a watertight shell (assuming a simple single storey box). Realistically, £5K per sq.m would probably be closer to the mark, and you still want 20% on top to allow for budget overruns and unforeseen complications.

If you don't have any experience of dealing with planning, builders, and project management, it would probably pay to get someone to do all that for you. It will cost extra, but then you only need to deal with one person to deliver the project on time, within budget, and to a good standard.

We are talking double storey so I assume that changes the calculations ?

I was hoping we could get the shell built and watertight with windows etc and then internal plaster, electrics, plumbing fittings etc will be done seperatly at a later date.