Extension drawings done - what to do next ?

aoleks

build-over agreement
restrictive covenants
party wall agreements
drainage survey
structural calculations

once you have these (IF you require them), you can start looking for a builder.

Paulpen

thegreenone said:

Please don't think me rude, but it sounds as though you should find a project manager.  Yes, it will cost more.

Put letters through all your neighbours doors, next door on both side and over the road to explain what you are hoping to do.  You don't need to do this but it's a polite thing to do.

Is your architect doing all plans ie structural calcs/builders plans?

I wouldnt have posted if I didnt want honest replys

I wouldnt know where to start with finding a project manager let alone what one would cost ?

We will be getting all the plans from him rather than just the simple drawing (sorry i dont know the correct terms)

Paulpen

aoleks said:

build-over agreement
restrictive covenants
party wall agreements
drainage survey
structural calculations

once you have these (IF you require them), you can start looking for a builder.

Build over agreement has been sent off

Restrictive covenant is not required in this situation

Party wall agreement will be needed but I wanted to have the informal chat first

Draining survey - I need to find out about this as the local authority had a camera down all pipes of our road in the summer so unsure if that would be enough.

Structural calculations are being done by the architect

youth_leader

We used a chartered surveyor to oversee our project, he was marvellous, even seeing that we'd been charged VAT when we shouldn't have been as our house was listed.  Worth every penny of his fee.

Slinky

Another option is using a Clerk of Works who will check that you're being charged stage payments inline with what has actually been built.

Paulpen

Just an update to this after a very long time mainly to thank those who advised.

We eventually got through planning with the original architect after what felt like pulling teeth and then we spent two months chasing him to finish the working drawings - he couldnt do this so we started again with finding the right architect etc.

In all the time that had passed we tweaked the plans slightly and also discovered that the original design had some impossible things on it relating to roof angles and building over sewers so we had to go back to planning.

We now have obtainied planning permission for a second time, had the drains inspected by the water company, the drawings are out to builders for quotes and also with a structural engineer for checking. The party wall letters are written and just need taking to both neighbours.

All this happening so early on has certainly made me realise that I need to have stronger backbone and remember that I am the customer and the service I am paying for needs to be correct !

All the delays has help us in a slightly different way as we have saved alot more money than expected but on the flip side the money we will be borrowing will be at a higher rate now unless a suprise mass rate drop occurs !