extension drawing software

ninjaef

i am a software developer so used of applications and toolsets but was wondering...

1. Which UK software package is best for ease of use to create drawings for permitted development planning application. The application will be made under the "prior approval" scheme.

2. Are two sets of drawings required., for build regs and planning permission?

3. What level of detail is needed on planning drawings, i.e. names and types of materials like brick, concrete, insulation, damp proofing etc. Dimensions of windows and opening arc degreees etc. ??

tia.

theonlywayisup

Drawings can be hand drawn, they do not have to be computer based.  However I use Autocad and I know there is a student version if you qualify.  

Generally the drawings you use for the planning permission can be utilised for building regs - you use the sketch but add the regulations details along with sketches of cross sections and the fabric makeup of the building. 

Planning are interested it what it looks like - so yes the finish (brick/render/timber) but the detail such as insulation and damp proofing is for building regulations drawings.  Window sizes will be drawn to scale but you will have to supply a window schedule which will detail the window size and design. 

Not wishing to be rude but have you actually seen any planning and buildings regulations drawings? 

You don't necessarily have to have BR drawings, it can be done under a Notice, but you need to know what you are doing. 

FreeBear

theonlywayisup said: Drawings can be hand drawn, they do not have to be computer based.  However I use Autocad and I know there is a student version if you qualify. 

LibreCad is a free alternative to Autocad if you just want to do 2D drawings.

Section62

ninjaef said:

3. What level of detail is needed on planning drawings, i.e. names and types of materials like brick, concrete, insulation, damp proofing etc. Dimensions of windows and opening arc degreees etc. ??

If you need to produce BR drawings then they have to contain all the details the BC officer (or private inspector) will need.  This is technical information, and if you don't have a thorough understanding of the regs it is easy to make mistakes.

Essentially the important thing isn't how you produce the drawings, but rather the detail they contain.

The planning drawings don't need as much detailed technical information - but beware of going through the planning process and then discoving what you have consent for can't be built because it goes against building regs.  The planners won't refuse an application (full or PA) because it doesn't comply with BR.

Examples of where things can go wrong include not allowing enough thickness for walls and the roof, having windows/vents/flues in prohibited positions, and not making allowance for 'hidden' things like the drainage.

In the nicest possible way, the questions you are asking suggest you don't have the technical knowledge to design the extension to the necessary level of professionalism - there's a huge leap from drawing up a rough block plan to producing plans for approval and ultimately to have a buildable structure.  What you might save on not having an architect draw up plans for you could look trivial compared to the additional costs the builder might charge to 'fix problems' when the construction is underway.  If you take responsibility for producing the plans then the cost of any mistakes or issues is squarely on you.  Forget any notion of suggesting "the builder should have known...".

ninjaef

i am learning having spoken with the local PO who suggested forums and planning portal and i also have two books. i think my competence is sufficient to draw Plans for PA , i will leave BR to the builder who is using the plans i produce as a base. 
i have since found a great app that produces the required output for PA submission., VisualBuilding - which removes some of the guesswork. the planningportal jas all the info.what needs to be provided. 

im not trying to save money, i simply want to do this, myself. 

thanks for the suggestions

The_Unready

I'd be wary of any vendor of this type of software that can't spell 'extensions' correctly in the description of its basic product 😮:

https://www.visualbuilding.co.uk/

ninjaef

already used it, it puts out more detailwd drawings than those approved by the local council on their planning portal. rather easy i have to say. 
I've answered my own question whilst waiting for a reply to the OP 🙄

Section62

ninjaef said:

already used it, it puts out more detailwd drawings than those approved by the local council on their planning portal. rather easy i have to say. 
I've answered my own question whilst waiting for a reply to the OP 🙄

Worth noting that the type of drawings attached to approved planning applications are the type of drawings the planning officers needed to approve the application.  More detail over and above that required isn't necessarily a good thing - and the important bit is not the 'how', or that you've added a lot of detail.  What is important is providing the detailed information the planning officer needs, and that the details are correct.

AFAIK VisualBuilding is a drawing tool.  It aids the process of producing drawings.  It doesn't have knowledge, nor does it stop you producing a plan which is unbuildable.  Caution should be exercised, and no doubt within the application documentation there will be important disclaimers that need to be read.

Within the T&C's on their website, the "Our Details" section says "The full name and address of our company is:" followed by a name and address of someone living in Germany.  As such it appears it may fail the "UK software package" test, but if it works for you then I guess that's Ok.

ninjaef

great advice and thankyou
I'm just trying them out
Another is 3d Home Architect Expert which i will try later
thanks for the feedback, yes, I'm less impressed with VisualBuilding now 👌🏻

autoCAD is fine and capable, but as a software engineer myself, the key to releasing capabilities is software, is productivity. if im planning an extension, i don't want to have to create all the materials and products with specs, i want to create a cavity wall with NNmm.gap using redbrick and have that done from the catalogue. drag n drop grom a libray of UK spec Composite items. ready, easy, quick.
autoCAD doesn't offer this but it is superb. i just want to create plans quickly from very common composite materials and not have to worry about defining them all.

cheers

thegreenone

My husband's nephew wanted a complete revamp of a cottage he had just bought.  He asked a mate who had Autocad 21 at work, to draw  up the plans.  He did.  The Council approved and granted planning permission.  

Nephew then required Building Regs (which Mate couldn't do) so he asked his Uncle (my husband, an SE).  Oh, how Mate laughed that Husband only had an older Autocad package (he doesn't need the latest at home).  The smirk was wiped off Mates face (and Nephew's) when husband had to completely redraw everything because Mate's plans were unbuildable.  Nothing worked - the stairs didn't have the head-height required and were in the wrong place, doors were in the wrong place etc etc etc etc.   It took nearly six months to sort and then Nephew has bodged things. 

Don't be Nephew.   It cost him a lot of money. 

Yes, my husband did charge Nephew for the large amount of work he had to do, that was completely avoidable if he'd asked his Uncle in the first place.

ComicGeek

ninjaef said:

great advice and thankyou
I'm just trying them out
Another is 3d Home Architect Expert which i will try later
thanks for the feedback, yes, I'm less impressed with VisualBuilding now 👌🏻

autoCAD is fine and capable, but as a software engineer myself, the key to releasing capabilities is software, is productivity. if im planning an extension, i don't want to have to create all the materials and products with specs, i want to create a cavity wall with NNmm.gap using redbrick and have that done from the catalogue. drag n drop grom a libray of UK spec Composite items. ready, easy, quick.
autoCAD doesn't offer this but it is superb. i just want to create plans quickly from very common composite materials and not have to worry about defining them all.

cheers

So, with all the knowledge gleamed from the software packages, what overall thickness of external wall are you including? That's pretty key in determining even planning stage drawings, as it impacts internal layouts, construction materials, insulation products etc. There's not a 'one size fits all' solution.

ninjaef said:

i think my competence is sufficient to draw Plans for PA , i will leave BR to the builder who is using the plans i produce as a base. 

I can't possibly think what might go wrong there....