High quality, fully scaled plans with technical specifications. Plans will be ready for Planning, Building Control approval and Builders' quotes.

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• Reliable advice

• Existing floor plans (for floors undergoing works)

• Proposed floor plans

• Full existing elevations

• Full proposed elevations

• Technical specifications

• Scaled site plans

Good quality plans will enable you to design your dream space and help you stay within your budget.

Plans will also give you the best chance to fulfil your legal obligations. In addition, having plans drawn will allow you to get fair quotations from builders; they will be able to provide accurate costs and timescales according to your final design without guesswork. 

House extensions will need approval under the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended). This can be provided by:

• Local Authority Building Control (LABC)

           or

• A private company known as an Approved Inspector

Having a complete set of plans to show the full potential of your property can increase the value of your house. 

Some types of building works may be exempt from Building Regulations approval such as:

1. Small detached single storey buildings such as garages, sheds and greenhouses which contain no sleeping accommodation and are no more than 30m². Materials and distances to your boundary also matter.

2. The extension of a building by the addition at ground level of:

(a) a conservatory, porch, covered yard or covered way; or

(b) a carport open on at least two sides

Planning is concerned with the appearance of a building, size, shape and look of an extension. This also includes the use of land & buildings, landscaping considerations, highway access and the impact that the development will have on the general environment.

Legislation: Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Building Control regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure people's safety whilst using them. This includes Structural Safety, Fire Safety, fuel & power, services and access provisions.

Legislation: Building Regulations 2010 (as amended)

The number of inspections depends on the nature of the works being carried out:

• Commencement & Excavation (before excavations are filled)

• Foundations (before they are covered up)

• Oversite (Ground bearing slab, etc)

• Drainage connections, new drains and access points (before covering up)

• Pre-plaster, installation of insulation, roof construction and bracing

• Completion (electrical certifications required)

Advance notice of the progress of the works must be given to the relevant Building Control body so that they are able to schedule inspections at the appropriate times.

Not always. Your project may fall under ‘permitted development’ - if it meets local and national guidance, we can advise you on this during our consultation.

Newer houses built in the last 30 years may need planning approval. Permitted development rights might have been removed from your property, and therefore you will need to take the formal planning route.

If planning is needed, the process will usually take 8 weeks from the date of submission.

General Permitted Development Order / The Town and Country Planning Order 2015 is a statutory instrument, which can automatically grant planning permission for certain types of developments.

If the project does not fall under permitted development then you should not start work without planning permission from your local authority.