FAQs
We have put together a array of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which we hope will educate anyone looking to start a building project.
Can’t find an answer to your question – Get in touch and we’ll be sure to answer you!
Phasing Building Works for Homeowners.
Considering phasing building work. We discuss the pro’s and con’s aswell as what to look out for.
Other consultants. Who we work with and what they do.
What other consultants you may need as part of your building project. From Structural Engineers, Interior Designers to Planning Consultants.
I have a tree with a preservation order, how does that affect me?
I have a tree with a tree preservation order on it in my garden, how does that affect me?
Bats living in our house, what does that mean?
Bats are a legally protected species and therefore you can not remove or kill them. Doing so means you can be prosecuted. We outline what the implications are if you have bats living within your house and what steps you need to take to comply with.
Planning: permitted development, listed building consent.
As a homeowner, you have the ability to carry out certain types of building work without needing prior approval from the local planning authority.
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act is a law in the UK that deals with shared walls between neighbouring properties. If you want to do any work that could affect the party wall, like building an extension or doing major renovations, you have to let your neighbour know.
Sustainability, energy efficiency and low carbon design.
I have a tree with a tree preservation order on it in my garden, how does that affect me?
The difference between building regulation and detailed design drawings
There are a number of differences. The 1st significant difference is in the level of detail the drawings go into, and the fees payable to an Architect.
7 reasons building projects go wrong and how to avoid them.
You only need to watch an episode of Grand Designs to know that things can go wrong. Here are some examples of what could go wrong working with a building project.
Can my neighbours stop me building my extension?
Neighbours can object but you need to establish the reasons for their objection and whether or not they are valid reasons.
Greenbelt, what is it and how does it impact development?
Greenbelt refers to a swathe of undeveloped land surrounding or within urban areas. Unlike bustling city centres or sprawling suburbs, Greenbelt areas are typically designated for specific purposes such as environmental conservation, agricultural activities, or recreational use.
Can I build the same extension my neighbour has built?
Being able to build the same extension as your neighbour depends on a number of factors which we have outlined in this blog.
What are the drawbacks of using an Architect?
Whilst Architects can be an invaluable member of the team, there are drawback to using an Architect, which we have outlined in this blog.
Living in a floodplain, what are the implications?
Living in a floodplain can sound scaring, we explain in simple terms what the implications of living in a floodplain mean to homeowners. We break down what it means to live in a floodplain.
6 reasons why builder’s costs vary so dramatically?
There are a few factors that can explain why builder’s costs vary so dramatically. Ranging from overheads, specialisations and expertise.
Newts, what are the implications for building?
Newts are small, semi-aquatic amphibians. They are often found in moist habitats such as forests, marshes, and ponds, where they play essential roles in local ecosystems.
Why Most Home Renovations Never Start and 5 ways to Break the Cycle!
Why Most Home Renovations Never Start— and 5 ways to Break the Cycle! Many homeowners find themselves stuck in the planning phase of home renovations, unable to move forward. But what exactly causes this paralysis, and how can you overcome it? The Common Roadblocks Preventing Home Renovations We’ve all been there: you dream of updating…
Planning: Rights to light
What are rights to lights? The principle of rights to light is that a person has the right to natural light into their property by law. We discuss what that means to homeowners looking to carry out building work.
Who are we a good and who are we are bad fit for?
Working with our clients on a personal journey we want to make sure that we work with the right type of clients and we want to make sure our clients are working with the right Architect. That way clients can easily and quickly get a feel about whether or not we’re suitable for them.
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments for New Builds: What Self Builders Need to Know.
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments for New Builds.
Adding Value To Your Property
If you want to work your way up the property ladder to your dream home, you need to know how to maximise the value of where you live now. Here are 11 of the best ways to add value to your property.
Bathroom Design: 5 tips and tricks
Before embarking on a new bathroom design consider our 5 tips and tricks to maximise the use of the space and your budget in your bathroom.
7 Design tips and tricks for WOW factor
We have listed 7 design tips and tricks to create that wow factor for your dream home to suit all budget types.
5 Tips For Choosing Flooring for your home.
Useful pointers and key information when selecting the flooring for different rooms in your home.
Kitchen Design: 8 tips and tricks to create that wow factor without breaking the bank.
Simple and affordable design elements and decisions that can make a big difference to your kitchen design.
Initial consultations. Why we charge for an in person meeting
Providing top-notch consultations requires more than just a quick chat over coffee. It takes time, resources, and careful preparation. From scheduling the meeting to doing our homework beforehand to the follow-up afterwards, it’s a whole process.
3 things to consider if you plan to live in during building works.
Your ability to live in your house during building works depends on a number of factors. We have outlined the key considerations as to how likely that is in our blog below.
How long will the building project take?
How long a project takes from an Architect starting to the building work being completed depends on a number of factors.
How much do Architects cost?
Architect’s costs can be calculated in a number of different ways. From lump sums to a percentage of the build costs, there is no industry standard. We have outlined key factors that impact how much Architects cost.
How much are our fees?
Well that depends on a variety of things. We have outlined a price guide for different types of building projects which we have broken down with the exclusions and caveats to give a good idea of what we charge.
7 ways to reduce the cost of building work.
If you’re looking to minimise expenditure on your building project, we have outlined some useful suggestions that you could explore to reduce the cost of your building project.
9 factors that could increase the cost of building work and how to avoid them.
Renovating your home can be an exciting but challenging process. Consequently, there are numerous factors to consider before embarking on a home extension project.
How much does a house extension cost?
This tends to be the 1st question clients ask us, and it’s important for us to discuss it. How much a house extension costs depends on a wide range of factors which we discuss.
Navigating Planning Permission in the UK
Securing planning permission is a crucial step that homeowners in the UK need to navigate. This blog aims to demystify the process, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of obtaining planning permission for residential projects
Unlocking the Secrets of Heat Pumps and UK Grants: A Comprehensive Guide
In this extensive guide, were jumping into the realm of heat pumps, uncovering the crucial steps homeowners need to take for optimal performance, and the grants available.
Estimating the Cost of Your Home Extension.
Extension Cost Calculator | Home & Kitchen Extension Estimates UK
How to introduce natural light to your extension or renovation.
As homeowners, we all want to make the most of the natural light. However, sometimes it can be challenging to figure out the best ways to bring light into your home.
The modern home: building a home that evolves with you.
As families grow and evolve, so too do their needs and priorities, making it essential that our homes are able to adapt to these changes.
6 things to consider before starting your home extension.
There are numerous factors to consider before embarking on a home extension project, which can impact the outcome of the extension. Here are six things to consider before starting your home renovation project: