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Considering Purchasing a New Home with Potential?
A Home Extension appraisal service might be just what you need.
Introduction
Following the lockdown experience, I’ve found it beneficial to conduct research before visiting homeowners’ dwellings. On several occasions, I have not needed to make a site visit in person to carry the project through the planning process.
Service Overview
Many homeowners find my initial advice invaluable. Therefore, I now charge £180 for an extension appraisal and assessment. This fee covers up to 3 hours of my time at £60/hr, though it may actually take 4-6 hours to complete the appraisal—a potential saving of £180.
The appraisal consists of pre-visit research:
- Online Research: Checking available information for your dwelling and nearby similar dwellings.
- History: Reviewing construction, sales, and planning history.
- Precedents: Examining local precedents.
- Experience: Leveraging over 40 years of experience in planning applications and appeals.
- Guides: Providing a simple guide to permitted development, including recent additional storey(s).
- Investment Advice: Advising whether the proposed alterations are worth the investment.
- Project Examples: Offering examples of similar projects to inform your thinking.
Following your decision to proceed, we will exchange emails and, if necessary, arrange a site visit and meeting.
Additional Support
I can assist with:
- Building Costs: Pointing you in the right direction for estimating building costs.
- Builder Suggestions: Recommending suitable builders.
- Quotes: Obtaining quotes from structural engineers or other specialists on your behalf.
- Planning Fees: Advising on likely planning application fees and options.
- Planning Appeals: Advising on the need for planning appeals and the likely costs.
- Building Regulations: Advising on the cost of building regulations and available options.
- Party Wall Agreements: Advising on party wall agreement requirements.
- Community Infrastructure Levy: Advising on requirements.
- Building Insurance: Advising on the need for special building insurance.
- Construction Regulations: Advising on Construction Design and Management Regulations.
- Contracts & Tender Processes: Advising on construction contracts and tender processes.
Loft Conversions and Other Recommendations
For loft conversions, I recommend consulting a specialized Loft Conversion Company. However, I have secured planning approval in cases where such companies previously failed.
Occasionally, I advise homeowners to move house rather than build an extension, which might make this the best £180 you ever spend.
Project Stages
Domestic projects for homeowners generally have three stages:
- Planning
- Building Regulations with a Schedule of Works for Tender
- Tender Pricing and Works on Site
Sometimes, my input is only required for the Planning stage, especially if homeowners already have a trusted builder.
Proceeding with the Appraisal
Should we proceed beyond the initial extension appraisal, no VAT or travel expenses will be added to my monthly invoicing. Upon deciding to proceed, I will send you a £180 extension appraisal invoice and request payment so I may start work on your project.
Occasionally, I waive this fee but may request a direct donation to Shelter for the same amount.
Homeowners’ Input
I find it best if homeowners describe what works and what does not work with their current home rather than stating they want a “shoebox” extension of specific dimensions. Describe what you like and dislike about your current home. Note that photos from glossy magazines often do not represent your current or intended use and can be a distraction to good space planning and value for money.
Special Requirements
Every house and homeowner has unique circumstances and requirements. For instance, a new client required accommodations for a wheelchair user and extended family visits, a larger-than-average master bedroom, a separate lounge, a study, a significant games room, and an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area that opens onto the rear garden. Additionally, a statement entrance and enlarged dormer windows were required, along with staircase modifications to optimize space.
Sometimes, an extension is not necessary, and an internal reorganization suffices.
Next Steps
Please advise how you wish to proceed.
Considering Purchasing a New Home with Potential?
A Home Extension appraisal service might be just what you need.
Introduction
Following the lockdown experience, I’ve found it beneficial to conduct research before visiting homeowners’ dwellings. On several occasions, I have not needed to make a site visit in person to carry the project through the planning process.
Service Overview
Many homeowners find my initial advice invaluable. Therefore, I now charge £180 for an extension appraisal and assessment. This fee covers up to 3 hours of my time at £60/hr, though it may actually take 4-6 hours to complete the appraisal—a potential saving of £180.
The appraisal consists of pre-visit research:
- Online Research: Checking available information for your dwelling and nearby similar dwellings.
- History: Reviewing construction, sales, and planning history.
- Precedents: Examining local precedents.
- Experience: Leveraging over 40 years of experience in planning applications and appeals.
- Guides: Providing a simple guide to permitted development, including recent additional storey(s).
- Investment Advice: Advising whether the proposed alterations are worth the investment.
- Project Examples: Offering examples of similar projects to inform your thinking.
Following your decision to proceed, we will exchange emails and, if necessary, arrange a site visit and meeting.
Additional Support
I can assist with:
- Building Costs: Pointing you in the right direction for estimating building costs.
- Builder Suggestions: Recommending suitable builders.
- Quotes: Obtaining quotes from structural engineers or other specialists on your behalf.
- Planning Fees: Advising on likely planning application fees and options.
- Planning Appeals: Advising on the need for planning appeals and the likely costs.
- Building Regulations: Advising on the cost of building regulations and available options.
- Party Wall Agreements: Advising on party wall agreement requirements.
- Community Infrastructure Levy: Advising on requirements.
- Building Insurance: Advising on the need for special building insurance.
- Construction Regulations: Advising on Construction Design and Management Regulations.
- Contracts & Tender Processes: Advising on construction contracts and tender processes.
Loft Conversions and Other Recommendations
For loft conversions, I recommend consulting a specialized Loft Conversion Company. However, I have secured planning approval in cases where such companies previously failed.
Occasionally, I advise homeowners to move house rather than build an extension, which might make this the best £180 you ever spend.
Project Stages
Domestic projects for homeowners generally have three stages:
- Planning
- Building Regulations with a Schedule of Works for Tender
- Tender Pricing and Works on Site
Sometimes, my input is only required for the Planning stage, especially if homeowners already have a trusted builder.
Proceeding with the Appraisal
Should we proceed beyond the initial extension appraisal, no VAT or travel expenses will be added to my monthly invoicing. Upon deciding to proceed, I will send you a £180 extension appraisal invoice and request payment so I may start work on your project.
Occasionally, I waive this fee but may request a direct donation to Shelter for the same amount.
Homeowners’ Input
I find it best if homeowners describe what works and what does not work with their current home rather than stating they want a “shoebox” extension of specific dimensions. Describe what you like and dislike about your current home. Note that photos from glossy magazines often do not represent your current or intended use and can be a distraction to good space planning and value for money.
Special Requirements
Every house and homeowner has unique circumstances and requirements. For instance, a new client required accommodations for a wheelchair user and extended family visits, a larger-than-average master bedroom, a separate lounge, a study, a significant games room, and an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting area that opens onto the rear garden. Additionally, a statement entrance and enlarged dormer windows were required, along with staircase modifications to optimize space.
Sometimes, an extension is not necessary, and an internal reorganization suffices.
Next Steps
Please advise how you wish to proceed.