I can draw plans for a new build, extension, loft conversion or other home improvement. I can also recommend good quality builders and give an estimate of the cost to build.
Plans start from £350 and include structural calculations and all forms submitted to your local council.
To get an accurate quote for the cost of plans for your extension, you can use my free quote page. Alternatively, call me on 07756 495 241.
I’ve put together a list of answers to the common questions asked about building plans:
Why are building plans needed?
How much are the plans going to cost?
How quickly can the plans be drawn so that building work can start?
Why is it important to have good quality, professional building plans?
Why are building plans needed?
There are rules in place called building regulations which govern what changes you’re allowed to make to your home. Building regulations ensure that the proposed changes to your home won’t affect other people’s property, natural light or privacy as well as the overall look of the street.
The building plans serve two main purposes. First of all, they are submitted to your local council, along with the relevant application forms. They will be used to determine whether the proposed changes to your home comply with building regulations and if planning permission will be granted. This will ultimately determine whether or not building work can be started.
Secondly, your building or extension plans are used by builders and project managers on site as a guide to how the finished building work should look. They enable builders to estimate the cost of the work and ensure that the finished building work looks how was initially planned.
Along with the building plan drawings, structural calculations are also needed which define the requirements of foundations, materials to use and so on.
Carrying out building work without planning permission can lead to an enforcement notice being served and possible demolition of the building work. Similarly, it is a criminal offence to carry out any building work without planning permission.
How much are the plans going to cost?
Most architects can charge around 10% of the cost of the total project, with structural calculations costing extra on top of that.
As a general rule, my cost is 4% of the build cost. So if you were planning a small extension costing £10,000 to build, I would charge £400. This includes all planning and building regulations drawings, structural calculations and all application forms submitted to your local council – everything you need to allow building work to begin.
You will also be given several copies of the completed plans to get quotes from builders.
If you’re not sure about how much it would cost to build your extension, loft conversion or other home improvement, I can give you an estimate on my first visit. I also work closely with selected builders and am happy to recommend them for any building work.
There’s more information and a detailed breakdown on my extension costs page.
How quickly can the plans be drawn so that building work can start?
From my first visit to take measurements and rough sketches to the first builder starting on site, it takes on average 12 weeks. For particularly complicated building work or in special cases, it may take longer.
Once the plans and planning application have been submitted to your local council, it takes around 2 weeks for them to be assesed and confirm whether or not planning permission has been granted. If there are any problems, the plans will need to be altered and the application resubmitted.
Any alterations of plans and resubmissions to the council are included in my price.
Why is it important to have good quality, professional building plans?
Clear and accurate building plans ensure that the proposed changes to your home can pass building regulations as quickly as possible and obtain planning permission. Your local council will be able to clearly see what building work you intend on doing and confirm if building work can start. They show complete compliance with the latest building regulations.
Accurate building plans also help control costs. Builders will have a clear view of what is wanting to be achieved so that when the work starts on site, it can run smoothly without any costly or upsetting delays. This will help make sure the final cost of the building work is as close to the initial estimate as possible.
High quality building plans ensure that the changes to your home are exactly how has been planned.
A badly constructed loft conversion, extension or other home improvement can result in a shoddy looking exterior that devalues your home. First impressions count, and the look of your home could mean the difference between you being able to sell your property or not.