PLANNING FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Here we discuss the initial planning of your Home Improvements and UK planning laws and building regulations. For FAQ’s on this subject visit our website at www.chrome-tapshower.co.uk, but here are the basics:

BEFORE you arrange estimates from Building Contractors, make a rough sketch of what you want from the new space. Don’t rely on the builder to come up with designs although he should be able to advise on the location of new pipework, drainage etc.

Building Contractors are not designers and they like to work from a set of plans showing dimensions, illustrations for new wiring and central heating/underfloor heating etc.

Building Contractors are not experts in planning laws and building regulations and will expect you to have all this in place before work begins. They will usually ask for a Schedule of Works produced by the Architect or Engineer and may even expect you to quantify the materials involved.

SO You’ve got your rough sketches and an idea of what you want. What next? Well you could ring around for quotes from Building Contractors to get a rough idea of the likely cost and add 10% to that for Architects’ fees. Or you could engage a Design & Build Contractor who will provide you with designs, floor and elevation plans for Building Control, a free quotation, and advice on whether or not you require planning permission.

A Design & Build Contractor can then project manage the whole job, liaising with local Planning and Building Control Officers and arranging site visits. They will supply all the tradesmen needed for the work, usually under a Designer or Project Manager.

A Design & Build Contractor should also know whether the works require a Party Wall Agreement with your neighbor(s) which must be in place before work can commence.

Kitchen Taps – Bath Taps – Bath Mixer Taps

This article approved by the Editor of LevelAdvice.com and Showroom411.com

For the best free Home Improvement Advice, go to Showroom411.com where you can Ask Rick the Contractor any home improvement question and get and an answer from a real building contractor for free.