| Local community | When planning a major building project, it makes sense to keep residents onside. Anything requiring planning permission will go to your parish council for approval so attending the meeting where your plans will be discussed can help alleviate any neighbourhood concerns early on. Likewise, chatting with any near neighbours who may be affected by your plans can help smooth the way to a successful planning application |
| Planning permission | Is planning permission needed? Changes to planning laws now mean that extensions can sometimes be built using permitted development. Even so, it always pays to check what planning you may require and, for new builds or changes to listed buildings, you can seek a pre-application consultation. See the [resources section] on our website for the local authorities within our work catchment |
| Budget | Have identified a budget and do you have the finances in place to afford it? Also, unless you’re doing a new build, don’t forget that there’ll be VAT to pay at 20% |
| Budget contingency | Have you factored in a contingency in case you want or need to change something? A typical contingency pot is 10% of build cost |
| Plans and drawings | For smaller projects we’re happy to have discussions even if you haven’t had plans drawn, but if your project is on a large scale, or is complex in nature, it does make sense to have plans ready. While it may seem like an additional cost, ultimately a professionally created set of plans will save time and money. Plan creation is a two-step process; if planning permission is needed then Planning drawings will be required for planning approval. These typically include site plans, elevations, and layout drawings. Once permission is granted, detailed drawings can be created. These will include accurate measurements along with notes about building materials, and regulatory standards for insulation etc, to make sure your project complies with building regulations. It’s at this point that structural calculations will be needed. This is to make sure your design up to strength and gives the builder crucial information about, foundations, wall construction, roof timbers and steel beams. Check out our [resources section] for architect details |
| Building Control | Talk to your builder and architect about who and how to engage with about building control. You can either elect to use the building control resource offered by your local authority, or you can engage a private firm. Whatever you decide, it’s essential to have a building control relation set up prior to your builder starting work. Their role is to oversee the project at critical stages of the build thus ensuring it meets building regulations. Once the work’s completed building control sign off the project and provide certification, which may be required for building insurance, mortgaging, and future sales. See our [resources section] for links to local council building control |
| Insurance | It’s worth checking your buildings insurance small print to see if you’re required to notify your insurance of any planned works. You might also consider taking out additional insurances, however reputable builders will have their own liability insurance |
| Buying ‘stuff’ | In almost all cases a project will require one or more combinations of items; flooring, tiling, kitchens, bathrooms etc. In our opinion, while there are bargains to be had from online purchases, it is safer to buy from vendors local to you where you can easily return items if they’re not quite right. We are always happy to source items, but many clients decide to find what they like and buy direct, in that instance we are on hand to double check that the purchase is the right size or standard. |
LJ Birmingham Building Contractors 