A home extension can be a fantastic way to make your house a better place to live and is usually a less complicated and expensive process than completely moving house. This guide will help you to get started with the planning process of your extension, with all the important information you need to be aware of.

Planning permission

The first thing you should do is check to see if you need planning permission before you begin your extension. Your local council website is the best place to start, but you can also consult a building professional such as an architect. A council planner will consider a range of factors, such as the impact on neighbours, the character of the area, and road safety. Extension work that falls under ‘permitted development’, such as a simple loft conversion, will not need planning permission.

Building Regulations

Whether your project needs planning permission or not, it will still need to comply with the building regulations. These are the set of standards regarding design and construction that must be followed to ensure the safety of the people involved. If the regulations are not met, you will likely be served with a notice to have the work fixed or demolished.

Design stage

With the planning permission and building regulations sorted, the next step is to employ an architect to draw up the design. Although it is not essential to enlist the help of an architect for this, it is highly recommended as they may be able to offer a design solution that you or your builder may not have considered. An architect will also have the necessary knowledge to aid your application for planning permission and take into account the relevant building regulations when constructing the drawings.

When choosing an architect, do plenty of research and check customer reviews and recommendations where you can.

Inform your neighbours

It is a good idea to keep your neighbours informed about your plans from the very beginning before you even apply for planning permission. You can show them your drawings and make note of any concerns that they may have, as these could be resolved early to prevent major problems later down the line.

Set a realistic budget

You must be realistic about what your budget can achieve. Start by making a list of everything you would like included, and compare your quotes item by item. Always check that the VAT is included in the costs. It is recommended that you set aside 10% of the total cost for unexpected additional costs.

Insurance

Before beginning any building work, you must inform your home insurance provider of your plans. The new extension is likely to increase the cost of your property and in turn the policy premium. Get in contact with your insurance company and find out if your current policy will cover the new extension. Failure to do so could result in your policy rendering void and you having no protection.

Home Extensions in Surrey with JVB Construction

Home extension company JVB Construction have experience creating high-quality extensions in South Nutfield, Oxshott, and other locations across Surrey. Our talented construction team can extend properties to your desired specification, within budget, and using a range of beautiful materials. Our team will carefully work on plans and can seek design assistance from our trusted architect if required.

Once the design plans and material choices have been finalised, we will commence work. Our team will cause the least disruption possible by keeping the site tidy throughout the entire project. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and we will ensure that your new extension provides the ideal addition to your home.

If you are planning an extension, renovation or new build in Surrey, contact us today for a no-obligation quote and more information.