House extension guidelines

Many homeowner seek some form of house extension guidelines before engaging on their home extension project simply to be pre-warned of the possible issues and attempting to get it right the first time before engaging their home extension team. This s often well worth the effort but the home extension guidelines can be split in several headings which we intend to cover here.

Guidelines on the feasibility of your house extension project:-

Knowing whether or not your house extension scheme is viable, practical and achievable through planning is perhaps the very first step. Having an idea of what you want needs to be filled out with some detail of what is required. This can be completed by having a House extension designer or architect round for an initial meeting. Talk to at least 3 to get some ideas and there should be a consistent thread running through their informal advice. You will soon know whether or not your house extension scheme is a good one and at what estimated cos.

Guidelines on selecting your house extension designer:-

This is well covered elsewhere with this house extension web site but the basics are as follows. Use a professionally qualified house extension designer that is well experienced in the home extension or residential development field. It is no good employing a fully qualified RIBA commercially experienced architect for your domestic house extension. Avoid ‘plans drawn’ unqualified designers. Only use a well experienced house extension designer that belongs to a recognised professional body such as CIAT, RIBA or RICS and that this is their main full time work. They should also have PI insurance. Avoid the part timer as they will be unable to help you during the build. Research the quality of their work on line using the Councils public access systems. Request references from some of their clients over the last two years. Use recommendations. Obtain their written estimated fees and expected costs.

Guidelines on selecting your house extension builder:-

This is again well covered elsewhere on this web site but the basics are as follows. Use a professionally qualified house extension builder that is well experienced in the home extension or residential development field. It is no good employing a fully qualified NHBC commercially experienced builder fitting out shops for your domestic house extension. Avoid builders not belonging to a professional trade organisation or only just starting out as a main contractor. Only use a well experienced house extension builder that belongs to a recognised professional trade body such as Master Builders, ICB and that this is their main full time work. They should also have 3m public liability insurance as a minimum standard. Avoid the part time builder or one that runs several house extension projects at once unless they are a proper larger scale building company with adequate staff and resources rather than a sole trader. Research the quality of their work and how satisfied their previous clients are. Request references from some of their clients over the last two years. Use recommendations. Obtain their written fixed cost quotations using the quality drawings and specifications provided by your house extension designer. Agree in writing payment method for work done or at specific work stage completions. Never pay in advance of the works or materials. Withhold a 5% retention on all monies paid. Total retention released 6 months after practical completion after rectifying any defects.