THE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE
As a specialist in residential building projects, we are able to design and build your project from start to finish. Your project will be finished for you to decorate in your own style. We provide the following services:
Loft Conversions
Home Extensions
Renovation
Garages
Porches
Exterior landscaping
Painting and Decorating
In fact we can pretty much design and build additional space in any residential environment. Give us a call and we will arrange to visit and provide advice.
We provide a full design and build service package and also deal with all relevant parties, architects, engineers, local authorities.
We cover South West London, West London, Surrey,
Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
We work in and around these areas :
Ashford, Acton, Ascot. Bedfont, Brentford, Barns Chertsey,
Chiswick. Egham, East Sheen, Ealing, Feltham, Hounslow,
Heston, Hanworth, Hampton, Hanwell. Isleworth.
Kew. Mortlake, Molesey. Norwood Green, New Malden.
Richmond, Ruislip. Sunbury, Sheppards bush, Staines,
Sunbury-
Thorpe. Uxbridge, Virginia water. Whitton, Wraysbury,
Windsor, Weybridge, Wembley. 1 Can my loft be converted?
The majority of lofts can be converted and can provide you with a superb extra living area in your home. Each conversion is unique and all require an initial survey and design. More often the conversion can be designed in more than one way and choosing one design over another becomes a matter of preference.
Our experience is that a properly designed and constructed loft conversion will also add to the value of your property.
2 So what regulations and permissions will I need?
For any major work to your property
You will need a Party wall agreement if work is done on a party wall (this is the wall separating adjoining properties)
You may need planning permission
You will always need Building regulations.
3 What is the difference between a planning officer and a building inspector?
There is often confusion between the planning officer and the building inspector, despite the fact that their roles are quite separate. Planning officers are concerned with your use of the land and how it will impact on other people, nearby buildings and the environment in general; whereas building inspectors are concerned about the building work itself and whether it is consistent with the approved plans and complies with Building Regulations.
4 So what are Building Regulations and when are they needed?
Building regulations approval is always required when carrying out building work that falls under them. The Building Regulations contain the minimum requirements designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of all people involved with buildings. This includes members of the public, occupiers, neighbours, visitors, disabled people, and maintenance and construction personnel. The Regulations also enforce standards aimed at conserving fuel and energy, and deal with such additional matters as fire safety, access, protection from impact, toxic substances and glazing safety. They affect all buildings in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own set of Regulations) and are created by the Secretary of State, under powers provided by the Building Act 1994. Building regulations are concerned with the actual construction of the design. This takes into account things like insulation and ventilation, structural loadings, fire, electrical installation and so on.
5 How is Building regulations obtained?
Architectural drawings are first prepared. These will be accompanied by a detailed specification sheet showing the methods of construction which should conform to the current building regulations. These are submitted to building control for approval in the form of a full plans application. Building control will check the contents of the application and approve the application if it is in order i.e. complies fully with the current building regulations.
6 What is the role of building control and their inspectors?
The role of Building Control is principally to ensure the health and safety of people in and about buildings.
A building inspector has to inspect building work carried out at certain stages of construction. The builder is required to notify them when they are ready for the inspection.
7 What are building inspectors looking for?
They will be looking to see that the work carried out complies with the approved drawings.
8 So what is Planning Permission in brief?
Planning is concerned with your use of the land and how it will impact on other people, nearby buildings and the environment in general.
There are certain types of alterations to your home that do not require planning permission. These are alterations that are allowed under permitted development rights. However, these rights do not apply to flats or if your property is in a conservation area or an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Your local authority may also have removed permitted development rights or there may be some other legal restriction such as a restrictive covenant.
Most properties may not require planning permission for a loft conversion, provided the loft conversion does not exceed 40 cubic metres on a terraced property and 50 cubic metres on others.
However, no part of your house should, as a result of the conversion, exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof. Also, no part of your house should, as a result of the works, exceed beyond the plane of any existing roof slope which fronts a highway. A highway is not defined but includes all public roads, most footpaths, bridleways and byways, your local authority could give further advice as to the classification of any such access way.
If your proposals do not fall within the above categories, this does not mean you
cannot have your conversion, but you may require Planning Permission.
Just because other dwellings within your locality have loft conversions does not automatically mean you will be granted permission, it may be that they were constructed as permitted development, but the design being contrary to council policy
In most conversions, we are able to make an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development and the property will fall within permitted development rights. This gives you, our client, piece of mind when, if ever, you sell your home. The Certificate is invaluable as it demonstrates that the work was carried out lawfully. Our company ensures that all the work we carry out is done so properly and we do not work any other way.
Your local authority may well have published guidelines as to what is, and what is not acceptable when considering a loft conversion or extension. For more information visit the deputy prime minister’s planning portal site using the link below
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/
9 What can I expect from your quotation?
The quotation process gives you the opportunity to discuss your requirements with a highly experienced member of the company. When visiting your property to discuss your requirements, he will take measurements and carry out a design evaluation based on your requirements.
He will then prepare you a free, no obligation, quotation and include drawings for you to visualise the proposed space. This can normally be done all on the one visit if you so wish, but it will take up a bit of your time. Alternatively a return appointment can be arranged to go over the completed fixed price quotation and drawings, after which he will answer any further questions you may have.
10 If I wish to go ahead with the work what happens next?
If you wish to go ahead with the work and employ us, we will provide a contract detailing the cost of the work based on the fixed price quotation provided to you. The cost of the work will only vary if you choose to have additional work or alterations outside the contract terms. You will know what the work costs from the beginning.
We then give the architect the agreed design and specification. He will call to arrange a site visit to measure and then prepare drawings for your attention before being submitted.
11 What permissions do you get and what do I need to do?
We will submit a planning application or an application for a certificate of lawful development which ever is appropriate. Although it is not a requirement to obtain a certificate of lawful development if the building work falls within these criteria, we do not commence work without it.
We will submit Architectural drawings for building regulations approval. You will have to pay an inspection fee invoiced to you by building control.
It is your duty under the party wall act to inform all adjoining neighbours. You will have to obtain a party wall agreement signed by the neighbours. We are happy to arrange to meet up with them and go over the proposals should they have any concerns.
It is far better for you to approach your neighbours directly to obtain this consent. Should you prefer us, to serve it on your behalf, this will be arranged upon your instruction.
For more in depth information there is an explanitory booklet called THE PARTYWALL etc. ACT 1996 which can be viewed and downloaded using this link
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/partywall
12 What is the Build procedure for a loft conversion once you start the work?
There are three main stages in the build.
These are:
Stage 1 Structural (Steels positioned, floor joists in place and dormer constructed).
Stage 2 Up to plastering (1st fix plumbing and electrics in place, roofing completed, windows installed, walls insulated and plaster boarded, stairs installed).
Stage 3 Plastering to completion (plastering, 2nd fix plumbing and electrics, 2nd fix carpentry).
Building control will be notified that we are commencing work.
We start by putting up scaffolding and electric hoist ready to take up materials from the outside. With loft conversions most of the work is done from the outside thus keeping disruption to yourselves to a minimum during the build.
Arrangements are made for delivery of materials.
With materials on site construction commences using the approved drawings.
The structure is the first thing to go up. This includes placing the load bearing beams in place to take the new suspended floor.
Next you will see the dormers being constructed followed by the Cutting away of roof that has been replaced by the dormers.
We now notify the building inspector for the first inspection. He will be inspecting the structure. Throughout the project at the appropriate time, we arrange a visit by the building inspector to check our work meets the required regulations.
At this point in the build it is worth while to spend a little time with you to consider the internal layout and guide you through those decisions one has to make regarding placement of lights, sockets, radiators etc in order to get things just how you want them.
You will be shown where the internal walls will be according to the drawing and asked if you would like any adjustments made to their position. You can also confirm position of lights, sockets and radiators. If you are having a shower room installed it is best to order the shower tray, toilet and wash hand basin. Their dimensions should reflect the size of the room. These can be placed in the room and moved around until your desired layout is achieved. The final layout is marked out so that pipe work can be installed at a later stage.
Work continues towards completion of Stage 1 and 2
13 What is the Build procedure for an extension once you start the work?
Again as with a loft conversion the build is divided up into three main stages
Stage 1 Structure (foundations, drainage and brickwork)
Stage 2 Up to plastering (1st fix plumbing and electrics in place, roofing completed, windows installed, walls insulated and plaster boarded)
Stage 3 Plastering to completion (plastering, 2nd fix plumbing and electrics, 2nd fix carpentry)
How long does the build take?
A loft conversion takes approximately 8 to 10 weeks to complete.
Extensions take approximately 5 weeks for a small rear extension.
This is based on our normal working hours Monday to Friday 8.00 to 5.00.
Once work starts we will remain on site until the job is completed.
14 Who gets rid of the building rubbish?
We arrange for rubbish to be removed from the site
We do not decorate however we are happy to provide a decorating service if you wish.
16 What other work do you undertake?
As well as specialising in the building of Loft Conversions we also design and build Extensions to provide extra living space such as a family room, playroom, study, and bedroom. For a list of the other work we can undertake go to the What we do page of the site