When you are looking into the possibility of extending your home there is some considerable groundwork you can undertake before selecting the type of extension you want and then a designer to help you realise it. Giving consideration to some of these issues in advance can save you time, money and even frustration.

 

Often homeowners are familiar with the planning permission and building regulations stages of a project but there are many other important issues to give consideration to.  This guide will hopefully give you some helpful pointers regarding some common pitfalls including:

 

• Managing realistic expectations

 

• Designing within your budget

 

• Avoiding applications being rejected for non-compliance with planning policies

 

• Avoiding potential neighbour disputes

 

• Dealing with unforeseen legal complications

 

• Anticipating future running costs and keeping these as low as possible

 

• Discharging your legal responsibility to manage the health and safety of your project

 

This document also provides useful criteria in helping to choose whom you will allow to design your home.