Ground Floor renovation - latest (29/10)

Having to wait on Building Control (my fault) - we have to give 5 days notice which means build starting on Friday 2nd. Quick run through of items on my project plan as I haven't gone through a bigger company this time. I may also have over-egged the design stage but I really wanted to get it right and invested my money in the design. It is a straightforward build with no protections on the property. The time estimates are best case scenario.

NOTE: This is just my experience and I may well have missed items out as I am learning on the go, so please check everything (I accept no liability). I am not advocating any of the services just yet (they have all been great so far) but I will wait till it is all over and give you an update.

• I had an idea about what I wanted and did some research around planning consent (googled local council)
• Found some builders and looked at reference sites (previous jobs)
• Got a Digital Measured survey (Townscape Survey created a CAD drawing of the whole house) - week 1
• Went looking for a kitchen with the survey and my idea for the extension.
• Met architect on site to discuss project (Red Squirrel Architects RIBA stage 1) - week 1
• Got architect to draw up preliminary design proposal - week 2 - 4 (RIBA stage 2)
• Went looking for a kitchen again.
• Got architect to develop preferred proposal (RIBA stage 3) - week 4 - 6
• Went looking for a kitchen again.
• Put in for planning permission (architect did this) - week 6 - 14
• You might need a drain survey done (Thames Water)
• Party Wall and Line of Junction signatures from your neighbours (standard letters on line or you can get someone to act as agent for a fee e.g. Vincent Brown & Associates) - between week 6 and 14
• Structural engineer (Paul Rogers) created structural plans for builders - week 6 - 16
• Planning permission granted - week 14 (we had a delay due to limits on heights but resolved it quickly)
• Building Control arrangements were put in place (e.g. contacted Complete Building Controls @ £750 or you can go via council I think). I left this too late and it held up the start of the build - they need 5 days minimum to clear with the council - week 14 - 16
• My advice is to keep your builders up to date with progress and get several quotes and agree a staged payment plan, with the last payment being after snagging is complete.
• Build a budget spreadsheet with all the costs in there that aren't included as well as those that are in the builders quote * (see note)
• The builders and the structural engineer may need to meet on site to dig an inspection pit to look at the foundations and the drain situation (week 14-16).
• Build begins 2nd November.