Can anyone help me, we are considering having an extension built at the back of the house, so it it will be approx 12ft wide x 14ft wide then to one side so like a L shape from the house a toilet and small "utility" for coats/washing machine/freezer etc. And access from/to the garden.It will have a solid tile roofpossibly with a skylight.
Is it best to have a builder in first or a surveyor? what do you think?
Karen

Karen will get back to you as other half is a surveyor in Solihull however he's on a night out tonight so better wait till the morning before I ask him ;)

Lisa you could become the proud owner of a rolo here. :) I am in B'ham actually so his advice will obviously be "local" to me.

Thanks

Get an architect to have a look at your ideas, they know all the planning regulations, most know builders etc and can managet the job for you cheaply.

We are in the process of getting permission for an annexe added to our house for my mother in law.

My advice would be the same as Blue, get an architect, they know all the loopholes etc. and rules and regulations of planning laws.

Our architect has really opened my eyes on what you can and can't do.

Thanks all. :)

What I would say before you go in knee deep getting full drawings done is sketch a rough idea go along and see your plannin officer and tell him what you would like to do. He will tell you honeslty if the idea will be thrown out right away or if it will be met with careful consideration. Once you get the "off the record nod" then you can get the architect to do the full drawings.

I have just had full planning for an 25 S

What I would say before you go in knee deep getting full drawings done is sketch a rough idea go along and see your planning officer and tell him what you would like to do. He will tell you honeslty if the idea will be thrown out right away or if it will be met with careful consideration. Once you get the "off the record nod" then you can get the architect to do the full drawings. ( if there is any chance of it being rejected find out now before you invest around £1200 in fees between architect and planning etc.

  We paid roughing £450 in fees to our architect for a 5 x 5 extension , moving a bathroom, kitchen etc.  These were full house drawings, notification to neighbours etc etc.

I have just had full planning for an 5 x5 Metre extension on the back, and am now in the midst of a 8 x 5 metre at the front. The front one has been the hardest due to tighter regulations coming in a few years ago. 

Other half agrees with the others.  Get an Architect in as they will be able to advise on all aspects and can save you a considerable amount of time.  At least that way you can give your builder a confirmed detailed plan which in turn means they will be able to give you a fixed price and hopefully no hidden extras as they won;t be able to turn round later and charge for work they claim they didn;t know was included.

Thanks all and to Lisa's O/H Thanks. :)

Thats a good idea actually Blue, I will do that draw what we want and take some pictures too so they can see  what th back looks like etc.  Then I will go ahead and get drawings done.

Karen

Ooops I forgot we did that bit too.

I went into the Council myself with very basic ideas and was told that in principal they had no problem with the annexe, so long as we did not have any windows to the front of the property.

You don't even need an appointment, I just called in and they were very helpful.

Thanks. :)