What has changed? Previously, the “4-year rule” applied to unauthorised building work or a change of use to a single dwelling house, meaning enforcement action could only be taken within four years of completion. However, as of April 25, 2024, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 extended this enforcement period to ten years for all… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Extensions
Designing the Perfect Garden Office for Work-Life Balance
In today’s remote work era, achieving the perfect work-life balance is more important than ever. One of the best ways to create a productive yet relaxing work environment is by investing in a garden office building. A well-designed garden office offers the ideal blend of comfort, functionality, and separation from home life, allowing you to… Read more »
Prefab (and modular) extensions: costs, pros and cons
Prefabrication and modular construction are both off-site construction methods that involve building components in a controlled factory environment, which are then transported to the construction site for assembly. They are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners looking to expand their living space. What’s the difference between a prefab extension and a modular extension? Prefabrication generally… Read more »
Planning for a mansard roof extension
Extension design above by Amos, architect from Islington, London. See more and shortlist them for your home project here. You may be considering applying for planning for a mansard roof extension if your existing loft space is not high enough or the wrong shape for a straight conversion or dormer extension. What is a mansard roof… Read more »
Do I need a party wall surveyor?
Extension design above by Gareth, architect from Haringey, London. See more and shortlist them for your home project here. Before we answer the question, ‘Do I need a party wall surveyor’, we’ll address the more important question, ‘Do I need to serve a party wall notice?’ as you may not require a surveyor if… Read more »
Best architects for affordable extensions in London and South East
We’ve rounded up some of the best architects for affordable house extensions in the UK. Will – Residential architect in Brighton (click on his name above to view his full profile and shortlist his practice for your project) My name is Will, I am an architect and designer, as well as… Read more »
20 of the best architects for house extensions in the UK
We’ve rounded up some of the best architects for house extensions in the UK. 1. Simon – Extension architect in London (click on their name above to view their full profile and shortlist them for your project) ‘We are a small design led practice specialising in residential work. We won the Best Extension at… Read more »
Expert tips to cut your house extension costs
Cut your extension costs – tips from the experts In another recent article, we looked at prices for real-life house extensions, provided by architects on Design for Me, and gave a cost per square metre rate as guidance for your project: Renovation and extension cost per square metre A great design professional can be worth their weight in gold; they… Read more »
Planning permission in a conservation area – a simple guide
Extension design above by Jamie architect from Guernsey. See more and shortlist them for your home project here. For anyone undertaking a home building, renovation or extension project, one of the first questions to ask yourself is: am I in a conservation area? It may have significant implications for your project from a planning perspective…. Read more »
Should we move or extend? (2024)
I’ve included the year in the title of this post for a reason. Overtime, the reasons to either move or extend will depend not only on your personal requirements and finances, but also a judgement in relation to the housing market and cost of construction. Let’s explore these factors in more detail. Extension above… Read more »
