We want to extend. Where do we start?

[NeopreneMermaid]

We want to extend our 3-bed semi to the side on both floors plus convert the loft into a master suite with bathroom.

We have sketched how we think it will look but what do we do next? Get an architect in to see if it's possible? Draw our plans in CAD (DH can do this)? Something I've not thought of?

How much would an architect charge at this stage (Hants)?

Definitely get an architect, get a few quotes before choosing one. You'd spend a few grand on one but it would be necessary.

Thanks! What's the done thing? Do you get them to come over and quote? I don't want to sound totally clueless when I phone (because I am totally clueless).

We've just finished extending our home. We got an architect and paid about a grand for the drawings and he submitted the plans for planning permission for us. Ours was a two story extension and we are in the midlands.

Thanks natenewt. Will put in some calls.

Have any of your neighbours already done this so you can have a look at their plans? If they were done in the last few years they would be on-line on the planning department of your local council.

We sketched out what we wanted, then involved an architect.

Hang on!

We were planning something very similar. Our local council offer a service for about £200 where someone from their planning dept come round and talk to you about what is and isn't likely to be passed. They said we wouldn't be able to do anything like we wanted, that a single storey extension (basically converting our garage) was the only option. Then we got loft conversion people round thinking that would be ok and after the first 3 shysters companies said yep fine, the last and most reputable said not a chance was it worth it as the stairs and access would ruin our middle floor and also we'd end up with a box room rather than the penthouse en suite we'd pictured.

Anyway we at least didn't spend out £1-2k on architect plans for this, so I urge you to find out if your council offer a similar service! Plus get some builders round for a chat. They'll not talk to you about price until you have plans, but it's v useful anyway. We had 3 architects round too, one of which was v honest and said it was unlikely to get passed and told us about the planning advice thing.

We were unlucky and I'm sure you won't be so unlucky - but don't spend ££££ on plans until you're sure what will and won't be passed.

To kick us when we're down we have just found out the field at the back of our garden with its beautiful clear vista is going to be developed with a million houses we had thought oh well our house isn't big enough, we can't afford to move, but hey at least we have a nice garden and lovely view.

We're doing precisely this (minus the loft part as was the original plan as it was prohibitively expensive for the small room we would end up with). I don't know if it's universal but our council have pretty exhaustive planning guidance so we didn't consult with them first. Largely because it wasn't really necessary, this type of extension is very common in this area and well covered in the planning guidance stuff. Architects were the first stop after online planning info, they did as natenewt's above, submitted plans for us and dealt with that side of things. Minor alterations were made to plans following planning officers visit, consultation with neighbours etc. then plans were passed. All the architects we saw were careful to keep at the forefront what was likely to be passed, again i don't know how universal it is that this would be the case or that local planning information is simple and easily accessible.

I agree, you need an idea of whether it is feasible first before you get plans drawn up. Our council doesnt offerany preliminary advice but you can see planning permission applications on the website (and decisions) so you could see what other similar properties have done. If you do have drawings done, agree that the cost will cover any amendments (we had to submit 3 different plans in the end). If your house is a semi, different councils have different approaches to 2 storey extensions to the side. We had to leave 1m between the wall and the boundary and there are issues with roof lines.

As for your loft, we had 2 loft companies visit (free of charge) to see what we wanted was possible. Both said it wasnt, the roof height wasnt quite high enough once you factored in insulation / boarding whatever. We'd have needed 2 dormers plus had to lower the bedroom ceilings. The cost would have been ridiculous for ehat we gained.

Feeling very nervous about what's possible (but much more informed so thank you). I'll find out if the council does prelim visits.

We live in a particularly anal area re. planning permission; we needed it for our conservatory and would even need it to put a shed in the garden. Seriously.

Often, a architect will visit for an initial chat free of charge.

If a 'potential' client is not too far away, the offer of nice coffee and cake usually provides me with sufficient incentive! (I'm nowhere near Hants unfortunately so this is not an advert).

:)

I usually allow around an hour during which I look round the property and the site, explore their aspirations and consider any constraints - money being the most common but there are others such as time, whether the building is listed or in a conservation area, the local planning guides and so on.

Quite often planning consent is not required but building regulations approval almost invariably is.

We then discuss outline options and the processes for design, statutory approvals and construction.

Your suggestion of DH preparing a CAD sketch is useful but sometimes the architect may offer radical alternatives not remotely connected with your original idea but based on their knowledge and experience of similar situations(that's is after all what we are there for)!

On more occasions than I like I have actually talked the 'client' out of extending and instead suggested a different course of action, thus depriving me of a fee but that's life.

Good luck.