Advice if you have fairly recently added a balcony

[PARunnerGirl]

About to move into a property where the dining area of the kitchen looks like it would be perfect for doors out onto a balcony, and stairs from the balcony down to the patio. Currently double height windows. This would also create a sheltered area on the patio underneath (back garden), which would be an added bonus.

Balcony would face East so mostly for morning- breakfast, coffee etc.

Has anyone done something similar recently and has any advice? I’m thinking about things like style, materials, hidden costs, cost estimates, timeline etc.

Advice on the order of things would be great too, as I’ve never done any building. Do I get an architect to design it, then go to Council for planning and then to a builder?

I’m in Scotland, in case this changes anything. I’m thinking more about planning logistics, rather than the fact I’ll need thermals most months in order to enjoy a coffee out there. 😆

Check with the council as some need planning depending on what you're overlooking
We built one an I thought it would be a waste of money but we use it all the time
It's brilliant
Think the materials can in at about £3000 but that was years ago and didn't include labour

Thank you @NipplesSkywards !

We had one built with glass and metal. Not huge- about 5ft wide and 12 ft long. Cost around £7.5k six years ago. Decided not to have steps as there was access down to the garden through the house, it was going to be costly plus a spiral staircase would have ramped up the price. Needed planning permission but no surveyor. Got away with no privacy screen. It was nice but we didn’t use it as much as expected then moved after a couple of years. Good luck!

Don't do it if you would overlook anyone

Bumping this for you as I am really interested too.

@Isausernameavailable No, we are rural Scotland so the next neighbour is probably about 500m- 1km along the track. I definitely wouldn’t do it in a normal “street” situation where you face and back onto other houses.

@Nowisthesummerofourdiscontent Thank you! This is maybe £2k or so over what I had estimated from research but I guess size, materials and location will influence it. Everything seems to be more expensive right now though so I’m mostly expecting to be shocked when the final estimate comes through!

You may not require Planning Permission, but in Scotland you will need Building Standards permission. This is to ensure the correct materials and safety of the construction. They will require detailed drawings and information on construction and materials used.
A competent builder should be able to provide the information required.

We weren't the first to erect a balcony and our neighbours overlooked our garden then we got to overlook theirs. It was a stunning view so we were all making the most of it.

Thanks @Beebumble2 ! So you don’t think you necessarily need an architect to design it? A builder could do that?

Yes that would be ok. My DH is an Architect, but he would probably suggest a builder do the complete job unless it was a whole design build project.