Where to start with extension?

[renonovice]

Hello all,

I've never done a renovation before so looking for some advice.

Basically I want to replace a conservatory at the back with a full width extension. I want to push the entrance to the kitchen back to allow me to take more of under the stairs & put in a downstairs toilet.

Do I need to hire an architect first & then get quote from builders?
How on earth do you even find a builder, the three people I know who had work recently had major problems.

Where are you based? I'm in London and I used Home Tales for my extension. They did all the design (architect) and then they found me a builder who was excellent. Would recommend
www.hometales.co.uk

We are in process of doing the same. We got a local architect, his fees are about £4.5k for the design, drawings, submission to planning, and the building regs drawings. The building regs drawings are what the builders can quote off - they will show materials, foundation depths etc. We have a couple of builders who we will ask to quote, but the architect also has contacts he has offered to put us in touch with - local builders he knows well and recommends

Check first with your local planning authority as to whether the extension needs planning permission. If it does then it’s worth using their pre-application advice service to establish whether the extension you’re proposing to build is likely to be granted permission. Pointless paying out for building regs drawings if planning permission is unlikely to be granted

This is basically what we did. We used an architectural technician so slightly cheaper. He managed building regs, planningn etc.

If it's just a box on the back of the house you might find a design and build team would do it - espcially if it's a permitted extension so you don't need planning.

Ours was an old house, in a conservation area, that was going to need big steels in to support the back of the house for the extension so it was worth it for us to get someone in to do the drawings and suggest builders and run a tender.

Ask around everyone you know till you find someone willing to recommend a builder and then go and look at the work.

Local architect, he sorted everything out re building regs and application for planning permission, Then using his plans we got quotes from builders.

We found out builder on check a trade he was the highest rated.
Like us people who we knew who had building work done had problems.
Thankfully we had no bother

about to start the same so bookmarking blatantly for inspo

Get an architectural technician to come and do a survey and draw up existing and proposed plans. He can also do the planning application (if needed, he should know), and the building regulation drawings/application. The you can use these drawings to get costs from builders. I used a local fb group that I am a member of to get recommendations for the technician, then used a combination of recommendations from fb and the technician for builders. I'm in SW and my technician was less than £2K for the above.

@RPost they look good, I'm SW London

Didn't realise technicians were a thing, so will look into that.
Yes, pretty basic box at back & very common in area.
Everyone I know has ended up falling out with builder @MoserRothOrangeandAlmond so will have to go with unknown.
@ItsTrueLou It's daunting, I've renovated rooms but never had building work.
Thanks all, very helpful