FAQ

Discover the answer to our most common questions.

How do I know if I need planning permission?

Some alterations to family homes can be carried out as permitted developments without the need for planning permission, although the exact details of what is allowed varies depending things such as house type and previous developments.

A good source of information is the planning portal, which has details of common projects and interactive guides. An even easier way to discover if you need planning permission is to contact us and we’ll be only too pleased to provide advice!

What happens if I use you to produce my plans?

Put simply we’ll arrange a time to visit you to survey the site, produce the plans, then once you’ve approved them we’ll submit the application on your behalf.

How much are your fees?

Our fees are based on the requirements of each individual project but you can see the typical prices on our services & fees page.

Before we start work we will provide a written quotation for you to agree so you know exactly how much our services will cost you.

What is included in your fee?

An on site survey, preparation and submission of your application, liaison with your local authority, professional CAD drawings for you to keep are all included in our fee. The only additional costs are the fee charged by your local authority.

Is anything not included in the fee?

For planning appplications, normally the only additional cost is the fee charged by your local authority. If you need building regulation drawings there is an additional charge for structural calculations by a qualified engineer.

Occassionally the council may also need reports such as a tree or bat surveys, and we can help you source these if needed.

When do I pay, and how?

Part payment is required once we have completed the survey of your home, with the balance due on completion of your drawings prior to us submitting them to your local authority. You have the choice to pay by a variety of methods – bank transfer, cheque, debit card, or credit card.

How long does the process take?

For most projects the plans would be completed within 2 to 3 weeks from the initial consultations. Once you have approved the plans we can submit them on your behalf to you local authority planning department. It would then take about 8 weeks for the decision to be made.

What if there are objections?

We recommend that before approving the plans you share them with you neighbours. Involving your neighbours from an early stage reduces the chances that they object to your plans, and gives you chance to make small amendments to satisfy any concerns.

If objections are at the application stage then we are happy to work with your neighbours on your behalf to hopefully resolve the issue.

What if my application is rejected?

If your application is not approved by the planners then using the feedback they provide we will work with you to try to find a suitable solution. One re-submission is included in the local authority application fee, and for minor amendments we would not normally charge a fee.

What areas do you cover?

We work across London and the south east of England so if you live in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, or London we’d love to help.

If you live a little further afield chances are we can still help but the charges may be a little higher – why not get in touch and discuss your requirements?

What next?

If you’d like to know more about our services and how we can help then get in touch either by using our contact form, or call 01932 362810.

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