Hi Julie,

We'd suggest obtaining a survey of the property so that you have accurate plans, elevations and sections. This will help with creating an initial design layout that addresses your vision for your project, as well as being necessary for submitting planning applications and building regulation drawings.

The property may have design constraints in terms of the area it sits within, such as being in a green belt or rural settlement boundary. Implications such as these can be confirmed by your planning authority within your local council.

Thank you :)

I'm just a little confused about who I actually need to ask first, a builder, an architect, a surveyor, the council?

Do you know if this is 'permitted development' or would we need planning permission?

Thanks, Julie

Julie, Go see the loft company first, many of them have FAQ's on their websites that will advise many of the questions your looking at.

But you need to know if your doing the loft or not before you plan your heating as this will affect the system you should use and will of course depend on structural requirements of the property.

your loft will overlook your neighbours so planning may well be required.

if you get a very competent builder they should have structural engineers on site and can run any planning permission needed and liase with the council for you (but do get involved). For this type of project a good builder and a loft company (sometimes 1 in the same) should be able to keep you to regs and safety standards.

I would go to the loft company, ask them if they can handle the whole project and if they can :

• recommend an architect
• handle all structural requirements
• liaising with the council.

If not you then need to go find the others (architects. structural engineers). local recommendation are always your safest route.

best regards

Ben Barnard

I love the plan you've drawn Jonathan, it's given me a different perspective already, although.., the garage won't be there, it will be a drive through to a big triple built garage down the garden behind a larger hedge so hidden, but I'm going to need to incorporate my utility items into my kitchen if i go down the route you've shown

Drsnaut,

thank you! So the current garage (under the roof) we'd like to utilise within the living space, but the other garage is already just a drive through, with doors either end, I guess the previous owners needed access to the paddock with a large machine... and that side access is the only way in. So I can't imagine we'd have an issue losing it, but if he can't lose that we'd improve it, the roof is rubbish, Perspex and leaks... and the doors are industrial looking

Is it easier to get planning if you only have velux windows in the roof, no dormers? And am in right in saying you don't need planning if it's less that 50 sqM? Although looking at the probably upstairs plan it's probably a bit over that.

Thank you :)

Awesome plans Jonathan! So good to see a vision for upstairs... love it. In your opinion do you think it's totally necessary to have a utility or laundry room? I think the idea near the downstairs bathroom seems like the best plan.

I see see you put two bathrooms upstairs, is that what you think is needed? I think you are right as the master bedroom needs an ensuite but then the other upstairs bedroom wouldn't have a bathroom to use. I'm super excited to see these plans!