Q&As

We have two quotations for our new 167m² (1,800ft²) house. The lower one is £240,000 but the other is much higher. What’s reasonable?

I am paying my architect a percentage fee of the value of the work in what I believe is the normal way but I also need the services of a structural engineer for some calculations for loadbearing items. What sort of payment arrangements should I make for him?

We are planning to convert our attic into a bedroom and shower room and the approximate estimates we have received so far are affordable. What would it cost to include a couple of dormer windows in the scheme?

We are undecided on whether to build a bungalow or a house. Which one provides better value?

We have had endless planning problems with our build, particularly with regard to some rear windows overlooking one ground floor window of a neighbour’s house. Our site is already in an elevated position. On our original plans it quite clearly stated that the ground level at the rear of our property was to be regraded […]

We have bought a bungalow next door to our house. It is on a large plot just outside the conservation area, and we want to build two further houses on the plot. What details will we need to provide to the council in order to get outline planning permission? Will it need a full set […]

I have a potential building plot adjacent to a crossroads. One of the roads is a B road with a 30mph speed limit and this is the road where I would need to site my driveway access. Are there specific planning guidelines stating that my driveway would need to be a minimum number of metres […]

I have seen a plot of land with an old barn and cottage attached to it. The barn has no roof and is in a bad state of repair while the cottage has just a few walls left. I know who owns the plot and would like to find out if the council would have […]