Q&As

I’m looking into buying a plot with detailed planning permission that includes knocking down a dilapidated dormer bungalow. This will make way for a two-storey home in its place. How much should I budget for demolition?

I want to install new doors inside my home. Can you give me any tips on how to hang them properly?

We’re in the middle of building our new house and have just been told by the council’s enforcement officer that the property is not being built according to the permitted plans. We’ve made some changes to the roof, which our builder said would be fine with the council, but a neighbour has complained. The enforcement […]

We have planning permission to build a new house in our garden, but part of it is subject to a restrictive covenant. Our neighbours, who have the benefit of the covenant, want an excessive price to remove it. What can we do?

I have full planning permission for a side extension that’s due to run out. At present, I’m not in a position to carry out any work. If I lay the foundations, does that constitute a start on the planning permission, meaning I won’t need to re-apply?

Our new timber frame build has a brick skin, which we have laid with a ready mixed mortar. Unfortunately the mortar has left white marks on the bricks, which we would like to remove. What remedy would you suggest? My bricklayer has proposed brick acid, but is this a dangerous option? Do you think it […]

I’ve bought a 0.7 acre plot with planning permission. It has a 30° gradient across the central divide. I have looked for details of a single story house that fits into a cut out level on such a slope, but haven’t found anything I like. Do you have any ideas?

We want to build a traditional English country style property. Are there any parts of the country where the planners won’t allow this?