1. Free on-site consultation with no-obligation quotation
Call Lee or send an enquiry. We will visit your home, talk through what you would like to achieve, look at the property and your rough budget, and explain how we can help. You will receive a quotation with no obligation to go ahead.
2. Measured survey
We visit your home to carry out a measured survey, recording the layout, dimensions, heights and the relationship to neighbours. This becomes the accurate base for every drawing that follows. See our page on measured site surveys.
3. Design development
We prepare proposed plans and elevations, discuss them with you and refine the design until you are happy. At this stage we also check the planning position: permitted development, prior approval or a full application. Where it helps, we can add 3D visuals and rendered elevations so you can see the result.
House extension plans
- Single storey rear extensions, including open plan kitchen and family rooms
- Side return and infill extensions on terraced and semi-detached houses
- Wraparound extensions combining a side and rear addition
4. Planning
If permission is needed, we prepare and submit the application and deal with the council on your behalf. Householder applications have an eight week target from validation. If the project is permitted development, we can apply for a lawful development certificate. Our guide to how long planning permission takes explains each stage.
5. Building regulations drawings
Once the design is fixed, we produce detailed technical drawings and coordinate structural calculations. These are submitted to building control and used by builders to price the work.
6. Tendering and construction
With a full set of drawings, you can obtain comparable quotes from builders. During construction, building control inspects the work at key stages, and we remain available to answer questions about the drawings.
Making decisions at the right time
The cheapest time to change a design is on paper. Decisions about layout, glazing, roof form and the position of the kitchen are easy to revise during design development, harder once an application is submitted and expensive once building has started. We encourage clients to take their time at stage three, to live with the drawings for a while and to ask questions. Many of our clients say that ideas suggested during this stage became their favourite part of the finished home.
Who does what
We look after the design, the planning or certificate submission, the building regulations drawings and the coordination of structural calculations. Building control, either at the council or an approved inspector, checks the work on site. Your builder carries out the construction. You remain in control of the decisions throughout, and we are on hand to explain anything in the drawings.
Other things to consider
- Party wall notices if you are building on or near a shared boundary
- Build over agreements if you are building near public sewers
- Restrictive covenants on some estates
- Nitrate neutrality for new dwellings in south Hampshire
What it costs
Every project is different, so we provide a quotation after the first visit. Our guide to what affects the cost of extension plans explains the factors involved.
Keeping the project on track
The projects that run most smoothly tend to share a few habits. The brief is clear from the start, decisions are made during design rather than on site, and the full set of building regulations drawings and structural calculations is complete before builders are asked to price. Clients who keep a simple list of questions and send it to us in one go find the design stage quicker and less stressful.
It also helps to think about practical matters early: where you will live during the build, how long the kitchen will be out of action and whether neighbours need party wall notices. None of these affect the drawings directly, but they affect how the project feels for you and your family.
Ready to start?
If you are thinking about an extension or loft conversion, the first step is simply a conversation. Contact us to arrange a visit and we will talk you through how the process would work for your home.
This guide is general information only and does not replace advice on your specific property. Rules can change, so always check the current position before starting work.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on the project and the planning route. We will give you a realistic picture after the first visit.
Is the first visit really free?
Yes. The first step is a free on-site consultation with no-obligation quotation.
Can I make changes once the design is drawn?
Yes. Design development is the time to refine things, and changes are easiest before an application is submitted.
Do I need to find a builder before the drawings are done?
No. Most clients obtain quotes once the building regulations drawings are complete, so builders can price the same package.
Will you deal with the council for me?
Yes. We prepare and submit the planning application or certificate and liaise with the council on your behalf.