Hughes Architectural

( a trading name of Hughes Surveying Ltd)

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FAQ

What is included in your Fees?
Our quoted initial fee w
ill include all drawings for Planning and Building Regulation approvals, the completion of all relevant forms, all correspondence such as letters and telephone calls to the local authority, an Ordnance Survey map of the location of the development, and any revisions required by the local authority.

Do your fees include Local Authority Fees?
 Local authority planning and building regulation fees ar
e not included within our fees. These fees are paid directly by you at the time of you application. We will advise you of the appropriate Local Authority fees. Generally, planning fees are currently £159 for a house extension or similar small works. Building Regulation fees vary depending on the nature and size of the building works.

 

Do your fees include structual engineers fees?
No!  If Structural Engineer Calculations are required by the local authority an additional fee will be incurred. This would also apply in the case of any other specialist reports being required (ie Radon gas reports, Geological /Mining reports etc) . Fees will vary depending on the details required.

How long does planning approval take?
The Local Authority usually make a decision on a Planning Application within 8 weeks if the application is submitted correctly and there are no complications.

 

How long does Building Regulation approval take?
 Building Regulations approval takes approximately six weeks for a 'full' application, or around 10 days for a simplified 'Building Notice'. A building notice application is usually used for residential domestic type work and is a very much simpler process allowing a speedier start on site.

 
How long does it take for you to produce the drawings?
Following our intial site survey the inital draft drawings can be ready in around 10 days unless the scheme is rather large or complex. Once you have approved the drawings we will submit them to your Local Authority for approval.

 

When do we pay your architectural fees?
We require a fee of 25% at the time of inital survey with the balance payable when all drawings etc are ready for submission to the local authority.

 

What is the difference between Planning and Building Regulation Permissions?

Planning drawings will include existing and proposed plans and elevations so as to illustrate the general impact on the surrounding area and affect on neighbours. The Planning Officers will need to ensure that the proposal complies with local planning policy.

Building Regulation drawings usually contain more detail and will include a specification of works and construction details, which must satisfy the 'building regulations'.

 

How do I know if I require planning permission?
Every home owner is entitled to make some minor changes to their property without the need to apply for Planning Permission, but this is usually resticted to very small works.
Most building projects require permission. You will need to apply for Planning Permission to extend your property if:
the volume of the house would increase by more than 10% or 50m3 (whichever is greater) for terraced properties.
the volume of the house would increase by more than 15% or 70m3 (whichever is greater) for any other house type
or if you live in a conservation area, National park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or if the extension is closer to any highway than any part of the original house (a footpath is also classed as a highway) or the extension is higher then the roof of the original house or is over 4m high (pitched roof) or 3m high (flat roof)  or you are using over half of your external garden space or the building is a Listed Building.
These are only general rules for when you will need to apply for Planning Permission, and each project is assessed  individually. We would always advise seeking written confirmation that your project does not require Planning Permission from the local authority. Have a quick look at our 'interactive house' (listed opposite under booklets & Guides) for more ueful information)

 

    A Hughes.,MRICS.,MCIOB.,MBEng.
     Chartered Building Surveyer,     Chartered Builder, Building Engineer

  

How do I know if I need Building Regulations Approval?
The Building Regulations ensure that building work
complies with current safe building practices and good workmanship. The standards cover such things as the structure, fire safety, drainage, energy conservation and disabled access within buildings. The following information is a brief outline of the type of work that would require approval under the Building Regulations Act


The erection or extension of any building.
Loft conversions.
The installation or extension of a service or fittings such as washing and sanitary facilities, hot water cylinders, foul or rainwater drainage, replacement windows and fuel burning appliances of any type.Some work is exempt under the Building Regulations Act and would include the following:

A porch or conservatory built at ground level and under

30sqm in floor area is exempt providing that the glazing complies with the safety glazing requirements of Part N

of the Regulations.
A carport extension, open on at least two sides and under

30sqm in floor area.
A single storey detached garage under 30sqm in floor area,
providing that it does not contain any sleeping

accommodation, and is built of substantially non combustible material and is no less than 1m from the site boundary.
A Summer House, Shed or Greenhouse.
If in doubt you should contact your local Building Control

Department for advice before any work is undertaken on

your property

A local authority building inspector from the Building Control
Department will inspect the works at various stages during construction. Inspections are generally carried out to the foundations, drainage, roof insulation, ventilation and certain structural elements.

When the job is complete you will receive a certificate to

confirm that the works were finished to the satisfaction of

Building Control.


 

We would like the work to be properly organised &

supervised. Do you provide a Project Management

service? 

Yes -after you have obtained the various approvals in respect

of planning and building regulation, we can also organise the

 whole build process and  supervise your project through to

completion if you so wish. This service usually includes the

preparation of a building specification, budget costing,

preparation of tender documentation,

 advice on suitable contractors, invite tenders, prepare a

 contract, prepare valuations as the work proceeds and ensure

 that the work is carried out to a high standard.

 

What are your Project Management fees?

Our project management fees usually work out at around

12% to 15% of your building costs,inclusive of the fees already paid in respect of planning & building regulation submissions.

Exact fees will depend on the nature, complexity and size

of the project.  

 

    
     (BOOKLETS & GUIDES)
 
     PLANNING:        INTERACTIVE HOUSE  (New)
      Have a look at our interactive house which gives a
      brief guide for housholders looking to improve or
      extend their house 
                                                          download... 


     BUILDING REGULATIONS EXPLANATORY BOOKLET
      This booklet provides an introduction to the Building
      Regulations in England and Wales and is intended for
      anyone proposing to carry out building projects. It is
      not a statement of the law but is intended to help  
      youto understand the system. 
                                                           download... 

       THE PARTY WALL ETC ACT 1996
      This booklet has been produced to explain in simple
      terms how the Party Wall etc Act 1996 ("the Act")
      may affect someone who either wishes to carry out
      work covered by the Act (the "Building Owner"), or
      receives notification under the Act of proposed
      adjacent work (the "Adjoining Owner").
                                                           download...