Cost Benefit of Home Improvements

When homeowners are looking to undertake works on their properties they always ask how much it will cost. Just as important is how much value will it create.
Here is a quick summary as reported in the Financial Times July 16, 2011.

Loft Cost £30-50k Value £60-70k
New Bathroom Cost £3-5k Value £4-7k
New Garden Room Cost £10-20k Value £20-30k
New Kitchen Cost Cost £20-30k Value £25-30k
Kitchen Extension Cost £30-50k Value £75-100k
New Kitchen Cost £20-30k Value £25-30k

So the biggest winners are if you actually add space, ie the rear extension and loft, which seems to have a value of twice what you spend.
The surprise is the garden room. These can be achieved under permitted development, so you can just do it. These rooms become hobby rooms, play rooms or just storage to free your house from clutter. For any further advice on the above, call Gordon 02089546291 ge@yooparchitects.co.uk

Permitted Development iPhone App Coming Soon

First Look!

A new iphone is close to completion. The app will advise home owners on how to maximise the size of their home without the need of planning consent, and its legal! DesiHouse developed by YOOP Architects should be availible soon on the itune app store.

see the website

See our previous blog on permitted development

Build with out Planning Consent!: Permitted development

Achieving the best for your home, maximising space, minimising local authority intervention.

Permitted Development is your right as home owner.

Many builders advise client that planning permission is not required, and they are right. But it is important to ensure that the proposals fall within the rules. If not the local authority will take enforcement actionto make it compliant.

We would recommend that you apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness prior to construction. It does not seek permission but agreement that the proposals fall within the lawful rules of permitted development. This will safe guard the value on sale of the property.

For a great web site on permitted development click here http://www.permitteddevelopment.org/

For any questions on permitted development email Gordon, ge@yooparchitects.co.uk

Permitted Development FAQ - Is Your development really permitted?

As a homeowner the idea that you can extend your property without the formal pre-requisite of planning consent can sound very attractive, especially the thought of a glazed rear extension. This is called 'Permitted Development' and was revised and came into effect 1st October 2008.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315495577.html

However, ‘Permitted Development’ as clear as the guidelines may appear does not give you carte blanche to commence construction nor should it be treated as a means of sidestepping you local authority planning department.

From our recent experience with Permitted Development we present some typical questions and situations a home owner should be aware of before calling a builder.

Q: My neighbour says his builder told him that 'with Permitted Development Rights he doesn’t need planning permission for an extension', is this true?

A: Yes, under the rights for ‘Permitted Development’ (PD) you are allowed to build an extension without formal planning consent but you will need to get retrospective permission after construction is completed. This means making an application for a ‘Certificate of Lawful Development’. In this way it is your responsibility as the homeowner to ensure that the building works carried out meet the conditions of ‘PD’ and building regulations. Should the works not comply, you will be liable for any enforcement action by the council which means you will bear the cost of any remedial or demolition works to bring the works up to standard, not the builder.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115314762605.html

Q: Can I just copy my neighbour’s extension; my house is after all exactly the same?

A: It may not be that simple. Any extension you propose may fall over a sewer access point or storm drain in which case Thames Water would need to get involved and you may need to arrange a ‘Build-Over’ agreement. Any works that build on a party wall which is jointly owned by yourself and your neighbour would be subject to a party wall agreement; there would be fees attached to both of these.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/partywall

Points to consider.

- You still have an obligation to inform the council of any building works you planning or indeed have already built.

- Advice from a neighbour or builder may not always be reliable, neither of them are qualified to give professional advice nor are they liable for the cost of remedial or demolition works should things go awry.

- Always consult your local architect prior to approaching a builder and where possible engage an architect to make an application for a ‘Certificate of Lawful Development’ for you. This will cost but is the safest course of action for a homeowner looking to develop their property.

If you would like any further advice on Permitted Development, Party Wall Agreements please call Bash on 0208 954 6291 or 07961 319 721 or bk@yooparchitects.co.uk