It is believed that some of the worst energy efficient homes in the UK can emit over 22 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide a year. This is detrimental to our environment now and for generations to come. Over time the impact that these dwellings have will be catastrophic. This alone is enough to want to make improvements but in addition you will find that your monthly costs will go down. If you were to rent out a property or sell a property the energy efficiency of the build can be what makes or breaks a deal. The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) will display your rating to any potential clients so you will need to be aware of this.

At Paul and Page we work with high end materials and each material is designed for it’s specific use. We are able to distinguish what products are potentially best for your build and also for your lifestyle. The designs that we use are a collaboration but ultimately we work with your specifications. We are here to offer expert advice and show you what is achievable.

Let us take over the troubles and worries that come with any project. We realise that you need to continue with your lives as much as possible while any work is being completed but what is considered a short term disruption can become a long term gain.

Always ensure you’re getting the best costs for what will be a considerable expense, be realistic about your plans and how much you can afford to spend. Look at similar projects/houses and compare the value of the extended property in a similar area in comparison to your house value as it currently is.

We can come up with a plan to ensure that you get the most out of your budget but remember to have a contingency in case of unexpected costs along the way.

This is a basic guide of what’s allowed, for a full criteria go to www.planningportal.co.uk.
Did you know you can start work without making a planning application or paying a fee if your project fits under PD rights? You won’t need to go through the hassle of getting planning permission for your extensions as long as:

– Extensions and other buildings are not greater than 50% of the total land area surrounding the original house. (As built or as it stood on 1st July 1948).

– Extensions cannot be built forward of the main elevation or side elevation where it fronts the highway.

– The maximum height for a single storey rear extension must be no more than 4 metres. Additions within 2m of the boundary should have a maximum eaves height of no more than 3m.

– For terraces and semis, single storey rear extensions must be no more than 3m deep, 4m for detached houses. (subject to a previous approval procedure the limits are currently doubled to 6m and 8m)

– Side extensions must be no greater than half the width of the original building and no higher than 4m and must be single storey.

– External Materials used must be similar in appearance to the original house (this doesn’t include a conservatory).

– A multi-storey extension can’t extend beyond 3m of the rear of the existing house or be within 7m of a rear boundary.

– Multi-storey extensions should have maximum eaves and ridge height no taller than the current house and should have a matching roof pitch.

– If windows are to be added to the upper floors of the side elevation they must be obscure – glazed and non-opening (the openable part must be at least 1.7m above floor level).

You will have to allocate someone to be a project manager for your project to ensure everything’s running smoothly in terms of quality and timing. Some people consider taking on the role of being project manager to manage what’s happening on site at all times but bear in mind this can add unnecessary stress to your everyday life. An alternative to this would be staying near the site, so you can keep an eye on how things are going.

Planning permission for your single storey extension is the first thing you need to think about when planning. Ensure you have gone through your plans thoroughly with your local authorities as you may be able to make use of permitted development (PD) rights for your extension meaning there is no need to submit a planning application.

This type of extension can make peace with planning officers that don’t want to ruin the integrity of the building’s original architecture. Similar to a single storey extension some glazed extensions will be covered by the PD rights.

Due to building regs not being as strict previously, conservatories were being built to a poor standard, therefore gaining a bad reputation for temperature extremes. However, the glass making industry has spent decades trying to solve the heat/light dilemma which now produce high quality results suitable to build conservatories with. Unlike before when people couldn’t make good use of the room due to it being too hot/cold, homeowners can now create open-plan spaces with their conservatories.

There are many ways in which you can add valuable new living space to your home without taking up any space in your garden. Whether you will need to invest in a dormer, mansard, hip-to-gable or rooflights completely depends on a number of factors that you will need to consider before planning. Something you need to consider before planning is how much space you have; do you really need a habitable space or would a storage zone benefit you and your family more. Here are some ways you can make your loft space a habitable space.

Dormer (gable) or gable (flat roof)
Dormer conversions are a popular, more affordable option for smaller lofts to increase the volume of the roof space while providing full head height. Adding a dormer extension is also an effective way of bringing natural daylight into the loft conversion. There are different types of dormer conversions, the most popular and cheapest being a simple flat roof dormer. A flat roof dormer is the most cost effective as it offers the largest amount of additional space inside. A gable fronted dormer is a more attractive option which is an alternative to a simple flat roof which features three sloping planes of a hipped roof as pictured on the top right. Inserting the dormer to the rear of the property can be built under PD rights but full planning permission will be needed if you wish to add them at the front or side of the elevation.

Rooflight
Rooflights are the simplest and most cost-effective way to add more living space in your house, just by converting the existing loft space. Installing rooflights can make your loft more habitable especially if there’s a clear attic void and there’s enough headroom. All the core changes are internal and changes to the roof are minor so planning permission is not required.

Velux Roof Terraces
Velux roof terraces and balconies bring in twice the amount of daylight as regular windows, making your extension feel brighter and bigger at the same time. Velux roof terraces make good use of outdoor space, if you have a sloped roof this could be a good alternative to building a dormer or a mansard, creating an extra outdoor space you can enjoy. This type of extension may require planning permission as the balcony may overlook your neighbours causing an issue for privacy.

Mansard
A mansard is built out from the slope of the roof angled around 70 degrees with smaller dormer windows to gain natural light that span the entire width of the house. A mansard is best for lofts with little or no headroom as it creates sufficient volume for an additional storey. The amount of volume added to the property when adding a mansard will definitely need full planning consent.

Hip-to-gable
A hip to gable conversion involves rebuilding your property’s roof slope to form an upright gable wall. The roof is extended over the gables therefore adding extra space with full headroom. Rear dormers can be added to maximise space in the loft conversion, creating and bringing in natural daylight. This project doesn’t require planning consent usually unless you can’t maintain the existing roof plane so it can be built under permitted development, although it will often exceed the volume limits.