Explain extension next-steps and tips to a first timer (pictures)

[Vanilla]

Hi all,

So i'm extending into my loft and also extending my kitchen in line with a neighbour (we have to do it together otherwise we'd block light from each other). In addition i'm going to pretty much renovate the whole place.

Here are the plans:

First my loft extension:



Then the kitchen Extension - my kitchen is more than doubling in size. You can see the old kitchen in the picture above. This shows the place BEFORE the above loft works. I.e where the stairs are now



Th neighbours extension (making a walk in robe)



The problem I have is that my architect is an old fella and has fallen ill. Most of his work is done but i've nowhere to turn for advice on the next bits. Let me explain what I have so far:

1.) Approved planning permission for all three projects (Loft, kitchen for me, and kitchen for neighbour).
2.) Architect submitted building regulation for the loft. Money was taken early December from the council but not seen anything since. I think I had a letter saying approved, or saw it on the planning website but can't see this now or find the letter.

So now it's all approved I have a few questions:

1.) The above plans are all I have, no real measurements although saying that extending the kitchen to the edge and the loft to the edge doesn't require quite that level of detail.
2.) I want to make a list of requirements for the extension covering things such as:

- Sound deadening
- Renovation info such as spotlights, sonos, wood flooring
- All the other million things that are needed

Anyone have any example proposals which they have handed to builders for them to price up against?

3.) Is it worth replacing the roof tiles? I think they were last replaced in the 70's but people say they should be good for 50+ odd years but i'm tempted to just do it given the work going on.
4.) Is it worth going to separate companies for the building and renovations based on specialisms or just find one that does both?
5.) Do I need anything else to begin building?

 

[DB_SamX]

First thing is really to bottom out whether you have it approved or not; I find it surprising that you don't seem to know! Planning, despite being approved, could have conditions imposed on you, that you will have to implement. Just ask the council again.

My honest opition is if you don't want to wait for your architect, cut your losses and get another one on board to take it from planning to construction. If you don't know much about construction, he's your first source of advice. It happens quite often actually. Whether you need to recoup costs from the existing one if you've paid upfront etc or for a "up to construction" scope of works is up to the arrangement you have at the moment.

Have you had any engineers do the structural design and submit calcs to Building Control yet?

I would sort all the above out first before proceeding.

You only need one contractor for both building and renovation. I don't see many advantages of having two, unless you want to avoid risk, in which case, tell the contractor to only do building work first, and if you are happy, you will extend their contract to renovation.

What's the arrangement with your neighbour? Same contractor doing the work, at the same time?

Again, without knowking all the details, an alternative is to get a contractor who can do a "design and build" and will take full responsibility from completing the design to building it.

 

[Vanilla]

It's all approved, it just has the usual conditions such as 'must match existing tiles, etc'.

It's the building regs i'm not sure about.

I'll look into the structural design - my architect is actual both a structural engineer and architect which is why is he was so good. Shame old age seems to have suddenly hit him bad..