Do I need planning permission for a rear extension or a loft conversion?
Many rear extensions and most loft conversions fall under permitted development, so full planning permission is not always needed. It depends on your property type, its location, and the size of the work. We check this for you at the start and handle the application if one is required.
How long does a typical extension or loft conversion take to build?
A single-storey rear extension usually takes eight to twelve weeks on site. A loft conversion is often six to ten weeks. Timescales shift with weather, material deliveries and any structural surprises found once work begins. We give you a programme before the build starts.
What will my project cost, and how do you handle payments?
We price each job from the drawings and a site visit, then set out a written breakdown of labour, materials and any provisional sums. Payments follow agreed stages of the work rather than one large sum up front. You see what each stage covers before you commit to it.
Will you manage building regulations approval and structural calculations?
Yes. We arrange the building regulations application and bring in a structural engineer where steel beams or load-bearing changes are involved. Inspections are booked at the right stages so the work is signed off without holding up the trades on site.
Can we stay in the house while the extension or loft is built?
In most cases, yes. A loft conversion leaves the main living space largely untouched. For an extension, we agree a dust barrier, keep a working kitchen and bathroom available where possible, and tell you in advance which days will be noisiest or need the water off.
Do you provide a guarantee on the work, and are you insured?
We hold public liability and employer's insurance, and can send certificates on request. Our workmanship is guaranteed for an agreed period after completion, and manufacturer warranties cover the materials we fit. The exact terms are written into your contract.
