Thinking of extending or remodelling? Read this first!

Making the most of your home is the sensible option in 2008 with a struggling housing market and rising prices to contend with. Extending or remodelling your home can give you the extra space you need but before you start, read the article below. The organisers of The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on at ExCeL London from 19 to 21 September, have come up with some great pointers that may save you time and money.

If you need to know more, then help is at hand. Local authority building control and planning experts will be at The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show on the Planning Portal stand (1037) to give advice and help with plans and ideas. Free 20-minute sessions worth £150 are available and they can be pre-booked online. Log onto Planningportal.gov.uk/expert. You can also visit the Ask the Architects Zone at The Show for a free one-to-one consultation - do bring along your plans!

1. Permitted Development is Not Always Straightforward

Permitted development rights allow you to add to a building without needing planning permission, eg if your home has never been extended you could add 15% to the volume of the house without needing permission. However, other restrictions could apply and in some cases your local authority could have removed your permitted development rights so its always worth giving them a call to check. Visit www.planningportal.gov.uk for more information and take advantage of their online volume calculator.

2. Know the Building Regulations

Even if you don't need planning permission, you may need building regulations approval. These set out minimum requirements for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, damp proofing, ventilation and other key aspects that ensure a building is safe. If you are converting your loft, moving a bath or WC, installing a green heating system, a flue or altering window openings, you will need to apply for approval.

3. You Can Start Within 48 Hours of Notifying Building Control

If you are in a hurry to start work, you can commence immediately after giving the local authority building control depar­­tment 48 hours' notice together with a plan and the fee. But be careful as the work will be inspected on site for compliance and only use this option if the work is simple and you trust your builder!

4. The ‘Right to Light' Exists in Law

Your neighbour could try to prevent you from extending by claiming a legal ‘right to light' to their windows. How­ever, don't panic. This right only covers what is reasonably required for the use of the building. Whether you can obstruct a window, view or sunlight is for the planners to decide. This right is most relevant in city centres where buildings are very close together - in such cases a specialist lawyer may be worth consulting.

5. Have You Really Thought Through Your Loft Conversion?

To comply with Building Regulations to get an extra bedroom in the roof space, the floor may need strengthening and the roof will need at least 150mm of insulation and most likely a 50mm clear air gap. Bringing the loft space up to habitable requirements can lower the potential ceiling height and raise the floor level which reduces the usable space. And don't forget that accessing a habitable loft conversion requires a permanent staircase and this will need landing space. Make sure you have enough usable space to justify the expense before you start.

6. There are Different Rules for Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings

Each local authority has its own policy for Conservation Areas but the aim is to prevent loss of character so you may be restricted on what you can achieve. If your home is listed you may not need planning permission for an extension but you will always need listed building consent. It is a criminal offence to alter a listed building, inside or out without this consent. You will also need to work very closely with your local authority conser­vation officer.

7. Know the Party Wall Act

If your extension involves building or digging foundations within 3m of the boundary, party wall or party wall struc­ture, or if you are digging foun­dations within 6m of a boundary, the work will require you to comply with the Party Wall Act. This is a legal requirement and not a planning or building control matter. You will need to issue a notice to your neighbours and you may need a surveyor to act on your behalf. Download a free information book which includes sample letters from communities.gov.uk.

8. Beware of Removing Trees

It is a criminal offence to cut down a tree which is protected by a Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). Even if an extension doesn't require planning permission, you cannot alter or even prune a tree that has a TPO on it without permission. All trees within a Conservation Area are protected by legislation.

9. Do Your Homework!

Do your research before you start to avoid any horrible surprises. Contact your local planning office or visit the Government website planningportal.gov.uk/buildingwork. Visit The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show at ExCeL London from 19 to 21 September and meet local authority planning experts on the Planning Portal stand (1037) as well as architects in the Ask the Architects Zone. The Show also features over 200 exhibitors and 72 free seminar and masterclass sessions over the four days.

Tickets are £8 in advance or £12 on the door (children under 16 go free). For more information visit Homebuildingshow.co.uk.