David Sarsby Technical Services
A co-ordinated service for property extensions
Services and The Process
First Stage & Process
Usually clients contact me and describe the general project over the phone or by email. Emails are often easier as photos and sketches can be attached. I will then give an approximate budget cost for the plan or design work required and offer any necessary guidance. When the client is ready to proceed, a home or site visit is arranged and the extent of the work is discussed, taking notes, making sketches and taking photos.
With the work brief then understood and agreed a preliminary drawing will be provided showing floor plans and elevations in line form only. This drawing is then issued to the client to review and check and sometimes revise if necessary.
At this stage, it is sometimes beneficial to send this drawing to the relevant Local Authority to obtain their views.
When the client is happy with the preliminary drawing this is then taken to completion. The traditional way at this point was for me to run off prints for submission to the relevant LA bodies. This is largely superseded now by email and online submissions. Hard copy prints being supplied to you for obtaining building quotations and for your builder to work to.
House Plans
A current knowledge of Building Regulations is essential to ensure your project is designed and planned in a manner that complies with current legislation and can be constructed within budget. There is a standard format of information all Local Authorities require when applications are made. This requires scaled elevations of new and existing, floor plans, a site plan and a location plan. Building Control will need to see scaled, detailed sections through the new construction work demonstrating the construction details and compliance with all Building Regulation Approved Documents.
Not to be overlooked is the fact that your builder needs to work from these drawings so everything needs to be clear and defined. A construction specification is produced giving details of minimum insulation values, rafter sizes and window u-values for example.
Beam & Lintel Design
Steel or Timber Lintels are a necessary and integral part of many extensions. The trend towards open plan living is usually dependant on steel beams used to support load bearing walls above a ground floor space. I can produce calculations for steel and timber lintels. Where a more complex structure is required I can liaise with and co-ordinate Structural Engineers as necessary. My practical steelwork experience is also of benefit where access is difficult and a special solution is required.
Local Authority Liaison
I generally work with Local Authorities in Norfolk – mostly Broadland, North Norfolk, South Norfolk & Norwich City Councils
For any kind of house extension there will be a need for liaison with the relevant Local Authority. This can range from informal advice to full compliance with National Building Regulations and Planning Enforcement.
I can produce the information needed by the above bodies for you to deal with directly or I can take care of this for you by acting as your Agent keeping you informed of key process stages as they progress.
Timescale
For a typical project, a lead in time of 2 weeks should be allowed after contacting me. Following this, depending on the review period a further allowance of 3 to 4 weeks will be necessary to produce drawings, the specification and any calculations. Once the applications are made to the Local Authority, Planning permission will take around 8 weeks, with Building Regulations usually 3 to 4 weeks. Once planning permission is granted in most cases this will be valid for 3 years.
Cost
Every project is different and will need to be priced on individual characteristics. A budget estimate is provided at the initial contact and this will be reviewed after the first meeting. Often this can be a fixed cost at this point, but changes to the design or unforeseen complications will effect this cost. On occasions when it is clear at the outset that the extent of work will change as the project progresses - an hourly rate will be charged. Vat is not applicable to my costs.