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This is probably the least understood but most important aspect of any self-build project or housing development because if this part isn't done correctly it can have huge repercussions on your proposals; both financially and/or physically. "Only Fools Rush In; Where Angels Fear To Tread!" Of course many problems can be dealt as they arise; if you are 'happy' to risk wasting your money trying to mitigate or rectify such things; however we believe in a more intelligent approach to building houses whereby we use our own professional and practical building experience to create a holistic approach to the design and construction of projects and housing developments thereby minimising the effect of potential problems before they arise! Planning Considerations Planning is only concerned with how your proposals affect the land and it's surroundings; i.e. it's all about the land's usage, the scale (size) of what you propose building, the aesthetics (appearance) and the siting (positioning) of the proposed house(s).
Similarly; the chosen site will impact upon those same considerations through its orientation, topography, size and physical location; it will also directly impact upon the potential construction costs, 'open-market' value of the finished house(s), etc.
It is also very important to realise that; despite the natural sense of relief; when planning permission is granted and/or exists ~ it doesn't guarantee that you will ever actually be allowed to build what has been approved!
Potentially Serious Problems ~ That You Can See! Providing there isn't a problem over the proposed usage of the land for residential purposes; taking full account of the orientation, topography, size and surroundings of the site; so as to maximise its advantages and minimise any disadvantages; will greatly enhance the likelihood of getting the desired full planning permission and maximising the financial viability of your project or development.
Then There's The Ground Itself! The nature of what is beneath the surface of the ground won't normally affect planning; but it will impact upon construction costs! Unfortunately; the usual 'industry' response is to literally keep pouring the client's money into the ground until it becomes possible to continue with the rest of the construction as 'normal'!
FACT: Whether you spend £1,000 or £100,000 on the foundations ~ it won't increase the value of the finished property by even 1p! And Plenty Of Problems You Probably Won't See ~ Until It's Too Late! Of course; what lies beneath the surface of the ground may not simply be a 'poor' substrata and/or a very high water-table. It could be a 'filled-in' former village pond, quarry pit, etc. It could be the remains of old mine-workings; e.g. old ventilation shafts that haven't been properly 'capped'; or simply the risk of subsidence where the old 'workings' were at a relatively shallow depth. Sewers, etc. sometimes 'turn-up' in the most unexpected places; especially when the manholes are 'blind'; i.e. buried chambers; with no access cover showing at ground level! Nor does having an existing detailed planning permission guarantee that you can actually build what has been approved ~ one client came to us having already bought a plot with full 'DPP'. Instead of simply preparing the Building Regulations application; we had to totally re-design his project and submit a new planning application after we discovered that there was a medium-pressure gas distribution main buried under the road-side verge; i.e. outside the plot; but considerably less than the statutory ten metres (minimum) distance required from the front wall of the original proposed house! Beware The Expensive Statutory Obligations 'Attached' To Land Ownership! Equally important is to know, or find out, what the site has been used for in the past; it isn't just the most recent usage that matters either ~ it is surprising how many former 'uses' can create a risk of 'contamination' that was probably never realised, never mind dealt with. Despite lying 'dormant' for decades it will still be potent and it will become your statutory responsibility to deal with it once you acquire the land! Similarly; any existing buildings on the site could pose problems if there is any asbestos whatsoever in them because there is a statutory duty to employ a specialist licensed contractor to deal with its safe removal. There are also similar (expensive) restrictions upon how and where you can dispose of any of the contaminated spoil, asbestos waste, etc. The Biggest Risk? The biggest risk is to assume that none of these possible problems exists ~ most of the time they won't ~ but when they do; they could potentially 'bankrupt' your project and/or development ~ as could choosing to rely upon people who don't know how to find and deal with such problems and risks for you!
When the job is done properly and comprehensively; it will always be money well spent; if only for the peace of mind it gives you to know that either there isn't a problem or, conversely, that any prospective or potential problems have been successfully dealt with! FACT: We have been successfully doing such things for ourselves and our clients for the last 40 years. ____________________________ THE NEXT STEP? If you haven't yet gone beyond finding a suitable parcel or plot of land or making the fundamental planning decisions for your project or housing development; or you want advice before moving things forward onto the next stage; we are very happy to discuss your proposals with you. Simply post or e-mail copies to us of any 'background information'; such as 'sale particulars', 'sketched out' ideas, formal plans, existing 'DPP' drawings, etc. that you have (together with your contact details), so we can discuss specifically relevant matters with you; rather than wasting your time, and ours, discussing abstract 'generalities' with you! ____________________________
Our Guiding Philosophy ~To appreciate what our clients want and to provide an unique response that will create great 'added value' for them.
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