Many smaller works to a house are classed as permitted development, an implied Permitted Development consent introduced to avoid overloading the system with planning applications. PD rights are limited especially if many improvements to your home have already been made, or if you live in a designated area or in a listed building. To confirm a proposal is permitted development not requiring planning permission, a lawful certificate application can be submitted. The following house improvements are likely permitted development subject to certain limitations: - Internal alterations - Insertion of windows/doors/rooflights - Garage/basement/loft conversions - Single/double story rear extensions or single-story side extensions - utbuildings - orches - Gates, walls and fences - Decking - Swimming pools - ropped kerbs or hardstanding - Changing external wall or roofing finishes - Solar panels - Change of use to residential from certain other use classes

If you have failed to get the relevant consent for your project, then it is unlawful, and the local authority can take action to have the work altered or demolished. A retrospective planning application can be made to rectify the situation and appealed if refused. The time limits for enforcement action are: four years for operational development breaches (building/engineering/mining or other operations) or the change of use of a building to use as a single dwellinghouse; and ten years for all other breaches (including unauthorised uses and the contravention of planning conditions). It is a criminal offence to alter a listed building without prior permission which could lead to prosecution and fines.

Minor changes to the design after planning permission is granted can be made using a non-material amendment application. More significant changes will require a fresh planning application, though this may be fee exempt (excluding lawful certificate applications) if made within 12 months and the development description or character is unchanged.

Planning permission is the consent of your local authority on a proposed building project and is in place to deter inappropriate developmentmeans. In order to control development, any new building or extensive changes to a existing building normally requires planning permission. Both National and local authority planning policy are the basis on which a decision togrant planning permission is made.

In England currently the application fees are £462 for the creation of a new house or flat, £206 for works to an existing house or flat, or £103 for proposed works to an existing house within permitted development rights.

Non-major planning or lawful certificate applications must be determined by a local authority within eight weeks of the registration date. Part of this time is used for a 21 day public consultation process involving the posting of a sign outside the application address and writing to affected neighbours inviting comments. Statutory consultations to other government departments must also be made where relevant. Lawful certificate applications generally do not involve consultation unless prior approval is required for some more major proposals.

Usually an application includes but not limted to: - a standard application form with signed ownership certificate - a location plan - a site plan - plans/elevations of existing and proposed - an application fee Sometimes further documentation such as a design and access statement or specialist reports will be required.

Usually planning permission will expire unless a material start is made on the works within three years from the decision date.

On average three in four planning applications in England are granted permission. If an application is rejected, resubmission of a revised proposal or an appeal to the planning inspectorate are two options available. Two in five refused householder applications are allowed on appeal.

Planning permission is normally required for the creation of a new house or flat, either through new build or subdividing an existing home. The process may be required for larger extensions/outbuildings, for works in designated areas, or for works involving listed buildings. Generally any improvements not classed as permitted development require planning permission.

The following material considerations are the typical basis on which a local authority will make its decision: - Loss of privacy/light - Parking provision - Highway safety and traffic volumes - Noise and disturbance - Impact on listed conservation area or listed building - Layout and massing of building - Design, materials and appearance - Disabled access - Nature conservation - Previous planning decisions Only objections based on material considerations from consulted neighbours and other government departments will be taken into account. If the planning officer requires minor changes to the proposal during the application (excluding lawful certificate applications), they can request revisions to the drawings before a decision is made. The planning officer will recommend approval using their delegated powers if there are no valid objections and the proposal conforms to planning policy. If the application is called into a committee by a counsellor, or if there are many objections, then the decision will be made by the committee through a majority vote. The applicant or their agent is allowed three minutes to address the committee.

- Decide from the outset whether you’ll be able to cope with the disruption. - A large extension project with remodelling work planned might be less stressful if you move out, but for others, you may be able to seal yourself off from the dust and work, which you may find it cheaper to stay put. - Always factor the cost of accommodation into your extension budget.

Not necessarily. In many cases you will be able to build an extension under Permitted Development (PD). These rights allow certain works to be carried out to your home providing you meet the criteria. Under PD, the following rules apply: You can extend a detached property by 8m to the rear if it’s a single-storey extension, or by 3m if it’s double A single-storey extension can’t be higher than 4m on the ridge and the eaves, and ridge heights of any extension can’t be higher than the existing property Two-storey extensions must not be closer than 7m to the rear boundary Side extensions can only be single storey with a maximum height of 4m and a width no more than half of the original building Any new extension must be built in the same or similar material to the existing dwelling Extensions must not go forward of the building line of the original dwelling In designated areas (such as areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, etc), side extensions require planning permission and all rear extensions must be single storey An extension must not result in more than half the garden being covered You should bear in mind that if your house is in a Conservation Area or a National Park, the amount of work under Permitted Development is usually reduced.If you’re planning a significant extension you’ll likely need planning permission and will need to submit an application. Engaging with your local authority early on and researching local planning policies to know what’s likely to get approved is a good idea. You can either apply for consent via the Planning Portal or through your local authority. An application in England for an extension currently costs £206.

You can appoint an architect to design and obtain all of the planning & building control consents and seek through other professionals any necessary party wall awards and CDM requirements to then approach the market and obtain quotations through local builders. Alternatively, you could manage the build and hire subcontractors, or retain the appointment of the Architect to oversee the build. Finding a Builder If there is one thing that is more difficult than finding the right builder, it is getting on with him throughout the project. Obviously a good recommendation helps, but it is wise to talk to previous clients of the builder. You should also ensure that they have contractors all risks insurance. If the builder has sufficient information there is no reason why they should not be able to give you a fixed price detailed quotation. Day work rates can be a recipe for disaster for all sorts of reasons. Try to avoid them except for extras requested at your behest although sometimes it is impossible to do so. If VAT is to be added to the price given, make sure any quotation has a VAT registration number on it and a VAT receipt is provided when payment is to be made. It has been known for some less reputable operators to use the VAT system as a means of adding more onto the bill which they then keep for themselves.

Even without the need for planning permission, it’s worth applying for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) from your local authority to confirm that the work was lawful and met PD requirements and didn’t need planning permission. It costs £103, half the normal planning fee. Note these fees are current as of March 2020.

Depending where you are in the UK, for a straightforward extension you should allow around £1,000–£2,000/m2. But, the cost of your extension will all come down to a number of factors including: Size Specification Location. Building a single-storey extension will cost the following per/m 2 : Basic quality: £1,000 to £1,680 Good quality: £1,680 to £1,920 Excellent quality: £1,920 to £2,160 Please note these costings are dated March 2020 and does not include for bi-folding doors, skylights, fitted kitchens, bathrooms, floor finishes and does not include for any external hard or softlandscaping such as a patio and planting, that you may also need to consider when reviewing your budget.

Whether you require planning consent or not, you will need to make sure you comply with Building Regulations. To meet the Regulations, you can either submit a Full Plan Submission or a Building Notice. - Full Plan Submission: send plans to your local authority building control or approved inspector prior to the build for approval. The building inspector visits your site at different stages and inspects the work as it progresses - Building Notice: a statement which lets the local authority know that you will be complying with the regulations in building your extension and gives the building control department 48-hours notice of your intention to start the work. Building inspectors will inspect the work at various stages and will advise you of any problems. A Building Notice is the riskier of the two as you may only find out you have a compliance issue once building work has started, which then needs to be paid to be put right and in addition, without a full specification of materials identified by the designer’s, this could lead to an expensive build. Listed Buildings All alterations to listed buildings, including internal ones, require consent and it is a criminal offence to alter a listed building without it. With a listed building the planners will always regard the existing property as more important than what you are proposing to add to it. Any extension will therefore have to respect the flavour, appearance and historic material used in the construction of the original house. Warranties Getting a warranty for your extension is advisable as it will cover you for things such as structural defects or faulty workmanship. Should the worst happen, the builders who did the work will need to return to put right what has gone wrong.

Vouchers musy be used to install at least one primary home insulation or low carbon heating measure. If you choose to install at least one of the primary measures, you can use your voucher to help cover the cost of the secondary measures. The subidy for the secondary measure is capped at the value of the subidy provided for the primary measures. For example, if you recieve £400 for a primary measure such as a cavity wall installation, you will be able to recieve a maximum of £400 for the secondary measure such as an energy efficient replacement door. The Primary & Secondary measures are set out below: Primary Measures (Installation) Solid wall Cavity wall Under-floor insulation (solid floor, suspended floor) Loft Flat roof Room in roof Park home insulation Low carbon heat Air source heat pump Ground source heat pump Solar thermal Biomass boilers Secondary Measures (Windows & Doors) Draught proofing Double/triple glazing (where replacing single glazing) Secondary glazing (in addition to single glazing) Energy efficient replacement doors (replacing single glazed or solid doors installed before 2002) Heating controls and Installation: Hot water tank thermostats Hot water tank insulation Heating controls (e.g. smart heating controls, zone controls, intelligent delayed start thermostat & thermostatic radiator valves) Simple Energy Advice will recommend which measures may be the best suited to your home.

- Check your eligibility - Check what energy efficiency or low carbon heat improvements may be suitable for your home. - Find certified installers in your area that are able to carry out the work - Apply for the voucher Biomass boilers are also in scope of the Green Home Grant, but are not included in this questionnaire. Applications for the Green Homes Grant are now open. You can apply on the Green Homes Grant website. More information on how to apply for a voucher is avaliable on GOV.UK. Vouchers will be subject to terms and conditions, including: - Measures covered and not covered by the voucher - Criteria that must be met - Installation standards - Evidence required to demonstrate eligibility The department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy may vary the terms of the scheme or close teh scheme at any time.

Following the announment for the Goverment's Ten Point Plan, the scheme has been extemded by one year and you must now redeem the voucher and ensure improvements are completed by 31st of March 2022.

Homeowners and landlords in England can apply for a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to homes, which could help save up to £600 a year on energy bills. The goverment will provide a voucher that covers up to two thirds of the cost of qualifying improvements to ypur home. The maximum value of the voucher is £5,000. You may be able to recieve a higher level of subsidy if you are a homeowmer and either you or a member ofyour household recieves one of the qualifying benefits, covering 100% of the cost of improvements. The maxiumum value of these vouchers is £10,000. Landlords cannot apply for the low-income part of the scheme. Local authorities in England will also be making support avaliable for low income households in their local area through the Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery. Contact your Local Authority to see if they are participating in this scheme and for further information.

Energy Company Obligation - You will not be able to claim a Green Homes Grant subidy vouchers towards the cost of the measure which has also recieved funding under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). However, you can claim both ECO and Green Home Grant subidy providing they are each for different measures, for example loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. Renewable Heat Incetive - The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) gives housholds money towwards renewable heating cost in thier home. Payments are made for 7 years and are based on the amount of renewable heat made by your heating system. You can claim both the Domestic RHI and the Green Home Grant for the renewable heat installation. You must claim the Green Home Grant first and then notify them that you have used it when you apply for accreditation to the Domestic RHI. The Green Homes Grant will then be deduted from your Domestic RHI payments. Households can claim the Green Homes Grant for energy efficiency measures both before and after accreditation to the Domestic RHI.

Your local authority can help improve a building, part of a building, a caravan, or a boat, as long as the property is your home, or it's available for you to live in as your home. A local authority can have its own application forms for help, and its own rules about what you have to do to apply for help. Ask your local authority for more information about this. If you're disabled, a local authority must provide application forms in a form you can use, for example, in large print.

A disabled facilities grant will be no more than £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales. However, your local authority can top up this up, as it can give you other help with home improvements (see under the heading Help with home improvements). The amount of grant you get depends on your income and savings, unless the work is to meet the needs of a disabled person under 16, or in some cases, over 16 but under 19.

Owner-occupiers, landlords, tenants, licensees, and occupiers of some houseboats and park homes can apply for a disabled facilities grant, provided the work is for the benefit of a disabled person who lives or will live in the property. To apply for a disabled facilities grant, you need to fill in a form which you can get from your local authority. They might ask for information and/or for tests to be carried out before you make a formal application. You might also need to get approval for building regulations, planning, listed building or conservation area purposes. Your local authority might have a list of local architects, surveyors and builders who specialise in renovation work which you could ask to see when choosing a contractor for the work to your home. If you intend to carry out the work yourself, you won't be able to claim for the cost of your labour. Once you have applied for a grant, your local authority must tell you about its decision in writing as soon as it can, and no later than six months after you applied.

You can contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you need further advice on home improvements.

If you rent your home and apply to your local authority for help with home improvements, you'll need to get your landlord's permission before the local authority will agree to help you. If you're disabled and the changes are to do with your disability, your landlord shouldn't refuse permission unless they have a good reason. In some cases, your landlord might be responsible for making the changes. If your home is in need of repair, your landlord might have to do the repairs you need. Payment of grants and loans - Generally, a local authority does not have to pay a grant or loan within any particular time limit. However, if your local authority's own rules set a time limit, it must pay you within this time limit.

If you rent your home and apply to your local authority for a disabled facilities grant, you'll need to get your landlord's permission before your local authority will agree to help you. However, your landlord must not refuse permission without a very good reason. If you need to make changes to your home because of your disability, your landlord should agree to this unless they have a good reason for not doing so. If your landlord doesn't agree, this could be disability discrimination and they could be breaking the law. This rule doesn't apply in some cases where the landlord lives in the same property as you. If you need to make certain changes to your home because of your disability, your landlord might be responsible for making them. This rule doesn't apply in some cases where the landlord lives in the same property as you. For more information about a landlord's duty to make alterations for disabled people, see Discrimination in housing. If your home is in need of repair, your landlord might also be responsible for doing them. For more information about a landlord's responsibility to do repairs, see Repairs in rented housing.

Home improvement agencies (HIAs) are not-for-profit organisations run by housing associations, local authorities and charities. They can help people who own their own homes, or who live in privately rented accommodation, and who are elderly, disabled, or on a low income to repair, maintain or adapt their home. For example, an HIA can: Arrange for repairs to be carried out to your home Help you to get funding for repairs to be carried out to your home Give you advice about a range of issues which affect your living conditions Organise the fitting of small aids and adaptations to help you live independently in your home Install security measures to your home such as door and window locks, door chains and viewers You can find more information about organisations near you from Foundations.

There are various energy efficiency schemes and grants available. The main scheme is a home energy efficiency scheme known as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), provided by the government. You can get more information about the Energy Company Obligation from Ofgem. You might also be able to find local grants to help with things like insulating your home from Simple Energy Advice.

Your local authority will have its own rules about the conditions you must meet in order to get help. For example, its rules might say you can't get a grant if your savings are over a certain limit. Although your local authority can have its own rules, there are certain things that it must or must not do when it provides help with home improvements. Your local authority must have rules about help with home improvements, but it can't have rules which are completely rigid or unreasonable. For example, it can't say it will never give any grants, and it must take your individual circumstances into account if you apply for help. Also, the rules must not discriminate against you because of your age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. When you apply for help with home improvements your local authority must do all of the following: - Make sure that a copy of its rules, including the types of help it provides, are available for you to look at, free of charge, at its main office. It must also make sure that you can get a summary of the rules by post, although it might charge you for this. - Make sure it follows its own rules when you ask for help. - Give you written information about terms and conditions under which it will help you before it helps you. - Make sure you have had the right advice and information about any responsibilities you'll have if it helps you. For example, if you'll have to pay for some of the repairs yourself, your local authority must make sure you have had advice and information about this. - Take into account your ability to pay towards any help it offers you, before you have to pay anything. For example, it shouldn't offer you a loan if you can't afford to repay it, or if it offers you a grant but expects you to pay money towards it, it must take into account your ability to do so. - Get your consent before carrying out any works on your home, if you're a home-owner get the consent of everyone who is likely to be affected, if it decides to change work it has agreed to help with. For example, it would need to do this if it agrees to install gas central heating, but then wants to change this to electric central heating instead get your consent before it changes any of the conditions you must meet in order to get help. For example, if it offers you a grant on the condition that you pay £500 towards the cost of repairs, but it wants to increase this amount to £1000, it has to get your consent first.

If you’re a homeowner, you can apply for a voucher to cut the cost of some energy-efficient home improvements. This is part of the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme. You can get up to £5,000 to pay part of the cost of improvements. If you get certain benefits, you can get the whole cost covered up to £10,000. You’ll need to: Apply for the voucher and get it Make your home improvements Redeem your voucher when the work is finished You’ll need to redeem your voucher within 3 months from the day it was sent to you or by 31 March 2022, whichever comes first. Find out how to apply for a voucher on GOV.UK.

A disabled facilities grant is a grant that you can get from your local authority for work that is essential to help a disabled person live an independent life. You can, for example, get a disabled facilities grant for the following things: - Making it easier to get in and out of your home, for example, by widening doors or providing ramps - Making it easier to get to a living room, bedroom, toilet, bathroom or kitchen, for example, by putting in a stairlift, or providing a downstairs bathroom - Making it easier or safer to get access to your garden - Providing suitable bathroom or kitchen facilities - Providing or improving a heating system - Ensuring your safety, for example, by providing a specially adapted room in which it would be safe to leave you unattended, or by providing improved lighting for better visibility - Helping you get around at home so you can care for someone who lives with you and needs care. A local authority must give you a disabled facilities grant if you meet the conditions for getting one.

If you've taken out a loan to make home improvements you might be able to get a government loan to help with interest payments. This is called 'support for mortgage interest’ (SMI). You might get SMI if you’re getting: - Universal Credit - Pension Credit - Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance - Income-related Employment and Support Allowance - Income Support You’ll also need to check the improvements you’re making are covered by SMI. They’ll be covered if you have to make the improvements so your home is fit to live in, and you’re: - Fixing your heating system - like replacing your boiler if it’s broken - Installing something so you can prepare and cook food - like a hob or oven - Installing a bath, shower, washbasin, sink or toilet - Installing electric lights or sockets - Installing a way to store fuel or rubbish - Installing drainage - Fixing an unsafe structure like your roof - Damp-proofing or insulating your home - Providing fresh air or natural light - Adapting your home for a disabled person - Providing separate bedrooms for a boy and girl aged 10-19 - if they live with you and you or your partner are responsible for them. You’ll have to pay the SMI loan back, but usually only when you sell your home or give it to someone else. Find out if you can get SMI and what to think about before you apply.

A local authority can offer different types of help with home improvements. It will have its own rules about the types of help it will offer, and about the conditions you must meet in order to qualify for help. By law, these rules must not discriminate against you because of your age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. In addition, a local authority might have policies which don't allow other types of discrimination such as discrimination against older people. To find out if you can get help with home improvements and the help available in your area, contact your local authority. Your local authority can help you do one of the following: - Adapt, improve, or repair your home. This could be in the form of a grant or loan. It could be by providing labour, tools, or cheap materials to help you carry out the work. It could be by providing details of builders who can carry out the work, or by providing free or low cost surveys, or advice on carrying out repairs - Buy a new home if it decides that this would be a better way of improving your living conditions than carrying out work on your current home. The help could be in the form of a grant or loan - Buy a new home, if it has decided to buy your current home. The help could be in the form of a grant or loan - Demolish your home, or build a new home for you, if your previous home has been demolished. The help could be in the form of a grant or loan If you, or someone that you live with, are disabled, you might be able to get a disabled facilities grant for adaptations or providing facilities for the disabled person.

You can only get a disabled facilities grant if the work you need done on your home is: - Necessary and appropriate to meet your needs. Your local authority will normally ask an occupational therapist for their opinion on whether or not you need the work done - Reasonable and practical, given the age of your home and the condition it's in. For example, if your home need serious repairs, it might not be practical to do the work you need. If you live in rented accommodation and are applying for a disabled facilities grant for work to a communal area of the property in which you live, you should make sure that you're responsible for doing the work. If your landlord is responsible for doing the work, you'll not be able to get a grant. Your landlord might be able to apply for a grant instead.