Generally for home improvements fees have increased by £32 from £160 to £192.

Visit our planning application fees page for the latest information on fees.

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New fees can be summarised as,

• Construction of buildings, structures or erections for use as residential accommodation – £382
• The erection of buildings -
  • Where no floor space created exceeds 40 metres squared – £192
  • Where the floor space created exceeds 40 metres squared but does not exceed 75 metres squared – £382
  • Where the floor space created exceeds 75 metres squared – £382 for each 75 metres squared or part thereof.
• The enlargement, improvement or alteration to an existing dwelling -
  • Where it relates to a single property – £192
  • Where it relates to 2 or more properties – £382
• Erection of a building within the cartilage of an existing dwelling for purposes ancillary to the enjoyment of the dwelling – £192
• Erection of gates, walls or other means of enclosure – £192

Do I Need Permissions planning permission fees page will be updated shortly.

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The draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) (Scotland) Amended Regulations 2013 will be laid in parliament on February 1, 2013.

If approved by parliament these regulations will come into force 6 April 2013.

The effect of the regulations is to increase planning application fees by approximately 20%.

If you are planning to lodge a planning application, get it done soon to avoid the additional fee.

Keep visiting Do I Need Permission for updates or find out what the current planning application fees are here.

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A recommendation from a friend or relative is the ideal way to find a trustworthy tradesman. Many of the good tradesmen are very busy and often rely on word of mouth for the next job, so ask friends, family, and neighbours if they have had any similar work done recently. If they have, not only will you get a reliable contact, but you can inspect the work they carried out to make sure it’s up to the standard you require.

Get comparisons

Even if you’ve fully checked out your tradesman and feel confident that they are not a cowboy, it is essential to get more than one quote, Do I Need Permission recommend at least three.

Getting more than one quote will give you a good sense of whether you’re getting value for money, but make sure you get a full written quotation, detailing all works to be carried out including the specification of materials and fittings, an estimated time, and a breakdown of the costs. This will enable you to compare quotes like for like.

Try Do I Need Permissions free cost estimators to give you a guide to what your project might cost.

Remember that the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best, an unusually low figure could mean you end up with cheap materials or a rough job and you’ll spend twice that sum putting the work right.

If anything changes prior to or during work, make sure you agree any addition costs in writing before the changes go ahead.

Permissions

Make sure you know if your project need planning permission or building warrant if it does is your tradesman providing this service? It is likely a contractor will employ another company to carry out this on their behalf.

Make sure you have the required permissions in place before work starts. Find out if your project needs permission in Do I Need Permission project categories.

Having drawings prepared for your project can also give your tradesmen a specification to provide you with a quote. When getting quotes for your project ask the tradesman to provide a quote based on your drawings. The drawings can also for part of your contract.

Check them out

If you’re struggling to find a recommendation from someone you know, it is often a good idea to start your search with the relevant trade body. Most industry bodies require members to provide evidence of a certain level of competency or training, and some will insist on references and public liability insurance. At the very least, if something goes wrong, you have somewhere to complain.

Don’t just accept a contractor having the membership logo on their van, check they are registered with the relevant body.

As well as trade bodies, it’s worth checking online review sites to see whether a tradesman has been reviewed. Websites like Rated People require paid listings and you will be able to check customer reviews.
Who to avoid

Cowboy builders are only experts at appearing genuine, knowledgeable and professional, which can make spotting them difficult.

One thing that’s a dead giveaway is a cold caller or anyone using the hard sell. Genuine and respected tradesmen rarely have the time to go around doors, so be wary of anyone who turns up at your door, pushing you to sign on the dotted line. Ask for a business card and say you’ll think about it – that will give you plenty of time to check their credentials. Never sign up to anything on the spot, take your time to think it over.

Anyone seemingly unwilling to provide details about their business, credentials or provide references or a written quotation is also best avoided, as the chances are they don’t want you delving into their shady dealings. Though most tradesmen will give out a mobile number once they’ve started a job, a refusal or inability to provide a landline number could also signal trouble. Make sure you know where you can contact your tradesman should things go wrong.

Finally, if you feel pressurised and uncomfortable, either because the tradesmen is pushing you to make a decision to start the job straight away or because they are asking for an upfront payment, beware. The good tradesmen will have credit accounts with suppliers so they won’t need any money upfront for materials, and the genuine tradesman will be only too happy to have you check them out.

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By making the switch, people will not only make staggering savings, they will also cut their energy use and carbon emissions – all whilst enjoying long-lasting, quality lighting in their homes.

In light of soaring energy prices, a home replacing just 12 standard 50W halogen bulbs with LED equivalents, could be making monthly savings of £9.15 – a total of almost £2550 over the lifespan of the bulbs.

Unlike traditional incandescent lights, which lose most of their energy through heat, LEDs are extremely efficient, using a massive 90% less energy. They are also far more durable, lasting 50 times longer than standard bulbs and providing an impressive 50,000 hours of consistent, quality light (that’s the equivalent of around 25-30 years, dependent on use). Over that time, a typical home switching all its halogen lights to LED equivalents could also save a massive 6 tonnes of CO₂ in the process.

Comments LEDHut Marketing Director Keith Scott: “A lot of people are clearly still in the dark about the real benefits of LED lights – otherwise everyone would have them! There are lots of common misconceptions, the first being you compromise on lighting quality. This simply isn’t the case. Not only do LEDs give out all their light instantly at the flick of a switch, you get the same light quality and intensity you would expect from a standard bulb or halogen.

“People also think LEDs are more expensive. Again this isn’t the case! Whilst you do pay more upfront, the bulbs typically pay for themselves in less than 12 monthsand will then continue to save you 90% on your bills thereafter, over their 25-30 year lifespan. They are also incredibly durable so you won’t ever have to worry about them fading over time, breaking or burning out like most other bulbs.”

LEDs can be used with any typical light fitting and are available in all variants, from standard bulbs to spotlights, strip lights, and floodlights. They are also a stylish and versatile option for your home, providing the choice of cool white light (for bathrooms/kitchens) and warmer shades to help give a natural glow in your bedrooms and living areas. There are even dimmable LEDs to give you full control over the light intensity in your home.

Adds Scott: “Not only are LEDs a quick and easy way to make big savings in the face of rising energy prices, they also make a huge difference to energy efficiency in UK homes, with lighting accounting for a significant 20% of people’s energy use. LEDs are the future of UK lighting and we’re urging people to make the switch today!”

LEDHut is the leading online store for LED lighting in the UK, offering a vast range of top quality, competitively-priced LEDs to meet all your lighting needs.

Get an exclusive “Do I Need Permission” 10% discount on your order at Led Hut Ltd by using code LEDPERM10.

Discount code valid until December 2013. LEDHut retain the right to remove this code at any time.

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Start planning now!

With planning permission and building warrants taking between 4-8 weeks to gain approval and preparation of an application taking anything from 1-4 weeks think about starting the process now.

By the time you gain permission it will already be into early 2013 and coming into the ideal season for carrying out home improvements.

Get your permission in place early and be ready to start in 2013.

Click here for more information on planning permission.

Click here for more information on building warrants.

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Do I Need Permission have made it even easier to find out if you need planning permission with our new planning permission checklists. Simply answer a few yes or no questions and get your answer.

Give them a go!

Make planning permission simple! Still cant find the answer just ask us.

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1 – Going to big

Everyone wants to maximise space when planning an extension, after all you want to get it right.

Do your plans meet the permitted development rights for your type of project? If so you may not even need planning permission but if it doesn’t is your proposal likely to get approved? If you proposals are over the permitted development criteria contact your local planning department to see what their initial thoughts on this are prior to lodging your application.

Find out what other people have done in your area, it’s a great way to see what gets planning permission. You can do this online at your local council’s website in the planning department section.

2 – Getting permission for something your budget can’t afford

Make sure you leave a decent garden space.

Lodging a planning application where your proposal is to big will only delay your project it can take two months to get a decision and if your application is refused you may have to start over again.

Do I Need Permission recommend sticking to the permitted development criteria unless your site can warrant a larger project, for example it has a larger than normal garden or further away from your neighbours.

3 – Not being relevant to the existing building

Make sure your project is relevant to your existing building. This doesn’t mean you have to match your new extension to the exact same details as your existing home. Think about your area, style of property and location of your project.

We often get carried away when designing extensions, large open plan spaces, bi-fold doors, designer kitchens or bathrooms and fancy roof lanterns is all great on paper but how much will this actually cost you to build?

Do your plans match your budget? Always get quotes for your initial sketches before you lodge for planning permission there is no use having permission for something you can’t afford to build.

Try Do I Need Permissions free online cost estimators to see what your project might cost.

If you have planning permission for something your budget doesn’t allow for don’t worry you can amend your plans but remember you may have to pay additional architect and planning permission fees.

4 – Not providing all the information

Make sure you provide as much information as possible. A planning application for an extension will normally consist of,

• Location plan,
• Site layout existing and proposed,
• Existing floor plans and elevations,
• Proposed floor plans and elevations,
• Proposed sections.

In addition to this you will need to specify external materials for the existing and new build including doors, windows, facias, drainage, roof tiles, render, roughcast, brick or stone, you will also be required to specify the colours of each material.

5 – Not completing the application forms correctly

Make sure you complete the application forms correctly, you can now submit your planning application online.

Online submission is great, wizards are available to give you the right forms to complete, you are then guided through the forms stage by stage and provide a check lists at the end to make sure you have completed all the information required.

Not providing the right information at the start of the process can
invalidate you application and cause delays.

Follow these tips and you shouldn’t have a problem.

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1 – Not applying for permission

Check what permissions you require. One of the most common questions Do I Need Permission gets asked is “Do I need planning permission?” and  “Do I need building warrant?”

Not everyone knows the difference between planning permission and building warrant or realise you actually might need both for your home improvement project.

Simply put planning permission deals with the way your alteration or extension will look, the appearance and effect on the surrounding area.

A building warrant details how your alterations or extension is constructed, which should meet the current building regulation standards.

Not all projects need planning permission (permitted development) but it is likely you will need a building warrant. Vist Do I Need Permissions project categories to see if your project needs planning permission or building warrant.

Always know what permission you need it is harder to get permission after your project is completed and you may be asked to remove any alterations or extension that do not have permission for at your own expense. If you are unsure ask an expert.

2 – Know how your project will affect the rest of you house.

A common mistake is putting an extension on the back of your house over existing doors and windows normally from a dining room or kitchen. But what about natural light to these room? We have seen many extensions where the existing rooms simply become a circulation space and there is no natural daylight.

Plan how you will use your rooms and make sure you have sufficient natural daylight. You may be limited where you can install new windows, it is unlikely you will be able to add windows to the side of your house if it looks onto a neighbour.

3 – No storage

Creating a new living space or bedroom you always what the rooms to be as large as possible but what about storage?

Stores quickly get taken up with toys, christmas decorations, linen and clothes, build in as much storage as you can, you can never have enough. Leave it out and you may find your home still doesn’t work for you.

4 – Spend, spend, spend

Set your budget and stick to it. It’s easy to get carried away when you are altering or extending your home. Make lists of everything you need and take them with you when you go shopping.

Don’t be tempted by offers for items you don’t need. An item might be on sale at half price but did you need that item in the first place?

Shop online you can get some great bargains and not be tempted by in store offers.

Don’t forget to build in a contingency for those unseen problems. Normally 10% of your overall budget.

5 – Value

Make sure what you are spending improving your home will add that value to your home.

Will you get your money back if you had to sell your home and are your alteration relevant to the property and area?

You can find out what your home might be worth after home improvements by using Do I Need Permissions ”what value could it add” estimator.

6 – Tell your neighbours

Tell your neighbours what you are doing and when your work is going to start.

Let your neighbour know if anything messy is going to happen and keep any noisy works to a reasonable time of day.

The last thing you want is your dream home and you’ve fell out with your neighbours in the process.

7 – Inform your insurance company

Make sure you tell your insurance company before works start, you can invalidate your insurance if something goes wrong with your existing house during construction.

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1 – Cost

With the average loft conversion costing anything from £20k to £30k before you start your loft conversion project consider what your specific conversion is going to cost. Is it cheaper to convert or move to a larger house with the rooms you require? Does the cost of a conversion add that value or more to your home? Try our loft conversion cost estimator to see what your project might cost.

2 – Is your loft suitable for conversion

Is there enough head height to stand in the existing loft? You will require at least 2.2m height over 1.5m or greater for a comfortable space. Remember the ceiling will slope down following the roof line. Imagine where you will have your bed will there be space to walk round the bed without hitting your head? A dormer will open up the head height giving you a greater sense of space but can add significant cost. Do the existing roof trusses allow for easy conversion? If your loft is relatively open I.e. you can easily walk through it without roof truss timbers getting in the way this is the simplest type of loft to convert although other types are possible it is likely to cost considerably more.

3 – Stairs

Where can a stair be located? How will this effect the layout/rooms of the floor the stair will start on? Will a bedroom have to be reduced in size or lost? Look at your existing stair location can another stair be located over this? The new stair will also need head height when it’s in the loft remember your ceiling slope in the loft you will need at least 2.0m above the stair to comply with building regulations. An architect will be able to help you with this if you are unsure.

4 - Storage

You can never have too much storage! Think clever when designing your conversion and use every bit of space possible. Remember the space left at the roof edges.

5 – Drainage

If you are planning on adding an extra bathroom or en-suite think about where your existing bathroom or en-suites are on the floor below, Is there existing drainage you will be able to connect into? Try to locate your new bathroom or en-suite around the existing drainage locations.

What’s next….? Find out if you will need planning permission. You can find out if your loft conversion will need planning permission on the
loft conversion page.

You will also need a building warrant before you start, speak to an architect or builder.

Always get various quotes for your project and remember to check references before you sign anyone up.

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