Build Costs

As a rough indication of the cost of a project it is possible to use a 'square metre' rate to formulate a building budget. For small works such as extensions and alterations allow between £1500 & £2200 for each square metre of built area on each floor. For larger projects and new build this can rise to £1900 to over £2600 a square metre.
These figure are only a ‘ball park’ but give a good rule of thumb for working out the likely cost of your aspirations and establishing if your budget will go as far as your ideas.
So for example a single storey extension of 20 sq/m of floor space = 20m x £2,000= £40,000. A two storey extension at 40 sq/m = 40m x £2,000 = £80,000.
Cost can vary enormously with factors such as specification levels, higher quality being more expensive, site access and general build-a-bility. Work to historic buildings tends to be more expensive and more complex.

Planning Portal

The Planning Portal is a website that was established by UK government in 2002 to allow planning applications in England to be processed electronically. It later added guidance and information content, interactive guides, an application service for Building Regulations approval and the ability to purchase site location plans.

Clients Health & Safety Responsibilities

CDM 2015 now applies to domestic clients which are people who have construction work carried out on their own home or the home of a family member. If the project is being undertaken on behalf of a business, then they are not considered to be domestic clients.

Listed Buildings

A useful website for those living in or considering buying a listed building.