If you are planning on extending your property then there are a number of things which you will need to check first. The reason why it is so important that you carry out these checks is that you will not be able to start building until you get planning permission. There are a number of reasons why you may not be able to get the permission which you need to commence the build and that is why it is essential to get these checks carried out before you even start the design. 

Dino Tomassetti Jr. is our resident real estate expert, and he has detailed the following as being important to check before you begin the design of your property extension. 

What The Neighbors Will Think 

The neighbors may like or dislike your design, but that is ultimately no business of theirs, unless you make it their business. One of the most common reasons why planning permission is refused is that the neighbors complain about having their views blocked or because your property design is going to infringe their privacy. For example if your new extension is going to be looking over their garden when it previously wasn’t, then they will be well within their rights to complain about you having planning permission. 

What You Will Interrupt 

In many areas of the country there is a wide amount of flora and fauna which is protected and even if it is on your land you will not be able to dig up trees or interrupt any eco-systems. This is something which you should check before you start the design because again you may very well be refused planning permission on this basis. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you can and what you cannot do in the surrounding area around your property. 

What You Can And Cannot Do 

Not all property types have carte blanche as to what you can do with them. For example trying to get planning permission for a grade listed property is almost impossible, unless you are using a highly specialized team. Beyond this you may find that your street is protected by local government and that means that if you are going to make changes, that you have to do so in a certain way or a certain style which fits the overall look and characteristic of the street or the zone in which you are living. 

Materials 

Always bear in mind whether or not you are going  to be able to use the materials for the build which you have been thinking of. There are many materials which are no longer allowed to be used. Because of this, it makes the most sense to find out first what is and what isn’t allowed, and that way you can use that information to shape your design. 

All of these things should be checked before you decide to put pen to paper on your property extension design.