Finding The Right Builders For Your Project

Building a new property or extending your property are very large investments and a huge part of your life, therefore, it is important that you find the right builder for your project.

The area in which you live will have a major bearing on the type of building that you construct and the materials that you use. In many areas within the United Kingdom there are listed buildings for which there are planning restrictions. For listed buildings you will even need planning permission to refurbish or change a room, especially bathrooms and kitchens. Altering or replacing windows will always require planning permission.

So always make initial enquiries regarding planning permission prior to initiating the work. Although good builders, with experience of building within your area should know what is allowed and what is not, it is always best to clarify the requirements for yourself. Therefore make enquiries to your local Council Planning Department. Then it is advisable to ensure that you select a firm of Builders whom are qualified to work on listed buildings.

Similar rules apply to Conservation Areas, and if you are building a new home or property it is essential that you make all the necessary enquiries regarding the land that you intend to build on. There will be all manner of restrictions which you will not necessarily be aware of, such as it being an offence to lop or fell any trees within a Conservation Area without consent of the local council.

The definition of Conservation Areas is "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". However, there are also some areas in the UK that are considered too small to be Conservation Areas, but still have architectural or historical value, so are considered Areas of Special Control.

For all of these areas, and listed buildings, the materials used for the building project will also have to be approved for use by your local Council Planning Department. It is very important that any new build or extension constructed in these areas are "in keeping" with the surrounding area.

For instance, there are certain materials that must be used in the town of Stamford in the UK for new builds, particularly on the outer skin, which has to be a stone finish. This is because the town has great architectural and historical value and was built thousands of years ago in "the finest stone the country has to offer". Indeed there are many quotes of its beauty by famous historians and travellers. Good Stamford Builders will be aware of these materials, and advise you accordingly, however, if you require some confirmation, then contact the Council Planning Department.

If you are considering an extension, this can be slightly more concise, and will need good and experienced Builders in your area to advise you accordingly. You will be required to match any building brick or stone used to that of the original building as closely as possible, and then some may not be considered suitable by the Council Planning Department.

For complete new builds or extensions you will have to submit samples of the external materials which will also include samples of the roof tiles to be used, and in some Conservation Areas a sample of the windows and doors to be used.

The conditions of Planning Permission are a whole article on its own, but are vital to your building project, in fact nothing can commence without it.

Because these conditions are so complex and yet so vital to your build project, in order to ease the burden on you, it is advisable to use good firm of Builders whom have experience of building in your area, and will know what materials to use, and what the local Council Planning Department are looking for. I know of Stamford Builders whom are able to do so.


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