Full disclosure: there’s no guaranteed timeline for any residential extension project. Depending on the size and scope of your extension, the length of time usually varies anywhere between 7 and 15 months (sometimes a lot longer).
This is because building an extension involves a lot of different processes and professionals, plus a lot of unpredictable factors. Like stormy weather, and even stormier neighbours.
However, having a basic understanding of what can happen never hurt anyone. Here’s a rough guide of what you can expect...
Prep: 2 - 4 weeks
Before you get underway, you’ll want to do your homework and get some ducks in a row. Work out your total budget and list out your priorities. Are you looking for more space? More attractive design? Better access to the garden? All of this will come in handy in the future.
Once sorted, you can start approaching architects. It’s worth shopping around and getting a few quotes before you commit. Depending on how rigorous you are with this early work, you’ll be doing this for a couple of weeks.
Design: 2 - 5 weeks
You’ve picked an architect, now it’s time to draw up your project. Times can vary here, depending on whether or not you have the existing drawings to your property. Already got them? Great! You and your architect can start drafting.
If you lack the existing drawings, you will need to commission a measured survey in order to obtain the measurements you need.
Planning: 8 - 10 weeks
Ahh planning… this is where you’re going to have to be patient. The above time of 8-10 weeks is the minimum amount of time you’ll be waiting for approval. It can take even longer, for instance they might want alterations to your plans.
Watch out for Permission Conditions that can come with your approval. Your architect should be able to discharge these for you, but remember you can’t get your build underway until they have been resolved.
If you want to keep the ball moving as fast as possible, we would recommend getting your architect to organise your planning for you. A good architect will have dealt with hundreds of planning applications, so will make sure you're submitting everything on time with no paperwork mistakes holding you back.
