What can I do?

Understanding what changes you’re allowed to make to your home can be challenging, but is absolutely critical when you’re about to embark on a renovation project.  

Planning is a complex arena fraught with difficulties and tales of woe!  The old adage “You don’t know what you don’t know” couldn’t be more apt.  

Ultimately, you have two main options.

On one hand, you can go down the path of most resistance – otherwise known as the traditional full plans submission.  This will involve you submitting your proposal to the local planning authority. You will need to pay your fee, complete your forms, and include any supplementary information such as Design Access Statements or Flood Risk Assessments. Your proposal will then be processed by the local Authority (typically taking 8-12 weeks).  This process will involve a number of internal consultations (between planners), as well as well as some external consultations (between your neighbours to planners).  

It’s subjective (planners and neighbours) and time-consuming.  And you’re left in a bit of a pickle.  Do you design what you really want and risk being refused?  Or do you play safe and ultimately get something that is a compromise? 

Alternatively, you can join Betternest down the path of least resistance.  

By utilising the Permitted Development Rights already attached to your home you can bypass the conventional planning process.  They are objective – which means once we find out you’ve got them (and around 80% of our projects do), that’s it.  No one can have a say – not the local authority, nor your neighbours.  They are fully legal, and, in fact, your local authority will issue you with a Certificate of Lawful Development to document  this (good to have when you come to sell your house).  

Better still, there are other big benefits to Permitted Development.  You can often do more than under full planning – bigger lofts and extensions, more extensive glazing and large outbuildings, to name a few.  (For more information on what you can do under Permitted Development, go here to download our free e-Book guide to Permitted Development.  

In some cases it makes sense to use a combination of both options.  This will enable you to have the best of both worlds if you are tackling a project of greater ambition over several phases.  Either way, we will help asses which option is best for you.

Solution

The very first step you take with Betternest is a Qualify Report – whose very purpose is to show you exactly what space you can add to your home.  And because we always explore your Permitted Development Rights, most times you’ll discover that you definitely can add that loft conversion or extension and can get going without enduring the time, cost and hassle of the planning process.  

Of course, if you do need planning permission, we are experts at getting it for you.  Leave all the paperwork to us and we will do our utmost to get you permission as fast as possible.  We haven’t failed to get one yet!

What will it cost?

The Problem

Understanding the costs involved in developing your home is probably the most important thing you will need to consider when planning your project.

Searching through home improvement magazines for case studies that are similar to your plans is one way to get a feel for what your project might cost but it’s not going to cut it when you need specific costs in order to commit your savings to a renovation project with confidence.

Traditionally architectural drawings have no direct connection to the schedules and estimates that flow from them.  To cost accurately using traditional methods means that you are reliant on your architect or builder constantly updating design changes and variations on site against accurate supplier costs.  But in reality this never happens because the time and costs involved are prohibitive.

This is why most building jobs around the country are priced using the age old method of experience and gut feel – essentially builders (even the good ones) price a job by calculating the risk.

• Will you be a good client (pay on time)?
• Have they done a project one like this before?
• What do they think you can afford to pay?

The reality is you will rarely get a full itemisation of the building components you are paying for and the associated labour to implement it because it has never been calculated in that way.

The Solution

At Betternest we have harnessed the power of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology.

This technology enables us to create a 3D database of your project so that all of the drawings sets, schedules and costings are directly linked through one central model.  This provides you with incredible features that allow you to change and estimate your project accurately throughout every step of the design, management and delivery process.

As your designs develop we are able to constantly update your timeline, project estimate and visual material so that you are always in control and have a clear understanding what the cost implications are of different design ideas and alterations throughout the process.

Our close working relationship with our Renovation Professionals means that we can then accurately resource each and every stage of your project – from site preparation & foundations to decoration, fixtures and fittings.

How long will it take?

The Problem

This is a really tough question because there are so many factors that influence how reasonable a deadline is.  We can help you consider the important issues that affect the start and completion date of your project.

There are some things that can be done quickly but there are many that simple cannot be rushed without taking on un-due risk or by building liabilities.

The Top Ten questions which affect a project timeline typically are:

1.       When will you be starting the design process (how good are you at making decisions)?

2.       Will you need planning permission or specialist consent?

3.       Building Control – Full Plans Submission or Building Notice?

4.       Have you served Party Wall Notices yet?

5.       Have you chosen or ordered items for your project which have a long lead time – such as specialist roof lights, sliding doors, or heating systems, which often have a 10-12 week lead time before they are on site?

6.       Have you secured the funding that you need or is this dependent on securing planning permission?

7.       Will the builder be available on your ideal start date?

8.       Will you be living on site when the work is being done?

9.       In which season(s) will you be building?

10.   Will you need to move or upgrade drains, gas meters, electricity units or water mains?

This is by no means an exclusive list – but it shows that there is a lot to think about.

The Solution

Betternest can meet the most challenging of deadlines.  But where possible it is far better to tackle the design, management and construction processes at a realistic pace.  After all, you want to enjoy creating your dream home.

However, sometimes life doesn’t always offer us such luxuries.  A new baby on the way; your little ones not getting any littler; a pending family event in your garden, or just wanting to be finished in time for Christmas... These real-life issues often take priority over such absolutes as ‘what’s best’.

We are here to make life easier for you but we will also be honest and objective with you and let you know when a decision does not make good sense.

Your Account Manager will be able to answer any questions you may have when you start working with us – but your Project Plan really kicks off at the Transform stage (embedded link to Hiw) normally two weeks after purchasing your first report, the Qualify Report.   Your Project Plan will itemise all of the key tasks that need to be done to keep you on track.  There will be key dates embedded like ‘Select sliding doors’, ‘Submit Building Control documents’ and ‘Sign contracts with Renovation Team’, to name a few.

When you make a change in the design, layout, specification or simply want more time to decide the Project Plan updates with you so that you always have a Masterplan from which all stakeholders in the project work.

This ensures everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet and also reminds everyone of their responsibilities to meet deadlines.  Take a look at our Transform Report here.

Who will build it?

The Problem

This is an extremely difficult and important decision – one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make.  Knowing where to start, and – especially – who to trust can be a nightmare.

Most people who have undertaken renovation work in the past will have had a bad experience of some sort.

Is this because all builders a bunch of cowboys?   Absolutely not – more often than not it’s the process that’s flawed.

Give us a list of aggrieved homeowners and we will be able to find you an equally long list of aggrieved builders and tradesman.

The process is complex – way more complex than we often acknowledge.  The problems associated with renovation require resources that are rarely available in the home renovation sector.   Most projects are destined to fail before they even start simply because the complexity of the problem has not been acknowledged, identified and resolved.

The Solution

There are two elements to what makes our approach to building that much better.

Renovation Professionals

We are very proud of our Renovation team – and only Betternest customers can access them.  We have invested a lot of time and money working with them to resolve the age old problems associated with building and refurbishment.. They love working with us because we have a process that works.  You will love working with them because they are professional, courteous and always remember that they are working in your home.  Builders are able to focus on doing what they do best – building.  Not estimating, chasing up suppliers, and wasting time on administrative tasks best left to an Account Manager or Project Manager.

Trusted Supplier Network

It has taken us several years and a lot of combined experience to identify great companies that we like to work with.  But we are confident in saying that they are best in class.  Suppliers to your project often have cornered and can absolutely destroy budgets and timelines by being thoughtless and unprofessional.  Our network of trusted suppliers also offer great trade deals to our customers not available in the open market.   But, most importantly, they understand what a fundamental role they play in helping us deliver your project on time and on budget.

What will it be worth in the end?

The Problem

Having a feel for what your house is going to be worth when you have completed you renovation works it critical.   Making sure you are not spending too much money – or dead money – is important, if only for peace of mind.

Homeowners are increasingly making longer term plans given the economic climate so making a fast buck is not the priority it once was.

Understanding what value a particular project will add to a specific house is a real chicken and egg problem.

An estate agent cannot value what he or she can’t see. You can’t draw up your scheme because you haven’t checked what you would be able to get past the planners and the planners won’t be clear with you without proper drawings which, at this stage you don’t want to invest in. You can’t advise the agents about of the quality of finish of the project because you have no idea what you might spend doing the place up.

The Solution