Property Development Add Value To Your Development

Date Published:

18/06/2009

Conservatories can be a good way to add extra space to your home. Adding one to a development can cost anything from £10,000 to £75,000 and can add up to 15% to the value of the property.

But Tugman stresses it needs to be done properly. 'I would urge people to invest in design and get an architect to draw up something that will sit well on the building and relate well to the existing spaces of the house.'

Planning Permission

You will need planning approval if the property’s volume is increased by 15% or 70 cubic metres says RICS. Not all alterations need permission though. For instance, a loft extension may not require planning permission if it does not increase the overall volume, but it will if you want to alter a roof which faces a highway.

Contact the planning services department at your local council for advice. You can also make your planning application online through the planning portal if your authority offers this facility. Alternatively, you can print the forms and send them through the post.

Expert Help

To help property developers the BCIS (Building Cost Information Service of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has produced a Property Makeover Price Guide. Anyone serious about organising and budgeting for home improvement or development should have a copy.

It contains information on alterations and extensions including typical costs plus information on planning permission and employing a builder. The book is priced at £17.99 (including postage and packaging). To order a copy, visit www.bcis.co.uk/propertymakeoverguide

For More Information

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Most jobs require either planning permission, building regs approval or both. Ensure you or your builder take responsibility for these

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