Frequently asked questions

Generally a single garage conversion will be completed within 3 weeks with a double garage conversion taking slightly longer.

Normally not depending on the exact works.

For clarity you should request written consent from your local authority concerning the works.

Notes:

• If you call them and ask for information they will only give you generic advice
• For a formal response some Council’s have a form called ‘do I need planning permission’ – this is normally chargable as well (should be in the region of £50)
• Some Council’s are kind enough to give a formal response for free if you send an email to their Planning Department

You may choose to check the deeds of your property if you have access to them – a couple of phrases to keep an eye out for are… PD (permitted development) removed, or the ‘garage to be used as a garage for domestic purposes only’ If you see either of these Planning Permission is probably needed.

Building Regulations always apply and is a separate issue to Planning Permission – in a nutshell…

• Planning Permission (sometimes required) means permission from the Council for the work to be carried out
• Building Regs (always required) means the technical specification of how the works are carried out and what materials are used

Most terraced, or end of terrace, Victorian or Edwardian properties are suitable. Give us a call and we can go through what type of property you have. The next step would be a visit to your property. This is a no obligation service. Whilst visiting your property, we will discuss your needs and will advise you as to the feasibility of the project. 

Typically 8-12 weeks depending on the scale of the project.

Yes you will have to consult your neighbours. You will need to provide your neighbours with a Party Wall Notice – you cannot proceed with any work on your boundary without this written consent.

The work to the new boundary wall requires you to comply with the requirements of the Party Wall Act 1996. The Act gives you rights to and duties over the works.

If we have to carry out works to party or common walls or boundaries, it is your responsibility to inform the owners of the adjoining properties as to the works proposed. This is to ensure that there are no objections and to avoid any possible damage to fixtures or contents by obtaining the necessary approvals to the works.

Yes, we also specialise in loft conversions. Check out our loft conversion website www.ashislandlofts.co.uk for more information.

It is entirely possible to live in your house whilst work is being done. However some of our customers choose to move out during this time, but it is entirely up to you. If you do want to stay in the property we can create a temporary kitchen until your new kitchen extension is ready.

If you have planning permission, no one can use the Party Wall Act to stop you from building. However the Party Wall Act is there to make sure that building work is carried out in the correct way.

Any building work we do comes with our specialist 5 year guarantee, which we provide on completion.

Of course! In the unlikely event of any damage or accident we have full and comprehensive insurance with the Federation of Master Builders, so that you and your property are fully protected.

When building a side return extension another important factor to consider is whether the build will be close to or over a public sewer. If this is the case, under Building Regulations, written agreement from your sewerage undertaker is required, which for London is Thames Water.

If you are building within three metres of a public sewer, Thames Water requires you to make an application for a Build Over agreement. They require detailed plans, showing where the sewer is in relation the new build, the foundations of the build and highlighting the manhole. This is to guarantee no damage is caused to the sewer and that the building work does not restrict how the sewer is used and maintained in the future.

An application can be submitted on the Thames Water website or alternatively it can be printed and posted.

The Build Over application is in addition to the Building Regulations application.