Jack757

Shouldn't be an issue regarding approval. All bungalows have been demolished and rebuilt. No grand design over sized mansion just a normal family home. The only difference is the additional local framework and criteria but looking at this and previous planning applications seems pretty straight forward. Had lots of recommendations for this architect just something doesn't feel quite right!

Thank you. There response to why the external consultant was initiated was that she could advise on any planning policy pitfalls and cost a robust planning statement to accompany an application? Isn't this normally part of the architects job? Her fees look in the thousands!!

Thank you all. They are registered architects. I think I'll question with them why they have engaged this associate before I have made any agreement to move forward with their fee structure. They have missed part of the initial brief out to her as well so thinking not a good start.

No planning yet. Planning shouldn't be an issue, seems strange someone external getting involved at the point of him quoting us before we have accepted. We are only just consulting various architects at the moment.

Yes. We only had an initial call as we are just beginning the journey, we have further architects to meet with. An external planning consultant at extra cost was mentioned in the pricing structure that was emailed after the call and she was cc into the email, of which she has replied and would look at any constraints and make a detailed analysis... We hadn't agreed to this nor accepted the architects quote!

Just beginning this journey... Is it normal for an architect that hasn't been been instructed to proceed with your job (just spoke on initial enquiry) to get an independent planning consultant involved and pass your details on for analysis? This is sparking red flags for me!!! Right or wrong?

So if the builder has all these insurances, what is the insurance e.g Self build insurance covering for that I have been advised I need to take out. Do I still run my current empty house insurance (for the due to be demolished bungalow) at the same time or cancel that one at a certain point. Thanks.

We are going to demolish a bungalow to replace with a new build. We like a builder we have been in touch with and seen previous work and spoke to owners of new build, which we are more than happy with. My only concern is that his company is not listed on federation of master builders site, which I got advised at a recent building show they should be. Advice please. If not really a requirement, how do I protect myself, the house etc and know we are using the right company. Thank you.

Are you documenting your new build journey? Be interested to see how you started and getting on

Thanks all. I suppose we are finding it hard to find our feet. I like step 1,2,3.... not not knowing what I should be doing or what's right. The builder we like and have viewed his work has actually recently built for someone we knew (although didn't know that until we viewed it!) so quite liked that first hand recommendation. The architect they use has been highly recommended by various people in the local area where I currently live (they are about 10mins away) so liked the idea of being near rather than miles away but like I say hesitant about it not then going out to tender. The one charging straight away we have dismissed him as felt he hid too much before we even started and they won't leave us alone now!!! I've got details of recommended architects in area that the new build is (only about half hour away from where I am) that has dealt with new builds there and knows the parish council regs etc so will be speaking to them soon. We know what we want, how we want it to look and kind of how we what it laid out and we are aware of what is allowed, also as all properties in the village are now being demolished and rebuilt can see what has and hasn't been allowed. It's a normal family working house not grand designs will lots of wasted space (apologies if this is your design just not my style) and want a normal everyday spec. I can appreciate things change and things possibly end up costing more but I can't/won't magic up ridiculous amounts of extra money when I'm already in too far. Used the online budget tool but obviously that doesn't take into account things like demolition of property and garage, clay soil, trees close by etc so getting an understanding what is affordable seem to be tough.

After many years we are now in a position to start on our new dream home....Demolish existing bungalow to build 4 bedroom house, approx 250sqm and outbuilding. So far.... We have spoken to a builder locally who has given us lots of advice, viewed his work and he uses a single architect locally that he works with and advised us to discuss with him going forward (this architect has been mentioned numerous times as a recommendation of FB pages to others for extensions etc). We have also got details of other architects that dealt with rebuilds in the area and similar to the style we are after and knows well the parish criteria etc. We have also spoken to another builder that again uses a specific architect but want to charge initially £1.5k for a client brief and assessment (at this stage I do not feel I want to pay this). We really like the work or the first builder but my concern is that prices from the architect will only be applicable to him and not a range of builders/out to tender as another architect (although would presume they are have their go to builders). So where do we go now??... Have more architect meetings? Accept the builder will charge the going rate through the route or architect/builder? Cough up £1.5k before even deciding who we will be using? Please help as I feel we are getting nowhere and to this point we still have no idea of a rough costing apart from online calculators.

Thanks. Definitely no meter so will have to investigate for a further ground stopcock

Thank you. I'll have to have another look externally as don't recall seeing anything. Think a pump for the wells would need electric? Or if that system was around back when it was put in. I don't believe electric supply down that end of garden. However I'd think the well water must be going somewhere or surely they'd overflow over time or with heavy rainfall like last year. Seems coincidence the taps are next to or adjacent to 2/3 wells.

Hi All.. Looking for your thoughts on my situation. Background... My plot is half acre, part prone to flooding due to clay ground and slight incline. Many years ago (probably 30+) French drains (or similar) were installed at the bottom half of garden consisting of 3 wells and 2 taps. I believed these taps were fed by the wells, used just for watering the garden and for livestock. Forward to yesterday and we needed to change a dripping tap (B). Turned off the stopcock in kitchen which turned off all water to kitchen tap and outside tap A but not to tap B or C. Still full pressure nothing changed. We then turned stopcock back on and turned on kitchen tap and outside tap A which then reduced pressure on tap B & C. To note taps B & C are just mounted on metal pipes about 3ft tall coming out of the ground. No other stopcocks known or found. We have no idea of the set up of this or what is happening, water feeding from etc. Any thoughts or ideas please.

Just interested, having lived there most of my life never know it existed until now.