Jack757

Thanks all, great advice.... To be continued.....(with another architect!)

Thank you, that's interesting. The bungalow has had it and needs knocking down!

Thank you for all the info... google seems to be a minefield of info, I just get more confused lol... This is a bungalow and detached garage that will need demolishing and hopefully a 4 bed house put pretty much on the existing footprint. Only bottom part of garden green belt. We've spoken to 3 architects so far (only 1 been to site, who I actually really liked) and they all seem to be saying different as to what we can and cant do. Only this one architect with his long distance planning consultant is saying we should build a chalet or another bungalow due to local planning policy when nearly all the other bungalows in the road have been demolished and built into huge 2/3 floor houses, bearing in mind we do not want anything to this scale, however next door is still a chalet, but next to them is a huge 450sqm 3 floor house! Don't know who to follow or who to take notice of to be honest!

More than that. No other architects mention needing one and no real restraints or problems to justify her extra costs to be honest. The quote was just for the planning policy statement, demolition statement, liaison with architect and LPA and responding to any queries from LPA. Just seems like throwing money away to be honest for something that another architect would include as a matter of course.

Thank you, that makes sense. Wasn't sure why it has been factored in to an architects/planning consultants quote along with planning statement!

As above to my response. No mention of asbestos at moment but then we haven't got that far.

No one at the moment. We are in the process of getting architect quotes, this is all new territory for us. One specific Architects wants us to use a planning consultant, which part of her huge fee is a demolition statement. This hasn't been mentioned anywhere else up to now and that's why I am curious when it comes into play. We will be employing a builder once the time comes to demolish the existing bungalow before starting the self build. We will not need a party wall agreement as neighbours are further than the 6M away.

Just quick question... we are at the start of our journey and not so consistent information and details being given to us by different Architects. Getting so confusing.... Who is it down to for providing the demolition survey. The architect, the builder/contractor or a planning consultant? Thanks.

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.