Ferdinand

Sorry to hear that.

Indeed. But that customer is reaping their own whirlwind, and may have walked into a lamp post on the way to the showroom because they forgot their glasses and chose not to go back. ?. And most self-builders are more planned than that .. I hope I am ... ahem... /lie

I would say one key point with an aesthetic designer - such as lighting or interior - is to keep track of what you wanted (statement of requirements or design brief at start), and keep that 'in your back pocket' to refer to. That way you avoid being persuaded of things that you do not want / need, or - if you are persuaded - you know that you have agreed to the change. And to make sure that you know what their scope / dependencies are, and perhaps how much impact you will allow on other things. For me with an Interior Designer a red flag of impending budget creep might be "I want those light moved to *there* to be central over a table I want to put *here*, and it needs a new window *there*" in an existing house ie affecting other things. I recently employed an Interior Designer on the advice of a Lettings Agent when redecorating/carpeting a student house. The initial comprehensive scheme was nearly as much as I spent on a full refurb 8-10 years ago, but by judicious redoing and phasing we cut the budget down substantially, whilst still leaving a juicy enough project for the ID. Worked well and the LA has managed to move the house quite significantly upmarket, even though it is in a row of identical modern houses. I was very sceptical. So I find myself a slightly surprised convert to using designers. This is not true. It is a mind control trick to keep you in the garage painting planks of wood ?. F

i think @Triassic or @Jeremy Harris may have an example. here is a roevious thread. I think it is basically a numbered and keyed list.

Self builders: 56 hours a week continuing unprofessional development.

Sale value will adjust for the value of whatever is there, but if you were *really* skimped on the "parking spaces" (say 1 instead of a required 3 rather than 2 instead of 3 because one was notionally your "garage" which has been rearranged), then that might lose some buyers. On the width, I read the dimension as 2.990 but I see that was the lengthways for the Utility, and it is actually just over 3m - should be fine but check if counting parking spaces is important. F

Dangerous thing to say to @ProDave ? @jened1 Just go with a good set of plans and photos and use the pointers from this thread to make sure you cover the aspects you are aware of, and even if it seems complex you will learn a lot for the next step.

What's the word for a single-dwelling fatberg made of curry?

Is the road actually classified? (My understanding of roads in *England* is that if it is unclassified, and there are no other hindrances such as others owning land in between, driveoverrights to acquire, change of height etc you can just create an entrance. May be worth a check if your road is unclassified. I know this because when I was talking to the Council about drop kerbs in a town centre they expressed surprise that the 50m of road where my house was was not classified, and both ends were. But I may be overgeneralising the conclusion.) Ferdinand

Self-build life is full of wrinkles like that. Ferdinand

That is the best way ... make the vendor responsible. (If it gets more complex, then we can go into that). btw Manual For Streets is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/341513/pdfmanforstreets.pdf As one aside, if they are requiring that the 30mph zone be extended beyond your new entrance, then they should perhaps not be arguing for a National Speed Limit linked visibility splay, 'cos there own requirement is 30 mph. And you could use the other condition to argue that they should be using a shorter splay - but making the vendor do it is easier. (And if they can't do it, then you can reduce your offer if you think you can ?).

This is after how long living there? Do I understand that this is where all those dodgy curries and beer went? And to think I am in Kent on Friday ...

Welcome.

You need to work out what you have to clear in order to make that splay visible from your driveway. It may just be leaving enough space at the front edge. Have a look at Manual for Streets, which explains hwo a visibility splay applies to a site. Or you could ask for an answer as to what has to be done from the seller. F

Best of luck with that. I'm quite keen on art'n'stuff in architecture, but it's always a question whether we want 'extra' decorations, something in the basic architecture, or something which fits in with the design but enhances it. The "one percent for the arts" seems to be a good idea - substantial without being onerous, and a chance to support local artists who can give good value and real engagement. At home I have a Gryphon on the gable, and a custom done stained glass panel in the front door - both put in by the self-builder who converted it. The only one I have done recently is a more elaborate brick garden wall than necessary with some minimal diaper brickwork in it, with the usual blue and red bricks inverted - ie whole wall blue with red lozenges. And I am a sucker for etched glass. I am sure that there are plenty of unpuffed interesting bits on bh everywhere. Ferdinand

Well done.

And I suppose, never forget that it is no longer a garage.

I think a fall away from the house door is an acceptable alternative. Make a flat section by the door so that wheelchair users have no risk of rolling away whilst opening the door.

Certainly something I have seen; one was called a half-garage. Particularly in newish houses, where built-in store cupboards are missing as they can reduce measured room size. @SteamyTea could call it a "Smart Car" Garage. You need to decide what you call it in planning / building regs, and how you handle the conversion and future potential uses - which may require PP or Regs sometimes. Or you may choose to ignore that. Obviously you need to do things like consider ufh if required, and putting your joists along the top of potential stud walls etc. Also, calling it a garage may count against your required Planning Policy parking space quota if it is large enough - think it needs to be 6m x 3m, but check. For this plan, would need to be slightly wider and be called a "garage" in its entirety. You then need to be aware is required spaces minus one will be enough for you. I think the current dimensions commit you to chucking out the passengers in the rain, and reversing in only for a RH Drive car. So, really just map out your possible future plans carefully, and do not put stuff on the plans you do not want to have known. Dirty bikes? Unconscionable :-). Wash them ?. Ferdinand

Historic Houses Association may have some guidance material.

Depending on how much work you plan to do there are kit suppliers around on ebay. Start here:

OK. Looks like a *relatively* small space, joined to another space. I would put the tall elements together to make them seem smaller in the space, including the fridge and freezer if tall. I might be tempted to go across the back because loosing 600mm from 3100 will make it look a little tight (perhaps). Also high cupboards will obsure your rooflight, which perhaps you want to light your main work area. For the oven, it is basically an extension of the hob, and imo fits in the triangle but I would consider where to put things coming into and out of the oven. Worktop next to it, or a tall shelf that has a 600x600 floortile on it immediately below. I would want to be able to place a hot dish or eg a roast on a safe surface with a swivel but no step for reduced safety risks. Do you have fixed points where sink, dishwasher etc need to go? It may be useful to list what you need - I make it that 13 600mm spaces are available. Perhaps also a peninsula breakfast bar and a mobile 'island' in the form of one of those wooden Ikea trolleys might be useful to create more space / flexibility. Just my thoughts. Ferdinand

Unfortunately the H in Scotland is not silent, according to Sean Connery.

It ‘s a travesty. Silent K is grossly overused. It should be Gnapping, as in Dennis the Menace.

off grid ==> chamberpot of some sort.