Embarking on a New Class Q Staffordshire

[NikSha]

Hello All,

    I currently have planning on to convert an agricultural barn (pole) into a single story 4 bed Dwelling. 
 

im surprised at the lack of information on the internet about where on earth to start. We need to get funding for this conversion and obviously they want a scope of work and costs to which I am totally blind sided by. 
 

I’ve contacted 50+ builders all of whom don’t respond or do and then go come when they realize the planning is still undecided. I don’t don’t even see how I am meant to fathom if it’s viable without any costings 😂

 

i know it will need a lot of work and new connection of Electric and a septic Tank. 

id like a airb source and solar panels as we have them on the farm house at the moment. 
 

its all such a mind field. If anyone’s done any blogs that they wanted to share links to that would be great. 
 

115msq - single story. Staffordshire 

[Conor]

Welcome!

 

You need to speak to an architect first. Nothing, literally nothing can happen without correct drawings. 

 

With planning drawings, you can then get a cost estimate from a QS, then approach a lender. And also submit planning. Once that is granted, you can draw down your funds and go shopping for a builder.

Edited October 21 by Conor

[NikSha]

Hi Conor,

    Thank You for the reply. In your experience which is probably more than mine. Can you not get costs from your architect plans that were submitted with the planning or do I now need something extra 🤯

 

[Conor]

Yes, if you have planning drawings they should be enough for a QS to get an estimate for financing purposes. That's what we did. For rendering for a builder, you'd want full building control / construction drawings from your designer. Otherwise, builders have to make a load of assumptions and prices will come in all over the place and generally higher than if you had a nailed down spec.

 

Generally, the three levels of drawings with ascending levels of details are planning, building control and construction.

Edited October 21 by Conor

[NikSha]

Here’s what we currently have. Hopefully enough to get an estimate from a builder do you think?

 

 

 

 

Edited October 21 by NikSha

[Conor]

As you can see, there aren't enough specs or details. What's the wall construction? How much and what type of insulation? Ventilation? Go back to your designer and get it detailed out. But wait until you have planning granted. Because any drawing changes will cost a lot more.

Edited October 21 by Conor

[Mr Punter]

You could guess £3,000 per metre for a rough budget, so £345,000.  You will need GA drawings and spec to get proper costings.

[NikSha]

Thank You. We thought £2800 so we are not far off. 
 

can I ask if anyone would know the answer to this:

 

we had a builder out and he said as the plans are to retain the existing metal sheeting he would basically build inside that. 
 

however, we would need solar panels so how would we work the roof? I’m guessing we cannot just had solar to the roof as it will go outside the size. 

[jack]

10 hours ago, NikSha said:

Thank You. We thought £2800 so we are not far off. 
 

can I ask if anyone would know the answer to this:

 

we had a builder out and he said as the plans are to retain the existing metal sheeting he would basically build inside that. 
 

however, we would need solar panels so how would we work the roof? I’m guessing we cannot just had solar to the roof as it will go outside the size. 

 

Welcome to BuildHub!

 

You'll get better responses to your questions if you post them in the relevant sub-forums. A lot of members don't follow what goes on in the Introduce Yourself section.

 

Keeping this section focused on intros only also ensures that useful information doesn't end up lost in here.

 

Thanks.