Loft conversion + Kitchen extension = where do I start? Post Reply

[Radioegg]

I've seen quite a few threads on recommendations for builders for loft conversions and kitchen extensions recently, but I've got a slightly different request.

Before we moved into Battersea a couple of years back, we had the whole of our house re-developed as favour by a very upmarket builder my father knew (he built his house in Teddington from scratch). Unfortunately, he won't do mates rates again, and as we had a couple of issues with him, not sure we want use him anyway!

We are looking to do a few things all at once, i.e.

- Loft conversion
- Small rear extension with a toilet and folding doors
- Garden re-design

I'd like to find one firm that can do the lot, so i've been looking at the following based on the recommendations:

- Simply Extensions
- Hurlington Developments
- Good London Builders
- Upsher Harrison
- MyLondonExtensions

HOWEVER...I'm sure what is the best way to approach it.

As we live in the Latchmere Conservation Area (the area of houses behind the Latchmere Leisure Centre), we are a bit more restricted than most people in Clapham as to what we are able to do with our property. The loft in particular, is going to be a real issue to get into.

I'm thinking we have two main options (based on my limited knowledge of the building trade and getting stuff like this done):

1) Appoint one of these firms to do the end to end solution
2) Find a RIBA architect, get them to do the drawings/planning application, and then,
a) Help me find the right suppliers to make it happen
b) Let me go off on my own and find people (e.g. someone for the loft, another for the extension, someone else for the garden)

Is that correct? Or is there another way of doing this?

I'm a bit nervous of the do-it-all firms, as they say they have architects as part of their staff, but these forums (in a few cases) seem to think otherwise, or it's not really their specialist area.

I'm quite conscious that as we live in the Conservation area, that planning is like to be an issue, so a great submission will be key, but I don't knew whether that lend's itself better to which option.

Any help/advice appreciated.

[mummyof1]

My suggestion is to find an Architect - you can contact the Royal Institute of British Architects and as them to guide you to architects that have experience of conservation areas.

They will be able to guide you through the whole process - I great number of people will tell you that you don't need the extra expense but in my experience they certainly earn their fee. You may decide after speaking with them just to use them for drawings and applying for planning permission or use them to find your builder and or then sign off each segment of work. I would also suggest that your architect has worked within Wandsworth as they will already have a relationship with the planner, building control and the conservation officers. This relationship can be invaluable.

[Rabbit_and_Co]

Is there anyone else in your area who has had similar work done? I'd suggest speaking to one of them about how they did it (particularly anyone who has had a loft done, if that is the trickiest thing to get through).

[Russellhunt]

Try Philip Nicholson on 07836336467 or email philip@nicholsonrenovations.com

He is currently working on a side return and loft extension on lavender Sweep for a client as well as gutting a Sister Avenue house for a client .. both are very happy!

[KateSimpson34]

Hi All,

I am in the middle of a large kitchen/living area extension and carried out extensive research on architects and builders. There is a hidden gem who I have engaged to do the design and the build of my extension. I could not be more pleased with their services. Every single day the builders turn up at 8am and work through (without leaving the site) until 5pm.

As for the plans themselves, they are better than I could have ever expected.

The company is called Sigma Builders and can be found on

http://sigma-builders.co.uk/kitchen-extension.html

Kate

[2009Kat]

Ask each of those companies about your area etc and what they think could get through planning. We used a design and build company and because they had a lot of experience in our area they were able to advise on what should be permitted. Happy to give more detail if you pm me.

[Beckbrown]

On the Kitchen side of things I'd recommend Puccini Kitchens. They design bespoke kitchens to your exact needs, always good when you need a bit of creative thought to fit all the different parts of your project together. I know they can manage the installation and/or work with any existing project manager you may have. Www.puccinikitchens.co.uk or Andrew on 020 3507 1937. Good luck with your project!

[Allgood]

We are currently doing our loft and will then go straight into doing the kitchen extension / downstairs refurb - knocking down walls, making it open plan. We knew exactly how we wanted the downstairs to be - layout, etc, so didn't need an architect, so went straight for a structural engineer, because after the design plan, what you really need are the structural calculations to submit to planning. He advised on the structural side e.g. whether to take out the chimney breast or not, drew up the plans, submitted the plans to planning and did all the liasing with the council, we had to make some simple revisions to the plans. Then we were able to hunt for a building co. and give them the plans to quote on. All v simple and I wanted to be more hands on with the project management in that, possibly saving £. I think it was about £1,200 the plans and submission to the council, etc, which seems quite good. As opposed to some of the all in one cos. who wanted £3,000+ for doing all of that. And finding builders was just hunting for recommendations, phoning, arranging for them to come and quote, choosing who we liked best. Fairly straight forward. So if you are fairly clear about what you want, you could go down this route - structural engineer, don't need architect, then choose building co.

Our structural engineer is:
David Lewis
http://lewisconsultingdesign.vpweb.co.uk/

We are Lambeth, which he knows, not sure about Wandsworth, but we think he did a great job.

We're going with Classic Lofts for the Loft and http://www.handzontools.com for the kitchen extension, via recommendations and really liking and trusting Robin to do a good job. We could have used Handzontools for the whole thing, but had way before decided to go with Classic Lofts as they did my brother's loft.

[KatherineHepburn]

If he's not completely booked up I really recommend Kevin Gauld.
http://www.gauldarchitecture.com
He completely overhauled our last house just off of Webbs Road which was a bit of a mare to organise with planning and so many neighbours to deal with (it was in a mews, backing onto another street), he was really on the ball though.
Best of luck.

[kishi]

A while ago on this site I recommended Dermarta (see below) - we did a loft extension, plus kitchen knock through, garden, new bathroom etc with them, and were really impressed. We used an architect recommended by them, although admittedly it wasn't complicated planning wise.

http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/mums/view ... ta#p100131

Good luck!

[belld]

www.atelierdb.com
conservation areas, listed buildings, side returns, lofts - we can help you understand all your options to allow you to be in control.