Floor plans, also known as building plans or blueprints, are essential documents for any property owner or potential buyer. They provide a detailed view of the property's layout, including the location of doors, windows, walls, and other physical features. However, many homeowners do not have access to their property's floor plans, especially if they did not receive them at the time of purchase. In this Ultimate Guide, we will explore various methods to find floor plans for your property in the UK and provide tips on how to read and understand them.
Finding Floor Plans for Your Property in the UK
Method 1: Visit Your Local Council's Website
Your local council's building and planning application website is the first place to look when you want to find existing floor plans of a building. When undertaking building works, planning permission is often required, and a floor plan drawing is submitted as part of the application. Applications that have been lodged in the last 20 years can be accessed electronically on the internet, making it easy to find existing applications and subsequent floor plans.
To see if your house has any existing planning applications/floor plan drawings, follow these steps:
- Find your local council's planning application website. Use Google to search for something like "Southend Planning Applications."
- There will be a link called or very similar to "View and Comment On Planning Applications Online."
- Once on this page, you will find a simple search box where you can enter your postcode. Once you have done this, press "Search."
- This should show you a list of planning applications submitted in that area. Search through the list to see if you can find planning applications for your property.
- Click into each application and find the "Documents" section. In here, you will find copies of the applications as well as relevant floor plan drawings.
Please note that older applications (generally 20 years or older) won't have the documents scanned electronically. If the documents aren't available online, it might be worth calling your local council and asking about visiting the archive.
Method 2: Use Zoopla to Find Old Estate Agent Details
If your house has recently been purchased or sold, you may be able to find the old listing on property portals such as Zoopla. It's always worth doing a search for your property on here, as sometimes the estate agent listing would have included a floor plan. Zoopla sometimes keeps copies of these along with the images of the property (something else that can be useful).
The best way to search Zoopla is to use Google as they have a much better search process. Go to Google and search something like "10 Downing Street London Zoopla." This will take you to the search results where you can find your property. Click on this link on Zoopla and scroll down to "Image History" (if it exists). Here, you will be able to scroll through the images and hopefully find a floor plan if one exists!
Method 3: Have a Look at the Deeds/Lease
Sometimes consulting your property ownership documentation can yield a basic floor plan of your property. Have a look through the documents, and you may be lucky enough to find an old floor plan that can be scanned in.
Another method is to consult the HM Land Registry website, which may show some useful information. However, the service only shows land boundaries rather than internal floor plans, so please bear that in mind. There is often a small fee to pay for this service. At the moment of writing, the current fees are:
- A title register costs £3
- A title plan costs £3
Method 4: Contact the Architect or Builder
If you know the name of the architect or builder who designed or constructed your property, you may be able to contact them and request a copy of the floor plans. This is more likely to be successful if your property is relatively new or has undergone significant renovations in the past.
Method 5: Hire a Professional
If all else fails, you may need to hire a professional to create a new set of floor plans for your property. This can be a more expensive option, but it will ensure that you have accurate and up-to-date plans. There are many companies in the UK that specialize in creating floor plans for residential and commercial properties, so be sure to do your research and choose a reputable provider.
Tips for Reading and Understanding Floor Plans
Identify the Scale
The first step in reading a floor plan is to identify the scale. The scale is usually located in the bottom right-hand corner of the plan and is represented as a ratio, such as 1:100. This means that every 1cm on the plan is equivalent to 100cm in real life. Understanding the scale is essential for accurately interpreting the sizes of rooms and other features on the plan.
Familiarize Yourself with the Symbols
Floor plans use a variety of symbols to represent different features and fixtures within the property. For example, a solid line may represent a wall, while a dotted line may represent a door. It's essential to familiarize yourself with these symbols to understand the layout of the property accurately. Most floor plans will include a key or legend that explains the meaning of each symbol.
Look for Dimensions
Dimensions are often included on floor plans to provide a more accurate representation of the size of rooms and other features. These are usually represented as numbers followed by a unit of measurement, such as meters or feet. Be sure to look for dimensions on the plan, as they can be helpful when planning renovations or furniture layouts.
Identify the Orientation
The orientation of a floor plan refers to the direction that the plan is facing. This is usually represented by a North arrow or symbol located somewhere on the plan. Understanding the orientation is essential for accurately interpreting the layout of the property and the location of windows and other features.
Pay Attention to Details
Floor plans can include a variety of details, such as the location of electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures, and other features. Be sure to pay attention to these details, as they can be helpful when planning renovations or maintenance work.
Conclusion
Floor plans are essential documents for any property owner or potential buyer. They provide a detailed view of the property's layout and can be helpful when planning renovations or maintenance work. In this Ultimate Guide, we have explored various methods for finding floor plans for your property in the UK and provided tips on how to read and understand them accurately.