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Do you need an architect for a loft conversion?

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Loft conversions are a great way to add more space to your home. But if you’re planning on doing this yourself, there’s a lot to consider: from planning permission and structural changes through to design and building regulations. What should you do when planning a loft conversion?

Unless you plan to extend your loft conversion itself (or add something like a dormer), you do not need an architect to help you draw up your plans – especially as it is not a legal requirement to have planning permission for this kind of conversion.

As well as the loft conversion itself, you might want to consider other things like a dormer or skylight. You don’t need planning permission for these kinds of extensions and if it’s something that can be done yourself then this is fine. If you are going to extend your loft conversion (or add something like a dormer), you do not need an architect to help you draw up your plans – especially as it is not a legal requirement to have planning permission for this kind of conversion.

If you are thinking of making changes to your loft conversion, it is best to get in touch with an architect or building surveyor before you begin any work. This will ensure that all aspects of planning permission and building regulations are taken into account so that you don’t get into trouble later.

If there is no possibility of extending the roof, you can apply for planning portal and get your application approved.

If you want to build an extension on the top of your house, there are certain rules and regulations that will apply.

This is where the planning portal comes into play. The planning portal is a government site where you can find information about building permits and creating applications for extensions. You can use this site to gather all your information together before applying for approval from your local council or county council.

Your application may include:

  • A clear plan of what type of extension you want to build. This should show how it will look from the front, side and back of your property so that it complies with local authority guidelines. It’s best if this is done by an architect or builder with experience in loft conversions as they can help improve the design to better suit your needs.”
  • A list of any materials you plan to use for your extension, including the brickwork and roofing. The planning portal will provide a list of approved materials so that you can ensure yours is suitable.• Details of the construction company who will be carrying out the work and if they are covered under LABC.
  • You will also need to provide details of the height of your proposal compared to the neighbour’s window location, height, and roof ridge. This will determine if you will need to get a right of light survey done as you are not allowed to prevent sunlight from entering your neighbour’s property.
  • A detailed list of what you plan to use the loft for, including whether it will be your main residence or an additional space for guests. This will help determine whether you need planning permission as some uses are exempt from this requirement.

If you need a planning permission and structural change, you will need an architect to help you design, get the planning permission and build regulation

If you need a planning permission and structural change, you will need an architect to help you design, get the planning permission and build regulation. An architect will be involved in the whole process from start to finish. They can help with designing the loft conversion by looking at your house plans before they start. They will also cost up the project based on their experience and knowledge of building regulations as well as other specialists such as structural engineers or party wall surveyors. The architect will also work closely with local authority planners to make sure that everything has been done correctly so that there is no delay when building starts later on.

The architect will also be able to guide you through the process and make sure that everything is done correctly. They will be able to advise on what materials are best for your home and how much they will cost as well as any other issues that may arise during the building process.

A structural engineer will be able to assess whether your roof structure can support the additional load of the new floor space, whether there’s sufficient headroom and how much extra height will be required.

You will need to get a structural engineer to check the roof structure and make sure that it can support an additional floor. The engineer will also inspect your roof for fire safety, as there are regulations around how much headroom you have in your new room, and they’ll make sure that any structural work meets building regulations.

You’ll also need a surveyor or structural engineer to carry out a party wall surveyor, this is a legal requirement if your neighbour has adjoining party walls.

It’s also worth contacting a surveyor or structural engineer to carry out a party wall surveyor, this is a legal requirement if your neighbour has adjoining party walls.

A party wall surveyor will check your property lines, any defects in the neighbouring property and will make sure that there are no party walls that need to be protected. The inspection should also check for any structural problems within your home and whether there are any issues with retaining walls or walkways which could cause problems if you convert your loft space into living accommodation.

You may also want to employ an architect to help with the design if that’s a better option for you, however, architect fees are higher than fees for a building designer, who will also produce drawings suitable for planning permission as well as to submit with Building Regulations.

You may also want to employ an architect to help with the design if that’s a better option for you, however, architect fees are higher than fees for a building designer, who will also produce drawings suitable for planning permission as well as to submit with Building Regulations.

When choosing between an architect and building designer, it’s important that they understand your lifestyle and requirements.

These professionals will prepare the relevant plans and calculations; ensure you only hire an architectural technician or building designer registered with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

The difference between an architectural technician, who is also known as a building designer, and an architect is the level of training. Architects generally have more years of training and experience than those who are registered with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

Architects:

  • are more expensive than building designers or technicians;
  • are more likely to be able to provide a design that is suitable for planning permission;
  • have a minimum qualification requirement of a degree in architecture from either Oxford Brookes or Leeds University. Building designers/technicians do not need any formal qualifications.

They will usually have worked in the building industry for many years and are more likely to be able to provide a design that is suitable for planning permission. They can also offer advice on what materials are suitable for different types of construction.

Before starting any loft conversion project you should have a clear idea of who will provide all the necessary plans and approvals.

Before you start your loft conversion project, you should be clear on who will provide all the necessary plans and approvals. It is not a legal requirement to use an architect for a loft conversion, but it can make your life much easier if you do.

If you only want to do something minor like add insulation or fit new windows, then an architect won’t be necessary. However, if you wish to extend the roof space by more than 50% of its existing floor area (if it has one) or carry out structural changes such as opening up walls or removing floors in order to create access routes between rooms at different levels within the building – then this type of work does require planning permission from your local council’s planning department.”

Conclusion

As you can see, it is not as difficult as it may seem to convert a loft into living space. If you want to do this yourself by yourself then there are plenty of guides available online or in bookshops which will show you how to do so. However, if you prefer to hire professionals who can take care of everything for you then make sure they have experience with loft conversions before hiring them

What is a laser distance meter?

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A laser distance meter is a tool that uses laser technology to measure the distance between two points. It is also known as a laser tape measure or laser measuring device. Laser distance meters are used in a variety of industries, such as construction, surveying, and forestry. Laser distance meters work by shining a laser beam from the device to the surface of the object you want to measure. The beam then reflects back to the device, and the distance is calculated based on the time it takes for the beam to travel there and back. Laser distance meters are used for a variety of purposes, such as measuring the height of a building or the width of a room. They can also be used to calculate distances in hard-to-reach places, such as when measuring the depth of a river.

What is a laser distance meter?

A laser distance meter is an instrument that uses a laser beam to measure distance. The laser beam is emitted from the device and reflects off of the object being measured. The reflected light is then received by a sensor in the device, which calculates the distance based on the time it took for the light to travel.

Laser distance meters are used for a variety of applications, such as measuring the length of a room, the height of a building, or the distance between two points. They are also commonly used in construction and surveying.

There are two main types of laser distance meters: those that emit a visible light beam, and those that emit an invisible infrared light beam. Both types function in similar ways, but visible light models are typically more accurate than infrared models.

Leica Disto meter

How do laser distance meters work?

Laser distance meters (also known as laser tape measures) are tools used to measure the distance between two points. The most common way to use a laser distance meter is to point it at an object, press the button, and then read the measurement on the display.

How do laser distance meters work?

Laser distance meters work by emitting a laser beam from the device. The beam then reflects off of the surface of the object you are measuring and back into the device. The device then calculates the distance based on the time it took for the beam to make the round trip.

Applications of laser distance meters

Laser distance meters can be used for a variety of applications, such as measuring the distance between two points, calculating the area of a space, and determining the volume of an object. Additionally, laser distance meters can be used to create topographic maps and 3D models of objects or landscapes.

Pros and cons of laser distance meters

Laser distance meters are a quick and easy way to measure distance, but they have their pros and cons. Here are some things to consider before you purchase a laser distance meter:

PROS:

– Quick and easy to use
– Provides accurate measurements
– Can be used in a variety of situations
– Compact and portable

CONS:

– Can be expensive
– Requires batteries or an external power source

How to choose a laser distance meter

When it comes to choosing a laser distance meter, there are a few things you need to take into account. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right one for you:

– Determine what range you need. Laser distance meters come in a variety of ranges, so you’ll want to make sure you choose one that can measure the distances you need it to.

– Consider accuracy. Not all laser distance meters are created equal in terms of accuracy. Some are more accurate than others, so if precision is important to you, make sure to look at the specs before making your purchase.

– Decide whether you need additional features. Some laser distance meters come with additional features like angle measurement and Pythagorean theorem calculation. If you think you might need these features, make sure to look for a model that offers them.

– Compare prices. Laser distance meters can vary widely in price, so it’s important to compare options before making your final decision.

Conclusion

A laser distance meter is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, from measuring the distance to an object to calculating the area of a room. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, a laser distance meter can be a useful addition to your toolkit. We hope this article has helped you understand what a laser distance meter is and how it can be used.

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What is a provisional sum?

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A provisional sum is a sum of money allocated for a particular activity that is not fully defined, but it needs to be considered for a construction project.

In the context of measured building survey and topographical survey an architect may request for a provisional sum quotation to propose to their client.

What this means is that the client or architect is not entirely aware of the extent of the construction proposal and would need a ball park figure to add in their budget. This happens because of a few reasons:

  • The client is not decided on the extension option of their property (i.e. roof extension or ground floor extension)
  • The planning application may be complicated and the outcome of the planning process may determine the option to go for
  • The client is just looking for a budget price to get a loan

The provisional sum on its own is not part of the scope for deliverable until the client instruct it to be included. When the client instructs the architect or surveyor they will then confirm the scope and price (if there are any changes) and it will proceed.

The client does not need to pay for the provisional sum in the contract as it is not defined as a deliverable.

Important:

Make sure the provisional sum is itemised in the quotation as it will make it easier to identify only the amount due to the contractor/surveyor/designer when they apply for their fees. It is quite common for poorly managed practices to ‘hide’ the provisional sum value within a lump sum but never deliver the item.

Remember:

The contractor/surveyor/designer will not need to deliver the provisional sum until it is instructed to proceed.

You can get a quote for a measured building or topographical survey from us by contacting us at info@icelabz.co.uk.

 

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What is a Section Plan?

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A section plan is a vertical slice drawings showing the internal features of your property. It is similar to an elevation plan. However, it shows the internal features of the property. It is common to have the section plan drawn in the middle of the property’s staircase. The section plan is to help the architect to get an idea of the height of the internal floors of the property and the features on the wall.

The section plan is usually combined with other plans on a measured building survey. This can include floor plans, elevations, topographical plans, roof plans. They are usually requested by your architect, and can also be produced from floor plans and elevations but it may take an architect or someone who has not visited the house a lot longer to produce.

Definition

A section plan is a 2D drawing of your house, showing it from all angles vertically. It’s a bird’s eye view of your home, from the side (well..through the house). It also shows the interior and exterior walls.

You can use section plans to communicate with builders or renovators so they can see what you want done in the right way. The plan is usually drawn on one sheet of paper but sometimes it will span two or three sheets if there are many rooms or views that need to be shown on it.

Some Examples

  • A section plan is a graphic representation of a building or object, usually in cross-section.
  • A section plan can be used to show the arrangement of different rooms, spaces and/or levels within an interior environment.
  • You can use a section plan for your own home or for any other building or vehicle you might want to see in details

Here are some examples of a section plan:

It is important to note (to avoid confusion):

The difference between an elevation and a section is that the elevation shows the external vertical plan of the building and the section shows the internal. It is quite common that we get enquiries asking for external sections, which does not exists… So if you are looking for external plan you’d need an elevation plan.

Sample Section plan in PDF:

MB-SURV-BR-SECA-001Download

How to Draw a Section Plan

There are a few different ways to create a section plan. One common method is by hand, but it’s also possible to use software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp. To start, you’ll need to draw a 2D line drawing of your house.

  • You would want to start to draw up all your floor plans first so that you can get the layout and vertical dimensions (room height, door height and windows).
  • Once you’re done you have to draw your section line and which direction you need to draw.
  • then you would want to start aligning the floors against your section so that you can draw your internal of your house, then your height of each floor.
  • Then the hardest part is what you see from the section line. Check out the examples above to give you an idea of what features to pick

Then you can add labels and dimension lines on the house plans to indicate height, depth, and width as well as material types and construction details. Labels are useful for showing the location of rooms and other features on your building as well as giving an overview of any special structural elements that might be present in your home (such as trusses).

Interior designer making hand drawing pencil sketch of a bathroom
Interior design

How to read or draw a section plan.

A section plan is a drawing that shows the cross-section of a building. It can be drawn to show all of the floors, or it can show just one floor.

A section plan is different from an elevation, which shows an outside view of your house. A section plan shows how your house looks from inside or underneath it.

A section plan can give you good information about your house

A section plan is a drawing of a house in cross-section, which means it shows how the house is built from the inside down to its foundation. A section plan can show you:

  • The layout of each room in your house
  • How materials like wood, stone and metal are used within each room
  • How different parts of the house connect together (like walls with floors)

Still confused?

Take a look at this article on elevations.

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