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3 January 2023

Do you need planning permission for a dormer loft conversion?

Bhavesh Ramburn Planning Permission, Construction, Architect topographical survey, customers, project, existing plans, measured building survey

If you’re considering a loft conversion and want to know if you need planning permission, the answer is maybe. It depends on a few factors, such as the size and location of your property, as well as the type of conversion you’re planning. To get a better understanding of whether or not you need planning permission for a dormer loft conversion, read on. We’ll cover all the key points so you can make an informed decision about your project.

What is a dormer loft conversion?

A dormer loft conversion is a type of extension that projects vertically from the slope of a roof. It’s a popular choice for those wanting to create additional space in their home as it can add both floor space and headroom.

Dormer loft conversions are normally only suitable for properties with enough existing roof space. To be able to add a dormer, there must be enough height and width available on the sloping part of the roof. The size and position of dormers will be determined by the amount of space available and where the best light can be achieved.

As well as being an effective way to create additional living space, dormer loft conversions can also add value to your property. They are usually more expensive than other types of loft conversions but this cost is often offset by the extra value they add to your home.

Why you might need planning permission

You might need planning permission for your dormer loft conversion if the following applies:

-The dormer will protrude from the existing roof more than 15cm.

-The height of the dormer will be taller than 2m.

-The dormer will take up more than 40% of the existing roof space.

-You live in a conservation area or listed building.

How to apply for planning permission

If you are considering a dormer loft conversion, you will need to apply for planning permission from your local authority. The process can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice before proceeding. You can take a look at a list of projects that needs planning permission.

There are a number of things to consider when applying for planning permission, including the size and location of your proposed dormer, the impact on the surrounding properties and the visual appearance of the finished conversion. You will also need to submit detailed plans and drawings of your proposal.

The planning permission process can be time-consuming, so it is important to start early. Once you have submitted your application, the decision-making process can take up to eight weeks. If your application is successful, you will be granted a planning permit that will allow you to proceed with your conversion.

What are the benefits of a dormer loft conversion?

There are many benefits to a dormer loft conversion, including:

1. Increased living space – a dormer loft conversion will add valuable extra living space to your home, which can be used for any purpose you desire, from an extra bedroom or playroom for the kids to a home office or gym.

2. Improved property value – as well as providing you with extra living space, a dormer loft conversion can also add significant value to your property, making it a great investment for the future.

3. Enhanced natural light and ventilation – compared to a standard loft conversion, a dormer loft conversion will let in more natural light and provide better ventilation, making it a much more pleasant place to spend time in.

4. Greater headroom – due to the sloped nature of most roofs, standard loft conversions can often be quite cramped and have limited headroom. A dormer loft conversion will create more headroom thanks to the addition of vertical walls, making it feel much more spacious.

5. Better energy efficiency – because they let in more natural light and air, dormer loft conversions can also help improve the energy efficiency of your home, saving you money on heating and lighting bills in the long run.

How to choose the right company for your project

When planning a dormer loft conversion, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right company to carry out the work. There are a number of things to consider when making this decision, including:

– The experience and expertise of the company. Make sure they have carried out similar projects before and that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete your project to a high standard.

– The cost of the project. Get several quotes from different companies before making a decision. Make sure you are clear on what is included in the price and that there are no hidden costs.

– The timescale for the project. Find out how long the company will need to complete the work and whether this fits in with your own timeframe.

– The terms and conditions of the contract. Make sure you understand everything in the contract before signing it, including any warranties or guarantees that are offered.

Conclusion

If you are considering a dormer loft conversion, it is important to check with your local planning department to see if you need permission. In most cases, you will not need permission for a small dormer loft conversion, but if your plans are for a larger project, it is best to get approval before starting any work. With the right planning and permissions in place, your dormer loft conversion can be a great way to add extra space and value to your home.

28 June 2017

Why we accept all Major Credit Cards, Apple Pay and Android Pay

Bhavesh Ramburn Icelabz customers, bramburn, project, credit, credit card, early, paying 0

At Icelabz we like talking to our customers and one of the pain points that we see our customers face every day is financing their project and paying for them.

Especially at the early stage of your projects; where you are still trying to get your architect to complete their proposed drawings for planning applications and get tenders in from contractors.

So we’ve made it easier for you to pay on credit.

How we’ve done it

Stripe Payment

We have teamed up with Stripe so that we can provide you with the best rates without charging you transaction fees. (We don’t pass on the charges to you)

Stripe allows our customers to use their credit card which includes American Express and other major credit cards that offer cash back incentives.

This is great for our customers as this can potentially save them cost and manage their cash flow at early stages of their project.

List of ways you can pay

In addition to paying with your credit card you can also pay using:

Apple Pay
Android Pay
Direct Debit

This helps you transact with us faster, get things done on the go without logging into your bank account and setting up a new recipient – which can take 10-15min

1 January 2017

How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

Bhavesh Ramburn Uncategorized crm, going to help, architect, improve, business, improve your process, clients, increase, company, interaction, crm tools, may help, customer, process, customer relationship, relationship, customer relationship management, relationship management, customers, sales productivity, data, streamline 0

How can a CRM Tool Help Architects Increase Their Sales

There are plenty of ways an architect may use Customer Relationship Management tools to improve his or her marketing, get clients and increase income. Improving customer relationships is a perfect way to build more sales because a lot depends on repeat business in this business. Plus, if you analyse your interaction with customers and how you turn a lead (or prospect) into a sale, then you can improve your process to convert more people in the long run.

Use it to gather data about your customers

The CRM tools have metrics that can be recorded and analysed for use later. Knowing more about your customers, their buying habits and your interaction with them will help you target them in the future. Track your leads and conversions and use the data to improve your process so you covert more and lose less. The more you know about your customers, then the higher the probability that you will be able to exploit that knowledge to increase your income.

It makes being a customer easier

When a company has got its act together, it becomes easier to be a customer. The interaction between the customer and the company becomes smoother and more pleasant for the customer. If you use the software correctly between you and your client, it helps build better relationships both now and in the future.

Maintain frequent contact with your customers

As an architect, you will probably have a smaller pool of clients, and keeping in contact with those few people on a frequent basis may be a good idea (if not vital to your success). Keeping in touch with your best customers is going to help keep your business afloat as you keep looking for more customers. Keeping the ones you have is vitally important if you want to grow your business as opposed to just treading water.

Use a loyalty program to reward loyal customers

Since you have a smaller group of clients, it could be a good idea to start a loyalty process. A relationship-marketing platform may help you do that a little more easily and professionally. Keep up with your most loyal and important customers and keep a look out for changes. You may be able to catch them in the process of being romanced by another company.

Streamline your process for increased sales productivity

Simply making your business and selling process a little faster is going to help improve sales productivity. As you move the customer from interest to the purchase, you can skip through each step easily without unneeded delays.

Streamline and lower costs

If you can use the tools at hand to improve and streamline your business, then it may help you lower your costs and your prices. Maybe it will shave a few hours per week off your customer interfacing time or sell cultivation and processing times.

Get feedback with your CRM tools

It may be a good idea to get feedback in person if you are an architect, but there is not always time for a bit of direct feedback, which is why a little bit of data collected with the help of CRM tools may be just what a professional needs.

Enable easier sharing and partnering

The whole process of working with customer relationship tools, especially online, means that file sharing and such becomes a lot easier. Partnering becomes easier too as other companies, and other people can work on your behalf, and they get access to just as many resources as your other staff.

Try softwares such as Contactually or Salesforce . They both offer customer relationship management with cloud services.