Hi
I am planning to have a single storey extension on the back of my semidetached house in Gleadless to give a bigger kitchen.
The extension is basicaly going to be a copy of a common modification to houses in this area which were built with very small kitchens originally.
What I need to know is ,,,how do I start the ball rolling ??
Where do I begin ??
And what will be my list of contacts I need to make to get it happening.
Money is not the problem as that side is covered.
Also I will need recomended builders , who are a reliable and reasonable too,,so recomendations there are apreciated too!!
Cheers
Simon

First thing you need to do is talk to your neighbours who have had something similar done.

They can give you their experience of the builders and may even let you have their plans - saving you a few hundred pounds in draughtsmans fees.

We did this when we had our loft converted - the company has loads of work in our area through word-of-mouth and because the houses are all similar.

begin by deciding what you want to achieve.
if you want a dining kitchen you will have to get the dimensions right to accomodate (he says in a patronisng tone).but seriously the more you know yourself the easier the process.
the builder may have to change things 'cos of drains access etc but you still need to end up with the picture in your head.
draw it out on paper to scale if you can with the house & garden shown,this will show how much room it will take up & how much benefit you will get.

then measure it talk about it & draw it again.i have converted & extended & coverted a 32ft garage into a sitting room,office &utility, built a conservatory from ground up all in a similar manner.if you need a good builder i use a guy from doncaster who i could recommend. he built me a dwarf wall from my sketch measurements& when the doors arrived they fitted in like a hand in a glove.

There's a similar thread here: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34865&highlight=storey+extension+planning

In summary, I'd recommend engaging neighbours and planners at earliest opportunity.

Cheers for the advice .
As for the neighbours , thats no problem , most have been asked , and no problems there .
As for the extensions on the neighbours houses ,,they where mostly done years ago, and most have had new owners since ,so I guess the plans may have long gone.
But my adjoining driveway neighbour has a exact extension to what I am looking for ,,so be good to use that I guess for measurements etc.
Trouble is I bought my house from a old person who never modernised, where as all the others have been.

Si

I know a really good builder whos main work is house extensions. PM me with your details and I'll pass them on or alternatively, PM me and I'll send you his details!

Cheers Newdawnevent.
I can send a pm now my post count is off the floor .
Si