Home / Blog
Guides to the questions we answer every week on calls, written by the architect, not by a content agency. More articles are on the way.
The series
In England, most houses can add a single-storey rear extension, a loft dormer, a small porch or a garden room without a planning application. Here are the limits for each, and the things that quietly take those rights away.
With unrecoverable moving fees often eclipsing the cost of a major renovation, deciding whether to build or buy requires looking closely at the cold, hard numbers. We break down the honest 2026 maths of extending versus moving across North-East London and Essex to help you make the right financial choice.
Eight checks (permitted development, designations, the neighbours' history, the street's ceiling price) before you make an offer.
Appeal or resubmit, how to read your refusal reasons, and the twelve-week window nobody tells you about.
Why permission is a clock starting, which conditions block your start on site, and how long discharge really takes.
The consent most rear extensions discover late. What triggers it, what it costs, and when to start it.
Why a written building contract is fair to you and your builder, and what it should cover before anyone starts on site.
Can't wait for the article? The Property Insight Report answers most of these questions for your specific address.
Get in touch
Whether you're just starting out or picking up a project halfway, we'd love to hear from you.
Want the facts first? Start with the Property Insight Report. It comes with a free 30-minute call with a chartered architect. Or send us an enquiry, and we'll get back to you within one working day.