A planning pre-application is an opportunity to approach the council with a set of architectural plans and present the proposed design to the planning department before submitting the full planning application. It is essentially a way of getting feedback directly from the council before committing to the formal application process — allowing the design to […]

When people talk about planning permission for a house extension, they often assume there is just one type. In reality, there are several different planning routes, and the one you need depends on the property, the work proposed, and where the property is located. For most house extensions and loft conversions in Essex, the route

Not every house extension requires a party wall surveyor — but many will trigger the Party Wall Act in some way. Whether a surveyor needs to be involved depends on the type of work, where you are building, and how your neighbour responds. This guide explains the three key elements of the Party Wall Act,

Yes. Almost every house extension requires Building Regulations approval through Building Control. Building Regulations set the standards for how an extension must be designed and constructed — covering structural safety, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, and drainage. Building Control independently reviews the technical drawings and inspects the work at key stages during construction. Without Building Regulations

An architectural plan is the starting point for a successful house extension. This guide explains what homeowners in Essex need, when each stage is required, and how accurate plans support planning, design, building regulations, and construction. Contents What Are Architectural Drawings for a House Extension? When Do You Need Architectural Plans? What Is Included in

Architectural drawings for a house extension include a measured survey of the existing property, existing floor plans and elevations, proposed floor plans and elevations showing the new design, a site plan, and a roof plan. For the planning stage, these drawings are submitted to the council. For the building regulations stage, a more detailed technical

Choosing the right design company for your house extension can make the difference between a smooth project and months of stress. Most homeowners have never completed a house extension before, so they don’t know what to expect. In this guide, we explain exactly what you should expect from an architectural design company, how the design

The roof shapes almost everything else about a house extension: what it costs, how straightforward planning is, how the finished room feels to sit in, and what the whole thing looks like from the garden. Get this decision right early, and the rest tends to follow. In Essex right now, there are essentially eight roof

Yes. Kirkwood’s Discovery Call happens online or over the phone, runs about half an hour, and doesn’t cost anything. There are no drawings to bring, no measurements to work out beforehand, nothing to prepare. You come away from it with a clear read on your planning position, a realistic sense of what your project will

If you’ve never spoken to a design company before, it’s natural to worry the call will feel like a sales pitch. It isn’t. A Discovery Call with Kirkwood is a straightforward, unpressured conversation, usually lasting somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes, where the goal is simple: help you understand what your project actually involves before