Looking at building an extension on the side of my house . . .

Looking into the feasibility of extending the side of my semi detached house. There's a driveway down the side to the garage (which would be replaced in the extension). The gap to next door is 8 1/2 foot and 22 foot long. Good access to water, gas and electric (Via old coal shed, fuse board, gas pipe and water pipe easy to take through). Only problem is a cast waste pipe and plastic waste on back of the house.

can people advise me on what to look out for as main problems (DPC at front is only 2 bricks up on front of house which may pose a problem unless i don't build the extension flush with the front of the house as driveway slopes down.)

[johnnyrod]

God knows but a picture is worth a thousand words

im not actually sure what the question is.
I know I can confirm the DPC is supposed to be 150mm up from external ground level so 2 course is correct.

[NTECUK]

Submit your application to the local authority.
They won't let you build it unless it satisfies a plethora of regulations.
Might be worth a look at the party wall act too

[Haircut]

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/

Is a good place to start, if you can avoid the need for planning permission then that simplifies things, you still need building regs, you will probabley find your local department quite approachable if you have any questions.

All building issues can be overcome if you can find the right builder.

[johnnyrod]

Originally Posted by NTECUK

a mirrorard

Do you have a lassonce for your minky?

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by johnnyrod

Do you have a lassonce for your minky?

Moot point.
www.minky.co.uk

[Doinitmyway]

If your extension isn't going to touch the next doors house then you won't need to look at party wall act. They do make you dig some proper deep foundations for two storey extensions though so if this is close to your neighbours outside wall.....I would speak to a builder, they can advise you on this and how the new bit ties into the existing brickwork. The DPC is the least of your worries.

[Haircut]

Originally Posted by Doinitmyway

If your extension isn't going to touch the next doors house then you won't need to look at party wall act. They do make you dig some proper deep foundations for two storey extensions though so if this is close to your neighbours outside wall.....I would speak to a builder, they can advise you on this and how the new bit ties into the existing brickwork. The DPC is the least of your worries.

That is not entirely correct, as you have to notify your neighbors if excavating within a certain distance of their foundations, although I am not sure if you need their permission.

Again, talk to a builder (more than 1) and talk to your local planning office.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by Haircut

That is not entirely correct, as you have to notify your neighbors if excavating within a certain distance of their foundations, although I am not sure if you need their permission.

Again, talk to a builder (more than 1) and talk to your local planning office.

I had this issue with my neighbour and my extension. An "Ambulance Chaser" wrote a speculative scare letter to all my neighbours about issues I would be causing them and their "rights" under the party wall act if we under-dug their foundations.... "Hire us to represent you or your house will fall down...", "Your neighbour will eat your children and defile you dog if you don't hire us...." Etc. Next door was a solicitor but amazingly fell for the twaddle and caused us endless grief, even though the slope of the ground meant we'd need foundations three times deeper than normal to be anywhere near the base of theirs. Which we didn't!

As Haircut said, don't overlook this and get your builder or planning office to advise.