Author Archives: Natalie

Paving your front garden

Since 2008, paving your front garden has been classed as a permitted development. If you want to pave your front garden, you do not need to seek planning permission to do so, providing you use a permeable surface that allows water to reach the ground or drain naturally, and so long as your property is […]

Wallpapering a sitting room

Good condition Average condition Poor condition Low High Low High Low High Wallpapering a sitting room £200 £500 £300 £750 £400 £1,000 The cost and style of the wallpaper you plan to use to decorate your sitting room will be foremost in your mind when you think about giving your home a new look. Hand-printed […]

Laying a patio

If you want to lay a patio or other hard surface on your property, you are free to do so without planning permission. Whether you are laying a stone flagged patio or creating a tarmac driveway, there are no restrictions in place to prevent you from doing so. Patios, driveways and decking are classed as […]

Gate ornaments

If you want to erect ornamental gateposts on your property, you should bear in mind that they follow the same planning rules as fences, walls and gates. This means that you will need to apply for planning permission to install new ornamental gates. However, if you are simply improving your current gates, you do not […]

Fences and gates

In all circumstances you are required to apply for planning permission if you wish to put up a new fence, wall or garden gate at your property. You do not need to apply for planning permission to take down a fence, wall or garden gate, or if you want to alter, repair or improve your […]

Removing décor in a sitting room

Good condition Average condition Poor condition Low High Low High Low High Removing décor in a sitting room £100 £250 £150 £375 £200 £500 Giving your sitting room a makeover means you first have to carry out the arduous task of removing the current décor, which is very much something that a professional can do for […]

Installing decking in your garden

If you live in England or Wales, you are allowed to install decking in your garden under permitted development rules and you do not need to apply for planning permission to do so. However, there are limitations to this permitted development, so it is important to establish whether or not your project will exceed these […]

Non notifiable electrical work

Under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, there are types of electrical work that can be carried out which do not need to be notified to Building Control. Minor works Part P of the 2010 Building Regulations lists the minor electrical works that can be carried out which do not need […]

Painting a kitchen

Good condition Average condition Poor condition Low High Low High Low High Painting a kitchen £115 £280 £170 £425 £225 £565 The quality and therefore cost of paint to be used when decorating your kitchen will help to dictate your overall budget, although the bulk of the cost will be down to labour charges. Your […]

Wind turbines

In most circumstances, you will require planning permission to install a domestic wind turbine. However, under permitted development, it is possible in some cases to install one without the need for a planning application – this applies to mounted wind turbines and standalone wind turbines. With the rules surrounding wind turbines not entirely clear, it […]