If you own your home?

Question

Do you need to get permission from your local council to convert two inside cupboard into a small box room/study,both up stairs neighbours have done this without permission an di'm worried when the walls are removed the ceilings will all cave in .If we've permission and have architect drawings who will be liable for any damage done.

Answer 1

In UK you do not need permission, but you might need building regulations if it is a load bearing wall. To find out if it is load bearing go into the roof if the joists are running across the supporting wall they may be load bearing, if they run the same way as the wall they are not. Get the advice of a good builder if you are worried. If it collapsed you would be in the position of suing people could take years to sort out, don't go there. Check first.

Answer 2

Obviously you need to be satisfied about the safety of the potential work. Remember, many lemmings will happily follow each other toward danger; you do not have to follow your neighbours like a sheep or lemming.

I advise you to speak informally to the local authority planning department, who will happily give free advice. This prevents work having to be removed, at your cost, if there is any transgression.

We, the readers here, do not know the full facts of your property nor local area. Both may have restrictions in force. Each local council usually approaches and enforces work in their own ways too. By speaking to your local planning people, you can get them on your side from the start - if you heed their advice, that is. I'm not sure how large the space is that you are looking to convert -it may be that you would need to be reassessed for council tax purposes.

Things to consider before rushing ahead and then having to potentially pick up the pieces later.

Good luck! Rob

Answer 3

First Issude: The Permit.

The following information is based on the International Residential Code (IRC) 2006. Check with your building department to verify what code they are using.

According to the IRC Section 105, "Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repari, move, dmolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit."

Thus, you will need to get a permit.

Second Issue: Structure and Liability.

If you are unsure about whether or not the wall you intend on removing is structural or not (holding up the upstairs apartment), hire a structural engineer to investigate it for you before demolishing anything.

You can hire the structural engineer to draw up some blueprints as well. These will need to be submitted with your application for a permit to the city. You may or may not be able to save some money by coordinating with a drafting company what the engineer wants drawn. Either way, the engineer has to put his stamp on the blueprints, thus putting the liability on him.

Another way to pass the liability on is when you hire your contractor, make sure he has General Liability Insurance. This creates a second level of liability in the event that something goes wrong.

Even if the wall is structural you can still accomplish what you want to. However, it will require a header to be placed within the wall.

Answer 4

Your locality may require an inspection and having a permit issued prior to the work being started. Most contractors take care of this aspect and include the expense into their estimates for the job. Your contractor should know what your locality requires and should go through the process prior to working. You could always check with the city hall, or town council to see what the procedure is. Do they have a website?

As far as liability: make sure you use licensed, bonded (insured) contractors and architects. If they are reputable, they will guarantee their work and assume liability for any structural failure or failure of materials/workmanship.

Answer 5

Looks like you need not worry, the neighbours have done it and there houses are still standing yes? You just need to check that the wall you want to remove is not load bearing. If you are getting someone in to do the work, then presumably they will know what they are doing. As to getting permission do you own the property? if yes then i can't see you no can you.

Answer 6

No you don't need permission to do internal work,and unless the cupboard wall is the main bearer wall ( you can normally tell by knocking on it to see if they are solid) you can knock them down without the ceiling coming down, as they are usually built from the floor board up to the plaster board ceiling.But if it is a council flat you will need permission,or if you don't and leave you will have to put them back the way they were.

Answer 7

I oddly trust human beings on the two aspects of this argument. i've got basically offered a house and that i've got constantly felt that the capital i'm development is wise in the long-term. it is likewise a extra acceptable investment than the different for protection. in my opinion a loan is investment and hire is funds for no longer something. in spite of the undeniable fact that, no longer each and every little thing is black and white. If I had no decision yet to hire, i'd nonetheless be chuffed. you're offering a house on your baby, and each little thing else s/he desires, so do no longer problem. Many opt to hire as the two i) they prefer the liberty to have the skill to circulate on without merchandising or ii) they're apprehensive that in the event that they purchase and homestead costs plummet, they're be in destructive fairness. in case you could cope financially and you have a place to stay, i would not problem approximately no count in case you very own or hire. perhaps look at shared possession to diminish the fee of the homestead, or get a loan from a relatives member for the deposit? i understand that sounds extra trouble-free than it fairly is. I basically discovered a deposit via asking my mom and dad to coach for a loan for me and that i pay it by way of them.

Answer 8

The Contractor excepts responsibility for damage when he signs the contract.

Answer 9

Make shure its not a load baring wall. I wold do it and keep zipped,
If not shure get free estimate off builder.
ta tar.

Answer 10

no