I am okanning to move to a bungalow. Adjacent to it is one has had an extension added. I might consider doing the same thing provided that I can afford it.
First though i will need a copy of their building plans. Is there some way that I can acquire a copy of the plans of someone else's property?
If their extension isn't donkeys years old you probably can view them on your council's planning website, that won't give you rights to use their plans for your own purposes though ....
see the architect who did them ...
Client confidentiality?
copyright and professional fees more like.
Owain
You should be able to get the planning application plans from the councils website, but the detailed Building Control plans are not available, presumably because of copyright.
But the plans invariably identify the architect; and you have a lever in price negociation by saying "you have done this before". Of course they may sneakily talk to other local architects and say "suggest you bid high for this one". In fact they may not even have to, just mention in the Lodge that they have been asked to bid for a carbon copy.
You could probably find a structural engineer or draftsperson to draw up plans based on the planning application from next door - not photocopies, but the same layout/etc. That would be cheaper than employing an architect, although whether it's cheaper than asking the original architect 'same again please' is another question.
Theo
Even if the other house appears to be identical to yours it won't be. Builders aren't like that. Dimensions will vary slightly; the internal layout might be different; spot heights will be different; materials might be different; the drains will almost certainly be different.
Bill
next door wanted a loft hatch like mine. Identical house(except for being a mirror image) but about 20mm difference in the spacing of the timbers meant that it went from a mod. to somewhat structural.
a plan is a plan ..
Try BC I used to be quite liberal with handing out copies from microfiche where I considered no trouble would be caused and I warned them not to tell what I had done....but I was a helpful sod and times have changed and digitised copies can be traced...
If they exist at all. I had a major extension built, along with a garage conversion, I was surprised at both the lack of specific detail, and number (4) of drawings.
Building control fees were also a lot lower than I'd expected. (550 quid for 4 visits, and final sign off)
totly
A cunning plan ?
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required