Creating your own Plans for an extension

Schmidt · 28 Feb 2018

Alright,

I've got a 3x5m lean-to conservatory at the back of my house and I'm looking to replicate it in brick with a tiled roof, skylights and bi-folding doors.

Does anyone recommend any software or ways to perhaps do the plans myself?

I'm a gas engineer and I've got experience of working on building sites and allsorts, so I'm struggling to justify paying an architect for such a simple design!

I know there's some things to consider, such as footings, insulation, u-values etc. and I'm happy to pay for some literature and study up on it, if I have to - especially if it saves on the £500+ I'm being quoted for these drawings!

Schmidt · 28 Feb 2018

For the record, I am employing a builder to do the building work!

Nakajo · 28 Feb 2018

If £500 is too much,what amount would be reasonable?

freddiemercurystwin · 28 Feb 2018

Yowser £500? I need to up my prices.

tony1851 · 1 Mar 2018

Do you actually need plans?

garyo · 1 Mar 2018

£500 doesn't sound like a bad price to me based on what some people say they pay. It all depends on what's included. Apples and oranges.

1) Who is designing the overall concept, i.e. what are you trying to do, considering where the drains are, what pitch of roof you'll fit in under your upstairs windows. The basics. This is a sketch on some A4 paper for you and your wife to ponder over. Sounds like you've already done this?
2) Planning permission drawings... depending on the above : For PD this can be a sketch on a serviette. For PP you'll need to produce elevations, plans, and block plans to the correct scale.
3) Detailed design: Who's working out detail of the construction - what materials for your roof, walls, U values, any beams?
4) Building regs drawings : Once you've decided on the above, do you need to write them down for a full plans submission (or for comparative builders quotes) or are you doing it on a building notice.

You can do some or all of this yourself. I've done a few extensions using Visio (including the bregs full-plans submissions), but it's hard work [inefficient]. I use Sketchup nowadays and the workflow is much faster for making changes to multiple drawings based on a single model.

^woody^ · 1 Mar 2018

Software won't help one bit unless you know the regulations and what to specify too. Even then it will just make it look prettier.

garyo · 1 Mar 2018

Schmidt said:
I'm happy to pay for some literature and study up on it, if I have to - especially if it saves on the £500+ I'm being quoted for these drawings!

All of the answers are in this forum if you browse around it enough, and don't ask too many stupid/lazy questions that you wind people up too much!

pilsbury · 1 Mar 2018

Sounds like you have more experience than me and I designed, drew plans and building reg plans myself using sketch up. Submitted and passed. Building myself too. Gave a few on here a laugh in the process too!

^woody^ · 1 Mar 2018

My ribs were bandaged for 6 weeks!

pilsbury · 1 Mar 2018

It’s nice to make people laugh. Think of me as a bringer if joy.

I’ve seen many of your posts giving advice with cutting wit, but mine are the only ones you replied to mentioning your need for tablets and drink.

^woody^ · 1 Mar 2018

pilsbury said:
It’s nice to make people laugh. Think of me as a bringer if joy.

I’ve seen many of your posts giving advice with cutting wit, but mine are the only ones you replied to mentioning your need for tablets and drink.

You broke me.

Aeron Rees · 1 Mar 2018

Hello

I use autocad architecture for my clients, though it is very expensive to get the licence and really something that the professionals use.

As an architectural technologist, I’m obviously biased in that I would recommend using a professional to get you through the various stages, design concept, planning, building regulations, Party Wall Act etc.

However, I think you can get an autocad 2-D licence for approximately £50 for the month, and then draw some plans from that. You don’t really need fancy 3-D rendered excellent plans for planning permission or building regulations.

One of the books that I would recommend is the Home Extensions Manual, See link.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Extension-Manual-Step-step/dp/1844253570

Hope that helps

freddiemercurystwin · 1 Mar 2018

Actually I've got a feeling you can download and use AutoCAD for a free months trial but realistically it's cumbersome to a new user and I can't see a novice who doesn't actually know what he's drawing getting something useful out of it in a month. There are simpler and free drawing software's available, there are plenty of threads on the forum if the OP would care to search.

wessex101 · 2 Mar 2018

The trouble is people do not realise a good set of drawings will probably save them money during the build not to mention get them better more competitive quotes from builders. With well intentioned DIY amateur attempts at plans the builder is more likely to hit problems and have to make changes and thereby charge for extras.

Except pilsbury, he is a legend. He managed to get hundreds of pounds worth of free advice from the usual suspects on here and a self builder can't really screw himself with extras.

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Creating your own Plans for an extension

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