Choosing to renovate your home can be both exciting and challenging, if you are going to be living onsite be prepared for some mess and disruption!
When you’ve found your forever home renovating can be a great solution to adding more space for your growing family or by changing how you use the property for modern day living.
Maybe you’ve found the perfect investment opportunity that needs renovating. Adding bedrooms, updating bathrooms and kitchens can add value and rental yield to your investment.
Building Control and Planning
Whatever you are planning for your home before starting any major works make sure you and your builder are aware of the relevant Building Control and planning guidance Building Control NI (buildingcontrol-ni.com)
Removing load bearing walls could seriously affect the integrity of your building and adjoining properties if not done correctly.
Regulations are put in place by Building Control NI to ensure building works are carried out inline with regulations. Your local Council will be able to connect you with your local Building Control department.
During works a Building Control or Planning Officer may wish to assess the project at various stages.
These regulations are put in place for your and the public’s safety.
You will be required to pay application fees for this service. When works are completed and agreed by the Building Control or Planning Officer you will be provided with a Certificate or approval consent. You will be required to produce these when you come to sell your home or should you need to make an insurance claim.
Adding or extending your home will require plans to be drawn up by an architect and for planning consent to be obtained from your local planning office.
The planning office will require to put your neighbours on notice of any building works that may affect them and their property.
Depending on the age and condition of your property you may be entitled to financial support by way of Grants to assist you with the build costs. It is always worthwhile to check this out.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/getting-help-home-improvement-costs
