Your Questions, Our Answers

To ensure our building work is sustainable, we design for better performance from all aspects – this way our building projects are created to be efficient with resources, affordable to build and operate, fantastic to inhabit and appropriate to their context.

Building Regulations

All roof / loft conversion conversions must comply with the statutory Building Regulations and therefore will require Building Regulation approval. If structural works such as flooring or other alterations are intended, Building Regulation Consent will be required whether or not the room is for habitable purposes. The main parts of the Regulations which you need to comply with are listed below.
  • Part A – Structure
  • Part B – Fire safety
  • Part E – Sound insulation
  • Part F – Ventilation
  • Part K – Protection from falling, collision & impact
  • Part L1B – Thermal insulation
There is additional information on building regulations on the planning portal website

ABM prepares plans and submits them to the appropriate authority, along with the required fee. The plans are then examined to make sure they comply with the regulations.

This process usually takes 6 – 8 weeks. We will then carry out any amendments if requested. Once you have building regulations approval, works can then commence.

Upon starting works we will notify the building inspector and he will attend site at various stages to inspect the work being carried out.

Planning

Planning laws exist to ensure that any building works are positive for the local area, both environmentally and socially, considering the positives as well as the negatives. Planning permission is granted by the local council and once granted, allows the home owner to carry out renovations to their property lawfully.

Their objective is to ensure all factors are considered, therefore making an informed and balanced decision.

ABM prepares the drawings and paperwork on your behalf for the local council’s consideration. ABM keeps in touch with the council throughout the process. Local authorities will either approve the application or approve subject to conditions or decline the application in its entirety. Whatever the decision they will always state the reasons.

Once Planning permission is granted and building regulations approval has been sought, works can then commence.

You can carry out renovations to your home without having to apply for planning. This is called permitted development. Subject to the type of the extension you can extend a dwelling by up to 4m. A loft conversion is included under permitted development, provided certain conditions are met. For more information, visit the government Planning Portal

ABM Build

ABM offer all services under one roof. Plan and design, design and build or build to your plans. Your choice. This means you don’t have to independently source designers or project manager if you don’t want to, this can be stressful and time consuming. ABM can do this all for you. With over 25 years of experience and industry knowledge you can be confident that whatever your vision or plans, they will be realised with ABM.

You will be provided with a feasibility study and an estimate for the works. If you decide you wish to proceed with ABM, we will then organise planning and building approval for your project , together with a start date to suit you.

Sustainable Building

Our homes and their impact on the environment are an increasing concern for the government and the residents of the UK. Sustainable building or ‘green building’ has been introduced due to lessen the negative impact our buildings can have on the environment. This is combated by sourcing materials from renewable, natural sources that have been harvested in a sustainable way. Inside the home, energy efficient appliances can be installed, thus saving on energy, helping you and the environment.

Energy efficient tools installed in the home can result in financial savings for the home owner, for example installing high levels of insulation and energy efficient lighting can reduce energy costs as well as the use of solar panels which is not only cheaper but a renewable energy source. ABM have experience of sustainable building projects and would be more than happy to provide this service. For more information visit our sustainable building page

Construction phase

The building works happen in phases, loft conversions differ slightly from extensions. For an extension the phase of work is the following:
  • Substructure – Foundations
  • Superstructure – brickwork
  • Roof
  • 1st fix plumbing and electrics
  • Plastering
  • 2nd fix pluming and electrics
  • Completion
For a loft conversion the process is as follows
  • Erect scaffolding
  • Installation of steels
  • Installation of windows/Dormer windows
  • 1st fix plumbing and electrics
  • Plastering
  • Installation of stairs
  • 2nd fix plumbing and electrics
  • Completion