{"id":23395,"date":"2025-10-20T15:48:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T15:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/know-how\/nows-the-time-to-start-planning-your-summer-2026-home-extension\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T15:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T15:48:37","slug":"nows-the-time-to-start-planning-your-summer-2026-home-extension","status":"publish","type":"know-how","link":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/know-how\/nows-the-time-to-start-planning-your-summer-2026-home-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Now\u2019s the Time to Start Planning Your Summer 2026 Home Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking about extending your home in 2026, whether that\u2019s a new kitchen-diner, an extra bedroom, or a light-filled garden room, now is the time to start planning.<\/p>\n<p>Although summer 2026 may feel a long way off, a well-designed and properly managed extension takes months of preparation. From design and permissions through to technical drawings and tendering, every stage needs time and attention. Starting early this autumn gives you the best chance of securing approvals and a builder in time for a smooth summer build.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why Early Planning Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Good Design Takes Time<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Every successful extension begins with thoughtful design. It\u2019s not just about adding square footage, it\u2019s about creating space that works beautifully for your lifestyle, complements your existing home, and meets your budget.<\/p>\n<p>At this stage, your architect will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Visit your home to understand its character and constraints.<\/li>\n<li>Explore concept ideas and layouts that enhance light and flow.<\/li>\n<li>Develop drawings that reflect your vision and practical needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Taking your time here ensures you achieve a design that feels right, not rushed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Understanding Planning Permission and Permitted Development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the UK, most home extensions fall under one of two routes for approval:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong> Householder Planning Permission<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If your proposal goes beyond permitted development rights, for example, a two-storey side extension, large rear addition, or works in a conservation area, you\u2019ll likely need <strong>Householder Planning Permission<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Your architectural designer will prepare and submit the application on your behalf, including drawings, design statements and any supporting documents. Local planning authorities usually take <strong>6-8 weeks<\/strong> to decide, though this can vary depending on workload and feedback.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong> Permitted Development Rights (PD)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Many smaller extensions can be carried out under <strong>Permitted Development Rights<\/strong> (PD), avoiding a full planning application. Strict size and height limits apply, especially for listed buildings or conservation areas where additional restrictions exist.<\/p>\n<p>To confirm that your project qualifies under PD, your architect can apply for a <strong>Certificate of Lawfulness<\/strong>, an official document from the local council that proves your extension is lawful and meets all PD criteria. This certificate is highly recommended, as it provides protection should you sell your home in future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t Forget Building Regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Regardless of whether your project needs planning permission or falls under permitted development, <strong>Building Regulations approval<\/strong> is always required. These regulations ensure your extension meets national standards for structure, energy efficiency, fire safety, drainage and more.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main routes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Full Plans Application<\/strong> \u2013 detailed drawings are submitted and approved before work starts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Building Notice<\/strong> \u2013 suitable for smaller, straightforward projects where the builder liaises directly with building control during construction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your architectural designer can prepare the technical drawings and coordinate this process with either the local authority or an approved inspector.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tendering and Appointing a Builder<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Once you have planning and Building Regulations approval, the next step is to find the right contractor. This is known as the <strong>tender process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Your architectural designer will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prepare a <strong>tender package<\/strong> including drawings, specifications and a schedule of works.<\/li>\n<li>Invite a shortlist of reputable builders to submit quotes.<\/li>\n<li>Review and compare tenders to ensure like-for-like pricing.<\/li>\n<li>Help you appoint a builder under a clear written contract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Good builders are often booked months in advance, so starting design and approvals early gives you time to secure your preferred contractor for a <strong>summer 2026 start date<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Planning a home extension takes more time than most people expect, but starting early sets you up for success. By beginning your design process this autumn, you can:<br \/>\u2705 Develop a design that fits your home and lifestyle<br \/>\u2705 Secure planning permission or a Certificate of Lawfulness<br \/>\u2705 Obtain Building Regulations approval<br \/>\u2705 Tender to trusted builders with confidence<br \/>\u2705 Be ready to build in spring\/summer 2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Get Professional Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re considering extending your home, David Hickinson Architecture offers a free, 30 minute no obligation consultation. We\u2019ll discuss your ideas and advise on the best course of action going forward, assessing planning opportunities, and highlighting any potential constraints.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff\"><strong><em>We offer a 10% discount on all quotations for Business Culture Members. <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Get in touch to arrange your free consultation and get your project on the right path.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking about extending your home in 2026, whether that\u2019s a new kitchen-diner, an extra bedroom, or a light-filled garden room, now is the time to start planning.","protected":false},"author":12313342,"featured_media":23396,"template":"","know_how_category":[],"class_list":["post-23395","know-how","type-know-how","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/know-how\/23395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/know-how"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/know-how"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12313342"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/know-how\/23395\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"know_how_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebusinessculture.co.uk\/hey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/know_how_category?post=23395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}