VizWorks Pre-Architect Service
Your ideas, our vision, we will craft your perfect extension
Images and a video to bring it to life!
Returned to you in just 3 days
From just £195
If you never ask, you’ll never know…
Exterior House Design for You by Professionals
At VizWorks, we offer a comprehensive, fixed-fee ‘Pre-Architect Service’ to help you visualise your dream extension. Our experts will create an exterior design of your house and your envisioned extension, bringing your concept to life. The process is simple, efficient and you'll receive a completed sketch of your home with the extension in just a few days
‘Whether you're a homeowner, home buyer, or expanding your family, VizWorks can help you realise the possibilities of your home.’
How It Works
1
Choose the house type that most resembles yours
2
Check out to get your short questionnaire and set the ball rolling
3
Receive your dream design within 3 working days
What Our Clients Say…
What regulations are involved?
Will I need planning permission, what is permitted development?
Only with a
DESIGN
can we begin to answer these Questions
We don’t know where to start?
We’ve never done this before, who do we talk to?
How much will it cost?
Is it within my budget? Will the banks extend our mortgage?
How much value will my extension add to my property?
Will it be cost effective?
What will it look like?
Will it have lots of glazing?What materials will we use?Do we need to match the existing house?
Will it provide the extra space we need?
How will it fit the space we have. how will it impact the garden?
Choose the option below that best describes the rear of your house, complete the simple survey, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Simple, Flat, Rear Elevation - £195
The rear elevation of the house is flat, featuring a smooth surface without any architectural protrusions such as existing or original extensions, bay windows, dormers etc.
Complex Rear Elevation - £245
The back of the house is characterised by various architectural elements, such as original or existing extensions, balconies, bay windows etc.
Here are some examples to inspire you or see our portfolio page for more in depth studies.
FAQs
-
Once the checkout process is complete, you'll receive a link to a short questionnaire. This questionnaire will ask for simple measurements of the rear of your house and your ideas for the extension.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure about any of the answers; we’re here to help. After you submit the form along with some pictures, we’ll draw your house to scale and design your dream extension.
-
We will work with what you can provide, any measurements are helpful, however basic. The drawings serve as a visual guide so measurements need only be approximate - typically +/- 10%. The form will contain examples of what to do.
-
Our aim is to return drawings within three working days once the completed form is received.
-
We include a note outlining how your extension is affected by planning rules.
-
Yes, we aim to provide a baseline assessment as a starting point.
-
Yes, our team will be happy to take you through the planning process.
-
Internal design is available as an additional service and is the natural next step in the process. We will provide details and pricing upon reaching this stage
-
We can still help with a concept design but for planning we would recommend a heritage specialist.
Vizworks FAQ’s
A beginners guide to planning permission
-
Planning permission, also known as planning consent, is the official approval from a local authority to build or make changes to a building.
Planning permission is important because it ensures that new developments:
Align with local planning policies
Consider the impact on the surrounding area
Adhere to design and safety standards
Balance individual property rights with the broader interests of the community
-
Planning permission for building an extension to your house is required in certain circumstances.
In many cases, small extensions might qualify for permitted development, meaning you don't need formal planning permission. However, specific size and design limitations apply, for example:
Extensions exceeding 50% of the original house area.
Extensions exceeding a certain height or depth (this varies depending on the type of house and land around it).
Extensions built to the front of the house facing a road.
-
You need to apply for Listed Building Consent from your local planning authority before you can alter, extend, or demolish a listed building.Some key points to consider are..
Consider the building's character
When planning changes, consider how they will affect the building's character and appearance as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Be adaptable
Be prepared to negotiate and adapt throughout the planning process.
Use traditional materials and techniques
Consider using traditional materials and techniques to respect and complement the existing structure.
Submit a Heritage Statement
If your proposals will affect a heritage asset, you'll need to submit a Heritage Statement.
-
Outline planning permission is a process that allows a landowner or developer to determine if a proposed development is acceptable in principle. It's used for new buildings, or alterations and extensions to existing buildings.
Outline planning permission is less detailed than full planning permission. It allows the applicant to put aside specific details, known as "reserved matters", until later.
-
Some renovation work needs planning permission, as do most conversions. Planning permission is not required in all cases, but always check with your local planning department if you’re in any doubt.
-
Permitted development (PD) is a national grant of planning permission that allows certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without needing to apply for planning permission. PDs are subject to conditions and limitations to protect local amenity and control impacts.
Some examples of projects that can be covered by PDs include:
Rear extensions, Side extensions, Wraparound extensions, Two-storey extensions, Garage conversions, and Loft conversions.
-
Class A: Extensions (enlargement, improvement or alteration). This allows the construction of:
a single storey side extension up to half the width of the existing dwelling.
a single storey rear extension up to 4m in length for a detached dwelling and 3m long for a semi or a terraced house.
in some instances, 3m two-storey rear extensions.
You should note that changes made in May 2019 made it permissible to construct single-storey extensions of up to 8m – or 6m for semi or terraced houses – under Class A, but they will require ‘prior notification’.
Class B: The Roof. Rear dormers and hip-to-gable extensions can be created providing the additional volume does not exceed 50m3 (or 40m3 in the case of semis or terraced homes).
Class C: Other roof alterations
Class D: Porches
Class E: Outbuildings etc. Outbuildings can be erected within a residential curtilage, providing they sit behind the main (usually the front) elevation and do not cover more than 50% of the curtilage. They should not be more than 3m in height (4m for dual-pitched roofs or 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary).
-
It’s a good idea to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for any work you do under permitted development. If you decide to sell your property, being able to prove that your building work is compliant with planning regulations will leave no ambiguity for the buyer and can help to smooth the sale process.