Can I use planning drawings to get builder quotes?

They give a builder the shape and size, but not the construction detail. Prices based on planning drawings alone are usually indicative and can move once technical drawings exist.

How many revisions are included?

The number of revisions is stated in your written quote before you commit, so you know what is covered and what would be charged separately.

Do you need to visit the property?

Sometimes. Your designer reviews what information is available first and explains whether a visit or survey is needed, and what it would cost, before anything is booked.

Planning drawings for house extensions

Planning drawings show the council what exists now and what you propose to build. They are scaled, annotated and prepared to the council's requirements - and they are a different thing from the technical drawings a builder works from.

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What a set of planning drawings includes

Location plan, normally at 1:1250, showing the site in its surroundings
Block or site plan, normally at 1:500 or 1:200, showing the property and boundaries
Existing floor plans and elevations
Proposed floor plans and elevations
Roof plan or section drawings where the proposal needs them

Planning drawings versus building regulations drawings

Planning drawings communicate scale, form and appearance. They do not show how the building is put together.

Building regulations drawings come later and cover construction: insulation, structure, drainage, ventilation, fire safety and the rest. A builder pricing the work accurately needs that second set.

How the existing property is recorded

Accurate proposed drawings depend on an accurate record of what is already there. Your designer reviews the information available and explains whether extra measurements or a measured survey are needed. Any additional cost is agreed with you first.

Who this is for

Homeowners who need a drawing set prepared for a planning application
People who have been asked by a builder or council for scaled existing and proposed drawings
Anyone with old, incomplete or inaccurate plans of their home

How the drawings are produced

We agree the scope and fee in writing.
The existing property is recorded, from available information or from measurements where needed.
Your designer prepares existing and proposed drawings and discusses them with you.
Drawings are revised within the agreed number of revisions and issued for submission.

Important things to be aware of

Drawings prepared for planning are not sufficient for construction or for building control approval.
Where the available information about the existing building is limited, extra measurement may be needed and is charged separately by agreement.
Different councils ask for different scales and annotations; drawings are prepared to your council's list.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use planning drawings to get builder quotes?: They give a builder the shape and size, but not the construction detail. Prices based on planning drawings alone are usually indicative and can move once technical drawings exist.
How many revisions are included?: The number of revisions is stated in your written quote before you commit, so you know what is covered and what would be charged separately.
Do you need to visit the property?: Sometimes. Your designer reviews what information is available first and explains whether a visit or survey is needed, and what it would cost, before anything is booked.

Official sources

Planning Portal - the government's planning guidance for England

Tell us about your project

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