The limited options for expansion in London properties caused a surge in popularity for basement extensions as homeowners dug down to find more space. In reaction, concern spread about the safety and long term consequences of such builds, and across the capital borough after borough have formally restricted basement developments with new, stricter guidelines that…

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Last week, I shared some advice on how to prepare a brief for your architect so that your project can hit the ground running. Most of that advice applies to new builds as well as existing, but new builds do feature some crucial differences to the briefing process which deserve special attention. Tabula Rasa First of…

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Sketch Over Floor Plans If you want to work on an existing build, the first thing both you and your architect need before you can make even the most rough of outlines is information on the current property. Most of this can be gathered from estate agent particulars, including floor plans and internal and external…

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Andrew McWhirter has over 30 years of experience as a Chartered Surveyor and works with the cream of the crop in private, commercial and state developments. He’s my trusted source for all matters involving party walls, so I was delighted when he offered to write some guest blogs for our readers. – John Dyer-Grimes If…

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Andrew McWhirter has over 30 years of experience as a Chartered Surveyor and works with the cream of the crop in private, commercial and state developments. He’s my trusted source for all matters involving party walls, so I was delighted when he offered to write some guest blogs for our readers. – John Dyer-Grimes Before…

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