Plans Made Easy Blog for Home Improvement Tips

Modern UK home with a detached garage, illustrating compliant design and placement—ideal for articles answering “Can I build a garage without planning permission

Can I Build a Garage Without Planning Permission? Size Limits, Rules & PD Checklist

November 17, 2025 No Comments

Building a garage without planning permission is possible under UK Permitted Development rules, but only if you meet strict size, height and placement limits. This guide explains the key measurements, boundary rules, materials, and Building Regulations you must follow. Learn what you can build legally, how to avoid council issues, and when planning permission is still required.

Split-view of a UK family home showing before-and-after renovation progress — one side fully furnished and bright, the other mid-remodel with exposed wooden framing and tools — illustrating how long does it take to remodel a house.

Full Guide: How Long Does It Take to Remodel a House Start to Finish

November 16, 2025 No Comments

Remodelling a house in the UK can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the scale of work, approvals and contractor availability. This guide explains typical timelines, what affects them, and how to plan each stage—from drawings and planning permission to building control and construction—so your renovation runs smoothly from start to finish.

Homeowner and construction professional reviewing Scope of Work for a construction project with architectural plans and a in a bright, modern planning space.

Scope of Work for a Construction Project: What UK Homeowners Must Include

November 16, 2025 No Comments

A clear scope of work for a construction project helps UK homeowners avoid disputes, keep costs under control and ensure builders price the same job. This guide explains what to include, how to structure it and why a detailed scope supports smoother planning, building regulations compliance and contractor management from start to finish.

UK homeowner couple reviewing architectural plans and a planning refusal letter at their kitchen table, with a laptop showing “Planning Appeal” — illustrating the process of a Planning Refusal Appeal in a modern British home setting.

Your Planning Refusal Appeal Explained: Timescales, Costs & Common Mistakes

November 15, 2025 No Comments

If your planning application has been refused, it doesn’t have to be the end. This guide explains how a planning refusal appeal works, when it’s worth appealing, how long it takes, and what it can cost. Learn to read your decision notice properly, avoid common mistakes, and choose the best next step for your project.

Photorealistic image of a modern timber-clad UK garden office in a suburban backyard, showcasing professional planning details like insulation and blueprint overlays — ideal for illustrating compliance with Outbuildings Building Regulations.

Outbuildings Building Regulations Explained – What Homeowners Need to Know (UK Guide)

November 14, 2025 No Comments

Thinking of adding a garden room, shed or studio? Learn when outbuildings need Building Regulations approval, which sizes are exempt, and how to keep Building Control happy. This clear UK homeowner guide explains rules, costs, fire and insulation standards, and what paperwork you’ll need to stay compliant and stress-free.

Illustration of a UK suburban garden with a timber garden office and patio, showcasing a neat lawn and main house in the background, used to represent outbuildings planning permission for homeowners.

Do You Need Outbuildings Planning Permission? Full Homeowner Guide (UK)

November 13, 2025 No Comments

Find out when you need outbuildings planning permission and when you can build under Permitted Development. This clear UK homeowner guide explains size limits, boundary rules, building regulations and how to stay compliant with your council before putting up a shed, garden office, gym or studio.

Modern outbuilding in a UK suburban garden featuring a timber-clad outbuilding with flat roof, landscaped greenery, and a red-brick home in the background — ideal for stylish, functional outdoor living.

Outbuildings Explained – What You Can (and Can’t) Build Without Permission

November 12, 2025 No Comments

Outbuildings can add valuable space for storage, offices or hobbies — but the rules can be confusing. This guide explains when you need planning permission, what qualifies as permitted development, and when building regulations still apply. Learn how to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes before building your garden office, gym or studio.

Concerned man discussing building blueprints with a planning consultant after receiving a refusal notice, with a laptop displaying “Planning Appeal Decision” — illustrating the question: Planning Appeal Refused What Next.

Planning Appeal Refused – What Next? A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners

November 11, 2025 No Comments

If your planning appeal has been refused, it’s not necessarily the end of your project. This expert guide from Plans Made Easy explains what a refused appeal means, why it happens, and the practical next steps — from redesigning your plans to submitting a stronger, more compliant application that meets local council approval.

A modern UK semi-detached home under light renovation, featuring solar panels, visible roof insulation, and an energy efficiency rating chart overlay, illustrating key aspects of Energy Performance Ratings and Building Regulations compliance.

How Energy Performance Ratings Impact Your Property Value

November 10, 2025 No Comments

Energy Performance Ratings show how well your home meets Building Regulations Parts L and F. Learn how improving insulation, ventilation and heating efficiency can raise your EPC score, reduce running costs and help secure Building Control approval for extensions, conversions and upgrades across your home.

Modern detached English home under construction with single and double-storey extensions, scaffolding, builders, and visible blueprints — illustrating residential building progress for the article “How Much Do Extensions Cost.

Single vs Double Storey: How Much Do Extensions Cost to Build?

November 9, 2025 No Comments

Planning to extend your home in England? Discover how much extensions cost in 2025, from single to double-storey builds. Learn the real-world prices per m², what affects your budget, and how to stay compliant with planning permission and Building Regulations — all explained clearly for homeowners.

UK homeowner discussing building plans with a Building Control officer in front of a home extension under construction, illustrating the Building Regulations Approval process.

Building Regulations Approval Explained – What Every Homeowner Must Know

November 8, 2025 No Comments

Understanding Building Regulations Approval is essential before you start any home extension or conversion. This guide explains what approval means, how to apply, typical costs and timelines, and the steps to ensure your build passes inspection first time — keeping your project safe, legal, and stress-free from start to finish.

Modern brick home with a rear single-story extension featuring large glass doors, illustrating a typical example of planning permissions for extensions in suburban properties.

Planning Permissions for Extensions – What You Can and Can’t Build in the UK

November 7, 2025 No Comments

Understand when you need planning permission for an extension and what you can build under Permitted Development in the UK. This homeowner guide explains rules, limits, and common pitfalls, helping you design confidently and avoid refusals. Learn how to get compliant plans approved quickly with expert support from Plans Made Easy.