online resources

None of the links provided in the following sections are sponsored, they are offered as being of potential interest or use to our visitors

Please note that Chaffer Associates are not responsible for the content of external internet sites. You should satisfy yourself that the information provided on external sites is both current and applicable to your own circumstances before relying on it. If in doubt you should seek the advice of a professional or a suitably qualified and experienced tradesperson

If you have details of any other non-commercial sites that may be of use to visitors please let us know by sending us an with a link to the site - thanks

general

• Building Conservation

  The Building Conservation site includes comprehensive articles on virtually every aspect of building conservation, all written by experts in their field. It also includes a directory of links to related organisations, products and services

• Consumer Direct

  Consumer Direct is a government-funded online (and telephone) service offering information and advice on consumer issues. They provide clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with suppliers of goods or services

• JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal)

  The JCT produces a full range of standard contracts for the construction industry, and some are appropriate for work to domestic buildings. This link will take you to their full list of contracts - we suggest you just visit the very top link 'Minor Works Building Contract' (for fairly large extensions, extensive alterations or even simple new build houses) and the very bottom link 'Home Owner Contracts' (for smaller scale extensions and alterations). Your Architect, or even a reputable builder, will advise you on the appropriate choice. The JCT don't actually sell contracts themselves, but they can be purchased here from RICS Books or other resellers

• NHBC (National House Building Council)

  The NHBC provide construction warranties and insurance for new and newly-converted homes, subject to the work being carried out by their registered builders and to the standards they have set. If you're having a new house built then make sure it will be covered by the NHBC, though they don't cover extensions or alterations to existing properties

regulations

• Bat Conservation

  Bats and their roosts are protected by law in the UK. If you have (or suspect that you have) bats anywhere in the vicinity of proposed building work (including demolition) you will need a licence. The time of year when you can carry out the work may also be restricted. This site gives good general advice and the helpline page is very comprehensive

• Building Regulations and Planning Permission

  The current Central Government advice on Building Regulations, planning and other legal requirements for building work - everything from skip permits to appealing against a planning decision

• Building Regulations Part P: Electrics Factsheet (download)

  Since January 2005 if you carry out alterations or new work to the electrics in your kitchen, bathroom or outside, you must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. This download identifies which work requires notification to the Local Authority (or be carried out by a registered electrician)

• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 Guidance (download)

  These Regulations help ensure that construction projects are safe to build, safe to use and safe to maintain. Good health and safety planning also helps ensure projects are well managed and reduces the risk that unexpected problems will arise. Only genuinely domestic clients do not have any legal duties under the Regulations (ie those who live, or will live, in the premises where the work is to be carried out) although those who work for them on construction projects still do. The application of the Regulations is managed by a CDM Coordinator, who you will have to appoint if CDM applies to your project (your designers will generally advise on appropriate firms, or see Find a CDM Coordinator below). This download from the Health and Safety Executive gives a good introduction to how the Regulations work

• Home Information Packs

  A Home Information Pack (HIP) is now compulsory when selling most homes in England and Wales. It must contain certain mandatory items (evidence of title, sustainability information etc) and can also include optional information such as a Home Condition Report - if the property is leashold then the HIP must additionally include a copy of the lease. The seller can compile it personally or hire an estate agent, solicitor or HIP provider to do it on their behalf. This Directgov site gives all the information you will need whether buying or selling. For an extensive list of HIP Providors click here to go to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) site

• Listed Buildings

  This page on the English Heritage site details how and why buildings are listed and the duties and obligations this imposes on the owner, particularly when changes are proposed

• Party Wall etc Act 1996

  If you are proposing to carry out work to a wall shared with your neighbour, or adjacent to a boundary, then this act will almost certainly apply. You (or your adviser) must determine if it does apply and, if so, comply with the obligations it places on you. This includes giving advance (2 months) formal notification to your neighbour(s) of the proposed work. The link gives an overview of the law - each page includes a further link to the official explanatory booklet - a copy of which can also be downloaded here. See 'find a professional' below to find local Party Wall Surveyors

• Planning Portal

  The government's online service for planning. You can use the tools and information on the site to find out about planning in your area and what development you can perform around your house. The Portal's services also let you apply for planning permission electronically as well as submit and track an appeal online

• Submit-a-Plan.com

  Submit-a-Plan is the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) National Portal for making electronic and offline Building Control applications to ANY Local Authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as reporting dangerous structures. The site has been designed as a single location for both the general public and professional users to submit Building Control applications directly to their intended Local Authority. Users can also track the progress of their application online via the dedicated portal DataSpace On-line

You should also find relevant information on your local council web site - including downloadable application forms for Planning submissions and Building Regulations, along with advice on conservation areas, approved planning submissions etc

safety

• Asbestos Advice

  The current Central Government advice on what to do if you think you have asbestos in your home. If you have asbestos that needs action there are links to the relevant section of your Local Authority web site who will advise on its removal or treatment

• Carbon Monoxide

  This link takes you to the fire service advice on the dangers of poisoning from fires, boilers and flues etc which are faulty or in rooms with insufficient ventilation. Alternatively, clicking the logo on the right will take you to the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance site, another good source of information on carbon monoxide

• Radon Gas (Protective Measures Maps)

  Radon is a radioactive, colourless, odourless gas which, after smoking, is the second highest cause of lung cancer in the UK. When house extensions or new buildings are constructed in high radon areas the Building Regulations require that protective measures are taken against radon entering the building. Click on the link, then scroll down to the bottom of the page for detailed maps showing the affected areas. The site also includes general information on radon and links to related sites

• Smoke Alarms

  Advice from the Fire Service on choosing probably the most essential pieces of safety equipment in your home

professions

• Find an Architect

  This section of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) site gives advice on the benefits of using an Architect and links to help select the right one for you

• Find an Architectural Technologist

  The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) site includes a search for local practices and has a very comprehensive and useful 'Information for Clients' page

• Find a Building Regulations Approved Inspector

  As an alternative to submitting plans to the local council to confirm compliance with the Building Regulations (and then check that the actual building work also complies) you can have an approved private firm do it instead. The Association of Approved Inspectors site includes a list of qualified and experienced Inspectors, many of which operate nationally. If you have an Architect or other Designer on board they will usually advise you, if appropriate, on the appointment of an Inspector

• Find a CDM Coordinator

  If your project is commercial and will last longer than 30 days, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 require that you appoint a CDM Coordinator (see rules and regulations above). Your design professionals will generally recommend appropriate firms, but if you prefer, this link will take you to the Association for Project Safety - go to the 'Clients Area' page and register/log in for lists of CDM Coordinators operating in your area

• Find a Party Wall Surveyor

  We recommend this site if you need to appoint a Party Wall Surveyor (see rules and regulations above). Under 'Quick Search' type your location in the second box and select 'Party Walls' from the drop down list

• Find a Structural Engineer

  This site is managed by the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) and includes a search for local practices, including those who undertake structural design work for loft conversions, alterations, extensions and new build houses

trades

• Find a Master Builder

  It's worth having a good look around the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) site. It has good advice and free downloadable contract forms as well as a search for local registered builders and tradesmen

• Find a Painter and Decorator

  You can find local experienced and professional painters and decorators on the Painting and Decorating Association's (PDA) site. All their members have a minimum of 5 years experience, adequate insurance and work to a code of practice which is also available on the site

• Find a Registered Electrician

  Contractors registered by NICEIC are assessed on a regular basis to ensure that they are competent and capable of meeting the relevant technical and safety standards, codes of practice and rules of the Schemes they are registered to. There are over 20,000 contractors registered covering the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland so you're sure to have a choice of competent contractors operating in your area

• Find a Registered Gas Engineer

  By law all installations and repairs to gas fittings and appliances must be carried out by a Registered Engineer who will certify that the work complies with the current regulations. You can search the Gas Safe database of registered engineers here. Please make sure you get a certificate from the installer when the work has been completed and keep it in a safe place

Online searches for 'plumber', 'builder', 'joiner' or 'glazier' etc in your local area will give you additional links, but please be aware that many trade organisations, whilst they may provide advice, exist primarily to further their members interests. They do not necessarily assess new or current members against defined standards or require that they carry appropriate insurances

products

• Cavity Wall Insulation

  These are the Sunday Telegraph building columnist's views on the risks of having your old cavity walls filled with insulation. Whilst insulating external walls will undoubtedly reduce your heating costs, it could potentially lead to future problems

• Home Security/Burglar Alarms

  This link will take you to the home security advice page of the National Security Inspectorate (an approvals and certification body for companies providing home security etc). The official Home Office 'Guide to Home Security' is downloadable from here and you should find more advice and information on the crime prevention page of your local Police Force website

• Rot/Damp/Insect Infestation Remedial Works

  The Property Care Association (PCA) is a trade body for the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp proofing, flood remediation and structural maintenance industries in the UK. Its members must meet minimum professional standards and carry appropriate insurances. The site includes a search facility for local specialists in the particular field you require, whilst the menu links give general advice on problems such as dry and wet rot, insect infestation and rising damp