Building work is a big commitment. These guides explain how the process actually runs in Barnet and the Hertfordshire border — what needs planning permission, what it costs in 2026, and how a project moves from first survey to sign-off. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Loft conversion guides
The Loft Conversion ProcessThe full journey, step by step — survey, design, Building Control, construction and sign-off.
Loft Planning PermissionPermitted development vs a full application — what triggers which, and how long each takes.
Loft Conversion Cost Guide 2026Real price ranges by conversion type — Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and L-shaped.
Extension Cost Guide 2026Single-storey, wrap-around, side-return, two-storey and kitchen extension prices, by postcode.
Planning Permission in BarnetCouncil-specific guidance — conservation areas, Article 4 directions and pre-application advice.
Planning, regulations and your neighbours
Three separate approvals govern most building work, and they are routinely confused with each other. A typical loft conversion touches all three.
Planning Permission in HertfordshireWhich of the eight district councils decides your application, what counts as permitted development, and what takes those rights away.
Building Regulations & Sign-OffWhat gets inspected and when, why loft conversions need fire doors downstairs, and why the completion certificate matters when you sell.
Party Wall AgreementsWhich jobs trigger the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the notice you must give your neighbour, and what happens if you skip it.
Conservation Areas & Article 4Which permitted development rights disappear, what an Article 4 direction adds, and what the council is really judging.
Building Through WinterWhat genuinely stops between October and March, what carries on regardless, and why autumn is the right time to start a spring build.