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When considering structural alterations to your home, it is generally best to involve a planning consultant or architect in the beginning. There are most likely to be local codes, regulations and planning requirements to be approved before work can commence, and one or other of these specialists will help you with drawing up plans and speeding them through the approval process.
With regards to the fashion and age of the property being dealt with, you may need to take into account asbestos removal. In the united kingdom, asbestos removal is a regulated activity, and removal can only be carried out by licensed contractors.
Based on the extent of your alterations, you may, in addition to the specialists above, wish to use a structural engineer. Any structural alterations that need removal of just one or even more walls, potentially load-bearing walls, are most likely to need the engineer's attention. A Structural Engineer will discover if any additional work is required with regard to these load-bearing walls, whether or not new support beams are required, and whether or not alterations to the foundations are required as a result of additional load.
Once the job has been approved, a demolition contractor may be needed by you; whilst the homeowner can attempt this single - handed, it is wise to call in an expert contractor to make sure that its setting and your property remain safe through the entire process.
Ask family, friends or neighbours for tips when selecting a builder, and make sure that the builder you select is a part of a trade federation, as membership of such typically brings with it a certain minimal standard of work, and sometimes guarantees of standards by the federation. You should also verify that work carried out will be covered by a warranty, preferably one backed by an insurance company. Ask a lot more than one contractor for quotations, and ask to see samples of their previous work, possibly involving visits to their previous clients. Thoroughly review the extent of the works to make sure that there was no place of doubt between you and your builder, and agree with an installment plan, whereby you will pay for the job in stages. coring