Dumfries and Galloway · Scotland

Design and build two-storey extensions in Dumfries and Galloway

Looking for help with a design and build project in Dumfries and Galloway? Here's what's involved, the rules in Scotland and what it typically costs.

Dumfries and Galloway at a glance

Nation
Scotland
Price region
Scotland
Postcode areas
DG
Towns covered
11 listed below, plus surrounding villages
Site visits
Free, no obligation

What a design and build project involves

This service suits you if you want one team accountable from the first visit to the completion certificate. We manage the design, approvals and build, and the work is carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Because the same team designs and builds, costs are checked as the design develops. Every project starts with a free site visit.

Dumfries and Galloway towns we list: Dumfries (DG1), Stranraer (DG9), Annan (DG12), Locharbriggs (DG1), Dalbeattie (DG5) and Lockerbie (DG11). Every other address in Dumfries and Galloway is covered as well.

Fees

The design stage is priced in writing before it starts, and the build is a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed.

Rules in Scotland

In Scotland, design and build covers the Class 1B check or a householder application (£371), the building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and the completion certificate at the end. There is no Party Wall Act, so we handle neighbour matters under common law and title deeds.

Approval in Scotland: Householder planning application: £371. Councils have two months to decide a local planning application.

Building standards: A building warrant from the council's building standards service before work starts, and a completion certificate at the end. Scotland uses its own Technical Handbooks.

There is no Party Wall Act in Scotland. Shared walls and boundaries are governed by title deeds and common law, so we speak to neighbours early and record the condition of shared structures.

Getting the design right

How the stages work

We start with a free site visit, then a design stage priced in writing before it begins. That covers the survey, design, approvals, structural design and building standards. Once the design is agreed, the build price is fixed in writing before work starts.

Cost checking as you design

Because the people drawing the extension also build it, each design option comes with a guide cost. That avoids the common problem of an approved design that turns out to be too expensive once builders price it.

How we work in Dumfries and Galloway

  1. Start at your house

    We come to your home in Dumfries and Galloway, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.

  2. Get it approved

    Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Dumfries and Galloway and deal with any questions from the planning officer.

  3. Structure and building standards

    A structural engineer sizes the foundations and steels, and we get a building warrant before work starts.

  4. On site

    One project lead runs the job, keeps you updated and arranges inspections at each stage until completion.

Towns we cover in Dumfries and Galloway

Design and build two-storey extensions in Dumfries and Galloway: questions

Who builds my extension?

Your extension is built by vetted teams working under S&K, with the project managed by us from design to completion. You have one point of contact throughout, and the same team that prepared the design is responsible for the build.

When is the build price fixed?

Once the design is agreed and the drawings, structural calculations and specification are complete. Before that we give guide costs at each stage. The fixed price is set out in writing before work starts, and any changes you ask for after that are priced separately before they are made.

What is the difference between design and build and using an architect?

With an architect, you appoint them for the design and approvals, then find and manage a builder separately. With design and build, one team does both, so cost, buildability and approvals are considered together and there is one point of contact. Some people still prefer to hire an architect separately.

Neighbouring areas

All extension services in Dumfries and Galloway · About design and build two-storey extensions

Ready to see what a second storey could do for your home?

Book a free site visit. We'll look at your house, talk through options and explain the approvals you'd need, then price the design stage in writing.

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