Planning your development Getting free advice

There is plenty of free advice available, but it's usually only helpful at the planning stage. 

When you're going ahead with a project, it's better to pay for the advice you need so that the person giving information is accurate and, better still, you'll have some comeback if the advice turns out to be incorrect.

Help with planning permission

Some of the best free advice that you can get about planning permission will be from your local planning office, but they can be very busy so contact yours at least three months before starting your project.

Write or call to make the office aware of what it is that you're hoping to do, and typically staff will visit the property - sometimes when you're there you there, or other times when you're not around and you'll be sent a letter.

If you can meet planners, it will help as they could give you  initial advice on whether your application would be accepted or what you would need to do to make sure the planning is approved on the first application.

Help with specific projects

Getting the right professional advice could save you time and money on your project

All the trade associations that support the home improvement industry, such as the Federation of Master Builders, the Tile Association and the Basement Information Centre, supply free fact sheets, booklets and guidelines to help with your project. This can help guide you on the likely costs per day/hour that each profession charges.

An amazing resource for all renovation projects are the numerous shows around the country that you can usually gain free entry to if you book early. Spend the day speaking to the different exhibitors, seeing and comparing different products and attending seminars on everything that you need to consider.

There are usually some great deals on offer, but don’t jump straight in and buy before you have researched your project thoroughly. 

Ask a company whose products or services you're interested in to hold the deal until after the show or go back to another show to secure the offer at a later date once you’ve considered your options.