Common questions, plain answers.

Many single-storey rear extensions fall under "permitted development" and don't need a full planning application — but two-storey rears, side extensions and anything in a conservation area or on a listed building usually do. We'll talk you through which route applies on the site visit, and can recommend an architect or planning consultant if you need drawings.

If your build is near or against a shared wall — or excavating within 3 m of a neighbour's foundations — you legally have to serve a Party Wall notice on the affected neighbours. It's a paperwork step, not an obstacle, but it needs doing properly. We can point you at a surveyor who handles this routinely.

Yes — we work to Building Regulations on every structural job and coordinate the Building Control inspections directly. You'll get a completion certificate at the end, which you'll need if you ever sell or remortgage the property.

We come at a time that suits you, walk the property, listen to what you want, measure up, photograph the area, and look at the practical constraints — access, services, drainage, building line. There's no charge and no pressure. You get a clear written quote within a few days.

The core trades — groundwork, brickwork, plastering — are all in-house. For specialist work (electrics, plumbing, roofing) we use a small set of trusted local trades we've worked with for years. The owner coordinates the lot and is on site through the build.

Reasonable changes are usually fine — we'd rather you end up with what you actually want. Major changes after construction starts can affect the cost and timeline, so we'll always document any variation in writing before the work is done, with a clear price and time impact.

Yes. JR General Building is a fully insured limited company with public liability cover for every project we work on. We can provide a copy of the certificate on request before work starts.

SMAS Worksafe (the construction H&S accreditation), Marshalls Approved Installer for paving and natural stone, City & Guilds qualified bricklayers, and CSCS registration across the team. Documentation is available on request.

Dust sheets and protection on every internal surface that could be affected. Floor protection on routes the team uses. The work area is sealed off where possible. We do a daily clean-down before leaving site and a full handover-clean at the end.

Yes — the site visit and the written quote are both free. We'll itemise labour, materials, timings and payment stages so you can compare like for like. No vague figures, no hidden extras.

For larger projects we work to staged payments tied to milestones — typically deposit, after groundworks, after the shell is up, and on completion. The exact split is agreed in writing before work starts, so you always know what's due and when.

Yes. Our workmanship is guaranteed for 12 months from completion. Manufacturer warranties on products (e.g. Marshalls block paving, resin systems) sit on top of that and are typically longer — we'll flag the specifics in the quote.

Lead time varies with the size of the job and the time of year. Smaller jobs (a patio, a brick wall, a single-room refit) can often start within 2–4 weeks. Larger projects like extensions usually book 6–12 weeks ahead. We'll be honest about realistic start dates at quote stage.

A patio or block-paved driveway is typically 5–14 days depending on size. A single-storey rear extension usually runs 8–14 weeks from groundwork to handover. A two-storey or wrap-around can be 14–20 weeks. We give you a written programme with key milestones at quote stage.

For groundwork and brickwork outside, prolonged wet or frosty weather can delay things. We plan the programme with that in mind and work around it where we can — moving to internal work, prepping materials. Genuine weather-driven delays are communicated to you early.

For most extension and patio projects, yes — life carries on. Larger internal works (knock-throughs, full kitchen refits) usually mean a few days where the affected room is out of use. We'll plan that with you and warn you in advance.

We barrier off the work area at the end of each day, store tools and materials safely, and never leave open excavations or unsafe surfaces overnight. If you have specific concerns — pet escape routes, kids' play areas — flag them at the quote and we'll plan around them.

The fastest way to get a real answer is the phone — 07450 015 853. We pick up on site between jobs. Email at jrgeneralbuilding@gmail.com also gets to us; we usually reply within a working day.