Smoke alarms

You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you haven't got a working smoke alarm.
A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you time to escape. They are cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit.

The more smoke alarms you have, the safer you'll be - as long as they are working - so make sure you test them weekly. You should have a minimum of one alarm on each floor. However, if you have only one alarm and two floors, put it somewhere you’ll be able to hear it when you're asleep.
If you have a large electrical appliance, like a computer, in any of the bedrooms, you should fit a smoke alarm there too. You should also make sure you test it weekly.

What our clients have to say:

Audrey Cope and Elaine Dryden - Uphall

Hi Bruce

It's not a problem for your prospective clients to come and have a look insideat the work you have done as we are very proud of our new conservatory andgarage and will be happy to show it off!!
We can also testify to the quality service carried out by all who worked onthis project.

Iain Pope Edinburgh

"We hired Plan-It for a kitchen conversion in June 2012and were very happy with the results. We set out looking for someone who couldtake on the job from start to completion including arranging all the planningand building warrants, to dealing with contractors.

"After a lot of research we found Plan It on theinternet, and we checked out their references from other previous customersthoroughly before committing to anything.

"After meeting with Bruce Fairbairn and being given avery fair price we decided to go with Plan It. From then on the firm workedefficiently and quickly to get the project moving - the day after we orderedthe kitchen it was delivered and ready for installation.

"We found Bruce to be very straight-talking andthorough, and would be happy to use Plan It again, and to recommend them toothers." 

Martin Browne Edinburgh

 “Bruce helped me with an architectural issue I had in my house. Bruce responded very quickly and came up with a solution which addressed the issue and saved me time and money in its implementation. I would definitely turn to Bruce again for prompt professional service.” October 9, 2011


Paul Kirkwood - Kirkbrae
“Plan-it transformed our living space. Bruce’s ideas worked out really well, and he took the whole project through from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss, and gave us plenty of good ideas, we are thrilled with the result.”

Kay Sieber - Redhall
"We were very nervous about having workmen in and out of our home for such a long time but are very glad we did. Altering our home was the solution to our moving house and we now have the house we would have chosen. Plan-It made this transition as pain-free as possible and with children and an elderly person in the house you can't actually put a price on that so I am very pleased with the service provided".

Walter H.S. Brown - Currie
"I can assure you that we would certainly use your services again, and would recommend your firm to anyone. Thanks once again for all your help".

Mr. & Mrs. Fennell - Corstorphine
"Fees charged were reasonable and in line with our expectations".

Mrs. Jones - Clermiston.
"I wanted to thank you very much for your efforts and expertise in getting our building warrant approved".

Home Extensions- Engaging a design consultant.

You should invite a Building Surveyor or Architect or someone who has a professional knowledge of the building and design process to discuss your project in your home. This will be someone who can prepare plans and is actively involved in submitting applications to the local authority for home extensions. This consultant has the advantage over all other advisors of being able to offer you a design solution to meet your own needs and also give guidance on what is legally acceptable.

You should avoid consultants who do not carry Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is a sign that they are probably “moon lighting” and as such will not have your best interests first and foremost.
This insurance is mandatory from all the professional institutes and exists to protect you in the event of your consultant making a mistake. Any one offering these services without Professional Indemnity Insurance is telling you that they are already acting in an unprofessional manor.

You should also avoid consultants who do not specialise in this type of work. Many larger practices and some individuals simply can not deal with this type of work efficiently. In construction terms these are small works but in real terms are every bit as demanding of time and resources. As such the fee level does not allow some practices to operate at a profit and they will only accept this work as a last resort.

Having identified your prospective consultants you should invite them to your home.

Before you build it . . . Plan-It

Fire escape windows

Although Fire escape is not usually a concern for most two storey houses the regulations were changed in 2005 to introduce a means of escape from every room at first floor level.
A window ( nick named a dreep window) must now be installed to allow occupants to (dreep) escape in the event of a fire.

Where do I start

"I want to extend my house but where do I start."

Many people start by bringing in a builder because they want to know the cost first and foremost. The trouble with that is builders can't usually tell you what you will be permitted to do, nor can they give advise on cost without the plans being prepared. The correct place to start is with an experienced design consultant. This may be an Architect or Building Surveyor. They will be able to give an immediate reaction to any obvious problems that you may be heading for, initial advice on the procedures the council will make you go through and usually some budget guidance as well.

before you build it... Plan-it.

What is a letter of comfort

Letters of Comfort were introduced in the 1990's to provide a kind of amnesty to people who had carried out unauthorised alterations prior to the Building Regulation update of 1990. It was meant as a temporary measure and essentially was a letter from the local authority which confirmed they would not be prosecuting you for the unauthorised alteration. Thus giving comfort and allowing a house sale to proceed. This temporary measure still exists some 19 years later. This has allowed some unscrupulous individuals to simply build without a building warrant and then apply for a cheap letter of comfort to allow house sales to proceed. Unfortunately, some local authorities now find LoCs to be so lucrative that they are very unwilling to stop the process. There is however a new procedure on the horizon "a completion certificate where no warrant was issued" this is more robust in terms of compiance with Building Regulation, more intrusive in terms of inspection and more expensive, so will not be popular with the public. It is coming though and should see the demise of the LoC. So if you have any unauthorized alterations to your home you would be wise to sort it out now whilst we still have the cheap and easy option.

before you build it . . .Plan-it