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Home improvement projects

Are you thinking of making improvements to your home? 

Read planning and building guidance about all kinds of home improvement projects, from smaller changes such as replacement windows or decking, to adding an outbuilding or embarking on a two-storey extension; our advice and interactive tools can help to steer and support your project, from the research and planning stages through to completion.

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    Planning your project

    How to get your project started - use our tools to help create an estimate, calculate your planning consultancy fees, finance your project, find a local tradesperson and make an application for planning permission online. 

    Project advice Make an application Find a professional Planning consultancy calculator


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        Building your project

        Find out about your responsibilities and consider what you need to do before you start the build phase of your project. You can also learn about how a building contract can provide peace of mind and in what situation you may need a lawful development certificate. 

        What do to next Your responsibilities Building contracts
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            Completing your project

            Read our guidance about improving the interior and exterior of your home, how building regulations may apply to the changes you make and retrospective consents. 

            Improving your home Project completion Success and results

                Getting started

                Explore Planning Portal's advice before you get your project started: research over 50 different projects and access our homeowner guidance.


                Common projects Getting started Project advice

                  Interactive house

                  Explore our interactive detached and terrace houses, shop or flat to find out information on many common householder projects, including garage and basement conversions, new outbuildings and extensions. 


                  Interactive house
                      Visit our Interactive House

                      Mini guides

                      Our mini guides provide visual clarification of the permitted development rules for specific projects.
                      Access the individual mini guides via the bottom menu of the interactive house.

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                          Browse the mini guides

                          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2023 Planning Portal.

                          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). All content © 2023 Planning Portal.