DIY home improvement jobs that don't need planning permission

Hassle free home improvements!

Fancy giving your home a revamp but want to avoid the long drawn out and costly process of obtaining planning permission? Well the good news is that they are many home improvement projects that you can do without it!

Exterior home improvements

The following projects do not require planning permission, however if you are planning on getting any of these done you'll need to check with your local planning authority. Different areas of the UK such as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland etc may have different rules and regulations, so do your homework and check with you local planning authority.

Solar panels

If you want to A - save money, B - make money, C - help the environment, and lastly D- annoy big greedy energy companies, then getting solar panels installed on your home could be a great and worthwhile improvement to your home. For more information check out our previous article; Are solar panels more profitable than pensions?

New doors and windows

Changing your doors and windows to your home can make a big difference by allowing more light in your property which can really improve your living space, and also, if you haven't done so already, double glazing is another option that doesn't require planning permission.

Convert you garage

Most garages aren't in use and most people prefer to park their vehicles in their drive, if you're one of these people why not convert your garage into an extra room. As long as you only alter the internal space of your garage you won't need to apply for planning permission.

Single storey extensions and conservatories

Surprisingly some extensions made to your home may not require planning permission. These are currently considered permitted development subject to terms and conditions as laid out by your local planning authority

Currently single storey extensions and conservatories are permitted provided they do not extend beyond the rear wall of the house by more than three metres, or four metres if your house is detached.

Sheds and outbuildings

It may be possible depending on your local planning authority to build outbuildings on your property as long as they are not used for resedential accommodation such as  bedrooms. You need to make sure that on your plot of land, outbuildings don't exceed 50% of the curtilage, and if you already have an extension on your home this will count towards it.

Build a porch

Building a porch onto your property is a great way to give your house a make over. Currently porches are a permitted development provided they are no taller than 3 metres and that their ground area does not exceed 3m²  and are not within 2m of any boundary adjacent to a highway.

Build a decking

This is a raised wooden platform which can be a great improvement to your garden. They are currently allowed as long as they are not more than 30cm above the ground and along with other extensions and outbuildings, do not cover more than 50% of the garden area

Interior home improvements

The following projects do not require planning permission, however if you are planning on getting any of these done you'll need to check with your local planning authority. Different areas of the UK such as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland etc may have different rules and regulations, so do your homework and check with you local planning authority.

Build a basement

We've previously mentioned basement conversions in our previous article - How to increase the value of your home. This is the most expensive extension you can achieve on your home as it requires experts to carry it out. It's an option that could really increase your living space without compromising on your garden.

Convert two homes into one

Converting two semi detached properties into one detached home, or two flats into one property surprisingly doesn't need planning permission. However if you wanted to divide a property into two separate dwellings this would require planning permission.

Get a loft conversion

As mentioned in our previous article - How to increase the value of your home. Getting a loft conversion can allow for an extra bedroom and bathroom and doesn't currently need planning permission!

As with all these suggestions it's vital to check with your local planning authority if you're thinking of getting any of these done. Different rules and regulations apply to different areas of the UK so do check!