Why Seek Professional Advice Early in a Building Project
Most building problems come down to one thing: not knowing what you don’t know.
Get professional advice early – ideally at or even before RIBA Stage 0 – to understand what’s possible, what’s required, and what could go wrong.
Surveyors, architects, and planning consultants each bring specialist knowledge to the table. Together, they review permissions, feasibility, buildability, and risk, helping you decide whether your idea is viable and safe to proceed.
Think of it as building solid foundations before you even pour the concrete.
Early professional advice means your much more likely to spot red flags, handle the legal checks, and coordinate technical details before they become expensive problems. At Harrison Clarke, we’ve seen exciting looking projects delayed or derailed – all of which could have been avoided with one early consultation.
What Gets Missed When You Don’t Seek Advice Early
Party Wall Matters
If your project involves a shared wall or boundary — like a side extension or loft conversion — the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 might apply. Ignoring it can cause disputes, stop notices, or even legal action.
Getting a surveyor on board early guarantees proper notice, informed neighbours, and agreements in place before starting work. Done right, it’s a smooth process. Left too late, it can bring the whole project to a halt.
Existing and Proposed Services
Underground and overhead services are often overlooked until it’s too late.
Drains, electricity cables, gas, and fibre optics all have strict placement rules.
If you accidentally build over a public sewer without a build over agreement, you could be forced to demolish your brand new building or pay for an expensive new diversion. Even if you are lucky and manage to negotiate a build over agreement, this will still cause delay, additional cost and stress.
Engage with a professional early to map, check, and integrate services properly – protecting your budget and peace of mind.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
Many property owners assume their project falls under permitted development, only to find out later that it doesn’t!
Planning permission and building control approval aren’t box-ticking exercises — they’re legal requirements. Without them, you risk stop notices, enforcement action, or difficulties selling the property later.
A surveyor can review your drawings, identify gaps, confirm any restrictions, easements etc. and flag compliance issues before construction begins, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and costly redesigns.
Site Constraints and Surveys
Every site comes with its own challenges — from sloping ground to flood zones and protected trees.
If you don’t carry out the right site investigations, you could end up with structural surprises or drainage failures after work starts.
Appointing a surveyor to undertake a suitable survey of the property and assist with commissioning suitable test and investigations such as utility mapping, soils and ground conditions tests and potential engineering challenges can ensure
you know exactly what you’re dealing with from day one.
Boundaries, Access, and Scaffolding
It’s more common than people think: legal boundaries that don’t match what’s physically on the ground.
If scaffolding or part of your structure crosses into a neighbour’s property, you could face complaints, delays, or even legal action.
Surveyors can help agree and define boundaries and if needed, draft and issue access, scaffold or crane licenses properly, helping you avoid conflicts and maintain smooth project progress.
The Cost of Skipping Professional Advice
Delays
Missing permissions, unresolved disputes, or incomplete surveys can stop progress immediately.
But failing to manage paperwork can halt builders, push schedules back and raise project costs.
Delays are the most predictable — and avoidable — outcome of skipping early advice.
Extra Costs
Projects go over budget every week because of problems that could have been prevented.
Redesigning drainage layouts, rerouting services, or resubmitting planning applications all add cost. And fixing an issue after it happens is always more expensive than preventing it in the first place.
Damaged Relationships
Neighbour disputes, planning conflicts, and construction stress can quickly strain relationships — with contractors, neighbours, and even your own project team.
Often, rebuilding lost trust demands significant time and often additional costs. Clear professional guidance early on help mitigate this by keeping everyone informed and aligned.
Legal and Compliance Risks
This is the one that can really hurt.
If you build without proper approval, you risk fines, enforcement action, or being forced to remove the works. You could also invalidate your insurance or face problems when remortgaging or selling later.
Skipping due diligence isn’t saving time — it’s gambling with your investment and in commercial property, could even expose you to increased dilapidations claims at the end of the lease.
The Benefits of Doing It Properly
When you seek professional advice early, everything runs smoother.
You’ll have:
• A clear roadmap for planning, permissions, and regulations
• A realistic budget and timeline
• Confidence that your project design is compliant and achievable
Surveyors and consultants can also suggest ways to make your build more efficient — smarter layouts, better materials, or cost-saving alternatives that improve both quality and value.
Early advice doesn’t just avoid mistakes. It sets your project up to succeed.
A Solid Start Leads to a Strong Finish
Getting professional advice before you start building isn’t about adding red tape — it’s about protecting your investment.
It means fewer surprises, fewer disputes, and a smoother experience from start to finish.
Whether you’re planning a simple home extension or a complex development, speak to a qualified and experienced surveyor first.
That one step could save you time, money, and unnecessary stress later on.
And if you’d like tailored guidance, the team at Harrison Clarke Chartered Building Surveyorsis here to help — from feasibility and planning to surveys and project delivery.
For more expert advice on surveying and property matters, check out our range of informative videos on our website or YouTube channel. Harrison Clarke Chartered Surveyors is here to guide you every step of the way!
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