Believing in accessibility for all

Back to news

Think twice before extending your home

Building Work

You might be after some extra space at the rear or side of your home, perhaps a little porch or veranda. With your safety in mind, please remember that projects require permission from us first, so we can advise on how best to go about building it. There are good reasons why you need to consult with us before planning any additional structures as we've had some recent horror stories.

Any extension has to be built properly as there may be dangerous consequences if gas or electrical installations are affected by the works. One of the big dangers is that a boiler flue could be enclosed by the new structure. This could mean you're exposed to the risk of inhaling the products of the boiler burning, including Carbon Monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste.

To keep you and your family safe, you must:

  • ask for permission to carry out any extension to your home, even if it is a temporary lightweight timber veranda
  • be aware that without permission, you could be at serious risk if there is a dangerous gas or electrical installation in your home
  • contact us if you're unsure, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction

It's scary to think of what could have happened. We recently built a timber structure on the side of the house, a little project of ours. But we didn't think of the safety measures around it and the problem was, it was built around the gas boiler flue. This could have been fatal. If you're looking to do a project, my advice would be to ask for permission first - so you've got the guidance to build it safely. Don't make the same mistake we did.

Resident
`