If you’re considering a home extension or renovation in Surrey or London, you might wonder, “Can I do my own drawings for planning permission?” While the short answer is yes, there are important factors to weigh before diving in. Alternatively, when you appoint KT5 Construction as your builder, we offer free professional planning drawings, saving you time, stress, and up to £3,000 in design costs.

At KT5 Construction, we work with homeowners across London and Surrey who want to understand their options without wasting time or money. Let’s explore what’s involved and when it’s worth getting professional help.

Understanding Planning Permission Drawings

What Are Planning Drawings?

Planning drawings are a set of scaled architectural illustrations that show your proposed development in context. Local planning authorities (LPAs) use them to assess whether your extension or renovation complies with national and local planning policies.

These typically include:

• • Existing and proposed floor plans

  • Elevations (front, side, rear views)

  • Site location plan and block plan

  • Section drawings (if needed)

Yes, You Can Create Your Own Drawings—But Should You?

Pros of Doing It Yourself

• • Cost-saving: Avoid architect fees, which can range from £1,000 to £3,000 for basic drawings.

  • Personal control: You maintain full control over the design process.

  • Useful for small projects: For minor alterations or Permitted Development, DIY plans may be enough.

Cons of DIY Planning Drawings

• • Technical accuracy required: Planning drawings must meet strict formatting, scale, and clarity standards (usually 1:50 or 1:100 scale).

  • Rejection risk: Incorrect or incomplete plans are one of the top reasons for application delays or refusals.

  • No structural input: Planning drawings are not structural calculations. You still need a structural engineer for load-bearing assessments.

Important: Even if you’re confident in design tools like SketchUp or AutoCAD, your drawings must meet UK planning standards and convey your intentions clearly to planning officers.

When to Use a Professional for Planning Drawings

At KT5 Construction, we’ve seen first-hand how professionally drawn plans not only speed up approvals but also save homeowners thousands in avoidable redesigns and construction delays.

Our recommendation:

• DIY drawings may be suitable for garden buildings, porches, or simple internal alterations.

• Professional drawings are strongly advised for:

  • Double-storey extensions

  • Loft conversions

  • Rear or side extensions in conservation areas

  • Projects requiring party wall agreements or neighbour consultations

Common Questions About Planning Drawings

1. Do I need an architect for planning permission?

No—there is no legal requirement to use an architect. But a qualified technician or designer may be necessary to meet submission standards.

2. Can I hand-draw my plans?

Yes, but they must be:

• • Drawn to scale

  • Clearly labelled

  • Neatly presented
    Messy, vague, or unscaled plans will likely be rejected by your local planning authority.

3. Will I still need building regulations drawings?

Yes. Planning permission drawings are different from building regulations drawings. Once planning is approved, you’ll need detailed construction drawings to comply with UK Building Regulations.

Conclusion: What’s the Best Route for Homeowners?

If you’re still wondering “Can I do my own drawings for planning permission?” the answer comes down to risk and confidence. For simple layouts, DIY may be enough—but for anything beyond a shed, it’s worth consulting professionals.

At KT5 Construction, we provide more than just building services. We offer expert planning advice, free drawings when you build with us, and full support throughout the approval process.

Let’s Get Your Project Approved—Stress-Free

Contact KT5 Construction today for a free consultation. We’re London builders who understand budgets, planning policies, and the importance of getting it right the first time. Whether you need help with your first sketch or a full planning submission, we’re here to make it easy.

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