Planning a renovation, extension or development? Describe your project — UnAI clarifies scope, budget and key decisions, then produces a project brief and roadmap.
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Property projects fail most often not during the build — but before it starts. Unclear scope, missing professional advice at the right stage, budget surprises that were predictable, and planning applications for projects that didn't need them or that had no chance of approval. The Property Project Builder addresses all of this before you spend a penny.
It guides you through a structured set of questions about your project, your property, your goals and your budget — then produces a clear project brief and decision roadmap. You'll know what you need, who you need to talk to, in what order, and where the key risks lie.
How it works
1
Describe your project
What do you want to do? What's the property type, size and ownership? What's your goal — more space, higher value, rental income?
2
Answer clarifying questions
UnAI asks about your budget, timeline, planning constraints, property type (listed, conservation area, leasehold), and what professionals you've already spoken to.
3
Receive your project brief
Covers: project scope, goals, budget range with contingency guidance, key decisions (planning, party wall, structural), and a checklist of professionals to engage and when.
4
Receive your decision roadmap
A phased plan: what to establish first, how to sequence professionals, what to resolve before going to planning, and what to have in place before contractor quotes.
Use cases
🔨
Home renovations
Plan a full or partial renovation — kitchen, bathrooms, layout changes — with a clear scope and realistic budget before approaching contractors.
🏗️
Extensions
Single-storey, double-storey or wrap-around extensions — understand planning requirements, structural considerations and sequencing before appointing an architect.
🏠
Loft conversions
Clarify your loft conversion options (dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard), planning requirements and key structural decisions before getting quotes.
🏘️
BTL refurbishments
Plan a buy-to-let refurbishment between tenancies — what to improve, what the market expects, what creates ROI and what to avoid.
🏢
HMO conversions
Navigate the planning, licensing and building regulation requirements for converting a property to a house in multiple occupation.
🌱
First-time developers
Plan a first development project — a permitted development conversion, a small new build or a buy-refurb-sell — with a structured brief and realistic timeline.
Example: idea to brief
Your starting idea
"We have a 3-bed semi-detached house built in the 1970s. We want to add a bedroom and extend the kitchen. We're thinking a loft conversion and a small rear extension. Budget is around £80,000–£100,000. We haven't spoken to anyone yet and don't know where to start."
Planning positionDormer likely PD if within PD limits; rear extension may require full planning if over 4m or adjoining boundary. Confirm with local authority before appointing architect.
Budget guidanceDormer loft: £35k–£55k. Rear extension: £30k–£50k. Combined £80k–£100k is at the low end — 15% contingency strongly recommended.
Key risksParty wall agreements required if extension is within 3m of neighbour's foundations. Structural engineer needed for both works. PD certificate advisable before starting.
First steps1. Appoint architect for feasibility study (£500–£1,500). 2. Check PD limits with LPA. 3. Get 3 contractor quotes from architect's shortlist. 4. Party wall notice to neighbours before work starts.
The Property Project Builder covers: home renovations and refurbishments, kitchen and bathroom replacements, loft conversions, single and double-storey extensions, garage conversions, buy-to-let refurbishments, HMO conversions, permitted development projects, and small-scale new builds or self-builds. It works for homeowners improving their own property and landlords improving rental properties.
UnAI can explain general permitted development rules in England and Wales and flag project types that typically require planning permission — but it cannot give a definitive answer for your specific property. Listed building status, conservation areas and previous extensions all affect what's permitted. The project roadmap will identify when and how to engage a planning consultant or architect.
The project brief covers: a clear description of the scope of works, project goals (improve liveability, add value, generate rental income), budget range with contingency guidance, key decisions to resolve before starting (planning, structural surveys, party wall agreements), a phased timeline, and a checklist of professionals to engage and in what order — architect, structural engineer, party wall surveyor, building contractor, building control.