ARCHITECTS FROM LONDON Existing & Proposed Plans
Existing and Proposed Plans for Home Projects
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Existing & Proposed plans intro
Existing and Proposed Plans for Home Projects
Existing and proposed plans show, very simply, what your property looks like now and what you want it to become.
They are one of the most important parts of an architectural drawing package because they allow planners, consultants, builders and clients to compare the current building with the proposed changes quickly and clearly.
Tholos prepares existing and proposed plans for extensions, loft conversions, renovations and other residential projects, helping establish a reliable base for planning, Building Regulations and construction.
Existing & Proposed plans explained
What Are Existing and Proposed Plans?
Existing plans record the property as it is before any work takes place.
Proposed plans show the changes that are intended.
Together, they make it easier to understand:
- what is being retained
- what is being removed
- what is being added
- how room layouts will change
- where new openings are proposed
- how circulation will work
- how the finished property is expected to function
These plans can be used at several stages of a project, from early design development through to formal approval applications.
Existing & Proposed plans
Why Existing Plans Matter
It is difficult to design an alteration properly without first understanding the building that already exists.
Existing plans provide an accurate record of the current layout and dimensions.
Depending on the project, they may show:
- room layouts
- wall positions
- doors and windows
- stairs
- kitchens and bathrooms
- structural elements
- floor levels
- external dimensions
- relevant site relationships
These drawings then become the starting point for the proposed design.
Existing & Proposed plans
How Existing Plans Are Produced
In most cases, existing plans are created following a measured building survey.
The property is measured and the information is then converted into scaled drawings.
For more complex projects, additional information may also be recorded, such as ceiling heights, roof geometry, changes in floor level or external features.
The level of survey detail should match the needs of the project.
What Do Proposed Plans Show?
Proposed plans explain how the property is intended to change.
They may show:
- new room layouts
- new extensions
- loft conversions
- altered kitchens and bathrooms
- new doors and windows
- removed walls
- new partitions
- structural openings
- changes to stairs
- improved circulation
- connections between existing and new spaces
The drawings should communicate the proposal clearly enough for everyone involved to understand the intended design.
Existing & Proposed plans
Existing and Proposed Plans for Extensions
For an extension, the existing plans show the current footprint and internal layout of the property.
The proposed plans show how the new extension changes the building and how the new space connects with the original house.
This can include:
- additional rooms
- open-plan layouts
- new doors to the garden
- altered kitchens
- structural openings
- new circulation routes
- changes to adjoining rooms
Existing and proposed plans help make the overall impact of the extension easy to understand.
Existing & Proposed plans
Existing and Proposed Plans for Loft Conversions
For loft conversions, the plans usually show the existing upper floor and roof arrangement together with the new loft layout.
The proposed plans may include:
- new bedrooms
- bathrooms
- stair positions
- dormers
- rooflights
- storage
- alterations to the floor below
Because loft conversions also depend heavily on headroom and roof geometry, plans are normally used alongside sections and elevations.
Existing and Proposed Plans for Renovations
Renovation projects can involve substantial internal changes even where the external appearance remains almost the same.
Existing and proposed plans are particularly useful for showing:
- walls being removed
- rooms being combined
- new partitions
- relocated kitchens
- new bathrooms
- changes to circulation
- new structural openings
- revised entrances
For whole-house renovations, they also make it easier to coordinate changes across several rooms or floors.
Existing & Proposed plans
How Existing Plans Are Produced
Existing plans record the property as it is before any work takes place.
Proposed plans show the changes that are intended.
Together, they make it easier to understand:
- what is being retained
- what is being removed
- what is being added
- how room layouts will change
- where new openings are proposed
- how circulation will work
- how the finished property is expected to function
These plans can be used at several stages of a project, from early design development through to formal approval applications.
Existing & Proposed plans
Existing and Proposed Plans for Planning Applications
Local planning authorities often require existing and proposed drawings so that they can assess the effect of a development.
The exact drawing requirements depend on the type of application, but floor plans are commonly submitted alongside elevations, site plans and other supporting information.
Clear comparison between existing and proposed conditions helps the planning officer understand the scope of the work.
Existing and Proposed Plans for Permitted Development
Even where planning permission is not required, drawings may still be useful or necessary.
For projects relying on permitted development rights, existing and proposed plans can help demonstrate that the work falls within the relevant limits.
They may also form part of an application for a Lawful Development Certificate.
Existing and Proposed Plans for Building Regulations
Existing and proposed plans can also form part of the Building Regulations process.
At this stage, however, the drawings usually need to contain more technical information than drawings prepared purely for design or planning.
They may show:
- structural alterations
- insulation
- fire safety information
- ventilation
- drainage
- construction build-ups
- dimensions
- relevant technical notes
The architectural plans can then be coordinated with structural and other specialist information.
Existing & Proposed plans
Existing and Proposed Plans for Builder Pricing
Builders need to understand the full extent of the proposed work before they can price it properly.
Existing and proposed plans help establish the scope of the project by showing clearly what is changing.
For more detailed pricing, they are usually combined with:
- technical drawings
- specifications
- structural information
- schedules
- tender documents
The clearer the information, the easier it is for different builders to price the same project on a comparable basis.
Existing & Proposed plans
Plans, Elevations and Sections
Floor plans are only one part of a complete drawing package.
Depending on the project, they may need to be read alongside:
Elevations
These show the external faces of the building.
Sections
These cut vertically through the property and help explain heights, levels, roof structures and relationships between floors.
Roof plans
These show the shape and arrangement of the roof.
Site plans
These show the property in relation to its plot, boundaries and surroundings.
Using different drawing types together gives a much clearer understanding of the proposed development than plans alone.
Can Existing Drawings Be Used Instead of a New Survey?
Sometimes.
If you already have reliable drawings of the property, they may be useful as a starting point.
However, old plans may not reflect alterations made since they were prepared, and dimensions may not be sufficiently accurate for the current project.
Where the drawings will be relied upon for design, approvals or construction, the existing information should be checked before it is used.
What If the Existing Building Does Not Match the Drawings?
This is not unusual.
Properties are often altered over time, and historic drawings may no longer reflect what is actually there.
In these situations, the current building should normally be recorded accurately before the proposed design is developed.
This reduces the risk of designing around incorrect assumptions.
Existing & Proposed plans
From Existing Plans to Construction
Existing and proposed plans are often the beginning of the drawing process rather than the end.
The project may then move through:
- measured survey
- existing plans
- proposed plans
- planning or permitted development
- Building Regulations
- structural design
- technical drawings
- tendering
- construction
The level of detail should develop as the project moves forward.
Existing & Proposed plans
Already Have Existing and Proposed Plans?
If another architect, designer or surveyor has already prepared drawings, Tholos can review what you have.
We can help identify whether the information is suitable for the next stage or whether additional drawings or technical details are required.
This can be useful if you have inherited a project, changed designer or reached the point where builders are asking for more information.
The architectural plans can then be coordinated with structural and other specialist information.
Need Existing and Proposed Plans?
Tell us what you are planning and what information you already have.
We can help record the existing property, develop the proposed design and prepare the drawings required for the next stage of your project.
Client experience
"
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. We had a vision for our home but no idea how to realise it. Tholos Interiors took complete ownership of the project — every detail was considered, every decision explained. The result exceeded everything we had imagined.
– Lawrence Ipsum, Homeowner · London –
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need existing plans for a planning application?
Often, yes. Planning applications commonly require drawings showing both the existing and proposed building so that the changes can be clearly assessed.
Are existing plans produced from a measured survey?
Usually. A measured survey records the current property and provides the information needed to prepare accurate existing drawings.
Can proposed plans be changed after they are drawn?
Yes. Proposed plans are often developed through several design stages before the final layout is agreed.
Can builders price from existing and proposed plans?
They can help establish the scope, but more detailed technical drawings, specifications and structural information may be needed for accurate pricing.
Can Tholos use drawings prepared by someone else?
Yes. Existing drawings can be reviewed and used where appropriate, with additional information prepared where required.
Disclaimer:
This article is part of a series created by our dynamic marketing team for informational purposes only. While we strive to review all content thoroughly, occasional oversights may occur, even after publication. Therefore, we cannot accept liability for any interpretations or use of the information provided. For the most up-to-date information or to report any discrepancies, please contact us at hello@tholos-architects.com.
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