ABTO Property Consultants
Tynemouth, TYNE AND WEAR
(27)
Tynemouth, TYNE AND WEAR
(27)
Starting any construction project can be a daunting prospect, especially with little or no previous experience within the industry.
We understand that our clients don't want our time, nor do they want our expertise, they simply want their problems solved, through a reliable and consistent service.
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27 customer reviews
SimonB-1012
The level of service was exceptional from start to finish. A very hard working and professional team who approach a project like it's their own. I received my planning permission promptly for a commercial project with no problems arising. Highly recommended. More...
Reviewed on Yell
LauraB-2550
Tom at ABTO has helped us design our kitchen extension planning drawings and successfully get permission in a conservation area. The process has been really easy and speedy and I'd happily recommend anyone else to use the company. More...
Reviewed on Yell
JayneL-82
I contacted ABTO Consultants to draw up building plans and to help provide me with vision and recommendation. I am pleased to say that Tom from ABTO met all of my requirements, from the first meeting until the finished drawings were produced. Tom made many recommendations and suggestions regarding the proposed drawings helping to bring the project to life. Meetings were prompt and the timeline was delivered without a hitch. I will certainly use this firm again for my next project. More...
Reviewed on Yell
RyanA-105
ABTO are easy to deal with. From the very first email where Tom detailed the whole process I knew ABTO were the right guys for the job. A great price and excellent communication throughout. I highly recommend them. More...
Reviewed on Yell
AndreaG-126
Very efficient service. I would highly recommend ABTO.
Reviewed on Yell
IanB-931
Very fast and efficient in the work Tom and his team carried out for me, would definitely highly recommend using Tom for any building plans.
Reviewed on Yell
HenryH-57
Tom guided us through the entire process, from advising on the positives and negatives of different designs for our extension, to submitting the planning application and dealing with the planners. Once we secured planning, Tom dealt with the building regulation application and even recommend competent local builders. Made the process stress free for construction amateurs like us! Would highly recommend. More...
Reviewed on Yell
AmandaB-362
Designed a cracking two-storey side extension and helped us through the entire planning process. Tom was great from start to finish, helping us out with design ideas and advising on how to choose a reputable contractor. Would use again.
Reviewed on Yell
JamesH-1161
Tom offered plenty of design ideas for our proposed extension, before compiling the required plans, submitting it for planning and recommending local contractors. Nothing was too much trouble (even when we changed our mind on design) and we were kept updated about the entire process from start to finish. Would highly recommend. More...
Reviewed on Yell
JohnC-2022
Very professional while being friendly and affable. Very helpful working through options and answering questions on what might be possible, then going through the planning process. Reasonable time scales to produce and submit drawings. All in all, very happy. More...
Reviewed on Yell
GeorginaW-35
Highly Recommended.Very professional and efficient service at a competitive price.Plans all drawn up within time specified and done to a very high standard.
Reviewed on Yell
Andrew Hunter
Recently decided to get some building work done to my home and ABTO was recommended to me by my builder and it was a first class service from the start.
Very fast and very helpful. Tom came out to my home, listened to exactly what I wanted and got straight to work to provide me with some excellent plans. Tom also sorted all my planning permission out, it was all so easy and hassle free. Thanks for the help 5 star service.
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Reviewed on Facebook
Melanie Anderson
Fantastic service. Throughout the process Tom was friendly, reassuring and knowledgeable.
Great company, I wouldn't hesitate to use ABTO again.
Reviewed on Facebook
Joycellyn Akuffo
Excellent! Affordable, knowledgeable and timely. It puts your mind at ease when going though a planning application for the first time when you can tell that you're speaking to someone who knows what they're talking about.
There was no need to chase, no corners were cut and my planning application for a retail shop (A1) to change use to D1 was successful because of the thoroughness. An excellent job done!
Thanks a million!
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Reviewed on Facebook
SteveN-98
Extremely helpful. Nothing seemed to phase them. When the planning department kept changing ideas they were quick to reply and sort. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Made a difficult time easy and kept us well informed. Brilliant More...
Reviewed on Yell
ZoeD-45
Tom Reid at ABTO Property Consultants was fantastic to work with in relation to the expansion plans to our home. When we submitted our request for help via Local Surveyors Direct, Tom was in touch with us the very same day. We arranged for him to come out, which again he did within a couple of days and we explained what we wanted and we had the plans in our hands in around a week. The Council passed our plans without issue. We found Tom incredibly professional but at the same time very friendly and nothing was ever a bother to him even when we went back with queries. I would highly recommend him to anyone who required plans to be drawn up. More...
Reviewed on Yell
SteveR-326
We appointed ABTO to compile planning drawings for our two storey extension. Tom completed the plans within a week and had it submitted for planning within 2-weeks. The service was outstanding throughout and I couldn’t recommend highly enough More...
Reviewed on Yell
PurplePaper18-2
Tom listened to my brief before offering his own design concepts. Extremely happy with the outcome and would use again.
Reviewed on Yell
SilverPostcard28-1
ABTO were a pleasure to work with. From the first meeting Tom put our minds at ease and guided us through the entire process. The plans were fantastic and designed as per our brief. Thank you More...
Reviewed on Yell
BlackPlant85-1
A very helpful and prompt service. Clearly explained the process and was very open and transparent about the costs,with no surprises.
Reviewed on Yell
BlackBag73
From start to finish, ABTO have been nothing but helpful. We didn’t have a clue how to start our extension project but thankfully Tom was always happy to talk and offer advice. We couldn’t be any happier with the service. More...
Reviewed on Yell
ScarletPiano75-1
ABTO was a very efficient in producing the plans to replace my flat roof over my semi-detached garage extension with a pitched roof. The plan went straight through planning permission without issue and the builders had no issues with it.I primarily dealt with Tom who was very friendly and profession in all contact, and had a very fast respond to any queries. More...
Reviewed on Yell
MaroonDoor97-1
Tom at ABTO designed our wrap around extension and garage conversion. He was extremely helpful at all stages of the design and planning process and application, including structural calculations and party wall survey. He was able to advise on choice of builders and how to avoid common mistakes in this area. Overall, Tom supplied an outstanding service, one I would recommend to friends. More...
Reviewed on Yell
MagentaDoor73-2
We were kept informed of the process throughout. Tom was quick to respond to any questions we had and was really polite when coming to the house.
Reviewed on Yell
SilverCoin60
ABTO property consultants were prompt, informative, efficient, professional and communicated well throughout. Tom Reid walked us through the process of having building plans drawn up and applying for planning with ease and minimal fuss! We would recommend the company.
Reviewed on Yell
Melanie Anderson
Fantastic service. Throughout the process Tom was friendly, reassuring and knowledgeable.
Reviewed on Facebook
Joycellyn Akuffo
Excellent! Affordable, knowledgeable and timely. It puts your mind at ease when going though a planning application for the first time when you can tell that you're speaking to someone who knows what they're talking about.
Reviewed on Facebook
How can someone tell if their Garage is suitable for conversion?
Not all garages can be converted – some are old,shoddily built and could be asbestos ridden. However, if yours was professionally built in the last 25 years, is made of brick or block and is structurally sound, there’s a good chance you could convert it with very little fuss.
Run us through the different stages of the Garage conversion process - what's involved?
Step 1 - Firstly check to see whether your garage is suitable for conversion. If it was constructed within the last 25-years then the chances are that it will be suitable. Old garages could prove to be more problematic, as their walls, floors and roofs may need to be upgraded.
Step 2 - Most garage conversions fall within permitted development, meaning you do not need to submit a planning application to the local authority. You will still require existing and proposed drawings along with building regulation drawings, which ABTO can assist you with. These documents can be issued to the contractor so that they can compile an accurate quote.
Step 3 - Once the plans have been compiled and the builder chosen, then you will need to submit a full building regulation application to the local authority, which ABTO can again assist you with. The building control officer will attend site at key stages to inspect the works before issuing a sign off certificate once works have been completed.
Step 4 - Works can commence on site.
How can someone tell if their loft is suitable for conversion?
There is one essential measurement that must be checked before your loft conversion project can take off, and that’s the height of your loft.
Loft conversions normally fall within two categories, either one is crying out to be converted, and it will be nice and easy to do, or the project will be nightmare from the moment it starts, with difficult floor layouts and lack of head room.
The general view is that 2.3m is a desirable distance between the finished floor surface and the ceiling, although 2.2m should be suffice.
In order to establish whether you have enough head room, get a tape measure and measure from the top of the ceiling joist to the underside of the ridge board. The distance should be at least 2.4m.
If you are not planning on installing large box dormers then the head height should be even greater, at least 2.8m, in our opinion.
Your properties roof type will also impact on whether you can convert the loft. Properties from the late Victorian period to the early 1960’s have good sized lofts and have therefore ripe for conversion, as are 1930’s and 1950’s bungalows.
Properties built between the 1960’s and 1970’s are usually the most challenging, as they have shallow hipped roofs, making it difficult to get the head height required. Houses built since the 1960’s using manufactured trusses can also be problematic, however, with the incorporation of steels these can be suitably converted.
Why should our clients choose you?
I have the skills and resources to wrap all of the required professional services for your project under one roof. This means the client has one point of contact for their architectural services, engineering works and other services such as Party Wall, quantity surveying and project management.
Our regular blog posts provide valuable advice on different aspects of a project, including advice on the planning process, step by step guides to building extensions and common pitfalls homeowners usually fall into when embarking on a project.
Our aim is to eliminate any concerns our clients may have whilst providing strategic advice throughout the project.
