DFG at same time as home renovations

nymous98

This is kind of very specific but I'm hoping someone has come across something similar. 

We started the DFG application process after advise from the OT on our youngest, but because we want to do other work at the same time we seem to be going around in circles. The general advise seems to be to agree the DFG work and your own work at the same time but the designer that works for the council is focusing on the DFG part of the work - which is completely understandable - but he also completely ignores what we want to do for the whole family. 

I was wondering if anyone has done their own renovation at the same time as DFG work and how they approached it?

Thank you for reading.

forgoodnesssake

Yes we did...about 11 years ago.  We didn't have a council designer or architect but found our own.  The builder was one who had done some council /dfg work before.  As far as i can remember the OT and the council DFG officer OK'd the work that was needed for access and which would be DFG-able and then we just added the extra stuff we needed like a proper loft conversion and a new kitchen etc.  Then we got the agreed DFG money in installaments (plus some discretionary grant from the LA as the DFG eligible work came to much more than the DFG amount, and it was for a 12 year old so not means tested) then we found the means to pay for the rest.

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @nymous98 Thank you for joining, and for asking your question!

This isn't something I've experienced myself, so I'm glad that forgoodnesssake has been able to share some insight with you. I hope you've found it helpful? 

Do you mind me asking what kind of work you're planning on having done?

nymous98

Hi, thank you for the replies, definitely something to think about. We're hoping to install a lift/bathroom under the DFG but at the same add an additional bedroom as the kids are getting older/we'd like them each to have their own room. Having the two sets of requirements does seem to complicate things as the councils focus is doing what they think is suitable DFG work - which is fair enough but doesn't meet our whole families requirements.

Things have gone very quiet with OT and the designer at the moment. I suspect our requirements are a bit more complicated than they were hoping for + the OT has had to take some time off due to illness.

It does seem that we need to find an architect that takes disability + family requirements into account and then go back to the OT/council and see what they say.

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @nymous98. It is the very least you deserve. 

I can totally hear what the council feels is suitable is not necessarily the same as meeting the whole family's requirements. 

Have you heard from the OT and the designer yet? I appreciate it has been a little while since you last posted on this thread now.

We are here for you if you would like to share more with us. I would like to make sure you have access to the support you need and deserve but I am aware that things might have changed since.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to help. You don't have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don't want to 

nymous98

Than you @L_Volunteer

I'm afraid they've been on sick leave and maternity leave for last few months so things are progressing slowly. We are chasing so hopefully there will be some progress eventually.