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Our way of working

We appreciate that many of our clients have never used an architectural designer before or gone through the build process so we have tried to outline the process below. Unlike a lot of architects we pride ourselves on providing a 360 from start to completion. We really do hold your hand through the entire process. 

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1. Briefing

First things first, you contact us to get the ball rolling. We'll arrange a time for a free initial consultation where we will come and meet you, visit the site and discuss your ideas and aspirations for the project, your likes and dislikes and your budget. We'll then go away and prepare a fee package for you.

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2. Survey

Once the fee package is agreed and signed, we will arrange a fully measured up survey of your property to be carried out and produce drawings of the existing building which will be required by the planners. We use Revit, a 3D modelling programme to produce all our drawings so we will have a virtual model of your property that we can use to work on design options.

 

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3. Design options

Next step, once the existing drawings have been produced we will arrange a meeting with you to sketch ideas over these drawings and finalise your brief and provide you with hard copies of the existing drawings. We will then work the sketch ideas up into 3D sketch designs working with your brief and budget levels to create different options to meet your criteria and any specified regulations. You can then ‘pick and mix’ from the different options to create your ideal design.

 

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4. Planning

Having decided on your preferred scheme we will work up the drawings and relevant design statements and take the proposals through the complexity of the planning and/or listed building process. We will also monitor the application and liaise with the local authority to ensure any queries are answered.

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5. Building control and possible energy standard certification

Once planning permission is granted, your drawings will need to be approved by Building Control. This requires construction details being added to the drawings as well as u-value calculations of heat loss and possibly input from a structural engineer. We will submit the application to Building Control and liaise with them to ensure all queries are answered in order to get Plans Approval. If you are looking to meet one of the certified standards such as Passivhaus or the AECB Building Standard, we will need to produce details and carry out energy modelling. 

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6. Construction drawings and specification

Further detail and construction and setting out information is added to the drawings and a specification for all of the works is produced alongside. This will include information about materials, windows, doors and finishes as well as bathroom, kitchen, heating and lighting specifications etc and set out the standards which the Contractors are to adhere to for the project. 

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7. Tender and Contractor appointment

With your input we will compile a list of 4-5 Contractors to invite to tender for the works and then send all of this information out to them. Once we have received all of the prices we will carry out a tender comparison and report back to you in order to help you choose the right builder for you.

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8. Construction

Once you have appointed a Contractor we will oversee their work with regular site visits and valuations of their work and issue Certificates for payment to them. We can advise of any implications from making changes during construction and issue Contract Instructions for these to the Contractor. We will agree the final account for the project at the end of the build and ensure you are happy with the final result! Piece of cake right? 

Timeline of Work

Many people underestimate the length of time a project can take to even get on to site so we have tried to outline the timeline up until the end of RIBA Work Stage 4, where the project is ready to move on to site. 

Please note: The timescale above is the optimum, it is worth noticing that in the local area planning usually takes longer than 12 weeks. However there are various stages that take longer, some of which can be out of our control. 

The Full Service

1

Pre-Planning 

  1. Establishing design brief with Client

  2. Arranging for a full measured survey of property to be carried out

  3. Drawing up 3D Revit existing plans and elevations of the property

  4. Producing initial scheme design(s)

  5. Holding meetings with Client

  6. Carrying out reasonable design scheme amendments

  7. Obtaining pre-application advice from the Local Authority (if appropriate)

  8. Advice on Health and Safety implications

2

Planning

  1. Preparing planning documents

  2. Liaising with external consultants and compilation of information

  3. Submission and monitoring of planning application

  4. Carrying out amendments as required by the Local Authority

  5. If required, submission of Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and submission of alternative scheme

3

Building Regulations 

  1. Preparing Building Regulation compliant details and drawings

  2. Liaising with external consultants and compilation of information

  3. Submission and monitoring of Building Regulation application

  4. Carrying out simple steel calculations or liaising with Structural Engineer for more complex structural work

  5. Carrying out U-Value calculations and component design

  6. Design of drainage and layout

  7. Design of foundation layout

  8. Carrying out amendments as required by Building Control

  9. Advice on water authority Build Over Agreements

  10. Advice on Party Wall matters

4

Specification and Tender

  1. Preparing detailed construction drawings

  2. Producing drawings highlighting lighting fixtures, electric sockets and radiator positions etc.

  3. Producing window and door schedules

  4. Preparing Specification of Works (from which Contractors can quote on a detailed basis) to include: Preliminaries (contract information) and Workmanship and Materials (standards to be adhered to)

  5. Producing tender package and obtaining quotes from Contractors

  6. Comparison of tenders and advice on possible cost reductions

5

Contract Administration 

  1. Discussions with chosen Contractor

  2. Discussions with Client

  3. Issuing of Contract Instructions for additions/omissions to the Schedule of Works

6

Site Involvement 

 

  1. Ongoing liaison with Contractor

  2. Regular site visits

  3. Valuations of works at stages

  4. Issue of Certificates for payment to Contractor

  5. Advice of implications for Client resulting from any changes during construction

  6. Agreement of final account

  7. Instigation of retention fund for period following completion of project to allow for any remedial work during the following six months

Discuss your ideas today...

We'd love to help make your dreams a reality. Please feel free to call one of us on the number below. 

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