We have outlined below our standard 4-step process for providing full architectural services. We are also happy to be appointed for concept design and planning only or, if you already have planning permission for an existing design, we are happy to help you with your technical design and building control drawings through to tender and construction if required. The particular scope of works will depend on the nature of your project and we will define that during our initial discussion. If you are not sure what is possible for your site and what would fit within your budget we also offer a standalone feasibility study service to help you understand that and make a decision on the next steps. If after the feasibility study you appoint us to finalise the concept design and planning documentation, any costs for the feasibility study will be deducted from the total fee.
When you contact us, we will ask key details about you and your project.
We will then then contact you to arrange a time for a 30-minute initial video call or in-person meeting where we will look at the site and discuss your initial brief, your ideas and aspirations, likes and dislikes and your budget. It is also an opportunity for us to explain to you the architectural design process ahead.
Following this meeting we will provide you with a fee proposal and scope of works.
Once the fee proposal is agreed and signed, we will arrange a full measured survey of your property to be carried out to produce drawings of the existing building.
We will also book a meeting to discuss the brief and scope in more detail. The purpose of this is to really understand how you live and/or your needs and priorities so that the designs we create meet your expectations.
Once we’ve had our detailed discussion and the existing building is drawn-up we will use these drawings to work on design options. We will normally produce 2-3 design options and present these to you for discussion so you can “pick and mix”.
We will then develop your preferred design into an architectural design package to either submit for planning permission, or if your project has permitted development rights to apply for Prior Approval or for a Lawful Development Certificate.
We will submit these to the local council on your behalf and monitor the application with the relevant case officer.
Following planning approval, we will progress the technical design of your project. This will include construction details, setting-out, materials, windows, doors and finishes as well as bathroom, kitchen, heating and lighting specifications and set out the standards which the Contractors are to adhere to for the project.
The technical drawing package will also include u-values and coordination with the structural engineer and any other relevant consultants.
We will submit the technical design to Building Control for approval and liaise with them on your behalf.
We are Certified Passivhaus Designers, so if you are looking to achieve Passivhaus certification for your project we will produce details and energy modelling to comply with the standard.
Once building control approval has been granted, we will work with you to compile a list of 4-5 Contractors to invite to tender for the works and send a tender package and detailed specifications to them.
Once we have received all of the tender returns, we will carry out a comparison of the contractors and costs and report back to you in order to help you choose the right builder.
Once you have appointed the contractor, we will oversee their work with regular site visits and valuations of their work to make sure it is of expected standard before payments are made.
We will administer the contract and advise on implications of any changes during construction and issue instructions for these to the contractor.
We will inspect the project at the end of the build to make sure you are happy with the result and agree the final accounts.
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