Project Steps
STEP 1 - CONSULTATION + PROJECT IDEAS
We offer a free no obligation consultation, whereby we will meet with you and discuss your requirements, and thoughts you have on what it is you want and how you see the spaces in your home working.
Some clients know clearly what they want, but we can offer suggestions and ideas for those that are less sure. We will formulate a brief taking on board your requirements and from this prepare a fixed rate fee proposal and set out timescales, the process and what to expect from us. We strive to set out all likley costs upfront to avoid unexpected costs later on. At this stage, we will also advise whether you will require any statutory approvals - take a look at our note on different applications here.
STEP 2 - MEASURED SURVEY
Following our initial consultation and at a time convenient to you we will come and carry out a measured survey of your existing property where we will take internal and external measurements, photographs, note where drainage runs are and anything else that may impact upon your proposals. We recommend that this is carried out on a weekend due to the time required.
STEP 3 - INITIAL SKETCHES + FEASIBILITY STUDIES
INITIAL SKETCHES
Working to the measurements of your property, we will produce initial sketches indicating what can be done with the spaces in your existing home in which incorporate your requirements and ideas. In some instances, dependant upon the nature and size of your project, at this stage we may put forward sketch options for alternative suggestions for your consideration where we feel the spaces could be further enhanced.
Following this review, we will seek your approval to the intial sketch layouts before we commence the preparation of planning application drawings.
For an additional charge we can produce 3D visulations based upon the initial sketch layouts to bring the ideas to life and give you a really good understanding of how the proposed spaces would work, how they may feel and give you a sense of what it might be like to live in the space.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
We can provide seperate Feasibility Studies, which work on the same basis as Initial Sketches, in that we can prepare initial layouts to give you an idea of what you could do with your home without getting in too much detail and too much cost - these can be used for purposes of curiosity, building quotations and property valuations, if you were thinking about potentially remodelling your home in the future. We include 3D visualisations in this study.
STEP 4 - PLANNING APPLICATION
If your proposals do not fall within Permitted Development rights then we will prepare drawings ready for a submission to the local planning authority. Once these are complete we will ask that you review and confirm you are happy with the proposals before the application is made. We can act as your agent to submit the planning application, and as such we will complete all necessary forms, submit the plans and liaise with the local planning authortiy directly, so you don't have to.
Drawings will typically comprise of existing plans and elevations (if any) together with plans, elevations and sections of the proposals. It may also be necessary, subject to the size and nature of the proposals, to produce a Design and Access Statement to supplement the drawings for the application, which we will undertake at no extra cost to you.
The local planning authority will take up to 8 weeks typically to determine a householder planning application, subject to the nature and scale of the proposals. We will liaise with them during the course of the application, and ensure they are happy with the progress of the application, and provide them with further information if required.
STEP 5 - BUILDING REGULATIONS
Most building works relating to the changes to a dwelling require building regulations approval. Minor works can be dealt with via a Building Notice, whereas most will require a full submission of technical drawings, details and written specification to the local building control. We can prepare comprehensive detail plans and specifications to submit for approval. We can again act as your agent and deal with building control on your behalf.
With a full set of approved plans signed off by local building control you are then legally able to instruct a building contractor to undertake the proposed works, and in doing so make your original concept ideas become reality. At various stages throughout the build, the building inspector will visit site and sign off key elements of the build. Upon completion, they will visit a final time and issue a completion certificate to certify that the works have been carried out to a satisfactory standard. It is your building contractors responsibility to liaise with building control when works are on site.
We pride ourselves in the
quality of our drawings.
But don't just take our word for it......
"I would take this opportunity to commend you on the excellent standard of presentation of the drawings and specifications. It certainly makes our job easier in assessing and approving your Building Regulations application."
Hertfordshire Building Control, 2017