Services

An initial meeting either at our offices or onsite to discuss your requirements and design brief.

During this meeting we will carryout the following:

• an initial assessment.
• discuss the statue requirements of planning law (plus permitted development rights) and building regulations that may effect your project.
• discuss your budget in relation to your design aspirations.
• suggest possible solutions.
• discuss the next required steps in moving your project forward.

Initial Design Meetings to discuss the client’s requirements and analyse the design brief.

During the meeting one of our Architects will interpret your design brief and produce detailed sketch proposals illustrating the potential design solutions.  This is an inclusive process where you are involved in the initial design stage to produce a practical, yet innovative design solution.

This process has been especially created to ‘kick start’ a project, in a fast and proactive manner. This enables the client to gain the most from the Architect, from the outset of the project.

We can analysis properties & land, in or out of the clients ownership. This can be completed prior to purchase, or on a speculative bases, to enable the client to make informed decisions.

Available sketch scheme solutions are as follows :

• Half Day: Allows for 4 hours (time split between the initial site meeting and design time in the office). Suitable for smaller projects, e.g. internal alterations and extensions relating to one storey.

• Full Day: Allows for 7 hours (time split between the initial site meeting and design time in the office). Suitable for larger projects e.g. internal alterations and extensions across multiple stories.

• Desk-Top Sketch Schemes carried out in our offices, following a client design meeting. Ideal for large scale alterations /  developments and new builds. Time required dependent on project size and analysis required.

Please contact us for pricing.

After the initial consultation, you will receive sketch drawings of the various options we have discussed during the visit.

Find out more about our domestic sketch scheme service.

Or are you interested in our commercial feasibility studies?

To progress the design it is vital that the drawings are accurate and so a Digital Survey is carried out. This will provide the basis for all subsequent design and detailed drawings. 

• Full or Partial Measured Building Survey: a digital survey consisting of plans, elevations, sectional drawings.

• Topographical Survey: digital survey of the land and surrounding features (eg ground level changes, trees, other buildings).

• Input to CAD from given survey drawings: If you already possess survey drawings, we can input this information into our BIM system.

All survey information is converted into our BIM (building information modelling) software.

The production of drawings and information sufficient for a planning applications and initial consultation with building contractors. 

Further development of the Sketch Scheme (if previously carried out), together with the clients design brief to produce a planning scheme design. The design will be modelled in BIM software, that will enable the client to visualise and ‘walk though’ their scheme.

• Design Model / Drawings : Drawings  / model suitable for a Planning Application or Certificate of Lawfulness. 

• Amendments to Design Drawings: Following further discussion with you, the scheme is refined and drawings issued. 

• Coordinating with other consultants: You may need the input of specialist consultants such as a Structural Engineer, a Party Wall Surveyor or a Quantity Surveyor. We can help you find who you need and coordinate with them as required.

Pre-Planning Application

Most councils now favour a pre-planning application process prior to a full submission. We would submit drawings and a design statement outlining the proposal for initial consultation. At this point no information is available to the public, it is purely a direct consultation process to gauge the councils reaction to the proposal.

(please note, pre-planning is not always necessary and is dependent on the size and complexity of the the project).

Planning Applications and other submissions

These are permissions you require from your local council in order to carry out the changes you wish to make to your property. For example; planning permission, certificate of lawfulness and listed building consent.

• We will: complete the application forms; draft an accompanying letter; compile required drawings i.e. plans / elevation drawings existing / proposed and 3D visualisations (if required).

• Following the submission we will track the application and liaise with the planning office.

Building Regulation Drawings are developed, with your input, to produce detailed drawings (plans, elevation sections) for submission to Building Control for their statutory approval and also to enable tendering and construction. 

• Full Plans Building Regulation Submission: We can submit for ‘full plans’ approval under the building regulations to an Approved Building Inspector company. We will fill out application forms, draft an accompanying letter, package and submit. 

• Liaise with other professional advisors: We will liaise with other professional advisors, such as Structural Engineers, Aboriculturalist, M&E consultants, Energy Performance Specialists and Building Control Inspectors or any other professional deemed necessary for the satisfactory completion of the work.

Writing of a Specification of Works, comprising of detailed information and client specific products / requirements for inclusion in the tender packs and construction contract documents.

We will suggest suitable contractors for your project, selected on their suitability for the size and scope of the project, for either negotiating a contract value or inclusion in the tendering process.

• Produce Tender Packs and distribute Tender documents to selected contractors. 

• Check/analyse returned Tender documents and advising clients of the Tender comparison. Negotiating with contractors if necessary.

Following the completion of the tendering process, we can oversee the contract for you, acting as a ‘contract administrator’ or be used on an ‘ad-hock’ basis to just attend a few meetings to check on progress. There are various options for our involvement at this stage. 

Preparing contract documents / acting as contract administrator

Regular site inspections, advising client

Issuing instruction and interim payment certificates to contractors

Inspection of completed works and at the end of the defects period

Issuing the Final Certificate

• Meeting with contractors / consultants on site to discuss or monitor works.

• Contract Administration and Valuations  if required we can can take on the role of ‘contract administrator’ and  prepare valuation certificates as and when required.

• On site ‘snagging appraisal’  if required we will meet you on site at the end of the works and prepare a ‘snagging list’ of items for the builder to rectify. 

• Services after completion of work if we have acted as ‘contract administrator’ during construction, there may be services required when work is completed (inspection and listing of defects to be made good at the end of the defect period).

Building Surveys

• Normally prepared for existing structures and buildings and will include plans, elevations and sections where necessary.

Land Surveys (Topographical)

• Site survey and preparation of layout drawings illustrating surrounding features and level changes.

Structural Survey

• Involving rigorous investigation of the building structure, which can be invasive and will require involvement of specialist Engineers.

All complex measured surveys, both internal and external are carried out using the latest laser measuring devises, including point cloud scanning.

• Speed of producing survey drawings is greatly increased – Meaning final drawings are produced faster.
• Errors with survey information is greatly reduced and usually eliminated – Meaning an extremely accurate survey drawing.
• Cost of surveys are reduced – Meaning a fast, more accurate, service that cost less!

A visual inspection of property and reporting on the condition, including highlighting structural defects. General observations will be made of the Electrical and hot and cold water and heating systems. If a more technical report on these subjects is required, then an electrical or heating/plumbing engineer can be arranged to carry out specific reports.

We can then also further advice on how you may alter / upgrade and extend the property via one of our sketch scheme analysis services listed above (this can be completed prior to your purchases).

Usually prepared in connection with Leasehold property, in assessing and recording the condition of a property at commencement of a lease,(Schedule of Condition) or assessing and recording the work that is required to be carried out to reinstate a property at the end of a lease (Schedule of Dilapidation).