The first step in your project is to have an initial consultation at your property to discuss your requirements and the feasibility of you what you propose to do. We charge a small fee for this and will spend one hour with you going through your project brief. We will advise you on the best route to get through the Planning Process in your area, what your Permitted Development Rights are and the realistic chances of success if you have to apply for Planning Permission. This often depends on the planning policy in the Local Authority to which you are applying and can vary from area to area. We will then prepare you a quotation for our Architectural Services based on your project. Our fees are based on fixed prices and set out in a clear way.
Appointment
Our appointment will be based on the RIBA recommended agreement letter and we will be bound by the rules and regulations of the RIBA and ARCUK.
Architectural Design
To start your project we will do a Measured Survey of your property and then once it is drawn up we will meet with you to have a sketch design meeting at which we will together develop our ideas. It is at this stage that we may have to involve the planners by having a pre-application discussion with them prior to making a Planning Application or Lawful Development Certificate. This is to discuss the feasibility of what you want to do and to get an initial response from the Local Authority as to how they may rule on the application. Following their advice and with further input from you we will prepare the drawings for the Planning Application.
Planning Application
Making an application is not a guarantee that planning will be approved and there may be many reasons why the planning is refused on the first attempt. Unfortunately some planning authorities have such heavy workloads that they do not have time to request for alterations in order to approve schemes. However we do enter into dialogues with the planners whilst the application is progressing and will provide them with amendments as part of the process if they request it. If the planning is declined we will discuss the reasons for refusal and you may decide to put in a further amended application or to go to appeal. We can help you to find a Local Planning Consultant if you decide to appeal. However hopefully the Application will be approved first time and we can move straight on to preparing the detailed design drawings.
Building Regulations
We will then send your drawings to local Structural Engineers and start to prepare the Building Regulation drawings.
We will offer you advice you on other Consultants such as Structural Engineers and Energy Consultants who you may need to employ for your project. Once the building regulations are approved you can appoint your Contractor and start building your dream project! We are an LABC Partner - information on Building Control for Homeowners.
