Home Improvements
New Builds - Extensions - Loft Conversions - Interior Refurbishment - Interior Design
Every project is unique, but the following will give you a guide on how we work.
If we are a good fit for you, we will provide a free consultation - this could be at our studios, online or at your home, depending on circumstances. We will discuss your design ambitions and practical requirements, and explain the design process and fee structure. Many clients put together mood boards which we welcome as a starting point to share your ideas with us.
Once formally appointed, the next stage will be preparing design options for you in CAD format and CGI visuals. We will take on board your preferences of the look and feel, as well as factoring in planning and building regulations issues. We will then present these design proposals to you.
This stage will include detailed construction information and the specification of interior elements to enable a builder to quote for the work, be submitted for Building Regulations approval, and of course, be built!
During this stage the snagging will be identified, handover confirmed, and defects period monitored, in accordance with the building contract.
Once the brief is defined we will send you our fee proposal and outline our services for each stage of work. A measured survey would usually need to take place before we can start designing, which we can arrange, that will provide us with the information to move forward with the design stages. We will also identify any other additional fees to the council and other professionals if required. In order for us to progress with your project we will need to be formally appointed at this stage.
We will take the final preferred design and develop it further until we get to a point where you are ready to sign off as the final design. It will then be submitted for a formal planning application, the planning fee to the council will be in addition to our fees. Once submitted for planning approval it normally takes 8 weeks for the council to make a decision.
Once the project is on site, we offer the service of inspecting the works as they progress. This will involve numerous site visits, meetings between us and the contractor, and generally monitor the building programme in conjunction with the contractor via a legal building contract. The use of this contract will mean that you are protected from unsubstantiated costs, time delays, and that the payments you make to the builder are regulated.
Why use an architect?
Architects are highly skilled and professionally trained to turn your aspirations into reality. They will guide you through the design, planning and construction process, whether you are constructing a new building or adapting an existing property.
Architects apply impartial and creative thinking to projects large and small. They add value, whether from maximising light and space, adding functionality, or achieving the best return on your investment.
“A good architect actually pays for themselves - more than once. You will reap the reward and the building will be hugely better and deliver much better value for it.”
Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs