HOW PROJECTS WORK
STAGE 1 - INCEPTION
During this stage we will meet with you and talk through your aspirations and identify what you want to gain from your project. It might be extra space or re-configuring a layout so it is better suited to your needs or discussing a complete new build property.
We will also advise on what other services you might need, like structural or building services engineering and what investigations may be needed, like a topographical or an asbestos survey or identifying the location of drainage or mains services.
STAGE 2 - SCHEME DESIGN
Once we know what you want to achieve we will carry out a measured survey of your property and produce a scheme design for your review. Once the scheme has been agreed we will produce the final design drawings.
STAGE 3 - PLANNING
Not all projects require planning consent and we can advise if yours does.
If planning consent is needed we will prepare the application including any associated documents like a Design and Access Statement and, if you are in a conservation area, a Heritage Statement. From submitting an application to determination can take from 8 to 13 weeks or longer in some cases.
You will no doubt be anxious to get things under way by this stage but there is a bit further to go before work can start.
STAGE 4 - BUILDING REGULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION
Detailed drawings showing how your project will be built to comply with the regulations governing the standards of construction need to be prepared. We will do this and submit an application for Building Regulations approval, either to the Local Authority or to an Approved Inspector.
Although you may have been given indicative costs from builders it is not until this stage is complete that you can obtain firm quotations for the work. We can help with getting quotes from builders either by negotiating with your preferred builder or obtaining competitive quotes from a number of builders.
STAGE 5 - CONSTRUCTION
Armed with all the necessary consents and an agreed cost from your builder the work can now start. During the construction stage you may find it helpful to have someone looking after your interests, dealing with the builder’s queries, managing any changes you make (there will be some), We can do this through our project management service.