Our Services
We design and manage all scale of projects including single storey Residential Extensions, Refurbishments, Basement Conversions, Loft Conversions, New Build Houses and small Commercial Developments
GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL PROCESS
As a registered RIBA Chartered practice the RIBA plan of work is the starting point for most projects. The plan consists of 8 work stages, 0-7. A basic synopsis of the main stages 1-5 is given below. Detailed guidance can be found by vising the RIBA website.
1 PREPARATION & BRIEF
If you have made an enquiry regarding a potential project, after a brief discussion over the phone, we will arrange a site visit to discuss the project further. The initial meeting is normally free of charge and whilst we do not limit the meeting, this normally lasts approximately 1 hour.
What to expect during our first meeting?
The purpose of the meeting is to listen to your requirements so that we can formulate a brief. During the meeting, after listening to your thoughts we will make an initial assessment of the likely feasibility of your proposals. We may offer some design suggestions but no sketches will be produced at this stage. Following the meeting we will prepare a fee proposal and forward this to you for consideration, normally within 7 days.
During this initial meeting it is useful to establish the target build budget, i.e. what budget is available for the build cost.
Most domestic construction projects will take circa 6 - 9 months to get onto site from appointment where the construction time will vary from between 3 months for a modest extension through to 12 months for a new build house.
Should you decide to proceed, a measured survey will be conducted of the existing site and any existing buildings. As these drawings will form the basis of any subsequent documents, it is essential that they are prepared as accurately as possible.
2 CONCEPT DESIGN
This is the first design stage and where we will convert the brief into design proposals. Depending on the complexity of the project and brief this stage may take many hours to complete.
3 DEVELOPED DESIGN (Planning application)
Once you are happy with the basic Concept drawings, the proposals will be developed into a package suitable for submission to the Local Authority Development Control.
4 TECHNICAL DESIGN (tender information)
As specialists in residential design we will prepare documents that are suitable for obtaining quotations from prospective contractors. The documents prepared will be dependent on the scale of the project, as a guide we will normally prepare General Arrangement drawings including Plans, Sections and Elevations to illustrate the proposals and we may also prepare demolition plans, schedules, mechanical and electrical drawings, room data sheets, general specifications for building control and where required detailed NBS specifications.
5 CONSTRUCTION
During the construction stage, we will obtain tenders for the works, set up a contract between you and the Contractor and visit site to administer the terms of the contract.