WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
From inception to completion, there are many stages or processes in realising a project. Your project is unique and will encompass some or all of the following:
The process typically starts with a telephone conversation, an initial enquiry to establish whether we’re able to help with your project, and a brief outline of the processes involved together with setting a date to visit the site.
There are no charges for this initial visit; we usually discuss your plans at the site over a coffee, and seek to begin to form an initial brief.
Once appointed, a survey to determine size and layout is required to prepare design proposals. The survey will either be carried out by ourselves or through the services of a land/buildings surveyor.
Obtaining accurate drawings of the existing building/site is essential to form the basis of all drawings we, or other consultants prepare.
Following analysis of your project requirements we address these with drawn proposals. A series of sketches serves for useful discussion, offering alternatives you might not have considered that will ideally benefit your use of the building.
Not only providing solutions to existing problems, our skill is in anticipating future uses of your building. Depending on size of project and number of people involved, this stage can take time to resolve issues. Occasionally we use architectural models to illustrate the design.
After reaching agreement on project design, we prepare a submission to the Local Authority for Planning Consent. Government targets Local Authorities with eight weeks to determine submissions.
In certain circumstances, planning permission isn’t required and applying for a Certificate of Lawfulness provides the necessary documentation. Although we will identify if your project fulfils necessary criteria to qualify for Lawful Development instead of Planning Permission, guidance should always be sought from your Local Authority, as Planning Consent is a legal requirement.
An application for Building Regulations Approval is submitted to satisfy the technical requirements for construction. Decisions are typically within five weeks for smaller projects and eight weeks for larger projects.
At this stage we add technical details and specifications to drawings to inform Local Authority Building Control how work will be undertaken. Building Regulations approval is a legal requirement. On larger projects, we occasionally work with independent Building Control Authorities.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires developers and homeowners to notify the adjoining owners of any construction works which are likely to affect the party wall between properties.
This includes works internally, especially for loft conversions for growing families or the home office; and forming those lovely big openings between the kitchen and the new extension for the modern light-filled family room.
You, as the building owner are entitled to undertake alterations to a party wall, party structure, boundary wall or to construct new foundations near to another property on the basis that your neighbour, the adjoining owner is advised of your planned work and that any damage caused will be repaired.
Understandably, some neighbours will be a little bit nervous of building works, and this is where our services as Party Wall Surveyors start. We adopt a collaborative approach to obtaining the necessary agreement between you, the building owner and the adjoining owner, you neighbour. We try to de-mystify the process and make it a simple and cost effective as we can. The consent of both the building owner and adjoining owner is required before any relevant work can be carried out on a party wall. With the right information, establishing clear lines of communication between the owners and acting before works start – the whole process can be accomplished with fairness and the minimum of stress.
We work across Sussex, Surrey and Kent to help and advice for Party Wall matters. We can also offer advice at the planning stage to see which parts of the Act maybe relevant and what steps you might need to take.
Vicki is a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFPWS) and is always available for a brief chat about your party wall queries.
With Building Regulations approval obtained, we commence a Construction Information and Tender package, a set of information typically sent to four contractors to obtain competitive quotes for undertaking the project work.
Included are construction drawings and details, and usually either a Schedule of Work and/or Specification. Prospective contractors are given 4 weeks to prepare their tender. Advice is also given relating to a suitable type of Building Contract to be used for your project.
We administer the Building Contract; monitor works progress, carry out site visits and certify valuations for payment.
We issue relevant documentation to the Contractor to enable them to commence with the project, and to carry out and complete the works. During the construction period we will work with both Client and Contractor to administer the contract.
After an agreed period we return to the site to check for any ‘defects’ andarrange any necessary rectification with the Contractor.
New Construction, Design and Management Regulations came into force from 6 April 2015 intended to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities occurring in the construction, use and demolition of a building.
Whilst there are obligations for the design and construction team, crucially the emphasis is now for Clients to ensure their obligations are met under CDM legislation.
The Regulations are designed to ensure good health and safety practices are applied throughout the project from inception, through construction, during the life of the building and including demolition.