The Process

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:

INITIAL MEETING

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.

SURVEY

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.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

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.

PLANNING PERMISSION

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.

BUILDING REGULATIONS

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.

PARTY WALL AGREEMENTS

A party wall is a wall shared by two properties, e.g. the wall dividing a pair of semi-detached houses, properties in a terrace, or similarly in a commercial or other building.

Depending on the final project, drawings submitted for Local Authority approval would be adapted by us and used to form Party Wall Agreements with your neighbours where required.

“The Party Wall etc. Act 1996” covers multiple examples in the extension of an existing building or erection of a new building. The www.gov.uk website provides guidance on how the Act affects “someone who either wishes to carry out work covered by the Act (the ‘Building Owner’) or receives notification under the Act of proposed adjacent work (the ‘Adjoining Owner’)”.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

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.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

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.

CDM REGULATIONS

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.