Kickstart consultation (Recommended starting point)

Quickly get to grips with design, costs and planning, and minimise the likelihood of stress, time wasting and escalating costs.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

This phase develops your outline into a full scheme design. Our main focus is on guiding you through the right Planning application process for your scheme.

BUILDING REGULATIONS

Here we focus on the Building Regulations application, drawings and approval. We work with you to help ensure all regulatory requirements are met.

INTERIOR DESIGN AND TENDER

We help you bring the building to life with interior design concepts. We'll also help you choose the right builder through a carefully managed selection process.

CONSTRUCTION

Finally, we administer the construction contract. Our project management and quality control skills will take you through to your all new build or extension.

Full  scheme design

This phase takes place after the Kickstart Consultation which is the recommended starting point for all residential architecture project. This phase requires more detail, surveys and professional services enabling us to develop the concept with you. We look at room layouts, materials and aesthetics until the scope of the project is fully defined and drawn up. A 3D visual of the new build or extension will help you understand the look and feel of your project. At this stage you will also have a more accurate grasp of the costs associated with your project, either as cost per square meter or as a full budget cost plan carried out by a Quantity Surveyor. Which option you go for will depend on the complexity of the project and your specific needs.

residential architecture Planning

We help you get planning when it is required and a Certificate of Lawful Development when planning is not required. For simpler domestic projects, the Certificate of Lawful Development takes away the uncertainty about whether you have ticked the Planning boxes or not.

The planning process is never black and white and can get very political. We manage the entire planning process, from the straight forward to the more complex that may require negotiation and the help of a Planning Consultant. We have the experience, expertise and local knowledge to guide you through.

get help designing and planning your extension or new build

interior design

At this stage you will have all your permissions in place and a full specification for the shell of the build. This interior design phase helps to bring the building to life with colour and finishes. Although most of the decisions in this interior design phase lie with the you, as interior design experts we will point you in the right direction for inspiration. We'll support you with the aesthetic direction that is right for your project and vision.

When all the information is finalised, drawings and schedules of information will be produced to provide a thorough description of the construction process as well as fixtures and fittings. 

tender and selecting a builder

It’s now time to select your builder. We believe that your choice of builder will be the most important decision you make. You need to choose a builder you can work with, trust and have in your home (if you will be living onsite). We recommend builders we trust and who have experience, knowledge and good workmanship — what you will have to pay extra for a team like this will more than pay for itself long term.

Our team will help you manage the tender process and produce the tender drawings and specifications you need. We will either recommend 2-3 builders for you to proceed with or advise you on how to select your own builders. We also advise on robust contractual arrangements between the contractor and client. Your contract should outline

• Precise arrangements — price, payment terms, working hours, insurances and guarantees
• How to resolve disputes if the arise
• What is expected from you and your builder during the works
• What to do if you want to make changes
• How to deal with a builder wanting to extend the build time

get help with interior design, tendering and selecting a builder

building and quality control

In this final stage our role as architect is to administer the construction contract. We monitor the project on your behalf and make regular site visits. We check that the works are being carried out in accordance with the contract drawings, without any delay and in a professional manner. Some of the key tasks we manage on your behalf includes

• Site visits
• Building inspector visits
• Regular project meetings
• Responding to client and contractor queries
• Issuing instructions
• Certifying payments
• Getting the project certificate

Get help with construction project management and monitoring