The process of redesigning and extending your home, one of your most valuable assets, is likely to be a nerve wracking experience. Unless your project is simple, it makes sense to talk to an Architect for feasibility advice before you get started.
Through our exciting 5 step live design session, together we can quickly define the scope of your home improvement project. You’ll be able to get to grips with design, costs and planning and minimise stress, time wasting and escalating costs on your residential architecture project.
kick start consultation — 5 steps to project success
1. listening
Let’s understand your frustrations with, and vision for your existing property. Via an exciting Architect lead one-to-one live design session at your property, we will walk and talk the areas you want to adapt and extend. The aim is to ask guiding questions and to listen to you, so we clearly understand your frustrations with the existing property and your vision for the future.
2. Analysis
We’ll help you understand the property opportunities and constraints. We’ll look at a variety of factors including the existing building and it’s physical context, planning history, relevant local and national planning and building control policies. What about legal and tax implications, freeholder consents, development taxes and VAT? Through this process we can flag up potential opportunities and pitfalls and ensure that the foundation is in place for a successful planning application.
3. Design
We’ll sketch out your ideas and our suggestions so you can visualise the outcome. The tracing paper comes out and we start bringing your dream to life. We’ll use existing plans, estate agent layouts or our own hand sketch of the existing property plan to then draw out new designs. Through and interactive and iterative process you will be able to see what your new home could look and feel like and you will have an agreed concept design by the end of your Kick Start Consultation. We take these sketches back to the studio, tidy them up and send them back to you in as a PDF.
4. COST & TIME
Get a feel for how much your project may cost with a priced concept design. It is important to understand what project elements are fundamental and what you might be willing to sacrifice. What can be done in any given project is determined by budget and any building or site constraints. We help you clarify the possibilities and challenges related to things like space, topography, planning and budget. We also ensure you consider less obvious aspects of your project. Understanding your hierarchy of needs indicate the solutions to focus on. This feeds into a detailed project brief which is used to accurately scope, plan and price your project.
5. WAY FORWARD
Understand the next steps such as planning permission and finding a builder. During the Kick Start Consultation we’ll explain planning permission, building regulations and statutory consents related to your specific project. We’ll go through what steps you will need to take next, including an outline of how to find the right builder and manage your project going forward.
Google reviews
“Came across the Kick Start Consultation service offered by Harvey Norman Architects through a Google search for a local architect. It has been the answer to getting me passed that impasse of not being quiet ready to ‘go the whole hog’, but needing a professional to help me move forward. Our house needs help; it is a very ordinary home in need of bringing into the 21st century but I was very unsure about where to begin. The Kick Start Consultation has provided an opportunity to take that 1st step to begin pulling thoughts together. Ian’s consultation was fabulously informative about how to achieve my ideas, contributed ideas and vision that I hadn’t thought of.... and productive in making a plan of action.”
“We approached Harvey Norman Architects to get a better understanding of the viability of an extension. The offering of their Kick Start product allowed us to sit down and assess the viability, without having to engage in the full process. The time that Ian spent with us was invaluable, and the offer of sound and realistic advice was allowed us to make better decisions. Despite being an informal session, we were presented with representative drawings and budgetary advice after the session, which was very useful.”
Video testimonial
Caroline on the benefits of commissioning our Kick Start Consultation (1.5 minutes).
ABOUT THE KICK START CONSULTATION
Considering the possibilities and options related to projects like extensions, conversions and self-builds can be mind-boggling. The Kick Start Consultations gives you the guidance you need. We help you untangle the possibilities, options and challenges of your project. Our popular Kickstart Consultation has been designed specifically to give you the guidance, information, reassurance, ideas and inspiration you need to validate your plans and define the scope of your project. By the end of the session you will be able to decide how to move forward. Deliverables include hand drawn sketches, lead times, project length, indicative costs and statutory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Kickstart Consultation?
Depending on the size of the project, the session at your property normally takes about 2-3 hours.
What do I get from the Kickstart Consultation?
Because we believe that getting started on the right foot is essential, on average, about 10 hours of our time goes into a Kickstart Consultation. After our 2-3 hour design session at your property, we go back to the studio to tidy up your drawings and produce a scaled freehand‐drawn 1:50 scale outline layout proposal. We also give you documentation on indicative costings, procurement options, statutory consents and how to move your project forward with a possible programme.
How much does it cost?
Price may vary depending on the size and complexity of your project. Please get in touch for details.
Do I need to provide plans for my house?
If you have any plans or agent’s layouts you could provide before the Kickstart Consultation it will save a lot of time on the day. However, if you don’t have any plans we can still go ahead as we can measure up your property on the day.
Do you offer consultations forother types of building projects?
Yes. We have similar tailored consultations if you are a home buyer, a self builder with a site or if you want to unlock the value of a house or land you own.
residential architecture services
THE RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT FOR A RESIDENTIAL EXTENSION OF NEW BUILD PROJECT IS THE KICKSTART CONSULTATION. FOLLOWING THAT WE OFFER A RANGE OF ARCHITECTURE SERVICES. THESE ARE:
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
We'll develop your outline into a full scheme design. Our focus is guiding you through the right Planning application process.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
Here we focus on your Building Regulations application, drawings and approval. We work with you to ease the process, provide support and 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.