Architectural Stages of Work
1 – DESIGN CONSULTATION / CLIENT’S BRIEF
Every Architectural project starts with an initial design consultation where we assess the existing building or site for potential development options.
We take your requirements and objectives then assess the feasibility of the project from both planning and construction perspectives to produce an agreed design brief.
This initial consultation provides a strategy designed to precisely understand your requirements, an opportunity to give our findings and recommendations and a plan to move forward with a timeline and budget.
2 – MEASURED SURVEY / AS EXISTING DRAWINGS
Once appointed, a member of our design team will arrange to visit your home to carry out an extensive detailed measured survey to record the existing layout of your property.
After the site survey is complete, we will produce existing floor plans, sections, and elevations of your property. This is a vital step in the design process as it forms the baseline for all our development solutions.
On sites where no existing structure is present such as for a new build home and housing developments, it may be necessary to appoint a third-party specialist surveyor to produce a full topographical survey.
3 – FEASIBILITY DESIGN / CLIENT’S FEEDBACK
Once the existing information documents and plans have been completed, we will begin the feasibility design stage where we produce the initial design in line with our agreed brief.
The initial design is just the first step towards realising the potential of your home. Once you have had a look over the initial feasibility design that we have produced, we respond to your feedback to maximize your project’s potential.
With your feedback we set about fine tuning and developing the proposed feasibility design, continually, until you are 100% happy with it.
4 – SCHEME DESIGN / PLANNING APPLICATION
Once we have finalised your feasibility design, we will develop these documents into the scheme design, by adding in the fine details and annotation required, complete all necessary forms, then submit a planning application on your behalf.
When the planning application has been submitted, we will monitor the application and liaise with the appointed planning officer where necessary whilst updating you on any developments on the application and discharging any conditions that may be applicable.
A typical standard householder planning application will take around 8 – 10 weeks for the local planning authority to determine a decision.
5 – DETAILED DESIGN / BUILDING REGULATIONS
Once the local planning authority has granted planning permission, we will develop the approved scheme design to produce a detailed design that is suitable for Building Regulations Approval and contractors use.
We will submit the building regulations application and liaise with the local building control officer, discharging any conditions that may be applicable.
6 – WORKING DRAWINGS / PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Once we have obtained your Building Regulations Approval, we could proceed with production information including drawings, schedules, and specifications, suitable for contractors use and the purposes of a tender.
7 – CONTRACT PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION *
The final stage of the design process would be inviting building contractors and specialist sub-contractors and suppliers to submit formal tenders and quotations for the works.
Considering offers received and making recommendations thereon to the client.
Preparing contract documents as necessary and arranging for their execution.
Giving instructions to appointed contractors on behalf of the client, inspecting work in progress to determine whether the contractor is fulfilling his obligations under the contract, carrying out other administrative duties entailed.
Certifying interim applications for payment on account of work properly carried out, considering, and agreeing final certificate of payment due under contract.
Supplying client with a set of “as built” drawings, service drawings and maintenance manual, if required.
* Stages not included in our default package of work and is not normally required for projects under a value of £20,000.