We have in-depth knowledge of the Town and Country Planning system and Building Regulations. We offer specialist skills in architectural design, working with both domestic and commercial clients. As a small team, we offer fresh ideas delivered through strong focus and passion. We have a reputation for bringing drive, flexibility and enthusiasm to the projects we manage. All drawings for feasibility studies and actual submissions are prepared using AutoCAD and 3D visualisation software, so that our clients can more readily understand and visualise for themselves, the schemes as they develop from initial conception through to finalised design.

Development Appraisals

This service includes a ‘no obligation’ meeting and site review for those clients who are pondering a development project and its viability. We will attend the development site and review and discuss proposals and ideas, and give informed advice on the likelihood of obtaining Planning Consent if required. Included with the advice is an overview of the immediate constraints and limitations of the proposals, any positive and negative aspects plus the signposting of any restrictions posed by the site and the Statutory processes involved. We hope to provide our potential client with the best advice and options and a way of maximising their investment.

Planning Applications

We handle all aspects of the Planning process on behalf of our appointed clients, commencing with a measured survey of the site, and the production of feasibility designs for review and evaluation. We offer our clients up to 3 feasibility studies, as experience shows that client requirements do change during the design stages, allowing constant review with creative input to arrive at the finalised and client approved scheme that requires Planning Consent. We can of course offer greater design input, subject to agreed fees.

We will apply for Planning Consent on the clients behalf – offering procedural advice and preparing and submitting the Local Authority application together with the drawings, method statements and supporting documentation that is required to ensure the application is registered, and working with any other client instructed third parties if required. The application can be in detail or outline form depending on the client requirements. Once submitted we can then manage the Planning Consent Application through the planning process, liaising with the Planning Department as needed to address any questions or concerns raised by those statutory parties involved in the decision to give Consent.

Building Regulations

Obtaining Planning Consent is the 1st goal, but in order to physically build the development the client must obtain Building Regulation Consent against detailed drawings that evidence compliance with Building Regulations. We will prepare and submit the drawings on behalf of our client and provide all of the necessary details for the builder and for the submission of the Application to the Local Authority Building Control (LABC). We partner with many Local Councils and enjoy strong professional relationships the many Building Control Officers, who are familiar with our high standard of work and extensive knowledge of the Building Regulations. We will conclude the process with the obtaining of Full Plans Consent, accepting conditions as required.

Tendering

We can offer an additional service to clients to help mobilise their building project through a tendering service. We can arrange for costings of the proposed works through the preparation of detailed Schedule of Works and Bills of Quantities to complement our drawings and then invite quotations from selected Building Contactors whom are known to us and have established high standards of workmanship and management capability. We will carry out detailed tender analysis of the quotations and offer advice on selection of the successful contractor.

Contract Administration

Building disputes even in small scale work are sadly common place in an increasingly litigious society and whilst many clients are tempted at the outset to instruct work without formal contracts being in place, the outcome can be often more costly than the perceived savings by not insisting on such at the outset.

We have extensive working knowledge of the main JCT Contract Suite of Building Contracts and we can advise clients on the best contract to adopt. We also offer administration of the contract throughout the development and ensure that all contractual terms are being complied with, thereby reducing the threat of relationship break down and matters concluded through expensive arbitration.

Project Management

Some clients are just too busy or may lack the necessary skills to manage their projects for themselves, so we can act in this capacity, delivering the construction phases with a focused approach with emphasis on delivery. We will regularly visit the site, review progress, manage issues relating to scope and budget and provide updates to our client to enable them to keep in touch with the development without needing to be there.