Our Process
Rely on our established process for a successful project completion, and if you've already initiated, we seamlessly pick up from where you left off.
The Initial Step
At our firm, we recognize the importance of thoughtful consideration when initiating discussions about a new project. Upon your outreach, we dedicate time to comprehensively understand your current challenges, objectives, and any specific requirements you may have.
Our team conducts a meticulous assessment of the project’s feasibility, and if it aligns with our expertise, we arrange a complimentary phone consultation for further discussion.
During this call, we delve into various aspects, including your project goals, specific requirements, potential planning risks, and our strategies for mitigation. We provide an overview of our comprehensive process, covering design, planning, technical, and construction phases. We discuss the project timeline, set expectations, and present our straightforward fee structure. Ample time is allocated for any questions you may have, ensuring thorough and detailed responses.
We offer time for your thoughtful consideration and send a comprehensive fee proposal with detailed information. This allows you the opportunity to discuss it with others if needed. If you’re ready to proceed, we can initiate the instruction process. Alternatively, should you prefer, we are open to arranging an online meeting to virtually introduce ourselves, further discuss project details, and accommodate any additional queries.
Instructing Us
When you’re prepared to advance with your project, we’ll dispatch an online instruction form to kickstart the process, followed by organizing a site visit to acquaint ourselves with the property and conduct detailed measurements.
Ahead of the visit, we provide you with a design questionnaire designed to delve into your priorities and project wish list. Additionally, we recommend sharing photos of any inspirations you’ve come across, aiding us in better understanding your design preferences.
Design Phase
As an architectural firm, we bring a wealth of experience and a history of earning trust from numerous clients who have entrusted us to design and plan their projects.
What sets us apart is our emphasis on robust communication with our clients. Recognizing the complexity and potential overwhelm of the design and building process, we are dedicated to making it as straightforward and seamless as possible. Keeping you well-informed and engaged throughout, we remain readily available to address any questions or concerns that may arise.
In the design phase, our approach is holistic, considering multiple options while factoring in your specific needs, an open-minded approach, zoning and flow, illumination to avoid gloomy spaces, garden aspect, home working, storage, ancillary spaces, and property value. We also anticipate fundamental considerations imposed by planning, building regulations, and budget constraints, ensuring a realistic design approach and identifying potential hurdles early on.
Our commitment extends to offering expert guidance and advice, leveraging our extensive experience to empower you in making informed decisions. From the initial project brief to the final drawings, we are by your side, guiding you through every step to ensure the success of your project.
To enhance your involvement in the design process, we organize online screen share meetings to discuss and refine designs into perfect proposals. Unlimited revisions ensure the final design precisely aligns with your vision.
Beyond our standard design services, we provide the option of 3D visuals for the interior or exterior of the project. These visuals offer a valuable tool for better visualizing the final design, aiding in understanding the layout and design of the space. They also facilitate any necessary adjustments before construction commences.
The inclusion of 3D visuals is particularly advantageous for clients located at a distance, unable to physically visit the site. Offering different views, including day and night scenarios, enhances your comprehension of how the space will look and feel under various lighting conditions.”
Planning Phase
We possess adept expertise in navigating the intricacies of the planning process, boasting an exceptionally high success rate for securing planning approvals.
The initial phase involves a comprehensive assessment of the planning strategy, diligently checking for potential risks or issues. This entails conducting precedent checks, policy evaluations, and determining the type of application required.
Upon strategy assessment, the subsequent step entails meticulous preparation of all essential application documents, encompassing pertinent drawings, completed forms, planning statements, and, if applicable, a design and access statement. These documents are then submitted to the local planning department.
Following the submission, our firm acts as your representative, ensuring a seamless validation process with the local authority while the application is assigned to a planning officer. We maintain regular contact with the planning officer, engaging in discussions about the proposal and diligently tracking and monitoring the application to prevent oversight. Swift revisions are made if necessary, and if objections arise, negotiations are conducted to reach a resolution.
To safeguard the uninterrupted progress of the project, we offer ‘planning protection.’ This ensures a ‘free go’ if a new application is required for the same proposal, particularly for householder and full applications when our design recommendations have been adhered to.
Backed by our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of local regulations, our firm boasts a proven track record of successfully securing planning approvals.
Technical Phase
As your primary consultant, we are dedicated to ensuring the seamless and efficient progression of the technical phase of your project. Leveraging our extensive experience in crafting building regulation packages, we have developed a profound understanding of delivering detailed and concise information to builders. Our impressive 100% approval rate for all building regulation applications attests to our capability in guiding clients through the intricacies of the building regulation process.
Specializing in translating concepts into building regulation drawings that align with building control regulations, our drawings feature meticulously detailed sections such as buildup and abutments. Adopting a technical approach, we mitigate potential construction risks and explore cost-saving opportunities, providing builders with clear and coherent drawings that instill the confidence needed to advance the project.
As your lead consultant, we take on the responsibility of coordinating with other consultants, including structural engineers, party wall surveyors, and building control. This ensures the acquisition of all necessary approvals while minimizing construction risks and challenges. Recognizing the significance of timely and effective communication, we diligently track and monitor progress on our system, maintaining transparent communication with you throughout the process. We also manage applications on your behalf, such as Thames Water build-over agreements, and secure ‘plan check’ approval from building control. Furthermore, we make necessary plan adjustments to guarantee plan check approval.
Committed to providing our clients with the essential information for a smooth and successful outcome, entrust us to serve as your lead consultant, guiding you through the technical phase of your project. We ensure the acquisition of all necessary approvals while minimizing construction risks and challenges.
Further Project Assistance/Management
We recognize that embarking on a construction project can be an overwhelming endeavor. Hence, we extend an optional and flexible light-level project management assistance service, offering you valuable support during the build phase. Tailored specifically for small projects, our service is designed to enhance your project’s success.
In the pre-commencement phase, we provide additional information to support your builder, including details such as lighting and socket/switch locations for your electrician, door and window schedules to aid in quoting, external materials palettes for outlining external finishes, recommended manufacturers/suppliers for doors and windows, and a copy of either a RIBA or JCT Domestic Works Contract template to be completed between you and your contractor. We also offer tender letter and review services, including a basic review and feedback of received quotes, along with advising the contractor on health and safety compliance.
Throughout the on-site phase, we act as your advocate, promptly addressing any concerns that may arise. We conduct site visits for significant milestones such as foundation pouring, providing regular project progress updates that report against milestones. Moreover, we offer guidance and advice on decisions you’ll need to make during the build phase and can furnish additional drawing details if your builder requires further support.
With our assistance, you can approach your project with confidence, knowing it is in capable hands, ensuring a successful outcome. We’re committed to supporting you at every step of the way.
Get Free Quote
Interested in discussing your project? We thoroughly review your inquiry to ensure a reasonable chance of success. Our quotes are complimentary, and for viable projects, we offer free office consultations.
Did You Know?
We have completed over 500 projects
Our planning application success rate is 97.8 %
100% building regulations approval!