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Engaging an architect is a practical decision for anyone looking to build a new house, alter an existing home, or undertake a construction project.
We can provide valuable guidance throughout the design and construction process, extending our services beyond drawing plans.
We can help manage paperwork, ensure value, and bring creative vision to your project to offer peace of mind. our input can be flexible, allowing you to decide how involved you want to be in the process.
From the design stage to navigating building regulations, we can oversee the entire project or only specific aspects, depending on your comfort level with the tasks involved. This tailored solution can cater to your unique needs, whether you prefer full management or assistance with complex areas.
For any further inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Working with an architect for your home - RIBA publication
How do I work with an architect - RIBA publication
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We have the experience to successfully complete your project, overseeing design, approvals, construction, and budget management.
Preparation
Consulting us at the earliest stage will allow us to gain a real feel for your needs so that together we can establish a clear brief and a realistic budget. This will help reduce the overall design costs and help minimise any potential problems early on.
Developing the design
We will work with you to develop designs that will interpret your ideas imaginatively, maximise your investment, ensure your project is cost effective and can help add real value to your home. We will come up with a range of ideas for you to discuss, develop and refine together.
The Approvals Process
We can help with the approvals required before your project can go ahead, including preparation of applications to the local authority for planning consent (where needed) and for Building Regulations plans approval (which covers the functional requirements of buildings to safeguard the health and safety of the people using them, energy conservation, access and convenience for people with unique mobility needs).
Construction Phase
Guiding you through the construction phase we can help you select suitable builders, obtain appropriate prices for construction, monitor progress and standards, liaise with other specialists and oversee the construction through to completion.
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As your project will be unique to you, our fees vary depending on size and complexity of your project and the services that you require.
Value for money
Our experience and insight can help stretch what can be achieved within your budget and add value to your project. We can suggest new ways of utilising space and light, enrich the palette of materials, finishes or fittings, and propose design solutions that will reduce your overall running costs whilst maximising the energy efficiency of your home. At a fraction of the cost of your project, our fees will prove a sound investment.
Cost
We have three ways of charging which are as follows,
A flat rate, we can do this once we have established the amount of work involved
A percentage of the estimated overall project cost, is for larger/ more complex projects.
As an hourly rate for very small projects, this is used where the complexity of the work does not correlate to the size of the project, and/ or the amount of work involved can not be reasonably estimated at the start of the project
For most clients your home is your biggest single investment. and our fees are small in comparison to the overall cost. When you reflect upon the cost of employing us and the value we can bring to your project, you will find that our fees by far outweigh the ‘so-called’ benefits of undertaking a project without the guidance of a professional architect.
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We provide much more than just the drawings for your home. We can provide a tailored solution to meet your needs, which you can be as involved in, or separated from as much as you wish.
If you choose to have a full service, we can take you through the entire project, to completion or work with you only on the services that you wish for.
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Good advice has its price but the cost of skimping on design quality is far higher. Design fees will usually constitute just a small fraction of the total construction cost and pale into insignificance when measured against the operating costs over the lifespan of a building. High quality design can reduce those operating costs by maximising the efficiency of the building. A building that has received the input of design professionals right from the start will result in greater value in the long term.
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In larger practices architects usually are working on several projects at once. As a smaller practice, we are more flexible and responsive, maintaining creative control and quickly responding to the needs and demands of our clients. We give every project our full attention and will work with you on a one-to-one basis, providing a highly personalised service. Our relationship with other disciplines enable large projects to be dealt with in a professional and efficient manner.
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This depends on the size and complexity of your project. Our work is mainly completed prior to building work beginning on site, and this can take several months due to the time scale of the local authorities’ applications.
Should a quick build time be required, we can design this in to the scheme, so that time efficient building methods can be employed to get a shell completed within a shorter time than traditional (sometimes cheaper) construction methods.
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Planning permission is needed for building work to allow the local Council to manage development. Homeowners may extend their homes under permitted development rights without planning permission, depending on the house type, neighbor proximity, and potential impact. However, these rights limit the type of extension you can have.
Building Regulations plans approval is required to administer the Building standards - this covers the functional requirements of buildings to safeguard the health and safety of the people using them, energy conservation, access and accessibility.
Both approvals are typically valid for three years and can be extended. It is advisable to secure all approvals before starting work.
You will find more detailed information on the above on your local Council’s website.
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Consent is required for listed buildings and conservation areas to protect historic value and control local architecture. Alterations to a Listed Building need listed building consent. Some conservation areas allow modest extensions under permitted development rights, but stricter rules may apply if there is an Article 4 directive.
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Planning fees are regulated and are a standard price dependant on what you wish to complete. Housholder applications are a fixed fee, however commercial fees vary dependant on size and type. Below is a link to fees for house holders and a link for commerical projects.
Householder Planning application fees
Commercial planning applicaiton fees
Building regulation fees can now be ubmitted through the planning portal and can alter based on cost or size of build. These are subject to VAT.
FAQs
What are the other costs?
Aside from our costs, the costs of the planning and building regulation applications, below outlines some of the additional costs that may occur along the way.
You may be required to submit additional reports to the council such as the following, should the council think that they are going to be affected by this on the site.
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These are equivalent of a contour map of your site
This shows the levels of the land on the proposed site, also picking up positions of trees, manholes and structures.
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This is a tree condition survey
This will report on the general condition of the trees on site, remediation work required & how the trees would be affected by the proposal.
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These relate to environmental impacts, including bats, badgers, etc
This assesses the proposals' impact on specific species, including animals and plants, during the planning application stage. After approval, planning conditions may require additional reports or details for the Planning department's approval.
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Structural requirements
Building regulations will require structural drawings and calculations of the property, highlighting the changes and structural needs. This will need to be completed by a Structural Engineer.
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The government has increased the energy efficient requirements of new builds, extensions and commerical properties, and these are used to prove your compliance with the new regulations.
Sap calculations are a framework for calculating the energy consumption of buildings.
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Consider appointing a QS for accurate cost reports throughout your project, ensuring cost certainty based on your size and requirements.
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When you are building up to or making alterations to a party wall between you and your neighbour, we can request a party wall agreement, where they require a party wall surveyor to make a document setting out the particulars of the work involved.
As part of our services, we can put you in touch with professionals in the fields mentioned above, or organise the required information to be submitted to the relevant body on your behalf.
