Initial Free Consultation
When you first contact us we will arrange to meet with you at your home or business to discuss your project. We want to find out about your hopes & dreams for your project and will ask you to tell us about your project specific aspirations
, what you’d ideally like to achieve and your thoughts about budget. This meeting forms the basis of the brief for the project. We will then send you a detailed written quotation which breaks down the architectural fee and also lists the fees you will need to pay to any other consultants and local authorities.
Survey
Once appointed, we will contact you to arrange a time to come and do a detailed measured survey. This normally takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the project and allows us to then prepare the ‘as existing plans’ .We strongly believe that time spent ensuring that the existing plans are very accurate saves time and money later on.
Sketch design stage
If dealing with an existing property we use the existing plans to allow us to prepare a series of sketch proposals – unless the project is very simple we prepare a variety of options which can then be used as a basis for discussion about your preferences. This stage is very much a two way process and we are happy to keep amending and improving the design until we reach a solution you are happy with. We also sometimes involve cost consultants at this stage for advice on the comparative costs of different options, to help you decide which way to proceed. We often use 3d models as a design tool and show you inspiration images to help establish what your style preferences are.
Planning Permission
Once we have agreed on a preferred option we can advise whether your project will require Planning Permission and if it does our next step is to discuss the plans with the local planning officer / authority to iron out any difficulties before we make the application. When dealing with domestic projects we also advise that you speak to your neighbours so that they are fully aware of your plans. Once your planning application has been validated by the Local Authority, meaning they have all the information they require, they have a 2 months period to make their decision. The planning officer will usually visit the property towards the end of that time before reporting their recommendation for approval or refusal or request further information.
Detail design and Building Control Applications
The next stage is to develop the proposals into a detailed design and many projects need a structural engineer at this stage. We can recommend engineers we usually work with or are happy to work with your preferred engineer. They will design the structural aspects of the project such as steelwork, foundations, openings in walls etc. We will work up the architectural drawings to show construction materials, electrics, drainage, kitchen and bathroom layouts and will do u value calculations to establish what insulation is required.
Tender Process
Some of our clients prefer to have us on board to get Planning Permission and Building Control Approval then obtain quotations and deal with builders on site themselves – this is perfectly acceptable if you have previous experience of building projects.
If you choose to appoint us to get involved with the Tender process we will produce a specification document which details everything you want the builder to include in his quote. It helps to ensure that all the quotations you receive will be on a like for like basis so that prices can easily be compared. We will draw up a list of builders we have worked with previously along with any recommendations you may have. Once tenders have been returned we will assess them with you and help you to make a decision on who to appoint. We will then ensure that you have a proper Building Contract (RIAI) in place and issue project documents to the builder.
Site inspections
If you would like us to stay involved during the build process, we offer two options for on-site services as follows:
We can visit the project on an ad hoc basis as and when you require for input / advice and charge an hourly rate for this service.
We carry out a full site service for a fixed fee. This would include regular weekly meetings with client and builder, dealing with the local authority on your behalf, answering any queries from the builder, advising on design issues, checking payment requests from builder and administering the building contract.
We appreciate that your project is unique and that lots of our patrons have never undertaken a building project before. Whatever you want to achieve with your project, we can help you through every step of the process.