Process

If agreed on the fees structure, the team will then proceed to take all the required measurements and both internally and externally along with details of structural elements, drainage and trees.

Site surveys last 1-1.5 hours, wherein we come to measure the property and take photographs which will be used for compiling the necessary planning documents.

First we prepare a concept design sketches/ drawings, based on the initial brief given to us. These designs are developed with the background knowledge of the local planning and development policies.

The draft proposed plans are sent to you for your consideration, and at this stage we highly recommend to thoroughly understand the drawings so any queries can be timely dealt with.

All amendments are based on design discussions and clients requirements.

At this stage, we recommend to apply for a pre app advice from the local council planning department and make amendments to the drawings accordingly, for complex extensions and refurb projects.

Once submitted, the planning usually takes around 1 week to validate the application and then a further 8 weeks to reach a decision. During these 8 weeks your planning officer may request a site visit to assess the proposal on site and take pictures.

Once planning approval has been given we will then begin work on the Building Regulation plans which will detail exactly how the extension needs to be constructed to meet current regulations. These are the plans your builders will quote from and work to during the construction phase.

Structural Engineer’s Calculations (if required)
Once the building regulations plans are completed we will send them over to engineers who will quote for any steel beam and support calculations required. You may of course use any engineering company you wish.

Submission to the Council
Once the engineering calculations have been added to the plans we will prepare and submit the application to the Council for building regulation approval. We constantly liaise with your builder and Building Control and make any amendments required.

Once submitted Building Control usually take around 4 weeks to approve the plans. Once approval has been given you are ready to begin construction.

At the building control submission stage, we also recommend and support you to serve the appropriate Party Wall Notices to your neighbours notifying them about the works start date etc.

Along with working on the building regulation drawings and calculations, if required, we can also put together scope of works (SOW) and bill of quantities (BOQ) for the builders to provide quotes against and provide support in assessing and comparing the quotations, as well as agreeing the contract and payment terms and producing a logistics document to provide the most cost and time effective sequence of works.

Once Construction Begins
Please feel free to give us a call, if you have any questions or worries, and we are happy to provide specialist knowledge and advise at any stage of the project to avoid expensive mistakes.