Our mission is to create exceptional, well-crafted buildings and spaces that enhance the lives of those who inhabit them. Our design philosophy revolves around understanding our clients' needs, embracing simplicity, and respecting their unique context. Covering all areas of planning and building regulations to make beautiful designed spaces.
Embarking on a project can be a daunting experience, filled with questions such as: "What can I achieve within my budget? What are the legal constraints? What regulations must I adhere to? How long will this process take?" The lack of clarity at the outset can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the endeavor. The complexities and stress associated with self-building can be overwhelming.
Our team is here to address these concerns and provide immediate answers to your pressing questions. We prioritise transparency and integrity, offering a clear breakdown of our fees and outlining the typical project journey. Moreover, we provide guidance on how to approach your specific situation, taking into account your budget and the unique characteristics of your space.
As a small and personable team, we aim to oversee your project from inception to the tendering process and through to completion. We firmly believe that this hands-on approach delivers the best results and maximises the value of your budget. However, we also understand that good design should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. Therefore, we've developed a more affordable service for small to medium projects, offering a customised and tailored approach beyond what a standard draftsman can provide.
Before we dive into the full-fledged project, we will initiate a crucial dialogue during the initial consultation. During this phase, your vision takes center stage as we encourage you to share your aspirations for your future home. We are avid listeners, eager to grasp how you envision the functionality of your living spaces. Additionally, we welcome any examples of homes or designs that inspire you, offering valuable insights into your preferences.
Understanding your financial boundaries and the timeline you have in mind is equally pivotal at this stage. This information is indispensable for aligning the design with these critical parameters, ensuring a harmonious match.
For more streamlined projects, especially when clients have a clear vision, this conversation, coupled with some swift sketching, can be sufficient to transition into the development of preliminary design concepts. However, for larger, more complex undertakings, or those entailing intricate planning considerations, it might necessitate two or three in-depth conversations and potentially a feasibility study report to chart a well-defined course of action.
Upon your confirmation of satisfaction with the proposed scheme, we undertake the responsibility of submitting it to the Local Planning Authority on your behalf. Furthermore, we provide expert guidance regarding any supplementary reports or requisites necessary to substantiate the proposal, and we offer our services to coordinate these tasks efficiently.
In the case of smaller projects, this submission may also encompass the application for a Lawful Development Certificate, serving to unequivocally establish its compliance with permitted development criteria.
The submission for planning represents a critical juncture, particularly with regard to determining the external visual aesthetics of the design. We are deeply committed to ensuring absolute clarity in your understanding of the design at this juncture. While we remain flexible in accommodating any desired alterations subsequent to this phase, it is important to note that such adjustments often result in process delays and potential cost escalations.
Prior to commencing construction, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive technical package. Primarily, this package serves the purpose of submission to building control authorities, ensuring strict compliance with Building Regulations. Within this package, the essential components of the building's structure and other project-related aspects are clearly delineated for the scrutiny of the building inspector. Notably, it encompasses a performance specification that outlines crucial product standards to be adhered to. This phase also necessitates the involvement of a structural engineer, who is responsible for providing a design and conducting necessary calculations.
A meticulously coordinated construction package goes beyond the mere identification of key building elements; it entails the provision of a comprehensively resolved set of project drawings. Within this package, utmost attention is devoted to the clear and precise delineation of all critical junctions and interfaces, with particular emphasis on the structural design aspects. Furthermore, it offers the most optimal avenue to seamlessly integrate specific products into the design, thereby ensuring their seamless accommodation within the project.
While it is conceivable that a skilled builder can construct the project using this information, it necessitates a higher degree of coordination on their part. Moreover, it places a greater onus on you, the client, to make additional decisions during the construction process, which you may not be inclined or equipped to handle. Such an approach can potentially lead to on-site delays and, in some instances, project interruptions, resulting in increased costs and disruptions.