TYPES OF PROJECT WE UNDERTAKE
INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH CLIENT
We will be pleased to give you all the information you need, depending on the type of extension/development you are wishing to carry out, whether, you require simply permitted development and building control approval, or, need prior planning application and require, when granted, additional building control approval. Do not hesitate to contact us for all the details and information you require to help and advise you on all aspects. If you prefer, we will happily call in person and discuss your project.
At this stage there is naturally no obligation on you or cost involved
LOFT CONVERSIONS
Loft conversions are an ideal way to create additional living space. An empty attic or roof space can be transformed into a beautiful living room, extra bedroom, study or bathroom.
Certain loft conversion can be built without planning permission under permitted development. However it is recommended to get a certificate of lawful development to protect your rights from council imposing legal action if they believe the conversion is not lawful approved. We can help you to make this legal by submitting scale drawings to the council to get approval.
If the loft space isn't suitable for conversion and you have a detached property it may be possible to replace the entire roof structure and raise the ridge to gain additional internal headroom. However, this will require planning permission and we will support you through this process. All loft conversions will require building regulation.
HOME EXTENSIONS
If you need more space and you do not want to move house you may wish to consider extending your home. Extending your home is an excellent way of gaining more living space, whether it's a single story extension, a first floor extension or a two story extension.
Your home is probably your most valuable asset so it is important that your extension project is carefully planned. Most houses are suitable for extending, providing that you have the space.
This type of projects will require full planning permission and building regulation.
CHANGE OF USE
To change the use of a building can vary, depending on whether the change of use means that household units will be incorporated in the building. If this is the case, the council will need to be satisfied that the building in its new use will comply with the Building Code as near as reasonably practicable .If this is not the case, the building will have to comply with building regulation requirements around access and escape for fire. Often planning consent will be required.
GARAGE CONVERSION
You have probably already decided that by undertaking a garage conversion you can gain a considerable amount of new living, entertaining or home study space.
A garage conversion may require planning permission and building regulation to ensure the conversion meets the current legal requirements.
New Build dwelling
One of the best things about planning new homes is to feel as if you have chosen and created all your ideas and finishes. You can design the room sizes as you wish, instead of reconfiguring the walls in an existing house.
We can design you a complete new build home, specifically to your requirements. We will liaise with you at the early stages with concept architectural services to come up with the perfect design for your building site.
Once the concept has been agreed we will prepare all the necessary drawings and other documents that you need in order to obtain the approvals from the various statutory bodies. These documents will also allow you to obtain costs from your contractor for the construction phase. The drawings will be detailed sufficiently enough to allow your contractor to begin the construction of your new dream home once approved.
This type of projects will require full planning permission and building regulation.
HMO projects
A house or a flat above a shop in multiple occupations – commonly known as an HMO – is a property which is rented by three or more tenants who aren’t part of the same household (i.e. a family). Many landlords let HMOs as they consider them a more efficient way to run a rental portfolio (sometimes due to being able to collect rent from a higher number of tenants, although location and property type are also drivers in the decision).
Some renters may elect to live in an HMO as monthly payments could be cheaper and they may prefer to live with more people. House-shares are particularly common among younger renters and students and, as more people rent for longer, HMOs continue to be a viable option for some landlords.
If you're considering converting a property into an HMO, there are a number of steps that you'll need to take; from meeting legal requirements to making the property habitable for more people.
This type of projects will require full planning permission and building regulation.
Space Planning
Space planning is an important part of interior design and is used to determine how a space (or spaces) should be laid out and used. It may be undertaken as part of the building design process, or as a standalone exercise looking at how best to plan an existing space, or a space that is being developed (for example, a tenant determining how to fit out their part of a new development. Good space planning can improve the wellbeing and productivity of the occupants of a space.
A project can be an office or retail space or even your home. We can draw up floor plans that define the zones of the space and the activities that will take place.
Most internal space planning do not normally require planning permission but it is important to have floor plan and furniture layout drawings for future changes to adapt with the effects of future working environment.
Shop front design
The appearance of a shop front and their associated advertisements can have a considerable impact on a business. We aim to design shop fronts that matters for any business and brings architectural character to the local area.
Most shop front will require planning permission.
SITE VISITS AND INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION STAGE
The role of the architect can be to oversee the project on behalf of the client. This involves the construction works in connection with general inspection of progress and quality of work to ensure that all developments are carried out in accordance with the agreed plans. The number of visits will vary between projects.
The number of visits can vary upon stages of construction. Site visits are charged depending on the location of project.