Our process

The first step of the process is to either call in, telephone or email the office. Following this an initial meeting can be arranged, either in the office or on site at the property, where we can discuss your ideas and requirements.

Meetings in the office and site visits (within a 10 mile radius of our office), will not be chargeable, however a charge will be made for site visits outside of this 10 mile zone.

Following on from this, we will prepare a quotation for each stage of the project required. Once you have agreed to the fees quoted, the work can commence.

This is the first thing we will need to do including a level survey of the building (in some cases). This stage is split into two parts:-

- Carrying out a measured survey of the existing property.
This will involve us crawling all over the property measuring the boundaries, buildings, driveway etc.

- Producing drawings of the existing property.
All the information gathered during the measured survey is then drawn up to produce the drawings of the existing property.

We can then start to look at the most cost effective way to improve and alter the internal and external appearance of the building whilst maximising the wow factors and giving you the best potential re-sale value. This involves us working closely together to get the desired end product.

We can work up some 3D visuals on the computer and use these to manipulate the design and produce some attractive visuals.

Changes can be made quickly and effectively at this stage.

When you are happy with the formal design, we will finalise all the drawings, forms and 3D work to produce the planning application. Planning approval will take approximately 6 - 8 weeks from submission.

As of 1st January 2008 an energy report will need to be submitted with ALL planning applications (within the Stratford upon Avon District only). This is quite an extensive report covering various aspects of the building - a copy of the councils documentation regarding this requirement can be found on the following web link (www.stratford.gov.uk/planning/planning-1405.cfm). This work will incur an additional fee to ourselves at this stage over and above the planning application stage to cover this additional requirement of the council.

We can then obtain quotes from structural engineers we have worked with locally to help produce the structural calculations for the following stage: Building Regulations stage.

We also produce a detailed specification listing all elements of the building right down to the size of waste pipes so that no detail is missed. Building Regulations will take approximately 4 - 6 weeks for approval from submission.

Whilst waiting for Building Regulations approval, we can concentrate on the tender package information to ensure that no delay is caused in getting the right price and contractor appointed. This information is critical as this will form the basis of your contract with the building contractor.

We have a number of builders who we would recommend we put on the tender list and we suggest you also add one or two of your own suggestions as well. It would be a good idea to start speaking to them as early as sketch scheme stage as to their availability and timescales.