Inception, design, tender

What do these stages involve?

Do you need planning permission?

New planning regulations came into force on 1st October 2008. These have changed, amongst other things, the degree to which you can alter your property without the need for planning permission. Potentially this could save you both time and money. This is an area we can explore with you in the early inception stages, by reviewing the October 2008 regulations and the opportunities these provide.

Designing your proposals

From initial discussions through to completion of the project on site we will guide you through the design process. We will work with you in ensuring:

• The proper and formal appointment of any specialist designers, architects, structural engineers, or quantity surveyors.
  
  
• We will work with these specialists in progressing the design to achieve statutory sign-off.
  
  
• We will monitor their performance on your behalf.

Selection of reputable tradesmen, builders, contractors

Our experience of key standards is paramount here.

The right builder managed properly will lead to the achievement of a quality project, and diminish the stress that can be associated with the upheaval of construction work.

We will aim to work with a builder with whom we are already familiar or one recommended by you. If neither is possible, we will select from the government’s Trust Mark scheme www.trustmark.org.uk. As part of this scheme builders have been independently checked to ensure that their trading status is confirmed, their quality product is backed by an insurance-based warranty and that the firm follows good health and safety procedures.

Selection of the right building contract

In tendering the works we will recommend an industry standard contract suitable for the size and complexity of your scheme. This will provide greater clarity on cost and programme. Furthermore it gives a basis for resolution just in case things should unexpectedly go wrong.