Specialist Architectural Design Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for initial advice?
An initial telephone call or email explaining what you are hoping to achieve (your brief), together with your address including your postcode will enable us to make an initial desktop assessment of what services you require from us and what permissions you will need for your project.
Following this first contact, we should have sufficient information to provide you with a detailed, stage-by-stage fee proposal.
This initial advice and fee proposal is provided to you free of charge.
Sometimes we will need to visit site to ascertain certain information, or you may want us to visit site prior to agreeing our fees – If this is the case, there may be a small call-out fee to cover our time. This fee will be agreed with you before we visit.
What Permissions & Approvals will I need for my Project?
Most projects will need Planning Permission, however, if the project relates to a householder application, i.e. an extension to your house, then certain minor projects can be undertaken without permission under your permitted development rights. For more information refer to the Planning Portal website – https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission OR the Governments Planning guidance pages – https://www.gov.uk/planning-permission-
england-wales
Building Regulations Approval is also required for most building works, again for more information refer to the Planning Portal website – https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/how-to-get-approval
Certain projects may also be subject to The Party Wall Act 1996 – Anyone intending to carry out work of the kinds described in the Act must give Adjoining Owners notice of their intentions and gain their acceptance before work can start. More information about the Party Wall Act 1996 and be found in the Governments explanatory booklet – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-resolving-disputes-in-relation-to-party-walls/the-party-wall-etc-act-1996-explanatory-booklet
You may have a Restrictive Covenant on your building that prevents further construction works without prior approval. Developers often put these on their estates to maintain their character and protect neighbours from certain types of development. You can find out whether you have any by checking your Title Deeds.
How long will it take to get approvals before I can start building?
This is such a difficult question to answer as there are quite a few variables, however assuming you just need Planning Permission & Building Regulations Approval you should allow at least 6 months from instructing us before instructing a contractor to proceed with the works.
Can you recommend Contractors?
We do have an approved list of contractors that we work with regularly and can share this with you. Some contractors will be more suited to your project than others and we will advise which ones you should contact.
Although we can recommend Contractors for your project, we would still advise you to carry out your own due diligence checks and ask them for previous client references!
What is an Architectural Technologist and does it differ from an Architect?
In larger practices, Architects & Architectural Technologists work alongside each other. Architects are said to have a greater interest in aesthetics, whereas Architectural Technologists have often had more experience and training in the science and technology of buildings, such as how they are constructed. Having said this there are many Architects who are particularly technical in their approach and many Architectural Technologists who are very creative in their design skills, so prospective clients should consider their individual skill set as appropriate for their needs.
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists provides the following description – Chartered Architectural Technologists, (someone who holds the designation MCIAT or FCIAT), are qualified to offer design services and manage projects from inception to completion. They lead the technological design of a project, forming the link between concept, innovation and realisation.
What is CDM 2015?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations or CDM 2015 for short are a set of rules & regulations that cover the management of Health, Safety and Welfare on construction sites.
Initially, these regulations related to ‘commercial’ sites/projects but now include ‘domestic’ sites/projects as well.
As a client you must ensure that the project is suitably managed, ensuring the health and safety of all who might be affected by the work, including members of the public.
The client needs to make sure ‘duty holders’, for example, the ‘Principal Contractor’ and the ‘Principal Designer’ as defined by the regulations, are in place.
Note where the works relate to a ‘Domestic Client’ the duties of the client are normally passed onto the Principal Contractor.
More information on CDM can be found on the Health & Safety Executives website – https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm