Initial design concepts
Once we have produced the existing plans, we then take our design brief from the initial design consultation to prepare a number of alternative ideas that will be presented to you as a starting point. We can discuss costs and timescales to help produce a scheme that is most appropriate for your needs. We will send you the initial design concepts via email or if you require a hard copy we will post them to you. Communication is essential to a successful project; ideas are shared by email, conversation, Pinterest boards and face to face meetings as the design takes shape.
Design review
The initial design concepts are just the first step towards developing the full potential of your home. When you have had time to consider them, we will arrange a review at your convenience to discuss all options to maximise the potential of your property. Careful attention is paid at the design stage to creating the right scheme for a particular family. We often propose several options before we find the right balance of space and design that really works. Discussions will include materials and construction methods, helping you to navigate the huge variety of options to bring your ideas to life. After our review meeting, we head back to the office to start work on fine tuning the designs in accordance with the notes gathered from our meeting. It may require more than one review meeting to achieve your perfect design. Once the design is finalised and you are 100% happy with the scheme, we will then issue the design drawings.
Planning applications
If planning permission or listed building consent is required, we will produce the technical drawings, surveys and reports necessary to complete the application, sourcing technical reports such as ecological reports and structural surveys if needed, and submit the planning application on your behalf. We monitor the progress of the application and liaise with the appointed planning case officer where necessary. Typically a householder planning application for minor developments such as house extensions or a dormer loft conversion will take around 8 weeks for the local planning authority to determine a decision.