Our Process

Typical route for designing residential projects

Each architectural project may require an unique approach and design strategy. Typical residential projects, such as home extensions and alterations, however, can follow a more standardised route, due to the similarities in most houses. Below we have illustrated our design and planning process for typical residential projects. We are also very flexible and can jump into any project at any required stage, picking up where someone else might have left off.

Note: For a more generalised strategy, that would cover any type of architectural work, please refer to RIBA Plan of Work 2020.

Initial Consultation & Quotation

At our initial consultation, as well as understanding your brief, we will help you explore the different design options and development routes available for your project. The consultation is free and can take place over the phone or in person, on the project site or at our offices, whichever is most convenient.

Once we have gathered sufficient information, we will provide you with a free non-obligatory fee quotation, outlining the steps we will need to take and their corresponding lead times.

Should you decide to appoint us, we would typically require a 50% fee deposit payment. Please check our Design Fees Calculator for an illustration of our fees.

Desk Study & Measured Survey

We will check the local authority’s planning guidelines and other relevant data in relation to the design proposal.

We will likely need to visit and laser measure your property in order to produce the existing plans and elevations. In some cases, we may need to approach specialist surveying companies to carry out precise measured surveys and a topographical survey.

Please check our Design Fees Calculator for an illustration of our fees for measured surveys including production of existing drawings.

Draft Design & Coordination

Based on our findings form the previous stages, we will proceed with the design to your requirements, and produce a draft set of drawings for discussion and coordination.

In this stage we will be in the best position to explore and evaluate different design options and enhance the initial design brief.

Pre-Application Advice

Most Planning Departments provide pre-application advice for a fee. Although this is optional, we recommend following the route for projects that are uncommon or may have significant impact on their surroundings.

The planners will assess the proposal and advise on how it should be altered prior to a formal application, that may otherwise be refused planning permission.

Following the advice does not guarantee a positive outcome for the application but it significantly increases its chances.

Final Design

Once all design items have been coordinated, we will be able to produce a final set of drawings, including plans, elevations and sections as standard. Depending on the project requirements, we may also add 3D images, detailed room schedules, materials specifications etc.

In some cases we may need to approach third-party specialists prior to finalising our design, depending on the project planning requirements.

Planning Application

With all the final design drawings and documents at hand, we will be able to submit an application to the local planning department.

Depending on the type of application, there may be a requirement for additional reports, statements, and programmes that cover various planning components. We will inform you of all such requirements so that the appropriate specialists are engaged in a timely manner.

Local Authorities advise that most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, however, this all depends on the scale and complexity of the project.

We will require payment of the remainder 50% of our fee prior to submission of the application. We will then provide a continued service, coordinating design items and incorporating minor design changes, until a decision is reached by the planners.

Building Regulations Design

Depending on your requirements, we can produce the necessary drawings, specifications and details, that will form part of your Building Control application/notice.

The application will also need to include the complete structural engineering design, developed by a qualified structural engineer appointed separately.

Please refer to our Building Regulations section for more information about this stage. Please also check our Design Fees Calculator for an illustration of our fees for this stage.