A typical architectural engagement comprises of seven steps, although you can also choose to use our services just when you need them.

Select step:

Step 1: Initial consultation...
One of our principal architects will meet you in your home or at your offices, and will discuss your needs and requirements. We'll give you some initial design thoughts, outline the range of our services which might be suitable, and go through the anticipated timelines and costs. This first meeting carries no charge, and we will send you a proposal detailing the suggested way forward, together with the associated costs.

Step 2: Survey and sketch designs...
After you have agreed our fee proposal, one of our team will arrange to visit and carry out a measured survey of your premises. Our principal architect will then prepare some sketch designs showing you options regarding your project. These will be presented to you, often in the form of pencil sketches, so that you have the opportunity for commenting and suggesting your own ideas. This step may involve a number of meetings during which the design of the scheme evolves and is eventually agreed upon.

Step 3: Planning permission...
Once the outline design has been agreed by you, one of our project architects will prepare CAD drawings for submission to the appropriate planning authority. During this stage, and depending upon the nature of your project, we may also prepare computer graphics and animations to enable you to visualize the outcome of your scheme. We will also help you in any appeal process, or obtain listed building consents or party wall agreements if these are required.

Step 4: Building regulations approval...
Once planning approval has been obtained, one of our building technologists will prepare and submit the appropriate applications and drawings to your local authority to obtain the necessary approvals under the Building Regulations for construction of your project to commence. If required, we will also liaise with the fire, environmental, and health and safety authorities to ensure that your project will meet all current requirements.

Step 5: Detailed working drawings...
When Building Regulations approval for your project has been granted, our building technologist will now produce the detailed working drawings for your project. We will also liaise with structural engineers, heating and ventilation experts, and any other consultants, to produce the drawings and a specification of the works to be carried out.

Step 6: Tender process...
Our project architect will now prepare the documents for tender, and will submit these to a number of pre-approved contractors, including any of your choosing, for quotations. We will oversee the submission of tenders and examine the quotations to ensure that they have been correctly submitted. You will then be able to make the final decision as to which contractor you wish to engage.

Step 7: Contract administration...
Once you have selected your contractor, we will inspect the conduct of the works on site, ensuring that they are undertaken to quality, to price, and to time. As appropriate, we will also issue certificates authorizing stages of completion and enabling you, or your funding agent, to release stage payments to the contractor. At the end of the works, we will help you obtain a certificate of completion from the local authority.