General
Working with us
It depends on the size and type of project. Once we know what you want to do, we will give you a fixed quote so you know exactly where you stand before we start. Council and building control fees are separate and paid directly to them.
We can usually book a survey within a week or two. If you are working to a deadline, let us know when you get in touch and we will tell you straight away whether we can meet it.
We are based in Liverpool and work on projects across the UK. For projects further afield we can often work from existing drawings, photos and your own measurements, or arrange a survey visit.
Just an idea of what you want to do and the address of the property. Photos, rough sketches and any old drawings or planning history are helpful but not essential.
For most projects, yes. We carry out a measured survey so the drawings are accurate. If existing drawings are reliable we can sometimes work from those instead.
Yes. We send you drafts to look over and make changes before anything is submitted. We want you to be happy with the design before it goes to the council.
Approvals
Planning and building regs
Many single-storey extensions and loft conversions fall under permitted development, but it depends on the property, what has been done before and where it is. We will check and give you a clear answer before you commit to anything.
Councils usually aim to decide householder applications within eight weeks once the application is validated. Larger schemes can take longer. We keep an eye on it and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Planning covers how a building looks and its effect on the surroundings. Building regulations cover how it is built: structure, fire safety, insulation, drainage and so on. Most projects need building regulations approval even when planning isn’t required.
If you are removing walls, adding steel beams or building new foundations, you will almost certainly need structural calculations. We work with engineers and can arrange this for you.
We go through the reasons with you. Often the design can be amended and resubmitted, and sometimes an appeal is the better route. We will be honest about which is more likely to succeed.
Yes, and we recommend it. Detailed building regulations drawings mean every builder is pricing the same job, which makes quotes much easier to compare.