Our Work Stages

 

Stage 0 - Initial consultation/ Strategic Definition

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Visit site and give initial appraisal
Review project risks, initial brief, & Budget.

Advise on the need for other consultants and specialist works including:

Structural engineers, Quantity surveyors, Mechanical and electrical engineers, CDM co-ordinators, Planning Consultants, Interior Designers,

Topographical Site Surveys, Condition Surveys, 3D modelling, Flood Risk assessments, Arboricultural surveys, Historical surveys, Archaeological surveys, Ecological surveys, Drainage surveys, Party Wall Agreements, SAP Calculations

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Stage 1 - Preparation & Brief

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Review existing information including previous feasibility studies where applicable.

Initiate collation of H&S information (Asbestos surveys etc.)

Complete feasibility stuides and begin formulating project brief

Agree project budget

Source site information including site surveys including topographical surveys and measured building surveys

Prepare project programme

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Stage 2 - Concept Design

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Prepare Architectural Concept and review alternative design and construction approaches and review feasibility

Give a couple of alternative scheme designs which match the client brief

Once you have a preferred scheme we always recommend getting the proposals costed at this stage and for this we tend to use online companies such as estimators online to agree a Project Budget

Arrange for a site visit or pre-application consultation with the planners to ascertain the feasibility of the scheme if deemed necessary and submit outline planning applicaiton if required.

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Stage 3 - Developed Design

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Undertake design studies, engineering analysis and Cost Exercises to test Architectural Concept

Work up the chosen designs into full planning drawings including: Floor plans, elevations, and where appropriate; sections, site sections, street scene elevations

Make a choice on material finishes for the planning application

Produce site and location plans for planning

Produce conservation and design and access statements where appropriate

Complete and submit planning forms to the council and deal with any queries

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N.B. There is no guarantee that planning permission can be obtained and any alternative designs, revisions, and submissions will be charged at our standard rate.

Discharge of pre-commencment planning conditions is on a time charge basis

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stage 4 - Technical Design

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A Full set of Building Regulations notes on construction methods

Drainage layouts Includes all the drainage runs, pipe dimensions

Integration of consultants and manufacturers details into the proposals where required

Detailed Vertical sections through each element of the building to establish the way in which they are connected

Spot details to Include all the construction details i.e. foundations, wall construction, floor construction, roof

construction

Building Control Application forms and negotiate as necessary

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Stage 4a - Additional technical design works for tendering/ construction - only included in full package.

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Coordinate with Principal Designer to prepare construction phase plan (HSE)

Produce a schedule of works for the build including specifying materials and finishes

Drawing detailed elevations of rooms and specialist items including kitchens and bathrooms

Electrical layouts to include all the electrical sockets/ switches/ fittings and fixture locations

Heating layouts to include all the radiator locations or underfloor heating details

Producing room data sheets

Production of Door and Window schedules where appropriate

Carry out tendering process

Selecting suitable contractors/ sub-contractors for the build and sending them the necessary information to receive accurate quotes

Performing a cost analysis on the returned tenders

Carry out value engineering on the proposals where appropriate

Updating drawings and schedules following cost analysis/ value engineering

Agree a contract value, start date, and contract period before letting the contract. We use the JCT group of contracts as appropriate

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Stage 5 - Construction

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Issuing of production information to the contractor

Performing weekly site visits and liaising with contractors on site and answering any on site queries. (NOTE: This figure will be adjusted according to the contract period agreed with the contractor)

Contract administration

Progress reports

Chairing site meetings

Overseeing snagging and handover​

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Stage 6 - Handover and Close Out Post Completion

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Making final inspections and settling the final account

Rectify defects

Complete initial aftercare tasks incluing post ocupation evaluation

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Stage 7 - In Use

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Final completion and defects liability period (Either 3 or 6 months dependent on contract selected)

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