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Our Services

We appreciate that each project and every client is unique, and as such we tailor our fees and services to suit your needs.

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Our design work begins with a free initial consultation where we will meet you at your property (we can also do this virtually) and discuss your ideas and aspirations for the project. Our goal is to help you develop a design brief and to establish the level of services you need to help deliver your project.

Following this meeting we will set out a detailed proposal with fixed fees for each stage of work, ranging from concept through to completion, adapted to your requirements. We will also outline other expected costs and inputs that you are likely to require as well as setting out options for additional or flexibly charged services. We are appointed on a stage by stage basis, so you can decide how much input you need from us as the project develops.

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We do not charge for our initial design consultation but use this to set out a basis for a proposed future appointment.

Typical stages of work

We set out our work in stages, aligned with the RIBA plan of Work 2020, and adapted from our experience of typical projects to offer the best value for our clients.

Stage 1
Feasibility and Options Appraisal

(Approximate RIBA Stages 0 - 2)

This is usually the starting point for our projects.

It may be as early as helping you assess the potential of a property prior to purchase, or talking to you about your existing home or premises. We will guide you through likely constraints and opportunities as well as help you to develop a brief for what you would like to achieve.

We carry out our own measured surveys (or for more complex buildings assist in procuring digital surveys by others) and develop initial proposals for you to review. We will discuss these options with you to refine and agree a preferred design solution.

Stage 2
Application for Planning Consent

(Approximate RIBA Stage 3)

We develop the design drawings and additional information required to submit an application for planning consent.

We will advise on what we feel is the best route to achieve planning consent, and this may be a combination of different types of applications (full planning, householder, larger home extension, permitted development etc.) as well as any statutory requirements such as listed building consents.

We will submit the required applications for consent and stay in touch with the planners to answer any queries they have.

We use our knowledge, experience and relationship with the planning department to aid in getting the best possible outcome for your project.

Stage 3
Technical Design & Building Control Information

(Approximate RIBA Stage 4)

Once planning consent is in place we will work with you to develop a detailed set of plans and specifications and submit them to building control for approval.

We will advise on the different routes available to achieve building regulations consent, make the application for you and answer any technical queries arising to ensure plans approval ahead of commencing works.

At this stage of work we will typically work alongside a Structural Engineer who would also be appointed by you. We have worked with many local engineers and can assist with finding and appointing a suitable company.

At this stage of works we can also assist with other regulatory matters such as party wall notices, sewer / drain build over agreements, asbestos surveys or anything else that comes up.

The plans provided at this stage of works can also be used to gain competitive tenders for your works.

Stage 4
Detailed Finishes and Tender Action

(Approximate RIBA Stage 4)

As the amount of detail at this stage of works can vary greatly from straightforward drawings to demonstrate building regulations compliance to a fully detailed design and specification of fixtures, fitting and finishes we will discuss the level of detailed required with you to help ensure we provide you with the most useful information for your project.

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We have extensive experience of working with local contractors and can run a full tender service or simply assist you in reviewing tenders and selecting the right contractor to work with you on your project.

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Depending on the project we may also work with other design consultants such as interior designers, landscape designers, mechanical and electrical consultants and others. As a project develops we can assist in identifying the need for additional consultants, assist with their appointment and coordinate their work into the overall design.

Stage 5
Site Works up to Completion

(Approximate RIBA Stages 5 - 7)

Once you are ready to start work on site we can assist with selecting the right form of building contract, ensuring all aspects of approvals are in place and help to oversee the progress and quality of the construction work.

We are able to act formally as contract administrators or be appointed on an ad-hoc basis to assist you as you require.

We can also assist with design changes resulting from unexpected site conditions or explore further opportunities to enhance the design to your specification as the works progress.

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Our goal at this stage of works is to ensure maximum value for our time to your project as well as ensuring maximum value to you from your contractors.

Contact

We'd love to hear from you, please get in touch to discuss your project.

Thanks for getting in touch

Lingwood Design Architects Ltd

55 Salisbury Avenue, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 4TZ

© 2024 by Lingwood Design.

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