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Why
do we charge so much less than other architect ?
Architects usually work from large offices
and employ more staff receptionists advisers and so on, they often
design high risk blocks or amazing glass towers or stunning cutting
edge bridges also most architectural practices still consider the
domestic market as was years ago a lucrative sideline charging homeowners
ridiculous prices. We specialize in domestic house plans and can
therefore draw on a wealth of knowledge gained from having prepared
similar projects locally many times before. We also use the latest
equipment to produce floor plans and elevations quickly indeed we
are often asked to produce existing floor plans and elevations for
architect and there practices because we can do it more cost effectively
than they can.
What is Planning permission?
If your proposals involve a House Extension, external house alterations,
you may require planning permission. Planning Applications are decided
by a local planning committee. Planning guidelines for proposals
can differ between councils. Planning applications can take 8-10
weeks to get processed whether the proposals are small or large
in scale.
What are Permitted development rights?
Not all projects require planning permission, if you have never
had extensions on your property before, you don't live in a listed
building or in a conservation area and your extension or loft conversion
is within a certain criteria you may qualify for a Lawful Development
Certificate, which means you will not need planning but probably
will require building regulation approval.
What are the Building Regulations?
When a Home Extension, loft conversion is designed it needs to comply
with Building Regulations, which are a set of minimum standards
for design and health and safety in Building works. These standards
are enforced by your councils building control department These
standards are for; Structure, Drainage, Plumbing, Ventilation, Materials,
Insulation, means of escape for fire, etc.
Making a Building Regulation application.
In domestic projects you have one of two routes to make a building
Regulation application:
1) Full Plans application which involves submitting
detailed drawings and structural calculations which is approved
before your start works.
2) Building Notice application which involves
submitting a building notices when work starts on the site a building
control officer will checks and approve work at regular intervals.
What is the Party Wall Act?.
If you are thinking of altering or extending your home? This Act
may apply to you. The Party Act came into force on 1 July 1996 and
applies throughout England and Wales. It provides a framework for
preventing and resolving disputes in relation to Party Walls, Boundary
Walls and Excavations near Neighboring Buildings. Anyone intending
to carry out work of the kinds described in the Act must give Adjoining
Owners notice of their intentions.
When
are your fees due?
We
need 50% of the fee before we start drawing up your plans when the
plans are approved by you and are ready to be submitted to the council
you the pay us the remaining 50% of the fee.
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