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Stage by stage architectural service to make the most of your home

I offer a personalised stage by stage architectural service to suit your project and budget. Whether you require Concept Design, Planning Application or Certificate of Lawfulness, Listed Building Consent and Building Warrant, or for me to administer the contract through to completion on site, I can guide you through each stage. I have professional experience of managing projects from initial brief to successful completion.

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1 Get in touch

Please email me to tell me about your project.

I’ll send you a short questionnaire to find out more about your home, what you’d like to change, your budget and timescales. I will review any photos, schedules or existing drawings you may have to start forming ideas of what is possible. I will also check if your home is Listed or in a Conservation Area and how similar properties have been altered.

We can then arrange a Home Consultation – £50 (30 minutes) at your home to discuss your project.

2 Home Consultation – £50 (30 minutes)

We will meet at your home to discuss your project. I will look at the existing building and establish what alterations are possible. Following our consultation, you will receive a written design brief of your requirements and a fee proposal for my architectural services for the design and construction process.

If you choose me as your architect I will prepare the Scottish Conditions of Appointment of an Architect to sign a formal appointment.

3 Measured survey

I will measure your home and prepare accurate drawings as required for your project. If you are extending externally, I will arrange a quote from a surveyor to measure the external space and levels, if required.

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4 Concept Design

I will develop concept plans and elevations of your alterations. There may be more than one option to consider. We can meet to discuss the concept design and make any adjustments. I will also check the relevant planning and building regulations to ensure the proposals are feasible. Your design will then be ready to progress to Planning Application, Building Warrant and construction. I can arrange a quotation from a quantity surveyor for a cost estimate, if required.

5 Planning Application, Listed Building Consent, Certificate of Lawfulness

Depending upon the project you may require Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent or a Certificate of Lawfulness. I will develop the design and drawings to the level of detail required and provide existing photos and design statement. I will lodge the application and liaise with planners as required.

6 Building Warrant

I will then develop the design in more detail for Building Warrant, resolving how it will be constructed. Structural engineers’ drawings and SER certificate are usually required for this stage. I will arrange a quotation from 2 structural engineers I work with regularly.

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7 Tender (optional)

I will prepare a Finishes Schedule to provide additional information on materials and finishes that are not shown on the Building Warrant drawings. I will issue this together with the Building Warrant drawings to three builders to obtain tender prices. I will review the tender returns and advise you on appointing a builder.

Alternatively, you can obtain quotations from builders yourself using the Building Warrant drawings.

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8 Construction (optional)

I can act as contract administrator for the building contract between you and your builder. I will organise regular site meetings to review progress of the works, deal with queries, review contractor valuations and issue interim certificates for payment. My fee for this stage is based on the time required and is charged at my hourly rate.

If you prefer, you can then employ your builder directly with an appropriate Homeowner Contract. If there are queries during construction that require my input, this will be charged at my hourly rate. This service does not include site inspections, so your builder will be responsible for completing the works to the approved Building Warrant drawings. You or your builder (usually the homeowner) will be responsible for applying for Completion Certificate from Building Control once the works are completed.

The images illustrate the stages of an architectural project, from brief through to completion. This project was completed while Lisa was a Project Architect at Zone Architects (2008–10).
Images courtesy of Zone Architects