Architectural Drawings
Nick Groom is an experienced draughtsman and creates clear, precise architectural drawings for builders and for building projects as part of a planning application to your local council (LABC).
Plans can be drawn for new builds, extensions, conversions, listed building renovation projects, out buildings and garden rooms. Drawings can be hand drawn or by using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to provide you with accurate scaled drawings for a wide range of building projects - including:
- Extensions
- Renovations
- Loft conversions
- Change of use
- Period properties
- Listed buildings
- New build houses
Stage One
Following your initial free site visit and consultation, Nick can provide a provisional sketch drawing for your consideration and discussion. It is important for him to get to know your tastes, how you live, your lifestyle and the ideas you already have in mind for your renovation or building project.
At this early stage Nick will be able to advise you about any potential planning problems he can foresee and how it may be possible to overcome them. He may suggest ideas you may not have yet considered - such as how you can achieve a better and larger living space, or how you can add value to your property.
Nick will also advise you if he thinks that there are any extraordinary circumstances where planning permission would be turned down outright. For example this may include inappropriate change of use (often in the case of farm land) or if your property is in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty.
The cost of the initial sketch drawing depends on the size of the project and will generally be between £250-£500. Should you wish to go ahead and commission architectural drawings from Nick this sum will be deducted from the price of the formal building plans and reports for a planning application submission.
Stage Two
Prior to commencing the project for the building work, suitable architectural drawings need to be drawn to provide information for builders to follow and also for a planning application submission for building consent to your Local Authority Building Control (LABC). The next stage is to create the proposed full set of drawings before finally submitting your application.
Preparing the planning application process usually takes three to four weeks and involves further consultations with you. During this stage it may be necessary for Nick to use the services of a structural engineer* and/or a surveyor. The Local Planning Authority, the Heritage Officer (listed buildings, Cadw, etc) and Building Control may also need to be consulted and under new Part L Regulations it may be required to undertake Energy Assessment.
Once you have approved the design the plans can be submitted for consideration on your behalf with the relevant authorities. Depending on the size and complexity of the proposed project the preparation of these plans should usually cost between £1,000 to £3,500.
*Where a significantly large building or extension project is undertaken structural calculations and a specification for steel beams and their supports are essential and will incur further costs. Structural Engineers are required to ensure that the specification which will be submitted to the LABC with the Building Notice is fully compliant. The LABC will inspect the build at several stages.
Stage Three
Once Planning Permission has been granted you can choose how you wish to proceed. If you would like Nick to manage the renovation or new build project for you he will plan a Scheme Of Work, organise approved builders and other contractors, source materials and provide you with a project cost analysis.
Approximate figures will have been discussed during Stage Two. The cost of the project will be calculated in terms of time and money. Nick will discuss costs with you in relation to the time-scales and complexities of the building or renovation project. You and he will have discussed this at the preliminary stages and by the time you reach this stage you will have already developed a good working relationship. However, if you just needed Nick's advice and planning service and would like to use the plans to take over the project yourself you are welcome to do so.
Finally - all major renovation and building projects require good communication and professionalism. We provide an excellent service which will make the project as enjoyable for you as possible. Your dreams to improve your home or investment property become Nick's concern and priority and he aims to achieve your complete satisfaction.
