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Project Management
My favourite way to work is to manage an entire project, big or small. For larger projects I act as the project co-ordinator for the whole construction team. Architectural Services You can call on as many or as few services as you need. Here's how I work ... Feasibility I visit the site and advise you on the building's potential, local authority regulations, costs and timing. I advise on any specialists and experts that may be needed, for example a structural engineer, planning consultant or quantity surveyor. The first hour of consultation is free. Sketch design This is the ideas stage. I develop the brief and produce sketch designs and adapt them until you are satisfied that you have the core of a project that delivers exactly what you desire. Preliminary costing and timing continue to be part of the mix. Planning and Building Regulations This stage involves producing formal drawings for the local authority. I enjoy the challenge of listed buildings. I work hard to smooth the project's path through the planning process and use my writing skills to produce convincing presentations. The building regulations drawings and documents show the technical and safety aspects that are needed such as structure, fire safety and drainage. Finding a builder I am super-careful to preserve my relationships with the most sought after builders in the area so I can pass them on to my clients, and I am always checking out new contractors and assessing their work. A good builder makes all the difference. Getting an estimate This stage involves producing much more detailed drawings and a specification, usually a spreadsheet, to enable a contractor to come up with an accurate price. I can and do use NBS, the industry standard. Working closely with you to interpret your ideas, I can produce costed schedules for the structure and for the interior - lists of bathroom fixtures, kitchen designs, lighting fixtures, floor finishes and more. When the costs come in, I negotiate with the builder and work out the best way to approach the works - if you have to move out, where the builders will park, any restrictions on hours, being careful with neighbours. I draw up a formal contract between you and the builder. On site Once the building starts, I can administer the contract, visiting the site regularly to check that the work is being done to a good standard and on time. I deal with any problems and queries that come up (they always do!) and keep an eagle eye on the budget, authorising each payment to the builder once I am satisfied that things are on track. Handover Once you move in, I make sure that you are completely happy with the work. I am on hand in the future, for as long as it takes, to answer any queries you may have once you are using the building. |
Interior Design Services
Thinking about the interior runs alongside the architectural side of things or it can be a separate interior project. This is what I can do:
For a fixed fee, I can visit you, assess your project and give you very specific advice about how to realise your project, which you can then keep and use. This gives you the benefit of my experience and connections without further commitment on your part. This service is advice only and does not include drawings, schedules or budgets. My advice can take the form of a specific solution, for instance about planning, energy efficiency, lighting, energy saving, budgets, or where to source things, or it could be an overall strategy for the whole project including how to deal with local authorities and recommendations about other professionals. If at any time you wish to take things further, I can provide a defined one-off service, such as an electric plan, furniture drawing or decoration scheme. Fees There are three fee structures:
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