Design, Plan, Approve & Build
Our Design Process – we take the stress out of designing
With four decades of experience and more than a thousand designs in my portfolio, I am qualified and experienced to bring your vision to life and to a pre agreed budget. I aim to understand your needs quickly—often even before you do—and will only recommend designs that align with your aspirations. Once I create the initial proposals and drawings, you can review and approve them with minimal revisions.
For experienced builders and DIYers:
If you’re confident in reading 2D plans I can help you move seamlessly through the Planning and Building Regulation Approval process to streamline your journey from application to approval.
For my clients who find it hard to visualise 2D plans and drawings:
I understand that many clients struggle to imagine how exactly their home improvements will look, once built. I offer a range of 3D visualisations designed to help you see exactly how your project will look. These visualisations provide clarity and confidence so you can approve your design with certainty.
First Meeting
Your vision begins here. Whether we connect via phone, in person, or through a virtual Zoom call, our initial consultation is all about understanding your unique needs and aspirations. I’ll listen carefully to learn what you envision—a sleek rear extension, a stunning wrap-around double-storey addition, a transformative loft conversion, or an internal remodelling project. We’ll also agree your budget, ensuring the plans align with your financial goals. I will provide a personalise quotation. Once the quote has been agreed we will arrange a survey of your home.
Surveying your property
When the time comes for the survey, our experienced surveyor will arrive fully briefed on your design goals. They will carefully measure, scan, and photograph your property, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision. If you've made any adjustments or additional notes since sharing your initial brief, the surveyor can also record and incorporate those. We will advise you of the time needed to survey your house in advance of the survey. This is typically two to four hours.
What Happens After We Complete Your Survey
Once your survey is finished, I will provide you with detailed 2D plan drawings of your existing property and a proposed floor plan for the new design. A few days later, I will follow up to review the plans with you, allowing you to approve the design or request any modifications. Once you’re pleased with the plans, we can proceed to submit your planning application. Many clients also see their final designs in 3D visualisations before applying. We’re happy to discuss this option and help you visualise your project, ensuring you’re confident and excited about the final design.
Discover Our 3D Visualisation Services
For those clients that have a good understanding of reading 2D plans but want the re-assurance of being able to view the proposed in build with a snapshot 3D image.
Higher Rendered 360° images
Many clients want to view the existing room but with a click of a button see a 360° view of their property and how it looks with a wall removed or extension added. You can see from the example (left), a click of a button allows you to see the property in Virtual Reality View, with and without these changes and all with the ability to pan around the room and get a real feel for the proposed changes.
Advantages of producing 360° Panoramic Views of My Designs
For many clients about to invest £1000’s or £10,000’s on their home improvements, they don’t want to leave any stone unturned. A “Virtual Reality 3D Render Tour” really is the ultimate design experience. Click on the link and view the example. You will see how you can wonder around a tour produced using Virtual Reality to showcase how this property will look AFTER the works have been completed.
360° Visualisations with Interactive Floorplan
The Highest Quality 3D Drawings are without doubt Computer Generated Images The example 3D image to left is the highest quality available. The example shows a photograph of the existing rear view of a property and several Computer Generated Images of how the property could look when improved. For some clients this is essential viewing before committing to their Planning Application and build. It’s only due the fact that we advertise and tell you that these are computer generated images that you are likely aware. Almost everyone assumes high quality CGI’s are photographs of the extension, after it had been built. Obviously, it is for you to decide what level of design work is right for you inline with your requirements and budget. I will always be happy to show you your options in my quotation of services.
View and Compare Your Existing Room with the Virtual Reality Experience
Once you approve your design, we can produce your Planning drawings and submit your Planning Application for approval. The planning process usually takes eight to ten weeks, from submission of the application, through to approval of the build. We will monitor the whole application and answer any queries raised, in discussion with you.
Virtual Tour Renders – The ultimate design experience
As you can see from the example, Building Regulation drawings differ from Planning drawings as they have all the section drawings and technical building construction notes and specifications required to ensure the plans can be passed by Building Control in your Local Authority or an Independent Approved Building Control Inspector. The ‘Inspector visits the site throughout the works and issues a “Completion Certificate” after approving the completed construction.
The highest level in Computer-Generated Images
I will help you to tender your project to builders of your choice. We have an approved panel of builders that I can tag in, if you need any additions. I will negotiate and challenge the prices as they arrive and complete a vetting process before the go ahead is given! I also assist you with the Contract, Payment and Works Schedule. My service includes being by your side from concept to completion so I will walk you through the legalities including the Party Wall Act, Health & Safety requirement and even your insurance.
Each project is unique, so you can decide the level of design work that best suits your needs and your budget. We are happy to tailor a quotation and offer services that align with your requirements.
So now you have approved your designs its time to take you through the Planning and Building Regulation approval process
Planning Drawings and Approval
Now you have approved your design, we can produce your Planning Drawings and submit your Planning Application for approval. The planning process usually takes eight to ten weeks, from submission of the application, through to approval of the build. We will monitor the whole application and answer any queries raised, in discussion with you.
Building Regulation Drawings and Approvals
As you can see from the example, Building Regulation drawings differ from Planning Drawings as they have all the detailed sections, technical notation required to ensure the plans can be assessed and approved by the Building Inspectors of your choice. The ‘Inspector visits the site throughout the works and issues a “Completion Certificate” after approving the completed construction.
My objective is to save you time, money and stress – throughout your project
As a former builder, I know the pitfalls of poorly planned project. I can take you through the whole process, right from finding the right builder at the right price, where to shop for huge savings on major items, through managing the project and payments until completion and snagging.
I can save you £ 1,000’s during this process Click on the video and hear from previous clients who will confirm they saved significantly more than the fee they paid for my services and their project was completed on time and hassle free.
Helping you find the right builder at the right price
You may already have a builder in mind that has been recommended to you. Recommendations are the best way for you to find a professional, reliable builder. However, if you need help we can invite builders to tender for your works from our pre-approved panel, from your recommendations.
Ensuring you are paying the right price
I will calculate an indicative cost for your preferred design. I will also break the price down into the relevant building phases, so you know what is a realistic price for each building phase.
I will prepare your tender documents and send these to builders of your choice
A professionally prepared tender document is essential to ensure you receive accurate, like for like, quotations from the builders you/we invite to price your project. Without this, you could see huge differences in quality, costs, materials and timelines. .l
Comparing returned builders’ prices
I will review all the returned tendered prices back from the builders and comment on where I think builders are too high or too low. I will discuss the price in fine detail with your shortlisted builders and negotiate the price, to secure the best price and terms possible. Once you agree who to award the contract to, I will complete the due diligence checks (including quality of work and reliability) and review and recommended any changes to the official documentation, provided by your builder, so that you can proceed and sign contracts, with confidence.
Shop where the trade shop
I will introduce you to my approved panel of Trade Manufacturers and Suppliers, to compare quotes for your larger items, such as Fitted Kitchens, Bathrooms, Windows, Bi-Folding doors etc. Traditionally, these items would have been included in the builder’s quotation but invariably, this led to limited choice and higher cost (as the builder often has only 1 or 2 suppliers and adds their usual margin on to the purchase). By taking advantage of these discounted prices, you can save £1000’s off the cost of your home improvement.
See what our clients have to say about our services and how we saved them £ 1,000's off their projects.
See how our clients followed the three steps to success as shown on Channel 4's George Clarke's "Old House New Home"
See how we brought George Clarke's sketches to life with our 3D visualisations and virtual tour. Our clients used step one, two and three of our services on this project, so we were with them from concept to completion. Click on the image above to watch the full episode, first aired on the 28th January 2020 on Channel 4's catch-up service (Series 6 Episode 3: Didsbury) to share our client's full story.
Personal Property Advisor
I have completed hundreds of Design and Build projects in my career, regularly saving my clients £ 10,000’s from the cost of their project.
Visit my clients’ testimonial page where you will see my clients paid my my fee from the money, I saved them and most went on to save £ 1,000’s more. Their words not mine.
Another huge benefit in the service I offer, is the time and stress I will save you; dealing with any problems with the builder and allowing you the time to carry on with your busy lives.