A: Initial Consultation
The first step of the process is to telephone or email the office. Following this an initial meeting can be arranged, either in the office or on site at the property, where we can discuss your ideas and requirements.
Following on from this, we will prepare a quotation for each stage of the project required. Once you have agreed to the fees quoted, the work can commence.
B: Survey Stage
A full detailed measured survey of your home to allow for accurate and detailed drawings of your proposed project. A typical survey takes 2.5 – 3 hours.
- Carrying out a measured survey of the existing property.
This will involve us measuring every room in the property and measuring the boundaries, buildings, driveway etc.
- Producing drawings of the existing property.
All the information gathered during the measured survey is then drawn up to produce the drawings of the existing property.
- Full photographic survey
C: Sketch Scheme Stage
We can then start to look at the most cost effective way to improve and alter the internal and external appearance of the building whilst maximising the wow factors and giving you the best potential re-sale value. This involves us working closely together to reach the desired end product.
We offer a service at this stage of creating 3D visuals on the computer and use these to manipulate the design and produce some attractive visuals. This is an optional extra, not needed for planning, but offers better understanding visually in comparison to 2d drawings.
Changes can be made quickly and effectively at this stage.
D: Planning Application
When you are happy with the formal design, we will finalise all the drawings, forms and and any 3d work to produce the planning application. Planning approval will take approximately 6 – 8 weeks from submission.
Dylan Morton Design acts as your agent throughout this whole process so you never have to deal with the planning department yourself. We aim to make the whole process as stress free and easy as possible.
Whilst waiting for Building Regulations approval, we can concentrate on the tender package information to ensure that no delay is caused in getting the right price and contractor appointed. This information is critical as this will form the basis of your contract with the building contractor.
We have a number of builders who we would recommend we put on the tender list and we suggest you also add one or two of your own suggestions as well. It would be a good idea to start speaking to them as early as sketch scheme stage as to their availability and timescales.
E: Party Wall Act
It is relatively common when carrying out alterations to domestic buildings for action under the ‘party wall’ legislation to be required. Where there is any dispute, we can put you in touch with a party wall surveyor.
We can prepare and issue Party Wall Act Notices to your neighbouring properties, if required.
F: Building Regulations
At this stage, we work up the drawings producing detailed plans and sections for the building control officer, builders and structural engineer.
Dylan Morton Design produce a highly detailed drawing package at this stage ensuring a smooth process through building control and ensures building work will be carried out to the highest and safest standards.
We also produce a detailed specification listing all elements of the building right down to the size of waste pipes so that no detail is missed. Building Regulations will take approximately 4 – 6 weeks for approval from submission.
Any structural calculations required will be sought at this stage from structural engineers we have worked with locally to help produce the calculations required for building control.
G: Detailed Tender
Whilst waiting for Building Regulations approval, we can concentrate on the tender package information to ensure that no delay is caused in getting the right price and contractor appointed. This information is critical as this will form the basis of your contract with the building contractor.
We have a number of builders who we would recommend we put on the tender list and we suggest you also add one or two of your own suggestions as well. It would be a good idea to start speaking to them as early as sketch scheme stage as to their availability and timescales.
H: Project Management
This is an optional stage of the process where we can oversee the work on site, should you wish. This ensures the work is carried out to a high standard and specified drawings are followed.
This stage involves agreeing a programme and payment schedules with the nominated builder and monitoring their work on a monthly basis with site meetings and minutes produced of these meetings in attendance with yourselves.