Our Design Process
As a leading architectural design firm, we follow a detailed design process to ensure our client’s needs are met and all information required is included. We work closely with our clients from start to finish to ensure the project runs smoothly.
We work on both small and large scale projects and have a no job is too big or small approach. Whether it’s a loft conversion for your home or a new build development, be sure to get in touch with Planmore today! One of our team is always on hand to answer questions and deal with enquiries.
We offer a free no-obligation consultation and site visit; this will help us to know your thoughts and ideas. We will then use our expert knowledge and design ideas help develop the brief and assist you in the early design development process by developing 3D sketch designs, give technical construction advice and also provide preliminary planning guidance.
During the client consultation, it is essential that you make the most of the meeting. Be well prepared, make notes, produce some sketch ideas and understand exactly what you would like to achieve from the project. Keep an open mind and do your homework so you have all your questions ready during our consultation. If you really have no idea where to start with your project, again, don’t worry. We will advise you on the best possible solution for your plans for your extension, whilst ensuring we stick to a budget and meet all your requirements for your home. There is nothing worse than investing in something that doesn’t really meet your needs.
In summary, the Initial Client Consultation includes site appraisal, discussion of your project requirements, building project feasibility, alternative solutions to proposals, advice on Planning and Building Regulation guidance that affect the proposals. Following this meeting, we will provide you with a quotation for our services.
After our free initial consultation, if you decide to go ahead with us, we will then need to carry out a complete measured survey of your existing property this will enable us to both gauge and define the best possible solution for your vision.
This appointment can be arranged out of office hours and includes weekends. We try our level best to be flexible with our time and appreciate how difficult it can be for some clients to meet up during office hours Monday to Friday.
On completion of the planning drawings, we will contact you to review your drawings with us online meeting session via Team Viewer.
This will enable you to make changes with us Straight away as you will be able to see drawings transmitted live from our screen on to your PC screen. We will guide you step by step on how to connect virtually with us. However, if you find this difficult we are more than happy to come out and see you in person to review the drawings at no extra cost.
Once the drawings have been reviewed and approved by you the client. We will then Acting as your agent submits the planning drawings to your Local Authority.
Planning decisions typically take between 8 – 12 weeks depending on scheme complexity, site location and relevant policies. In most well-considered cases, the Local Planning Authority will grant planning permission within 8 weeks.
During the planning stage, we will stay in contact with the local authority in some instances the planners may request amendments to the proposed scheme in order to get approval. We will amend the drawings within the given time frame with no hidden charges or extra cost.
Building Regulations approval is also necessary prior to the commencement of construction work. This application is often submitted once planning permission has been granted, although it can be done at the same time if timescales are tight (and if planning permission is very likely).
The Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people in or about those buildings. They also include requirements to ensure that fuel and power are conserved and facilities are provided for people, including those with disabilities, to access and move around inside buildings.
Detailed drawings (indicating floor plans, elevations and cross-sections) and construction notes are required to ensure that the proposed scheme meets (or exceeds) the requirements stated within the Approved Documents of the Building Regulations. We will also obtain structural calculations during this stage if required.
We have now become an official partner of LABC (Local Authority Building Control) which has many benefits for both Planmore and our clients. The main benefits are that building regulations approvals will be drastically shortened in the time from submission to approval. This has huge benefits for the client. A quicker decision means an earlier start date for your builders.
We also have a nominated Building Control Officer for every project we submit, regardless of County throughout the South East which is extremely useful. As we only deal with the same person for every Building Regulations submission, we get a consistent interpretation of the Building Regulations on projects regardless of area and get Approval notices without delays and problems When both Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval have been obtained, building work can legally commence.
After a number of requests from Clients for reliable local builders, we at Planmore have made it our duty to find reliable local builders. We do this by checking Builders work speaking to previous and current clients and also obtain feedback from local Authority and private inspectors.
As we work with local authority inspectors it is sometimes relatively straight forward to obtain feedback on Builders within the areas they cover.
Contact Planmore
For more information on the services we offer or to discuss a project with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. One of our team is always on hand to assist.
Completion Certificate
Once the work is successfully completed the Council will issue you with a Completion Certificate provided that a request was made at the time of submitting the application. A Completion Certificate indicates an acceptable standard of compliance with the Building Regulations at the time of the Completion Inspection. It is important that you keep this document somewhere safe as you will not be able to sell your property at a later date unless you can provide this proof of building works being carried out to the required standard. If you do lose this document your council may charge you for providing a duplicate.