Frequently Asked Questions
All the information to help you on your way
Will you come out and have a look at my proposed project?
We can generally assess potential projects by looking at clear photos of your house and if you have them, (Estate Agents) floor plans, along with your requirements. Once we can see what we are you’re dealing with, we can tell very quickly if the house has got potential and whether we can help you with the project. We will give you a call to have an informal chat about your needs and those of the house.
If this is of interest we will visit the property for a consultation to discuss your project further and start to develop the initial concept. Once we have everything we need we will send you our fee proposal.
Hopefully you will feel inspired and confident that we are the best people to interpret your requirements for your challenging home. At this point, if you are happy to proceed, we will get the process started.
How much will my project cost?
This is the classic question and we get asked it a lot! Building work, especially remodelling, is very difficult to cost, especially at this early stage before anything has been designed for you. The materials, style and fixtures and fittings that you choose for your house will have a large impact on the budget and not even an experienced builder will be able to tell you an accurate figure. We can give you an understanding of what’s possible from our previous Client’s projects and help you to understand whether your budget is realistic for what you are looking to achieve but it is worth budgeting between £1200 to £3000 per square metre depending on the quality you are looking for and your geographical location.
We can work with Clients who are looking for a “master plan” to be carried out in phases as funds become available however not all schemes/houses lend themselves to this approach so please do bear this in mind. With the cost of moving so expensive these days, our Clients are more inclined to stay put and invest in the long-term enjoyment of their home.
Do you do drawings?
We work closesly with a number of architects, plan drawers, building regulation inspectors and other specialists to provide a complete service. This means that DPAD is a one stop shop, however, you can certainly obtain independent quotations for drawings and DPAD can support the project in just a Town Planning capicity if required. It is your project and we can work with you and whomever you opt to undertake the works.
How much are your fees?
Our fees are based on your requirements and needs. We can quote you a fixed fee for each stage, based on the design time required to work through our design process with you. However, if you would prefer, we can charge by the hour with set cap. Once we have completed stage 1- design and planning, we will then quote you for any further stages. Each stage is independent of each other and can be instructed at your own pace. VAT is charged.
What about planning?
Because of the specialist nature of what we do we have worked with many different local authorities over the years and their planning policies are generally very similar. All properties fall under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and we are very accustomed to working out a strategy that works for your area. Plus, this means we never take a local authority for granted and look at every application with a fresh perspective. Once we have submitted your application we will act as agent, watching over it and making ourselves known to the planning officer. This way we can monitor for any potential issues and work with them to obtain approval.
I like your style but do you do new builds too?
We relish the opportunity to design new builds and as our service is very personal we often get approached by people who like the way we work and our style but don’t have a house to remodel. If you have a new build project in mind, we’d love to hear from you.
How do you work?
Our design services are very consultative, as we understand that it’s not as simple as being given a brief and then presenting you with finished plans. We are designing your home and we want you to be as engaged as possible throughout the design process. We work through a drafting process, visualising the house, so you can really appreciate how your new home will look and function and to help you make important decisions. Once you’re really happy we will take the scheme through planning and hopefully your property can fulfil its potential.
Do you project manage?
Our complete design package is extremely detailed and is normally sufficient for an experienced contractor to work with and many Clients have carried out their projects like this very successfully. However, for those Clients who would feel more comfortable having a Project Manager we can recommend an independent PM.
The Stages of Work
How we operate
Design & Planning
Concept design
Stage 1 is all to do with how your property will look and function internally and externally, and applying for the necessary permissions required by your local authority. This is the stage most people use us for as it gets the ball rolling and their concepts will come become more real.
STEP 01
Initial concept design
Once you have contacted us we give you a call to discuss your requirements and to see if there is feasibility in the scheme. We will then come out to discuss the ideas more thoroughly with you and develop a first concept design. Once happy with a general concept we move to booking in a proper survey.
STEP 02
Book a measured survey
Once we have received instructions to proceed the first step is to book a measured survey, which is carried out by an associate team of surveyors. This maps out the property and the site and lays the foundations for the design process and construction. These drawings are also required for applying to the local authority for the relevant approvals.
STEP 03
Draft process
Drafts are presented with external visuals, internal perspective layouts and 'birds-eye view' floorplans for scaling. We also believe showing the internal arrangements with furniture layouts are equally important as the walls themselves to help you visualise furnishing and living in the new space.
STEP 04
Final package
Once you have approved the design we work up the scheme into the final package of drawings, ready for submitting to the relevant authority for approval (if required).
STEP 05
Submit application as required
We will discuss the appropriate approach with the local authority and submit the scheme for planning permission or LDC (Lawful Development Certificate) as appropriate and if required.
Building Regs & Technical
Detail to make it work
Depending on complexity, Stage 2 is all to do with translating and refining your proposed scheme into detailed technical design and specification. This enables contractors to Tender and crucially, use on site to realise the design. It should be noted that we can combine building regulations into the first stage if required.
STEP 01
Fee proposal for the next stages
Once we have positive feedback from the local authority we will prepare our proposal for your approval, along with quotes for structural engineering and building control.
STEP 02
Site visit
Once approval has been granted we will schedule another site visit with you at the property to discuss the specification with you in more detail. We would often invite the structural engineer to attend this meeting to discuss any considerations for the structural design.
STEP 03
Building regulation application
This is the technical under bonnet bit, translating the design into the detailed drawings and specification for building control approval.
STEP 04
Construction drawings
We are quite particular about how we like certain aesthetic details to look, so to ensure the house is built to look like the visual you fell in love with construction details are an important feature of our technical service.
STEP 05
Materials
These are very important and a lot of people get left out in the cold when it comes to choosing materials, textures and colour schemes, not to mention finding the right suppliers. We hold lots of samples so you can see the products suitable for your scheme. We then compile this information into product sheets so you builder knows what to order and where to source what you need.
STEP 06
Service Plans
Detailing items such as plug sockets, light switches, under floor heating etc. so your builder can price for these correctly and decisions are not left to the last minute on site.
Other Services
Same path, different service
Regardless what type of project we work on we generally follow the same path with some slight differences dependent on the project.
If you have any questions please let us know.
Duckworth Planning and Design Ltd
Company No.9140657
VAT No: 210 7906 33
2 Knightley Farmhouse, Callingwood, Needwood, Burton, Staffordshire, DE13 9PU
Copyright Duckworth Planning and Design Ltd 2022