Building Design
At harper james we believe that life should be simple which is why your vision is paramount.
We work for you our client and take pleasure in producing interesting and well designed spaces that will have a positive impact upon your daily life.
Whether you are significantly extending your existing home or just considering some basic home improvements we can guide you through the process of making your dream a vision and then a reality.
Our team of Building Designers and Chartered Surveyors are able to give advice on a wide range of building issues. This may simply be an assessment of your current home and its condition or a complete refurbishment project or even a blank canvass new build design.
Making use of the Royal Institute of British Architects works stages, we work along side you as the ‘Client’ to define and capture the ‘Vision’.
We are members of The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and have over 50 years of combined experience in building, surveying, planning and design.
We are also able to give advice on local planning authority and building legislation issues.
Vision
Your vision is paramount to us.
Our free initial consultation is all about you, your ideas and aspirations.
We spend time listening to you and establish what it is you want to achieve.
In order for any project to be successful there must be good communication between client and designer.
If at the end of this consultation process we believe that we can deliver your ideas to you within your available budget we will then move into the Royal Institute of British Architects works stages.
Concept : Appraisal & Design Brief
Once we have identified your needs and objectives along with the constraints on the project we then move into a feasibility study and assessment of the options.
Development of the initial concept and design happens now and initial sketches are drawn.
Identification of procurement method and other consultants to be engaged also takes place at this stage.
Preparation of the concept design outlining the proposals for the building and also the fixtures and fittings.
Preliminary cost plan / review of procurement also commences
Design
Application for Planning permission
Technical Design
Development of concept design in readiness of an application for planning permission being submitted
By this stage we now know;
- what we are going to build
- how we are going to build it
- finishes and materials to be used
We may also know a total costing breakdown for the project if this has been specified as a priority at the concept stage.
Tender
Preparation of tender documents to allow contractors tenders to be submitted for the project.
At this stage we should have an accurate expectation of the likely costs to within 10% of the total budget subject to all finishes, materials and fixtures and fittings being in line with the total design concept.
We identify a suitable contractor from the tender process and/or specialists for the project.
We obtain, appraise, review and then recommend a suitable tender to you
Construction
You the client now instructing a building contractor / specialist to commence construction works
We provide guidance to you about the building process and make regular site visits to ensure that the building / construction schedule is in line with the agreed design and concept.
We are available to provide additional information and guidance to the contractor if required
