Our Services

At Architectural Services we provide a complete architectural design services.
We manage the entire process with the local authorities for you
and keep you informed of the progress of your application along the way.
  

The measured building survey is the first step in the process and is undertaken by our highly experienced Surveyor Lee Brooker-Payne. Measured building surveys present the structure, internal and external features of buildings and are essential as a starting point for your project as they represent the ‘AS IS’. All our surveys are produced digitally to ensure the greatest level of accuracy. The extent of details and surveyed features vary depending on the purpose of the survey, but a typically measured building survey consists of: An internal floor plan External elevations Drainage where manholes are visible and accessible Boundaries relating to the proposed extension. 
  

A topographical survey involves a visit to the site by an experienced land surveyor to carry out measurements to create a site plan or map. Such surveys are usually carried out at 1:100 or 1:200 scale to be able to clearly show manmade and natural features clearly and concisely. Ordnance Survey maps portray similar features; however, their smaller scale means that relevant features within a garden or land parcel cannot easily be shown.
 

Architectural Services offer a FREE design and feasibility consultation where Paul will visit you in the comfort of your home to discuss your ideas and the feasibility of your scheme. Part of this consultation is to establish whether what you are looking at achieving can be done without getting planning permission by using your home's permitted development rights. Paul can investigate and advise upon the permitted development rights of your home during his visit. There may be further information required and in some cases we may need to consult with your local authority to ascertain your scheme's feasibility and likelihood of approval. Paul will also look at all other possibilities to establish whether there may be other options in order to achieve the Kitchen / Diner, extra bedroom, En-suite etc that you desire.
 

Architectural Services produce all the planning permission application drawings required by the Local Authority for your new build, loft conversion, house extension, garage conversion, annexe or porch. After the FREE design consultation, our experienced Surveyor will carry out a full electronic internal and external measured survey of your property. Once a design has been agreed we will submit the planning application on your behalf and manage it closely with the Local Authority.
 

Your local planning authority usually the district or borough council - is responsible for deciding whether a proposed development should be allowed to go ahead. This is called planning permission. Most new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings and significant changes to the use of a building or piece of land need this permission.
 

Planning permission is not needed for all household building work. Under permitted development rules you can carry out a number of household building work projects, provided they meet certain limits and conditions. The main types of permission required for works to an existing house are householder planning consent and full planning consent.
 

To make a detailed planning application for development, excluding householder developments. For example: Any works relating to a flat Applications to change the number of dwellings (flat conversions, building a separate house in the garden) Changes of use to part or all of the property to non-residential (including business) uses Alterations to a non-residential building Replacement dwellings.
 

Planning permission is no longer required by the majority of homeowners for most loft conversions, rear extensions and single storey side extensions as long as they are within certain limits.
 

Architectural Services produce all the building regulations drawings, specifications and structural calculations (via 3rd party Engineers that we work with daily) required to obtain Building Control approval. We will act as your agent and submit the application to Building Control and liaise with them to gain approval. Most extensions, conversions and structural alterations require building regulations approval for the work being carried out. Building regulations promote standards for most aspects of a building's construction, energy efficiency in buildings, the needs of all people, including those with disabilities, in accessing and moving around buildings. They are separate from planning permission and for some developments you may need planning permission and building regulations approval.
 

A scope of works is a descriptive document written for the building contractor that contains all the information regarding the size of a project, what is and isn’t included, along with electrical, plumbing and floor finish details. It also includes annotated floor plans detailing the proposed locations of electrical sockets, lighting layouts etc. It’s a useful document to present to the builders at the tender stage to ensure all the contractors are pricing the same work. This helps ensure the quotes received are comparable to each other.