A plain, honest guide to what shapes a project at each stage of its life. The considerations you should allow for when pursuing any stage of a project, written to be useful before you commit time, money or resources.
Clients tell us they rarely get a clear answer when they ask what a project will involve. Fees are often quoted only after you have committed to a conversation, a scoping meeting, or worse, a proposal deck.
We would rather set out, in advance, what a project needs to think through at each stage. The clearer the picture, the better the brief, and the easier it becomes to work out whether we are the right studio for you.
For all professional fees across the lifecycle of the project. Subject to project specifics. This is the figure most clients find helpful to plan against before any formal proposal is prepared.
Mapping the way forward.
It is critical to understand the full lifecycle of a project before committing time, money and resources. Through the feasibility process we hope to assist with understanding the costs you will incur, the timeline for the project and the risks at each stage on a case by case basis. This process takes into consideration the site context, planning policies, planning history, construction methodology, exit strategy and breakdown of figures to assist with realising the potential profit yield or alternative outcomes. We can also expand this service to our network of connections to understand other consultant requirements and potential exits.
The realisation of design.
Building on the feasibility study, the next step is to pursue the relevant planning process. Depending on the requirements of the site and proposed development this can come in many forms, from a certificate of lawfulness to a phased outline planning application with reserved matters including Gateway 1 approval. We will assist in identifying the type of application required, the consultants needed and the associated timeline. Using our vast network of trusted consultants we can recommend and acquire the relevant fees for your direct appointment. All of the above in an effort to provide the highest chance of gaining a planning approval.
The detail behind the design.
Following a planning approval comes one of the largest undertakings for the professional design team: the production, coordination and submission of the building control or BSR Gateway 2 application. The goal of the technical design process is to build the building digitally to endeavour to deliver the building physically in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. A step by step guide on what to implement on site in accordance with the planning approval and the relevant functional requirements under the primary legislative acts. This process can also involve returning back to planning if significant amendments are needed to the design, allowing for the proposal to be implemented or value engineered. We will once again assist in outlining and acquiring the relevant consultant quotes for your direct instruction to form a competent design team covering all scope requirements.
Implementing the vision.
A culmination of all the prior stages concluding in the physical implementation of the design. We can assist with contractor recommendations, contract administration, regular site visits with observation reports and the compilation of the handover documentation and, if applicable, the relevant services required for a BSR Gateway 3 application on proposals which are considered a HRB. Providing the relevant monitoring services to endeavour to guide the design on site towards an efficient and timely delivery, to maximise yield through savings on borrowing and loss of income due to delays.