One thing that we feel sets us apart from other construction companies is our ability help you create an initial plan. If you have an idea in mind, but need some help with the execution, then you’ve come to the right place!
Bespoke Construction Group have developed a ‘Drawing Package’ to cover everything you will need from preliminary drawings, working drawings, structural engineer design calculations and building control approval.
In this blog – we take you through the process using a working example of a recent Drawing Package we completed for a client, to help explain the process better.
Scoping It Out
It starts with an initial meeting, so for this particular project our Director went out to meet the clients at Earlham Road in Norwich, to chat about their requirements, measure up the space and take some sketches & photos. From there we then come away to work on an estimate for what the project will include and what the client can expect this to cost.
At this point our Drawing Package is offered, if accepted we will work through each stage of the drawing package, which is outlined below. Once the drawing package is complete, we will be able to offer the client a fixed price quotation. Clients are also free to use their comprehensive drawings for their project to gather comparative quotes from other contractors if required.
Every build is different, and for that reason, we have different packages. For example it may be that the build might need to include a traffic management plan, or there may be a party wall to consider which Bespoke Construction Group will take care of for planning submission.
In this particular instance, the Drawing Package was accepted, which meant that Bespoke Construction Group were then able to spend time selecting the right architect to work with the client. Everyone has their own unique style and taste and we take great care to make sure that everything we plan and build is perfectly catered for, which is why choosing the right architect is so important.
Based on the fact that we knew it was important to the client that their contemporary influences were met with the existing victorian heritage of the home, we selected the fantastic Howie Architects for our clients to work with, as we knew they would create a seamless blend.
Working Out the Details
The architect then gets to work on designing the space required and producing preliminary drawings and dependent on the level of package taken out, this might include CGI drawings to visualise the space including various material options. These drawings also enable the client to have more accurate pricing before the project goes into planning permission.
For this project in Norwich the clients plans include removing the current conservatory and adding an extension to the back of the house, to make an open plan kitchen diner with island which then leads straight into the garden, via external steel effect bi-fold doors, which offer a really strong design element to the renovation.
There will also be some internal works carried out to remove some internal walls and replace with glass doors with the aim of bringing a lot more light into the house, and also to renovate the cellar in the property, so that this becomes a more usable space for the family, such as an enviable out-of-sight utility space!
At this point it’s normal for there to be some conversation back an forth between the architect whilst the client decides on specifics regarding materials and finer details, but when everything is decided, Bespoke Construction Group will then submit your plans into planning permission. These fee’s are included in the total package price and will mean that we take care of everything including liaising with the planning office on behalf of the client to make sure that the project goes through. The process takes around 8 weeks, and we pride ourselves on having a 100% success rate to date.
Final Stages
After the planning application has been accepted, its back to the architect. So in this case, Howie Architects then produced working drawings or ‘building regulation’ drawings, and in the meantime we engaged our structural engineer to complete a survey and produce a structural design and once we have all of this information we then can finally provide a fixed price quotation – which because of our years of experience is always very close to the original estimate.
When our client has this very detailed fixed quotation, they are welcome to gather comparative quotes or the next step is that we sign contracts and begin works!
It’s worth noting that although the drawing package is priced up at a fixed package fee, the payments are broken up into stages so that the client feels happy and comfortable at every stage. So for example first stage being for initial drawings, after that when submitting for planning, and once accepted, and the Working drawings and Structural Engineer design is complete, a final payment will be due.
Get In Touch
If you have a project in mind that you are in the early stages of, and feel you would benefit from some guidance, please get in touch and we can arrange for a meeting to see your space, discuss ideas and provide a free no obligation quotation. Use our contact form today.