Getting planning approval is the biggest hurdle to overcome in making a project a reality.
It is important to recognise that even before you can start work on site, there are legislative hurdles to navigate to satisfy the requirements of Building Regulations. We can guide you through the legislation.
Then it's time to get a builder on board and begin the build.
Building Regulations
Most projects need to comply with Building Regulations to a certain extent - having a detailed set of technical drawings can help achieve this approval swiftly, and best prepare you to start work on site.
We are also able to coordinate the work of other consultants involved in the Building Regulations process, such as Structural Engineers.
The drawings we produce for Building Regulations submissions provide all the information necessary for the works to be fully costed prior to starting work on site, so you can agree a contract sum with your chosen contractor from the outset.
Construction
Once work begins on site there are often unforeseen issues, decisions, clarifications, small changes, and regular checks that are required. There needs to be a focus on quality and making sure things are being built as agreed.
We can help during the construction process, either on a relatively informal basis, or by administering a written contract between you and the contractor. We act completely impartially and make sure that any payments requested by the contractor are fair and justified. Regular site meetings help keep progress steady and on target.
Project Management
Depending on the complexity of a project (how many questions need answering!), construction can be quite a detailed, lengthy process to go through. We can help by providing project management expertise to help coordinate the team and keep things running smoothly.
Working with the Architectural Team at Salmon Planning + Architecture, our aim is to make the whole process smoother and generally cheaper in the long run;
- We translate the jargon: Builders talk one language. Engineers talk another. Building Control a different one again. We turn it all into something you can actually make decisions about.
- We can prevent expensive mistakes before they happen: We pride ourselves on spotting problems while they’re still lines on paper rather than concrete already poured in the wrong place.
- We co-ordinate the entire team: No more “oh, the engineer didn’t know about that window” moments. The architectural drawings bring all of the inputs together in one place.
- We help make the process more open and honest: With clear drawings and a proper contract, there’s less room for vague pricing, added costs, or “this wasn’t included” surprises.
- We handle the stressful bits: Site dramas, unexpected discoveries in the ground, materials out of stock - we help problem-solve so that your project can keep moving.