Process
To improve your home, or build from scratch
We are flexible in our approach to suit your needs
We can assist in the early design stages to obtain planning permission or undertake the build for your development, as well as manage the project from conception to completion. We can assist with as much or as little of the design process as you need and our team will be on hand to offer their expertise at every step of the journey.
The benefit of choosing TN Design & Build compared to other companies is the simplicity of the design process in that we can manage every stage required to give you your
dream home. This often benefits clients who have little time to spare to coordinate a project which can be difficult with busy day to day lives.
Traditionally Architects design the dwelling and issue this for Builders to quote on, often resulting in grand aspirations beyond the possibility of ever being constructed. The
internal relationship we have between the Design Team and the Build Team ensures that the process is seamless and that proposals are continually reviewed to ensure that
they are practical, feasible and well designed.
1. Consultation
2. Survey
O n c e t h e f e e p r o p o s a l h a s b e e n s i g n e d a n d t h e r e l e v a n t s t a g e p a y m e n t h a s b e e n m a d e w e w i l l o r g a n i s e t h e m e a s u r e d s u r v e y o n s i t e . T h i s i s
usually undertaken in 5-10 days.
T h e A r c h i t e c t w h o i s m a n a g i n g t h e p r o j e c t w i l l v i s i t t h e s i t e a n d c o n d u c t t h e h a n d l a s e r m e a s u r e d s u r v e y ( g r o u n d f l o o r, f i r s t f l o o r, l o f t s p a c e
etc) and will take photos in each of the rooms for reference.
A t t h i s p o i n t t h e y w i l l a l s o c o n f i r m t h e b r i e f t o m a k e s u r e t h e r e a r e n o a d d i t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s b e f o r e p r o c e e d i n g . We w i l l s e t u p a P i n t e r e s t
board for the project so we can share example images illustrating what you want to achieve.
T h e A r c h i t e c t w i l l t h e n p r o d u c e t h e e x i s t i n g d r a w i n g p a c k i n c l u d i n g t h e p l a n s , e l e v a t i o n s , l o c a t i o n p l a n a n d b l o c k p l a n s w h i c h w i l l b e i s s u e d
to you. This will take approximately 1-2 weeks depending on the size of the project and current availability.
3. Concept Plans
T h i s i s w h e r e t h e f u n b e g i n s !
T h e A r c h i t e c t i n c h a r g e o f y o u r p r o j e c t w i l l p r o d u c e 2 o r 3 p r o p o s e d p l a n o p t i o n s e x p l o r i n g a v a r i e t y o f k e y a s p e c t s . F o r e x a m p l e o n e o p t i o n
m a y f e a t u r e m o r e d e m o l i t i o n o f t h e e x i s t i n g d w e l l i n g b u t h a v e l e s s n e w f o o t p r i n t , a n o t h e r m a y e x t e n d m o r e b u t r e t a i n m o r e o f t h e e x i s t i n g
p r o p e r t y. T h e s i z e a n d p o s i t i o n o f e x t e r n a l g l a z i n g a n d d o o r s s h o w n o n t h e p l a n s a t t h i s s t a g e i s i n d i c a t i v e o n l y a n d w i l l b e r e v i e w e d i n m o r e
detail at Stage 4.
W e w i l l g i v e o u r p r o f e s s i o n a l o p i n i o n o n h o w b e s t t o a c h i e v e y o u r b r i e f s t a t i n g t h e a d v a n t a g e s a n d d i s a d v a n t a g e s o n e o p t i o n m a y h a v e o v e r
another as well as the planning risk for those schemes.
E a c h o f t h e o p t i o n s w i l l b e r e v i e w e d w i t h t h e B u i l d Te a m t o p r o v i d e a h i g h l e v e l o u t l i n e c o s t s o y o u h a v e a n i n d i c a t i o n o f w h e r e t h a t
p r o p o s a l s i t s c o m p a r a t i v e t o t h e o v e r a l l b u d g e t .
S o m e t i m e s c l i e n t s a r e u n s u r e o f t h e i r b u d g e t a n d h o w m u c h t o s p e n d s o t h i s s t a g e i s p a r t i c u l a r l y u s e f u l i n u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e s c o p e o f w o r k
a n d a s s o c i a t e d c o s t s .
W e w i l l p r e s e n t t h e o p t i o n s t o y o u e i t h e r r e m o t e l y o r i n o u r o f f i c e a n d p r o v i d e y o u w i t h a n e l e c t r o n i c c o p y f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n . O n c e w e h a v e
y o u r f e e d b a c k w e c r e a t e a n u p d a t e d p l a n t h a t y o u a r e h a p p y w i t h . S o m e t i m e s w e f i n d t h a t c l i e n t s m a y p r e f e r o n e s t a n d o u t o p t i o n , w h i l s t
o t h e r s p r e f e r b i t s o f e a c h i n w h i c h c a s e w e w i l l p r o d u c e a p l a n c o m b i n i n g a l l o f t h e s e a s p e c t s .
4. Aesthetics
After the consultation stage, your architect will provide a design fee proposal for you to agree. This can include different stages, from concept design, to planning, or building regulations.
Understanding the process an architect follows helps to clarify the path building projects follow. You can see more details on:
5. Fixed Design
Once a client agrees to the design fee, your architect will visit to conduct a full measured survey. This provides information for drawings, a location plan and developing the brief.
Concept designs may be produced for you to consider, either in normal plan, or 3D. Materials and finishes you prefer can be reviewed, or layout needs, this is at all stages your project.
6. Liaison
Based on information to date and your specification, proposal drawings will be created. To be agreed by you and submitted to the local authority. Any adjustments required can still be incorporated.
7. Consultants
Once you are happy with the proposal, this can be submitted for planning/permitted development approval. Advice is given at every stage, including any need to deal with possible sticking points.
You should bear in mind that full planning can take 8-10 weeks, or more in some cases. This will not mean your project is forgotten during this period, with plenty of opportunity to move forward.
8. Building Regs
Whilst waiting for planning, we can point you in the direction of our preferred suppliers for interior fixtures and fittings, including kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and much more.
Your architect can create a 3D internal model of the property, to assist with decisions. They will start giving thought to final drawings for the construction team and to building regulations.
If you have a project in mind and would like to discuss your ideas, or have questions, a TN Design team member will be pleased to help:
9. Build Review
Once you are happy with the proposal, this can be submitted for planning/permitted development approval. Advice is given at every stage, including any need to deal with possible sticking points.
You should bear in mind that full planning can take 8-10 weeks, or more in some cases. This will not mean your project is forgotten during this period, with plenty of opportunity to move forward.
10. Build
Whilst waiting for planning, we can point you in the direction of our preferred suppliers for interior fixtures and fittings, including kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and much more.
Your architect can create a 3D internal model of the property, to assist with decisions. They will start giving thought to final drawings for the construction team and to building regulations.
If you have a project in mind and would like to discuss your ideas, or have questions, a TN Design team member will be pleased to help: