hitchcock architects ltd

STAGE 1 (Brief/ Fee proposal)
Initial meeting/ consultation followed by a fee proposal outlining the scope of work to be carried out.  

STAGE 2 (Measured Survey)
Measured survey and 2D CAD drawings of existing. Sadly estate agent plans cannot be relied upon for accuracy!

STAGE 3 (Feasibility/ Concept Ideas)
Initial design/ Feasibility options for discussion and a follow up meeting.

STAGE 4 (Planning Submission)  
Discussion and amendments of proposal and preparation of drawings and supporting documents for submission for Planning Permission/ Certificate of Lawful Development/ Prior notification as required. 

STAGE 5 (Planning Conditions)
Submission of drawings/ samples/ documents for Planning Condition approval.

STAGE 6 (Building Regulations submission) 
Design and production of construction drawings (typically 1:50 scale), with building regulation specification notes, for submission to the Local Authority for Building Regulations ‘Full Plans’ approval.

STAGE 7 (Additional Tender Information) 
Production information – e.g windows, electrical /heating layout, kitchen/ bathroom layouts. Co-ordination of information from specialist suppliers/sub contractors, structural/mechanical consultants.

STAGE 8 (Tender)
We prepare and send out tender documentation to suitable building contractors. We answer any queries that contractors may have, and after receiving tenders review them.





STAGE 9 (Contract)
We prepare a suitable building contract for signature by the client and the contractor.


STAGE 10 (On site and Contract Administration)

We would visit site on a regular basis – usually fortnightly, to check on progress, ensure works are carried out in accordance with the Contract, answer any queries from the builder, and supply any additional information that may be required.

Contract Administration ensures that the contract is set up and administered correctly. This involves acting as impartial intermediaries in the contract between yourself and the builder. We can also assess the value of the work completed usually once a month as work proceeds and certify stage payments, which would be strictly in accordance with the terms of your contract with the builder. As Contract Administrators we would agree variations issue instructions, and certificates.

STAGE 11 (Practical completion, Handover)
As Contract Administrators we ensure building works have been completed in accordance with the Building Contract and to client satisfaction. A  Practical Completion Certificate is issued and the project is handed over to the client.

STAGE 12 (Defects and Final Certificate)
Following the agreed defects period we would inspect the building and request the contractor to make good any defects. The Final Completion Certificate is then issued and the Building Contract is complete between all parties. We review the project success with the client and discuss any future recommendations.


Process
Although the building process is complex, we aim to make it as simple as possible and operate predominantly under 12 key stages which are outlined below and reflected in our fee proposals.

A typical project program can be found here.

Fees
We offer a free 1 hour initial meeting to discuss the proposed project and understand the brief. We understand that these cannot always be carried out Monday to Friday 9-5-30 and are willing to meet early morning/ evening subject to availability. Before meeting we will research the location, planning history and consider the local planning policy.  Having met we will then issue a letter of appointment clearly outlining what is possible, services offered, fees agreed, anticipated construction costs, and programme. As a registered member of the Architects Registrations Board it is part of our code of conduct to enter into formal written agreement with clients.

For clients who do not own their properties, and are looking for advice before they commit to exchange/ completion,  we charge a small refundable* fee of £100 for the initial 1 hour consultation. This initial meeting fee must be paid prior to meeting.  (* If you agree to proceed with the project in writing, and property is less than 10miles from our offices, the fee will be deducted from your first invoice).

We generally provide fixed fees (this ensures that we do not profit from additional time or construction costs) based on the anticipated time multiplied by an hourly rate of £70/hr up to full plans building regulations approval. The drawings provided will be dimensioned and suitable for construction. For many this is sufficient, and enables clients to obtain quotes from builders and continue with the build stage without an architect.   

However, the building regulations information may for some projects be insufficient as greater detail may be required, or your finishes specification may be open to ‘builder’ interpretation making it difficult to get like for like quotes. Our preference would always be to provide as much information as possible so decisions are made before a contract is agreed. You may also want an architect to tender the project, arrange the contract, and administer it until completion, but we quiet understand that some budgets do not allow for this level of service. If you require the services of an architect beyond building regulations approval then we can provide an estimate of anticipated hours, which will be determined once the complexity of the project, and likely finishes specification are known.













Complaints procedure

We aim to provide a professional standard of service, but if at any time you are not satisfied, please bring the issue to our attention as soon as possible and we can discuss how to resolve the issue. Please refer to our full complaints procedure found here. We hope that we will be able to settle the matter by negotiation or mediation.

Alternatively, either of us can start court proceedings to settle the dispute at any time, but nothing shall prevent either of us from referring any dispute to adjudication at any time under the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2011. Should we need help in choosing an adjudicator, the nominator shall be the RIBA.


Data Protection/ GDPR Privacy Policy

We will not without your prior consent disclose to any person any private or confidential information concerning you or the Project. Please refer to our full GDPR privacy notice found here.


Services
We offer a full architectural service from initial ideas, all the way through to administering the contract, and completion on site:

• Pre-purchase advice

• Feasibility studies

• Planning/ Certificate of lawful development/ Prior Approval submissions

• Building Regulation drawings and specifications

• Detailed drawings and specification/ schedules

• Tender documentation

• Contract Preparation

• Contract Administration


Whether it’s contemporary or traditional, a residential extension, new build, commercial development or community building, our projects come in a variety of scales and forms:


New build houses

• Land owners/ existing homeowners with large gardens who want to maximize development potential or build a new one off house to move into.

• Clients who have bought a plot with planning permission wanting to amend or progress with the next stage.



Extensions/ major refurbishments & outbuildings

• Young families moving into old housing stock that need adapting to modern, energy efficient living.

• Young professionals with aspirational lifestyle. Perhaps looking to work from home.

• Early retired preparing adaptable homes for themselves and visiting families


Development

• Small scale developments on greenfield or backland brownfield sites


Commercial

• Office to residential conversions, shop fronts


Community

• Church refurbishment/ space planning

• Community centres/ village halls


Consultancy

• Workflow can be very difficult to manage, we can provide short term assistance on specific projects for other practices.






Contact

If you are looking to renovate your home, embark on a new build, or planning to refurbish a commercial development or community building, then we are on hand to start the process, and would love to hear about your project. Please get in touch
T: 01932 783280
M: 07855 522478
E: andrew@hitchcockarchitects.co.uk