BUILDING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Under construction

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS

Q: I can sketch my drawings will that be good enough for the planning application?

A: It is a requirement of the planning application process to submit scale drawings of the proposed modification. Many people are perfectly happy to sketch out their ideas, but most do not have the facilities to draw these at the required scale. This is where we can help. We will visit your property to discuss your proposed development, taking site sketches, measurements and photographs to support the Application process.

A draft copy of the plans will be forwarded to you for your approval. Final copies can then be supplied in electronic and paper format. For planning applications in paper format, five copies of all documents are required (planning application form, scale drawings and OS map). Most of the local planning authorities in England & Wales will now accept drawings submitted electronically (providing the planning application drawings in this way save both time and costs). Once we have sent you a draft copy of your drawings we will make any required alterations and there will be a deposit payment which acts as a consultation fee and will be part of your final total which will only be invoiced when you are happy with our work and before submission to planning. Following submission of the planning application, should any minor alterations be required by the Planning Officer then these will be supplied electronically to planning at no extra cost. After approval is granted we will supply you with an Adobe (.pdf) copy of the approved drawings.

Q: How do I get started?

A: Here is a rough guide on how to obtain your scale planning application drawings:

1 – Phone or email us to discuss your proposal
2 – We will promptly send you a competitive quotation including a cost for the drawings and optional additional services
3 – Contact us to book in your works
4 – We will arrange a date and time convenient to meet at your property to discuss your proposal and for us to take all the required site information
5 – We will send you draft copies of the drawings within 1 – 2 weeks for you to approve
6 – We will make necessary changes to the drawings if you require
7 – Once you are happy with the drawings we will send you the invoice for the drawings and any additional services or items required
8 – Once payment is received we will send you final copies of the drawings in both pdf and paper format (on A1 paper)
9 – If required we can complete your planning application on your behalf

The entire service will be carried out at the cost agreed from our quotation. We will never add unexpected costs at the end of the works.

Q: Does your fees include council planning and building regulation fees?

A: The Planning fee and Building Regulation fees made payable to the Local Authority are in addition to our fees. We will confirm and advise you of the costs in writing prior to making the submissions. Planning is usually £150.00 (Certificate of Lawful Permitted Development £75.00) with Building Regulation fees between £150.00 – £225.00 based on an average sized extension or loft conversion.

Q: How long does it take to have a decision from the Local Authority for Planning & Building Regulations Applications?

A: Once your application has been accepted and validated by the Local Planning Authority, you should receive a formal decision within 8 weeks. Noel’s Design limited will chase the Local Authority on your behalf as your agent to ensure that the application runs smoothly.

However, we do not have any control over the approval process once the application has been submitted.

The process for obtaining Building Regulations approvals takes approximately five to six weeks. Noel’s Design limited can submit Building Regulation drawings approximately 2-4 weeks after planning has been submitted or once planning has been granted if you require more certainty on the outcome of the planning application.

Ideally you should allow a minimum of 2-3 months to obtain both sets of approvals from your local authority.