①

Consultation

Firstly we would need to identify your aspirations and objectives for your building or site, and from there develop an initial project brief. We can advise on Statutory Requirements and Planning Policies prior to our engagement, and also on what other professional consultants may be required for the project. Generally we would provide this service via an informal meeting at our office as an initial free/no obligation consultation. Following our formal engagement, we would undertake a feasibility study to test those aims against the multitude of constraints that will affect your building project.

②

Planning

Developing the feasibility study further, we help clients to devise a strategy for gaining planning consent for their project. This involves using our extensive knowledge of Planning Policies to inform development design, site layout and other design features that can help overcome potential areas of concern from Planning Officers, Councillors and members of the local community. At the Planning stage, O’Connor Burke Architecture will prepare concept drawings that not only fulfil the client’s brief, but address the constraints identified under the feasibility study. Our planning team provide essential planning advice and strategy for all aspects of the planning system. Whether you are looking to find sites for new development, require appraisals on potential new land, extend your property or looking to protect your own interests, we can provide effective, expert advice from the outset.

③

Building Control

Upon grant of Planning Permission, our practice will develop the conceptual planning drawings into construction working drawings. These drawings, together with other design documents shall include itemised notes and specifications on how your building is to be constructed. Materials and details will be identified to ensure compliance with all relevant Building Regulations and any other statutory requirements. Therefore, Building Regulations drawings are generally more detailed than the drawings and design information required for planning approval. These documents are then used by the building contractors to price the project and serve as an agreement to the extent of the works.

④

Tendering and Contract Adminstration

The ‘tender’ exercise is an invitation for proven contractors to consider your project within a competitive framework, where they have all the information they require for returning a tender offer for the construction of your project. The competitive nature of the tender process is designed to get the best value for money our clients. Following the appointment of a contractor and during the construction stage of the project, we will be responsible for checking that the construction conforms to the Planning Permission and Building Regulations and all stages are properly completed to a satisfactory standard of workmanship. This will involve periodic site visits to monitor progress, whilst issuing Interim Certificates at the appropriate stages. A Final Completion Certificate will only be issued when we are fully satisfied that there has been full compliance with the building contract.