As a client, you want creative ideas and skilful design to maximise the potential of your project therefore you will need a qualified professional with the expertise in that particular area. We will help you determine exactly what you need and come up with inventive ideas to solve even the most complex design problems.

We have the expertise to guide you through the intricacies of obtaining all the necessary consents including Planning, Listed Building and Building Regulations Approvals. We provides a service that extends well beyond producing a set of drawings – we will handle the administration, bring value for money, peace of mind and imagination to your project whilst keeping it on track

An experienced architectural professional can design long distance. That said, it’s a good idea to walk and see the actual site since the design will be a custom design so often depends on the orientation and characteristics of the site. However a lot can be done using Google Map/Earth, photos and descriptions from clients brief.

This is very possible during design phase but not advisable for the construction phase. The architectural firm might need to send someone to site during construction phase for the duration of the project or they can partner with a local architect in that area to be more involved on site and issuing of construction drawings during the construction process.

Definitely, we are not limited to certain design styles our main objective is to answer our client’s brief therefore we can design any architectural style that the client wants. Clients are diverse in terms of religion, culture and ethnicity therefore we cater for all design styles.

Our office hours are 9am-5pm(CAT) on weekdays and closed on weekends. However we can take call up to 8pm on weekdays. If the project is under construction, we can take calls on weekends from client, consultants or contractor and even attend site or address any urgent issues that might need our attention.

A client will brief the architectural professional on the project and if the architectural professional can handle the project and both parties are willing to work together then the client appoints the architectural professional to provide a service for a project. The architectural professional accepts the appointment to exercise reasonable professional skill, care and diligence in the performance of obligations, for a fee, and defined in a written agreement. The architectural professional is authorised to act for the client and fulfils an architectural service using current standard contracts used in the building industry.

The architectural professional enters into a contract of agency in a formal agreement, typical agreements provide for a standard service and for partial services. The parties to an agreement can specify architectural professional’s service applicable to the project. Additional services may also be included as the parties may deem appropriate.

The duration of the design process depends on the complexity, detail, size and other various factors of the project however the client will be notified on the duration of the design process once the architectural professional has been briefed by the client.

Stage 1: Inception
Receive, appraise and report on the client’s requirements with regard to:
the client’s brief
the site and rights and constraints
budgetary constraints
the need for consultants
project programme
methods of contracting

Stage 2: Concept and viability (concept design)
Prepare an initial design and advise on:
the intended space provisions and planning relationships
proposed materials and intended building services
the technical and functional characteristics of the design
Check for conformity of the concept with the rights to the use of the land
Review the anticipated costs of the project
Review the project programme

Stage 3: Design development
Confirm the scope and complexity
Review the design and consult with local and statutory authorities
Develop the design, construction system, materials and components
Incorporate and co-ordinate all services and the work of consultants
Review the design, costing and programme with the consultants

Stage 4: Documentation and procurement

4.1 Prepare documentation sufficient for local authority submission:
co-ordinate technical documentation with the consultants and complete primary co-ordination
prepare specifications for the works
review the costing and programme with the consultants
obtain the client’s authority and submit documents for approval

4.2 Complete construction documentation and proceed to call for tenders:
obtain the client’s authority to prepare documents to procure offers for the execution of the works
obtain offers for the execution of the works
evaluate offers and recommend on the award of the building contract
prepare the contract documentation (and arrange the signing of the building contract)

Stage 5: Construction
Administer the Building Contract
Give possession of the site to the contractor
Issue construction documentation
Initiate and/or check sub-contract design and documentation as appropriate
Inspect the works for conformity to the contract documentation
Administer and perform the duties and obligations assigned to the principal agent in the building agreements, or fulfil the obligations provided for in other forms of contract
Issue the certificate of practical completion
Assist the client to obtain the occupation certificate

Stage 6: Close out
Facilitate the project close-out including the preparation of the necessary documentation to effect completion, handover and operation of the project
After the contractor’s obligations with respect to the building contract are fulfilled, the architectural professional shall issue the certificates related to contract completion
Provide the client with as-built drawings and relevant technical and contractual undertakings by the contractor and sub-contractors

This also depend on the nature of the project but mostly will need, Town planner, land surveyor, quantity surveyor, structural engineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, fire engineer, mechanical engineer and Project manager.

Depending on the nature of the project, these site visits vary in number and frequency. But the most occurring ones are the ones listed below

-Commencement.
-Excavation, (before excavations are filled).
-Foundations (before they are covered up).
-Laying of damp proof courses.
-Installation of new drains (before covering up).
-Construction of the primary structure.
-Installation of insulation.
-Roof construction.
-Completion.

It depends with the nature of the project and local authority that we submit the plans to. For residential it can take 6-8 weeks on average.

Yes as long as you provide us with your personal documents that are required and pay for the council submission fees.

If you’ve chosen to build without having the plans approved, a building inspector is entitled to enter your property and order construction to stop immediately. He could even obtain a court order for the structure to be demolished, at your expense, and you would be liable for legal costs as well.

Project ‘cost based fees’
Percentage fees are appropriate where there is a well defined ‘Scope of Service’ for the architectural professional. This is based on a budget for the works for fee calculation purposes, and adjusted on the ‘Final Cost of the Works’.
Where fees are calculated as a ‘project cost based fee’, the fees consist of a ‘base fee’ and a percentage of project cost.

Time based fees
Where the ‘Scope of Service’ is not clearly defined, or the service relates to small scale projects, or the service is of an unusual or specialized nature, a Time Based Fee’ is used as the basis of remuneration. Where fees for architectural professional services are time based fees, these are based on an hourly rate according to the ‘Professional Fees Guideline’ for rates published annually, in accordance with the Board Notice.

The cost depends on project type, complexity, area and value of works as per clients brief

A client can directly appoint a principal contractor if the client is sure that the
contractor is competent for the job.
A principal agent can also recommend to client or directly appoint a competent principal contractor to client.
A principal contractor can also be appointed through a tender process.