How does the process work?
The process of delivering your dream home is split into 6 phases. These defined phases of the project enable us to deliver your dream home in the most cost-efficient, stress free way.
Phase A: Feasibility Study
The Phase A Feasibility Study and basic architectural design for your project. This will enable us to price your project, with optional colour 3d modelling.
Phase B: Planning & Approvals
Gaining the relevant Planning Application and/or Permitted Development approvals.
Phase C: Building Contract
Building contract including carrying out all building regulations work, Thames Water etc
Phase D: The Build
We would then build your project for you, using our own construction team and craftspeople.
Phase E: Interiors
All interior fitting-out, including kitchens and bathrooms. We offer bespoke Interior Design packages.
Phase F: Exteriors
External works including outbuildings, garden works, patios, terraces and parking spaces/driveways.
The Process FAQs
Where are you based and where do you work?
Our headquarters and design studio are in St Albans, and we generally work in St Albans, Harpenden, Redbourn and the close outlying areas.
It's great to work with local people - do you do renovations, such as rewiring, replumbing, plastering and decorating?
Yes, we do, but as part of a larger building contract where an extension is also being built by us. We're also keen to use local suppliers to support the local economy and reduce carbon footprint.
Do you do architectural design and planning applications, as it seems like a complex set of processes?
Yes, absolutely, and the earlier we can become involved in your project the better.
We have a very high first-time pass rate for planning applications, as we understand the processes and criteria implicitly. As a bonus, we also have access to Planning Consultants, for back-up.
Does that mean we wouldn't need a third-party architect or structural engineer?
Yes, we take all of that stress and complication away from you, to make things as smooth as possible at the design, specification and permissions stages.
That sounds really user-friendly - do we pay a premium for that level of service?
No, in the long-run it evens itself out as you have much greater clarity of all costs, whether they are related to paperwork or the build itself much earlier on in the process.
Do you price and build to other people's design work?
We are constantly being sent third-party architectural design work, of a very, very mixed quality. It's also often incomplete or incorrect, or both. Therefore we only selectively price third-party designs. We levy a very modest fee to do this, and credit it back more than double if the clients proceed with us for their build.
That all makes sense. What's the typical size and value of your projects?
An entry-level project for us would be a large single-storey extension or substantial loft conversion. We have a minimum project value starting at £120k + VAT for the build only, and projects are regularly running to the £350k to £450k + VAT region.
That seems a lot - what are people typically getting for that?
Within that are significant construction items, such as two-storey extensions and lofts, bathrooms fitted out, kitchens designed, supplied and installed and garden works including patios, terraces and driveways etc.
Oh I see - so you actually tackle almost anything around the home and garden?
Yes, absolutely - we're structured to offer a complete service. Our clients want to use their gardens more for entertaining, and to have outbuildings as studios, gyms, relaxation spaces and home cinemas, and we can tackle all of these.
Is there a long wait for your services?
We design and build throughout the year, and general lead-time from us being engaged to do design work to starting on-site is around six months.
That all sounds really well structured. Are you well organised?
Yes, we handle a great deal of communication electronically, and we also project manage the projects ourselves. The weekly site meetings are incredibly useful for keeping everything on-time and on-budget.
Are you lovely?
Yes, our clients often say that they miss us once we've left the site after project completion.