The first Consultation is free.

First Consultation
Professional Fees
Site Investigation 
Sketch Design Stage
Planning Permission Stage 
Tender Stage 
Tender Action Stage
Construction Stage
Certification

FIRST CONSULTATION 

The purpose of the first consultation is to establish the general potential of a project to meet a Client’s needs and get a sense of how well Architect and Client might work together.

Projects arise from changes of family circumstances, additional new family members arriving , older family members coming to live or simply a requirement for their living environment to be a better for an evolving lifestyle.

In the case of commercially driven projects, maximum use of space potential and highly efficient zoning of the site or building is a prerequisite.

My own interpretation of the word Architectural Design is – ‘the elegant solving of practical design problems for the benefit of the Client’

WHAT IS GENERALLY DISCUSSED

• The Brief – list of rough spatial , functional and area requirements
• Usability and how Client lives / works – lifestyle/ workstyle.
• The Site – Existing or New
• The Planning Context – planning requirements and issues in area
• The Process – From Concept to Completion, professionals involved, procurement options .
• The Budget- Rough estimate of how much is to be spent
• The Timeframe for project –
• The General Potential of site/ building to meet new requirements.
• Professional Fees – General outline of fees , Statutory charges etc involved.
• Previous Work – Issues arising and what works, doesn’t.

The more specific the Client is about their needs, available plans if in existence , the more benefit they will get receive out of the  First Consultation.

KEY INFORMATION REQUIRED OF CLIENT 

• Location
• Size of Site / building.
• Brief
• Budget
• Timescale

OUTCOME FOR CLIENT 

• Better understanding of project’s potential to meet their needs
• How in the case of existing buildings , additional works might be required.
• Issues – Planning, Other to be overcome
• Better understanding of the Process and Costs