Vine House, 462 Station Road, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 8HB
Tel: 01564 773927 Fax: 01564 770534 Email: enquiries@crossandcraig.co.uk
Cross and Craig want to ensure that your finished building is exactly what you had envisaged, if not better.
We therefore believe that the architects role is not over when the drawings are completed, and wherever possible, we love to be involved in the build to ensure every detail and finish is perfect.
Therefore Cross and Craig will be personally committed to your project, no matter how big or small it might be, through the following stages:
We listen carefully to all your requirements, take measurements and photos of the property, and then using specialist knowledge, propose ideas to meet your needs in a creative way.
Our experienced architects and designers understand the planning policies in each district and your permitted development rights (the building work you can do without planning permission). This means we can give you the best advice to maximise your property or site.
Once you are completely happy with the design, we will prepare and submit the necessary Planning Application or Certificate of Lawfulness application for you. This requires plans and elevations of the existing property and the proposed building work, and often a written supporting statement (Design and Access Statement) explaining why the proposals are justified.
We will liaise with the planning officers (and bring in the services of arboricultural speciaists and planning consultants, where required) to give you the best chance of approval.
Planning applications normally take 8 weeks to be determined.
We then prepare detailed construction or 'working' drawings for submission to Building Control, ensuring that the design meets all the Building Regulations.
Where necessary, we can organise and co-ordinate the services of a structural engineer, party wall surveyor, energy consultant or acoustic consultant in order to gain approval.
Work can legally commence once the Building Regulations application has been registered.
Cross and Craig can also co-ordinate interior designers, landscape architects, bathroom suppliers and kitchen designers so that all the finishes work together and every aspect of the project can be priced up front.
In addition to the drawings, our team will prepare a written specification, listing every element of work that should be included in the price. We will then obtain at least three competitive quotes from reliable contractors.
Should it be necessary, we can then review the prices in detail and make specification adjustments to ensure we meet your budget.
Cross and Craig will be responsible for administering the contract between you and the builder, and will ensure that their payments are always reasonable for work that has been completed.
We will also be on hand to check that all work is carried out to the standards you expect, and any changes made are properly documented and costed.
Cross and Craig will remain on hand for six months after the building work has finished, to ensure that any flaws are put right before the contractors' final instalment is paid.