The realities of building
What happens after Planning Permission?
Getting planning permision is an exciting milestone. You have approval for your design, but there is still an important stage ahead; turning the drawings into a home you can actually build.
This is where good preparation can make a real difference. Once planning permission has been granted, the next stage is usually to develop the design in much more detail. This can include construction drawings, specifications and information that your builder will need to accurately priceand construct the project. It can feel like there are suddenly lots of techincal decisions to make , but this is where your architect can help guide you though the process.
Choosing a builder
For many homeowners, choosing a builder can feel like one of the biggest decisions of the project. It doesn’t need to be daunting. Your architect can help you understand what to look for and prepare the information needed to obtain comparable quotations. Ideally, you want a builder with experience of similar projects who communicates well and has the approach you are looking for.
The cheapest quotation isnt neccessarily the best value. it is worth looking at what is included, whether there are any exclusions, the proposed programme and the builders experience, as well as the overall cost. Speaking to previous clients and looking at completed work can also give you a useful feel for how a builder works.
Why do drawings need so much detail?
A planning application is primarily about whether the proposal is acceptable in principle. Construction drawings take the project much further. They show how the building is intended to be constructed and help resolve details before work starts on site. This might include junctions between old and new parts of ther house, windows and doors insulation, roofs, stairs,kitchens, bathrooms and how different materials come together.
It might sound like a lot of detail , but good drawings can actually make the building process simpler. Decsiions are made earlier, expectations are clearer and there is less need to make important choices on site.
Making the process feel manageable.
A building project will always involve decisons and there will inevitably be things to resolve along the way. The aim isn’t to remove all of that: it’s to make sure you have the right information and support when decisions have to be made.