6 Steps To Realising Your Project

At Resilient Edge, we aim to take the stress out of building so you can focus on achieving what you really want from a project while using our services. Our expert team work with you throughout the entire process to ensure you are confident at every stage. For a brief overview of the typical stages a project will go through, we have broken the process down into 6 bitesize steps that will help you understand the work that goes on behind the scenes. If you want to find out more, simply call today to speak to one of our Architects.

Initial Consultation
To get any project started, the most important step is for us to meet with you in person and see the existing property or project site. This allows us to get to know you and the project and to begin a rapport that ensures we are in sync with your goals and requirements as we progress. Following the initial consultation we will prepare a project brief, defining the key criteria for the project.
We charge a small upfront fee for the initial consultation, but there is no need to appoint us for the whole project at this stage. We will present you with a fee proposal for the full project shortly after, based on the information gathered at the meeting, so that we can accurately assess the full scope of work required and you will have had a chance to get to know us before making a commitment.
Concept Design
Following our appointment, we begin to interpret the project brief into a series of simple design proposals and introduce you to the key opportunities and restrictions of each option. Each stage of this process enables you to make progressively more informed decisions as to how your project goals might be realised whilst developing an understanding of potential offsets, costs and risks.
As the concept is developed, the options will become increasingly refined toward a single optimal design. Once this optimal design has been identified, we are able to ‘freeze’ the major elements (size, shape and approximate layout), allowing us to proceed toward the Planning Permissions stage and to begin distributing key information to the relevant consulting and statutory parties.
Planning Permissions
Permitted Development rules allow some works to be carried out without making an application to the Local Authority, essentially allowing you to shortcut part of the process, however it is often advisable to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate which provides formal confirmation that a project completed under Permitted Development rights is compliant and therefore legal.
Most projects require the submission of a Full Planning Application consisting detailed information describing the proposal to the Local Authority for assessment, a process that typically takes three months. It is often possible to negotiate minor matters that the Local Authority deem non-compliant. Consent can be granted either unconditionally, or with conditions requiring further approval.
Building Regulations
Building Regulations are the nationally prescribed Statutory requirements to which all buildings must conform. As part of any construction project, it is necessary to gain approval from either a Local Authority Inspector or Licensed Approved Inspector for both the pre-construction drawings & information and the on-site construction work and to receive a Final Certificate from the Inspector.
The information produced for the Inspector is similar to that required by contractors for pricing, so these are developed simultaneously. It is preferable, though not compulsory, that the construction drawings are approved prior to work starting on site, but some aspects of the Building Regulations will be resolved during construction with the input of the relevant specialist sub-contractors.
Pricing & Contract
With the design and technical detail largely complete, we begin preparing a shortlist of suitable contractors to price for the work. These contractors are then invited to submit price proposals with detailed breakdowns of information, allowing precise assessment and comparison. The proposals are carefully reviewed and recommendations made for the appointment of suitable contenders.
Once the decision to appoint is made, we prepare two copies of the appropriate construction contract to be signed by you and the contractor and advise you on the rights and obligations inferred on both parties. Resilient Edge can be named as the Contract Administrator, an unbiased mediator who ensures the terms of the contract are carried out fairly by both parties.
Construction Begins
Once a builder is appointed, they will usually require a few weeks ‘mobilisation’ in which they will prepare to start the works on site on an agreed date. A ‘pre-commencement’ meeting is held on or before the first day of construction to review the programme and ensure all pre-construction requirements have been resolved and any upcoming actions are assigned to suitable parties.
Resilient Edge carry out regular site visits to review the work and deal with any on-site queries. We also administer the terms of the contract and ensure that work is proceeding as agreed. At the end of the construction programme, we certify the project as complete, resolve the final terms of the contract and ensure that you have everything you need to relax and enjoy your finished project.