How Our Design & Planning Service Works
We've refined our workflow over 29 years to deliver exceptional results with complete transparency. From your initial enquiry to obtaining planning consent, here's exactly what to expect when working with us.
Seven Steps from Initial Visit to Building Work
Step 1: Free Property Assessment
Free home Assessment within 45 minutes of Taunton. During our no-obligation site visit, we assess your property's potential and discuss how your space needs to function both now and in years to come. We'll identify the most cost-effective approach - whether that's a loft conversion, extension or internal reconfiguration and explain planning constraints or opportunities specific to your location. Following this meeting, you'll receive a detailed written quotation outlining our fees with complete transparency. No hidden costs, no surprises.
Step 2: Neighbour Consultation Guidance
Before formal design work begins, we advise speaking informally with adjacent property owners about your intentions. Early dialogue often prevents objections later and helps shape proposals that respect neighbouring amenity. We can guide you on what to share and when.
Step 3: Exploring Layout Options
Rather than presenting a single solution, when appropriate and possible we develop several spatial configurations for your review and input. This comparative approach ensures you select the arrangement that best suits your living space needs, budget and return on investment. You'll see options for room positioning, circulation flow and glazing placement before committing.
Step 4: 3D Virtual Walkthroughs
Every project includes a real-time 3D model accessible via your computer, tablet or smartphone. Navigate through your proposed extension or conversion as if walking through the completed space, testing sight-lines and spatial relationships. Exterior visualisations are provided as standard and for an additional fee, we can produce further photorealistic renderings showing materials, lighting and landscaping - particularly valuable for complex projects or listed building applications where visual clarity strengthens your case.
Step 5: Planning Application Drawings
We prepare comprehensive information and documentation meeting Local Planning Authority requirements: scaled floor plans, elevations, site location plans and supporting 3D views. Our drawings communicate design intent clearly to planning officers whilst providing builders with sufficient detail for preliminary estimates.
Step 6: Local Authority Submission and Liaison
We handle all correspondence with Somerset, Devon or Dorset planning departments on your behalf. This includes pre-application advice requests, formal planning applications, Lawful Development Certificates and Listed Building Consent where applicable.
Our team prepares necessary supporting documents: design & Access Statements, heritage statements and responds to any planner queries, keeping you informed at each stage. Typical approval timescales run 8-12 weeks for householder applications depending on scale, complexity and Local Authority work loads.
Step 7: Detailed Construction Drawings & Specification
Once planning permission is secured, we produce detailed construction drawing and information packages including U-value calculations, drainage layouts and specification schedules. This documentation ensures your build project is energy efficient, meets or even exceeds Building Regulations whilst giving contractors the information needed for accurate, comparable pricing.
These drawings clarify expectations around insulation standards, ventilation, membranes and finish - preventing costly variations during the build phase.
Ready to start your project?
Contact us to arrange your free assessment and receive a transparent fee proposal tailored to your requirements.
