Stand-alone Designs

Stand-alone designs may be created for virtually any type of construction. This includes renovations, extensions, conversions, and even complete home builds. Their incredible versatility makes them invaluable to property owners who crave a specific style or design that they want to bring to reality.

Stand-alone designs tend to be much more inclusive and detailed when compared to regular design packages.

This means that stand-alone design packages not only include the design concepts, technical drawings, and finalised structural specifications, but also the documentation and approvals required by the council, as well as the legal contracts and method statements necessary to kick off the actual build.

Stand-alone designs generally take up between 8 to 20% of the total cost of a construction project. This translates to approximately £3,500 to £18,500 depending on the size and complexity of the build.

Due to the comprehensive nature of stand-alone design packages, the cost is determined by many factors such as:

• The size/ complexity of the build
• The requirement for planning permission, party wall agreements, and other building approvals
• The technical and structural work involved

A stand-alone design can take between 6 to 16 weeks for completion. This is because stand-alone designs involve many crucial aspects of the construction project including:

• Initial survey of the property
• Detailed designs
• Planning applications and coordination with the local council
• Technical and structural calculations and specifications
• Requisite legal contracts and pre-build meetings

It is always best to finalise all the details, big and small, before construction commences. Changes to the plan can result in additional expenses, delays, and may even change the need and conditions of planning permission and building regulations approval.

If mandatory changes need to be made, it is best to consult the experts. They can advise you on the feasibility of the changes and how they may be incorporated into the original design.

Unequivocally yes.

As tempting as it is to DIY the design phase of a construction project, decisions made at this stage impact every part of the project. Therefore, having the expertise and experience of an architect can help you to avoid the many common mistakes made during the build. An architect can also help you optimise specific designs and details, while maximising the potential of the project.

Hiring an architect or design director also allows you to create the best possible design for your property by considering the area available, soil components, environmental factors, building materials, utility connections, and building guidelines.

Best of all? Due to their expert diligence and utmost attention to detail, each aspect of your vision can be carefully drawn, calculated, tweaked, and replicated in order to truly bring your dream build to life.