Process
Introduction
Ziggurat has been in operation for over 20 years. We have developed systems, procedures and a culture within the practice that achieves quality projects and satisfied clients. In this document we have set out our basic guidance for clients so that our working methods can be understood from the outset. These procedures, together with our experience, ensures that the process of building a dream home is as rewarding for clients as possible.
The Brief
We meet with prospective clients to discuss requirements and a obtain general brief after which a fee proposal is provided for perusal. Once appointed we clarify the brief in more detail, listening to the clients’ requirements and expectations.
The Process
Appointment of Consultants
In order for a project to proceed smoothly, sometimes the appropriate consultants need to be appointed. This could be a Planning Consultant, to deal with the more controversial applications, an Ecologist, to provide a Bio-Diversity Action Plan as part of an application, a CDM Co-ordinator to act on the clients behalf to ensure compliance with relevant Health And Safety legislation, or a Structural Engineer, who would be appointed at the early stages of the sketch design.
Appointment of Suppliers
We can source materials or fittings to suit your taste and budget, and nominate them for inclusion within the final contract. These could be Kitchen Suppliers/Installers, Bathroom Suppliers, Hi-Fi/Audio Visual Suppliers/Installers, Flooring specialists/Installers, Joiners, Lighting suppliers etc etc.
Planning Applications
We will advise you on whether a planning application is required and guide the process. We have submitted many successful planning applications and will use our experience to your benefit.
Building Regulations.
We will prepare the necessary detailed drawings for submission to Building Control. The complete submission may need to include Structural engineers designs for supporting steelwork or timber beams.
The Tender Process
Typically we advocate that projects are tendered. We encourage clients to only use contractors who can demonstrate the highest level of quality, familiarity with the type of project proposed and who have exemplary references. You may of course have a friendly builder in mind and we can work with them to obtain an accurate price based on detailed information.
The Build Phase.
We will make reqular and frequent visits to site, some scheduled, some ad-hoc, to make sure that quality is being maintained throughtout the build, also to attend meetings so that clients, architects and builders all have a chance to discuss the project face to face and iron out any minor problems before they are allowed to develope. We will keep you, the Client, informed at all times of any problems and the cost implications of them, and how we can design them out of the project.
Contract Administration
We administer the contract between the client and contractor. We verify how much the contractor should be paid each month, and ensure that they are carrying out the project as designed.At the end of the project, we check through the contractors final account and recommend the final payment is made or discussed further.