At IFG Design we provide a bespoke service for clients who seek exceptional quality and attention to detail. The above diagram shows our simple stages of work and how the process develops throughout the project. Most of our clients appoint us for the full service, but we can also tailor our service to your requirements if you wish so. A first-time building project can be a challenging experience, but we are here to help.
Consultation
During our initial consultation we want to understand your property and collect a detailed brief from you, as well as assessing your budget and time-scale. We advise on what is feasible for your project from a design, planning and cost perspective and provide helpful information about the process. This usually takes between 1 - 2 hours and a small fee is applicable due to the thorough nature of the advice provided.
After the meeting, we will be able to provide a detailed quote for our services based on the output of the initial discussions.
After the meeting, we will be able to provide a detailed quote for our services based on the output of the initial discussions.
Site Survey
Once formally appointed, we will carry out a detailed measured survey of the full property or parts related to the project. For larger properties and new build sites we we will coordinate an external company to provide a measured survey for us to facilitate the process. We can then create detailed plans, elevations and sections from which we develop design options for the next stage.
If required, we sometimes recommend additional surveying services, as CCTV drainage surveys and arboricultural surveys.
If required, we sometimes recommend additional surveying services, as CCTV drainage surveys and arboricultural surveys.
Feasibility
The client's brief, site restrictions and relevant precedents form the concept for the scheme. This will guide our design process in order to develop multiple layout options for the project and use your feedback to produce a final proposal, which integrates the best aspects of the original designs based on the client's preferences. We can also develop a 3D model to help the design visualisation of the scheme if required.
Cost control and budget are important in all our work stages, so we recommend asking a builder or quantity surveyor for an initial cost estimate once a final design is agreed. This provides a guideline figure for your project costs to make sure the scheme lies within your budget.
Cost control and budget are important in all our work stages, so we recommend asking a builder or quantity surveyor for an initial cost estimate once a final design is agreed. This provides a guideline figure for your project costs to make sure the scheme lies within your budget.
Planning Submission
We will develop the agreed design for submission to the local planning department, along with all the required documents, and liaise with the case officer throughout the application process up to the decision date. Our design at this stage considers all elements of the external fabric such as cladding materials and style of glazing.
For more complex and larger projects we may recommend bringing in a planning consultant or heritage consultant to assist preparing your planning application. We do everything we can to increase the chance of success for the planning application, but we can't guarantee planning approval at the first attempt - occasionally a second application may be required to receive planning consent.
It can take up to 8 weeks to receive a response from the council for the submitted application, but we will always be proactive and engage with the case officer throughout the application.
For more complex and larger projects we may recommend bringing in a planning consultant or heritage consultant to assist preparing your planning application. We do everything we can to increase the chance of success for the planning application, but we can't guarantee planning approval at the first attempt - occasionally a second application may be required to receive planning consent.
It can take up to 8 weeks to receive a response from the council for the submitted application, but we will always be proactive and engage with the case officer throughout the application.
Detailed Design
We develop and co-ordinate the drawings into a detailed design pack and create a full specification to ensure the design is compliant with all the current Building Regulations and British Standards. We also consider all the elements of the construction process to mitigate the risk of problems arising on site, as the more decisions we finalise with our clients before works commence on site, the more straightforwardly the build is likely to progress.
We can also assemble the team of consultants needed to develop the design, as structural engineer, party wall surveyor, interior designer, landscape designer and AV & lighting consultant. We partner with trusted consultants and can make recommendations in most cases.
Once the full set of drawings is finalised, it can be issued to contractors for pricing and to Building Control for approval. We can make recommendations for contractors with whom we already have a strong professional working relationship, but we are always open to consider highly recommended builders you may know about from friends and family.
We can also assemble the team of consultants needed to develop the design, as structural engineer, party wall surveyor, interior designer, landscape designer and AV & lighting consultant. We partner with trusted consultants and can make recommendations in most cases.
Once the full set of drawings is finalised, it can be issued to contractors for pricing and to Building Control for approval. We can make recommendations for contractors with whom we already have a strong professional working relationship, but we are always open to consider highly recommended builders you may know about from friends and family.
Building Control Submission
Before the project can start on site, it requires a Building Control application to be submitted either to an approved inspector or local council.
We will correspond with the appointed Building Control officer during the approval process for any outstanding elements to obtain approval and ensure the project’s consent and compliance.
We will correspond with the appointed Building Control officer during the approval process for any outstanding elements to obtain approval and ensure the project’s consent and compliance.