Getting the second set right is where cost certainty comes from, because a builder pricing a complete package is not pricing guesswork.
Survey and concept
A measured survey of what exists comes first — no design is reliable on assumed dimensions. Then concept options against your brief and budget, tested for buildability before anyone falls in love with one.
This is the cheapest stage at which to change your mind, and the most valuable place to spend time.
Planning and technical packages
Planning drawings cover layout, elevations and materials at the level the authority needs. The technical package that follows adds construction detail, insulation build-ups, junctions, structural coordination and the specification.
Building control and your builder both work from the technical package, and gaps in it become variations later.
Why we do both
Because we build, our drawings are produced with the construction sequence in mind, which reduces the re-detailing that often follows when a design lands with a contractor for the first time at tender.
It also means one point of responsibility rather than a design-versus-build argument when something does not line up.
Common questions
Do I need an architect?
For complex or highly bespoke schemes, an architect adds a great deal. For typical extensions and conversions, an integrated design-and-build service is usually faster and simpler.
What is the difference between planning and technical drawings?
Planning drawings show what the building will look like and how it sits on the site. Technical drawings show how it is constructed and are what building control and the builder work from.
Can I use your drawings with another builder?
Yes. The technical package is a complete set that any competent contractor can price and build from.
How long does the design stage take?
It varies with complexity and how quickly decisions are made, but it typically runs alongside the approvals rather than after them.