Call us:
Ashford: 01233 502557
Canterbury: 01227 200911
Tenterden: 01580 230500
Hastings: 01424 439648
Tunbridge Wells: 01892 570750
London: 02036 572669
ARCHITECTURAL
We help you traverse the ever increasing bureaucracy within the planning structure and can assist in the production of environmental impact assessments, access statements and appropriate material selection before even considering the labyrinth of regulations that must be complied with under Building Regulation statutes.
With most building projects today there is a need for professionally prepared drawings together with a specification of works. This latter to enable competitive prices to be obtained from competent contractors which in turn enables the Surveyor to administer the contract dealing with any issues that may arise through the project and to provide a cost control mechanism between client and contractor.
We are happy to provide a full package covering all areas of the building project and, where necessary, bring in further consultants to assist in the smooth progression from inception through to completion.
We shall be happy to discuss your building project at an early stage and provide you with a quotation for support and assistance.
New Builds
Harding Bond Property Consultants can bring a wealth of experience to the design and construction of your new building; be it a stylish bespoke home carefully tailored to your needs or commercial development aimed squarely at maximising your investment return. Whether contemporary or traditional our designs will deliver functionality and visual impact in harmony with their environment. We will always, however, keep your budgetary requirements in mind and, as far as is possible, limit your exposure to the risk of cost and time overruns and failure of the contractor to perform to your satisfaction.
Extensions and Alterations
As your family or your business grows you may wish to alter or extend your existing property rather than move. Whether this is a simple sun-room, a loft conversion or a complete wing we would be happy to advise on, design and procure your new project to satisfy your requirements within your budget.
Alternatively, you may wish to refurbish your home to provide the standards, style and comfort you would expect from a modern building.
Drawings and Specification
As part of the overall design package we can offer you our in-house design skills to create high quality working drawings to help you fully appreciate our proposals from the 'outline' sketch levels through to the highly detailed drawings required for planning and tender.
We would then develop our final design to full, detailed specification in order to proceed to invite tenders from known and appropriate contractors.
Planning Advice
Our extensive knowledge of the planning system and pre-application consultations with local planning officers can ease your passage through the often daunting national planning rules and regulations. We are able to offer sound advice on all planning matters, including the likelihood of success in obtaining consent for your particular project. Then we can develop the project into a full application, complete with all the necessary supporting documentation and reports required.
Listed Buildings
If you own or manage a Listed Building you will probably be acutely aware of the requirement to obtain consent for most alterations and a great many repairs to your building. Because your building is listed it does not necessarily mean that you cannot make changes but any alterations should be sensitive to its historic character. We can offer an in depth service to research, design and prepare the applications. You should bear in mind that to undertake alterations without Listed Building Consent is a criminal offence for which you can be prosecuted.
At Harding Bond Property Consultants we have considerable skills and experience in surveying, extending and specifying repairs to Listed Buildings, which we would be glad to apply to your project.
Scheduled Monuments
If you are responsible for a scheduled monument we can advise you on any consents required for conservation or alteration works.
Building Regulations
Building Regulation approval is a requirement for all but the smallest of building projects and you will also need to demonstrate compliance with the ever more complex and changing requirements of the Building Regulations. We take these requirements into account at design stage in order to minimise complications and potentially wasted professional time later in your project.
Contract Administration
When you have gained all the approvals necessary for your project to proceed, you will still need to find a competent and appropriate builder to provide the finished product.
We provide full Contract Administration services whereby we invite formal, fixed price tenders from known builders who are vetted and approved by us in advance. We would then place the contract on your behalf and administer it through to completion.
Building Cost Advice
With any building project the fear of uncontrolled cost overruns is always a concern. We provide financial guidance and strict control from feasibility right through to completion of the scheme.
Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM)
In a number of commercial and domestic building and maintenance projects you will be required by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) to manage Health and Safety aspects of the design, construction and use of the building.
The principal designer classed as the designer to is first commissioned by the employer to design the scheme as such the duty should be passed to another consultant and it is their responsibility to ensure the project is designed and executed in a safe manner and to minimise further risks once complete and being maintained.