Our Process
Our aim is to simplify the building process into clear & logical stages
with you fully engaged throughout the process in creating your new home.
Our process starts with a conversation with you.
This is a free consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.
During this call, we’ll listen to your ideas & give you our professional opinion
We’ll also outline the basic process to deliver your project.
After the call, you’ll receive a tailored roadmap to deliver your project
alongside our fee proposal for the services we can offer to suit your needs.
Our Services
We offer the full range of architectural & interior design services.
Depending on your needs, we can be with you every step of the way from conception to handover, or just a strategic aspect of the process.
We define the full spectrum of our work in the following 5 RIBA work stages.
(Hover over the icons for more info)
Stage 1
Briefing & Preparation
This is often the most crucial stage to ensure the project gets off on the best possible footing whilst minimising the risks of any unplanned surprises. Our typical fee for this stage starts from £800.
We’ll visit the site to assess its potentials & constraints, and advise you on the design & refurbishment options.
A professionally measured survey provides a set of accurate information for the project team to work from which will reduce errors during construction phase.
The Project Brief will start to crystallise when you gain a better understanding of the opportunities & constraints presented by the project with our advice.
By the end this stage, there will be a range of sketch layout options to help you visualise & decide on the best way forward.
We’ll take your initial brief & develop this to ensure that the requirements are achievable & affordable.
We’ll start by engaging with you to rediscover your dreams & what you aspire to achieve with the project.
Your Needs/
Aspirations
Budget
Site Analysis
Measured
3D Survey
Project Brief
Sketch
Options
Stage 2
Concept/ Initial Design
This is when we’ll test the sketch ideas with high level of accuracy based on the Measured Survey developed in Stage 1. Our typical fee for this stage starts from £1,300.
We’ll advise you on the various planning application types & routes to ensure you have the best chance in securing the necessary consents for your aspirations. We have 100% planning success rate based on our experience & robust approach to planning which entails in-depth research on policies, precedents & local context alongside stakeholders’ engagement.
Depending on the complexity of the project, we’ll advise on the need for other consultants. Typically you’ll need a chartered Structural Engineer & Party Wall Surveyor which we’ll source competitive quotes from our network of professionals.
The Concept Design comprises of scaled plans & elevations as developed from your preferred layout option produced in Stage 1.
We use 3D computer modelling as an integral part of our design process which we share with our clients to help them visualise the Concept Design.
We’ll develop a project budget guidance sheet to help you understand the breakdown of the overall project cost.
We’ll provide you with mood boards on relevant materials & finishes for the project to help you visualise your new home. With your input, we’ll steer the development of the design towards the next stage.
Mood Boards
Budget
Planning Advice
Other
Specialists
Concept Design
3D
Visuals
Stage 3
Developed Design/ Planning
This is when we start to apply external materials & finishes to the Concept Design, and interrogate the buildability of the proposal with demolition drawings & sectional studies. This stage will culminate with a package of drawings & reports for submission to the Local Planning Authority. Our typical fee for this stage starts from £1,500.
Successful planning outcomes rely on more than just legible drawings. There are often requirements for other reports such as Design Access Statement, Heritage Statement, Fire Statement & Flood Risk Assessment which we’ll produce to support the application.
We’ll also complete all the necessary forms required for planning & submit the application on your behalf.
An important part of the planning process is to maintain good communications with the planning officer during their planning determination period which takes around 8 weeks. During this time, we will engage with the officer at appropriate times to ensure the determination period does not extend unnecessarily whilst offering a channel for them to request for minor amendments to the scheme if need be to make the proposal acceptable.
Engaging with your neighbours goes a long way in the life cycle of the project from planning to party wall to construction. Gaining their support is often crucial in planning terms, and we’ll guide you in discussing the design proposals with your neighbours.
We’ll develop a set of existing and proposed floor plans, sections & elevations formatted specifically for planning purposes to ensure a smoother planning process.
Proposed Drawings
Neighbour Consultation
Planning
Reports
Submit Application
Monitor
Application
Stage 4
Technical/ Interior Design
Whilst the planning application is being determined, we will start to discuss with you the internal materials & finishes of your new home in preparation for the construction detailing of the project. A Structural Engineer will usually be involved at this stage to provide the structural calculations & design to the scheme. Design coordination will be key during this stage to ensure that both the architectural & structural elements work in perfect harmony. Our typical fee for this stage starts from £3,600.
The coordinated proposal will also include architectural construction details for the walls, floors, roofs, waterproofing, windows, doors, thermal insulation, fire protection & sound proofing. We will also develop the schematic proposals for heating, drainage & electrical layouts to reveal any potential issues which will help minimise risks during construction & enable accurate costing. If requested, we can also develop the finer interior design details for wardrobes/ built-in joinery, kitchen units, appliances integration, bathrooms, sanitaryware selections, tiling/ flooring pattens, wall/ ceiling paneling, any specialist finishes or colour scheme coordination.
A full written Schedule of Works will also be developed for accurate costing during tender & scope change management during construction.
Technical specifications will also be developed alongside the proposed details to ensure that the level of expectations for the proposals is adequately communicated to the building contractors.
We’ll liaise with Building Control prior to construction with the full plans to ensure that the proposals are fully compliant with Building Regulations. This will minimise any potential issues with their inspection of the building works during construction.
Depending on the project, there may be other statutory consents required such as Freeholder’s License to Alter, Party Wall Agreements & Thames Water Build Over Agreement which we’ll also manage on your behalf.
As chartered architects, we’ll be the lead designer of the team which will typically comprise of the Party Wall Surveyor, Structural Engineer & Building Control Inspector. Depending on the project nature, the team can extend to include Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Landscape Architect, AV Consultant & Lighting Specialist. As the lead designer, we’ll coordinate & integrate the team’s inputs & requirements seamlessly into the overall proposal.
The mood boards provided in Stage 2 will be developed with greater focus on internal materials & finishes to help you decide on the look and feel of your new home.
Mood Boards
Design Coordination
Proposed Details
Scope of
Works
Proposed
Specifications
Building Control
Other Consents
Stage 5
Construction/ Handover
This is when we turn the beautiful spaces that we created with you into a finished product through precise management & effective oversight of the building works. Our typical fee for this stage starts from £4,000.
We’ll administer the Building Contract, provide Health & Safety advice, monitor progress to ensure that the work is carried out in line with our drawings & specifications, and undertake monthly valuations for the works completed on site.
We’ll attend site at regular intervals to monitor the quality & progress of the works, resolve any construction issues that may arise, provide instructions on your behalf where necessary whilst keeping you updated/involved at your most convenient time.
We’ll make a final inspection of the completed works with you to identify any snagging that needs addressing, and make sure they are done to satisfaction. We’ll gather all the necessary paperwork & certificates for compliance with Building Control before releasing the Final Certificate. We’ll normally include a 6/12 months Defects Liability Period within the Building Contract to allow any seasonal defects that may appear and to be rectified before releasing the Contractor’s final payment. During this period, we’ll be available to assist you with any queries or requests you might have.
We’ll review the tender quotes, negotiate with the contractors & make adjustments to the proposals if necessary to meet the budget. If requested, we can also arrange for the Building Contract to be drawn up, administer the contract, manage the project, keep track of cost, and certify payments to the contractor whilst providing Health and Safety advice to ensure your project comply with the latest Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.
Over the years, we have built up a network of high quality building contractors & tradesmen. We’ll recommend 3-4 contractors best suited for your project to provide you with a comprehensive & competitive quote for the building works.
Recommend Contractors
Review Quotes
Project
Management
Site Inspections
Handover
Testimonials
I initially approached Patrick for a flat renovation in London with zero plan and idea in mind. Not only was he able to find the right people for the job, he was able to fully understand what I was looking for. The job ended up being more complicated, due to no one’s fault, than expected but Patrick was always there to help and guide me at every step, with answers and next steps already prepared. His advice is impeccable and provides a highly personalised approach. His design advice, in particular, is splendid. I can say I have never met a better person for interior redesign or property re-development.
It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Plopdesigns. Patrick is a wonderful person who is very professional and has good working ethics. Patrick delived on time and was very reliable and easy to work with. The whole process of planning application was simplified and well managed. Would not hesitate to use again, highly recommended.
Recently, I engaged Patrick from Plop Designs to help me design & submit my application in Singapore to the HDB (government authority) to convert the existing retail space to a Cafe use. Patrick is a very responsible & reliable designer. Though he is based in London and my Cafe is in Singapore, I have no issues & problem liaising with him with regards to the design of the cafe, the detailing of all the interiors/fittings, the submission process & the correspondences between the authority. Everything was taken care off promptly & swiftly. Lastly, I am very satisfied with his design and the end product that is delivered up to my expectation! I would definitely engage his service again in future.
I hired Plop design for renovating my flat which involved getting various permissions from Westminster Council.
The director, Patrick is amazing. He got all the alteration permissions + Planning permission from the council (freeholder).
Some of these permissions were said to nearly impossible to get on the internet but he with his thoughful plan he managed to get it all from the council.
I am super happy with all the other services we got as well such as overseeing the constrcution process as well as advices regarding electrical work, ventilation, etc.
He is quick in responding and such a courteous person. Honesly, I cannot recommend him enough.
Excellent services from Patrick and co. Extremely conscientious and very personalised service. Ever so polite and patient - he always give measured and well-thought out range of solutions to any of my build issues. Before I went with Pat, there were many architects offering their services (some at lower rates), but Pat very patiently went over what sets his services apart. And boy, am I glad I went with Plop Designs! It's been an absolute pleasure to work with them. It's never easy dealing with contractors and you never quite know whether they are telling you the whole truth - but with Pat, you can be sure he's telling you the best and the most cost effective solution. He dealt directly with my builders and more importantly, made sure every step of the build was done properly. Even now, although my project has ended, whenever I have questions about my property/build, I still reach out for advice and Pat very kindly and generously offers his takes on things! Thanks ever so much, Pat! Definitely the best architectural firm around - and I recommend Plop Designs to anyone looking. Save yourself the headaches that come with building work, and go for a trustworthy, reliable firm that is Plop Designs - you won't regret it!
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