The process

When developing your home there are several steps you need to take to make sure it is legal and safe. With Justin’s 25 year experience in this industry, he will provide the expertise and reassurance you need at every step – below offers a quick guide.

Free initial consultation

Justin will visit you in person to chat about your project and go through how your aspirations will be achieved. He’ll go through the right approach so you can achieve what you want and to make sure the planning and building regulations requirements are met.

Whether your plan is to extend, renovate, make structural changes or develop, he can offer you a wealth of knowledge ensuring your dreams become a reality.

Conversations will take place around:

  • the best internal layout

  • exterior look of the build

  • any impacts on neighbours

  • what will fit in with planning and statutory guidelines

  • an indication of likely build cost based on similar recently completed projects

  • next steps of the process.

Justin with 2 clients talking

JB Architect Services will carry out a laser measured survey of the space and during the same visit he can offer further advice and refine any aspects.  The detailed inspection informs the structural and aesthetic features of the property as well as how the new space will work. From an early stage the relevant statutory and legal aspects will be identified such as Arboricultural, Ecological, Party Wall Act and once identified JBAS will advise on a clear process for handling those requirements.

Measured Building Survey

Design

CAD drawing of extension with measurements
Architect drawings of new build house in 2D - different angles of houses in 2 rows.
3D architect drawing of new house. 2 buildings with drive, tress and bushes around them.

The survey will help develop the initial design of the project. In the first instance Justin will produce CAD floor plans showing the new space and once the plans have been checked and agreed Justin will produce elevations showing how the design will look from the outside. This is an important step for the project where you can provide additional feedback, with further analysis and discussions taking place before the final design is agreed with you. If the client wishes for the design to be seen in 3D then this be can arrange with a tried and tested firm to create photorealistic 3D visualisations

Justin Belgeonne, Chartered Architect looking off camers

Some projects fall under Permitted development and others need Planning Permission before the build commences. Justin will advise on the approach and manage the application on your behalf. This might include appointing other consultants on your behalf such as arboriculturists and ecologists.

Justin will advise on any amendments during the application period and with good consultation with the planning officer these can usually be done without recourse to the overall 8 week planning period.

Planning approval

Some projects fall under Permitted development and others need Planning Permission before the build commences. Justin will advise on the approach and manage the application on your behalf. This might include appointing other consultants on your behalf such as arboriculturists and ecologists.

Justin will advise on any amendments during the application period and with good consultation with the planning officer these can usually be done without recourse to the overall 8 week planning period.

Building regulations

Detailed technical design

This is where a project might fall into a technical category. It is a benefit to amplify the information from the building regulations stage to further clarify what is expected from the builder and enable the client to get what they want from the build. This takes shape in the form of detailed technical construction drawings and written schedules and specifications. 

The large image on the right is an example of a technical drawing and the smaller image is the real-life example.

technical drawing of new build terrace houses side by side
Real life example of houses in same position of technical drawing

Costs agreed and construction begins

Justin Belgonne with client on site of new build
Part of a building surrounded by scaffolding. A skip and car in front of new build.

The package of information enables a builder to accurately provide a cost for the build. Justin is happy to recommend builders he has previously worked well with in the area.

We’d love to stay in touch and see the construction work progress and finish.

Useful information

The Party Wall Act 1996

If you are planning works (extensions, internal alterations or new builds) that fall under the Party Wall Act 1996, Justin can advise and submit a Party Wall Notice on your behalf to your neighbouring property. In the relatively rare event of the neighbour objecting Justin can recommend a Party Wall Surveyor.