PROCESS | ARCA

Our Process

At ARCA, we're all about creating spaces that elevate your lifestyle, whether it's where you live, work, or play.

To make sure we deliver on this promise, we've tailored our design process to fit your needs, following the RIBA plan of work but with our own special touch.

For a detailed description of our process please Contact us.

Consultation – online or in person

Book a home or video consultation and let's chat about your ideas, constraints and brief. Should you have an aspiration for sustainable design and/or renewable technology, it is essential to address this aspect during this stage.

We actively collaborate with renewable engineers which may join the consultation.

Desktop Study

We will carry out a desktop study of your property to understand how we can best achieve your ideal home. This will include searches on nearby planning applications, looking at satellite and street view images of your property, and research into local Planning Authority Policies.

Quote & Concept Design

We will follow up with a simple, no obligation fee quotation together with a concept design based on what we believe you can achieve.

We will consult with our structural engineer to understand design possibilities and constraints and provide you with the associated cost estimates.

Measured Survey

Upon formal instruction to proceed, we will visit your property, carry out a detailed 2D laser measured survey and collect all relevant information for your design.

Should you already have existing drawings from a previous surveyor/designer/architect, we will review these and may recommend conducting a check survey to verify their accuracy.

Pre-planning (optional)

Seeking pre-planning advice can expedite the planning process. It helps understand the specific planning requirements for your project scope and the likelihood of approval, reducing the time spent on revisions and resubmissions. We advise considering this approach for complex projects that are perhaps less straightforward in nature.

Every council has its own timelines and high demand may also affect these however here’s what to expect:

Householder written advice - 2 weeks
Householder and small-scale proposal meetings - 4 weeks
Residential schemes, non-residential schemes and mixed schemes – 8 weeks

Design Drawings

Upon instruction to proceed, we will produce your existing and proposed design drawings. This includes 2No. revisions and an on-line meeting to conclude the design. Optionally we can produce 3D simulations to help you visualise your new home.

We will consult with our structural engineer once more to ensure the structural design is incorporated early in the process, to avoid changes further down the line.

Any significant changes must be agreed upon at this stage and signed off following the on-line meeting. Failure to do so may incur additional costs and delays during the technical design stage.

Timescales 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of your project

Planning

Upon formal approval of the design and instruction to proceed, we'll handle all relevant Planning Applications on your behalf and serve as your representative throughout.

The local council typically has a 2-week validation period, followed by a review process lasting 8-12 weeks. You will receive a Decision Notice after this time.

During validation, the council might request additional documents, especially if you haven't pursued pre-planning. These may include specialist reports like geological surveys, flood risk assessments, ecology reports, and others. These will be outsourced to the associated specialist and further fees will apply.

Please note this process is not necessary if your scheme falls within your Permitted Development Rights. You may wish to obtain a Certificate of Lawful Development attesting that the proposed works fall under Permitted Development Rights, however please note that this is not a mandatory requirement.

Detailed Design

This stage is crucial to ensure you are completing your project to current design standards. Any changes, in particular structural, made at this stage will incur significant costs and delays.

Upon formal instruction to proceed, we will upgrade your approved planning drawings and produce the relevant technical drawings, structural calculations and standard specification.

Depending on the size and complexity of the project we may use a desktop structural surveyor or a complex structures specialist.

Timescales 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of your project

Building Control

We will prepare and submit your Building Control application and act as your agent in the approvals process.

A member of a professional control body (Local Council or an Approved Inspector) will check our plans for compliance and visit your home at various stages in the construction process to check your builder is carrying out the works to the standards expected.

Additional services such as a Thames Water Application, Party Wall Agreement or SAP report may be required. We will guide you through the process and refer any relevant specialists if necessary.

Handover Meeting

Once you have reviewed our Detailed Design, you can then share these with your Contractor to acquire quotes and initiate discussions regarding project timelines.

We are happy to suggest Contractors or interior designers with whom we have had successful collaborations and can facilitate an introduction.

Once you have officially engaged a Contractor and/or interior designer, we will arrange a handover meeting to ensure a clear understanding of the design and project objectives.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Detailed Specification of Works

Since our primary focus is on design, we do not provide Project Management services. However, we are eager to support you during the Tender process and, therefore, can recommend or designate a Quantity Surveyor to assist you on your behalf.

Site Monitoring

Our Site Monitoring services are designed to minimise disruptions and oversee your Contractor's work. While wwe typically recommend weekly visits, we're flexible and can adjust to your needs. After each visit, we will deliver a brief report with photos showcasing the progress of your home improvement projects.