Question 1

What services can Ashwood provide me?

Accepted Answer

We offer a range of full architectural design services to homeowners, self-builders and Developers, providing full drawing packages for extensions & alterations, new build dwellings & housing developments along with any necessary statutory approvals required by the individual project.

Whether it is a small single storey extension, a garage conversion, building your dream home, or a housing development we can provide all the services you require to get your project started.

We are a very commercially aware practice, & believe high quality design and value for money are not mutually exclusive.

We offer weekend & evening visits being fully aware of our customers own work commitments and have adapted our business to cater for these requirements.

Like many of our clients we believe Ashwood provide you with a much more comprehensive & greater value service than other designers or architects in Lincoln and surrounding areas.

Question 2

Are Ashwood qualified to carry out my project?

Accepted Answer

Ashwood are not an RIBA practice or registered with the Architects Registration Board. We are however highly qualified in our specialist field, we possess practical HND & NVQ qualifications in Building Construction Management & are Associates of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists & Chartered Institute of Building.
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We have 20 years experience working in private architectural practices and for large contractors, and therefore have seen many aspects of building and design as both the designer & contractor.
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As Architectural Technologists we provide the combined qualities of the two previously separated disciplines. That of Architect (concept design) and Technician (buildability) Ashwood bring together design flair & the ability to problem solve. We turn conceptual drawings into reality and have a real understanding of the design and buildability of buildings. We concentrate not just on how things look but mainly how buildings work not just on a construction level, but practically & functionally on a day to day basis. This ensures you enjoy the new space you have created to its maximum potential.
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So if you think you’re looking for an Architect in Lincoln or the surrounding area, you really need to be looking for an Architectural Technologist and not just any Architectural Technologist. Contact Ashwood today.

Question 3

What size projects do Ashwood carry out?

Accepted Answer

We would be happy to carry out any size project from small internal alterations, loft conversion & extensions to large new build developments. Our portfolio of work is diverse and we treat every project with the same level of dedication, commitment & respect it deserves.

We would be happy to meet & discuss your project requirements at a convenient time to suit you & can accommodate weekend & evening visits.

Question 4

Do you charge for initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

We offer a free no obligation consultation and quotation for any prospective project. There is no obligation, commitment or hard sell. We provide valuable upfront advice totally free of charge whether you utilise our services or not.

Question 5

Do we travel?

Accepted Answer

From our office in Lincoln we can satisfactorily cover the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. For larger projects we will travel that bit further and have recently completed works in West Yorkshire.

Question 6

Do you deal with the Planning Department & Building Control?

Accepted Answer

Dealing with the Local authority Planning Department and Building Control can be a time consuming and difficult undertaking. We take the hassle away from you by dealing with all statutory approvals & correspondence within our fixed price fee quotations.

Question 7

Do I need planning permission for my project?

Accepted Answer

Planning permission or planning consent is the permission required in order to be allowed to build, extend or change the use of land or buildings.

Some domestic projects do not require planning permission. There are certain criteria that the project would have to meet in order to be constructed under householder permitted development rights. Which would be determined at the initial no obligation consultation.

You can also view the government Interactive guidance relating to householder permitted development rights http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house

The interactive guide is a useful tool for common projects however, please be aware that householder permitted development rights may have been removed from the property for various reasons & there may be other factors such as conservation area status, listed buildings, tree preservation orders. that may need to be taken into account.

Question 8

What about Building Regulations?

Accepted Answer

Building Regulations exist principally to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings, and the water and energy efficiency of buildings.

The majority of Building Projects do require Building Regulations approval and meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations is the responsibility of the person carrying out the building work and, if they are not the same person, the owner of the building. The building regulations apply to most building work, therefore it is important to know when approval is needed.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations

We currently have a recognised Partnering Agreement with the Local Authority for all of our Building Regulations applications. This means that the ‘plan check’ part of the Building Regulations application can be assessed by West Lindsey Building Control. This doesn’t affect the site inspections and these can be carried out by the respective local authority.

There are two main routes of complying with Building Regulations – The Building Notice & Full Plans Approval. There are advantages to both routes, however we normally recommend the full plans approval route so that all details and specifications are agreed and confirmed prior to starting on site. This way, you can confirm prices of the build against the specification; ensure that all quotations are priced on the same documentation and specification, thus resulting in any “surprises” being kept to a minimum.

Question 9

Listed buildings & Conservation areas?

Accepted Answer

We have worked on a number of listed buildings and have extensive experience of working within conservation areas.

Question 10

How much do we charge?

Accepted Answer

As each and every project is different we will provide you with a fixed price quotation for any prospective project.

However, occasionally circumstances arise that are beyond our control and unfortunately result in additional costs. This will be discussed with you prior to anything being instructed and everything within our control is done to ensure this doesn’t happen.

We do not limit our design fees to a number of solutions unlike most other Architectural technologist & Architects in Lincolnshire. We provide a fixed fee based on a brief and we do not charge additionally for sketch schemes and minor amendments, the fee we quote is the fee you pay unless the brief is dramatically changed through the design process. Neither do we limit the number of design ideas or schemes, we could produce only 1 or maybe dozens of sketch scheme solutions, we believe it is our duty to meet the clients individual needs and will explore all design avenues prior to agreeing a final solution.

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