Read about our
Feasibility Study
Get off to the best start with our Feasibility Study for only £500+VAT
When you start your project, there are inevitably several unknows. What will the planning-related hurdles be? What technical issues might we face? I’m sure there are no bats, but what’s all this about bat surveys? We face the same issues time and time again but all too often you only find out about them later in the process. At the outset of a project, before you commit to a measured survey and drawings, we think it’s a good idea to undertake a Feasibility Study. Based on your initial proposals, we assess the property to try to identify as early as possible what potential issues you might face. Where we think there is a risk of bumping into an issue, we will advise of the likely costs involved to overcome it.
More than just identify potential issues and associated costs, the Feasibility Study often provides a really good platform for the initial design meeting. For example, we carried out a feasibility study for one of our clients and based on the outcome, they decided to completely change their initial plans to avoid adding an extension. Instead, we managed to utilise some of the existing footprint in a more clever way which gave them exactly what they wanted for a fraction of the cost.
We will visit your property and assess the proposal against the following areas, all of which are the most common root causes of delays and additional costs when it comes to planning, building regulations or construction. Knowing about these things up front can save you time and money as the process develops.
Tree Protection Orders
If TPOs are present you might need additional tree surveys and documentation from a qualified arborologist detailing root protection measures.
Flood Risk
If you are at risk of flooding, part of the planning application will be a valid flood risk assessment.
Designated Land
Being in a conservation area or other designated land can lead to additional red tape when it comes to planning.
Listed and Historical Buildings
This can affect both planning and building regulations. You might be affected even if a specific part of the building or adjoining buildings are listed.
Build-over agreements
If you need a build-over agreement, you need to plan so to avoid delays and unknown costs.
Waste Water and Soil Pipes
If you plan on moving the location of foul water and soil pipes as part of your work, you need to know how the additional drainage affects your budget.
Trees
The location, type of tree and type of soil affect foundations. It's worth knowing whether nearby trees will affect your foundations as this is one of the most common issues we face which increase costs.
Building Regulations
Some work can be carried out without building regulations. We'll assess the work and advise accordingly.
Structural Calculations
We will advise on whether you will need to engage a structural engineer and the likely costs involved.
Surface Water and Soakaways
One of the most common issues we pace, particularly in the Witterings and Arun, is the issue of soakaways and surface water. We will advise whether we foresee any issues with this based on your proposal.
Party Wall Agreements
We will advise on the requirements for party wall agreements and whether it is required for your project. We can introduce party wall surveyors too.
Asbestos
Asbestos is often present in older buildings and, if not known about, can cause huge delays and costs. We will advise on how to handle this early.
Services
Moving services can be costly and time-consuming and involves third party involvement which can lead to delays and added cost. Considering this early and avoiding it if possible is a big win.
Loft Conversions and Dormers
We can quickly assess whether a loft conversion or dormer is possible on your roof. This can save thousands in drawings only to find out later that it's not possible.
Permitted Development
We will provide preliminary guidance as to whether a scheme will fall under permitted development and the benefits of trying to keep it as such in your scenario.
Ecology
Particularly in Chichester, bats can cause huge delays and added costs. We will advise on the requirements for ecological surveys and the timeframes in which they need to be carried out. Knowing this alone can save delays of up to a year.
Renewable Energy
Photovoltaics, batteries, heat pumps and car chargers are more and more common and you can access valuable grants for including these in your project. Planning for this early is critical to avoid costly changes later.
Boundaries
If your development is close to the boundary, the rules for various elements such as size, roofing material, glazing and wall construction are different. Knowing this early save times and money later.
Over-glazing
Excess glazing can cause issues with building regulations. Knowing this early can save time and money later. Avoiding over-glazing is often a design constraint which helps keep the budget in check.
Won't all this just come out in the wash? Why pay more for it?
It will. All of these issues will come out as part of the design and construction process. As the design unfolds, or worse, as construction begins, the hidden costs will start to appear. It will become clear that you need a bat survey because you are stripping roof tiles, or that you need a build-over agreement or that you want to include battery storage and a heat pump. The later in the process these requirements are found, the higher the chance of it causing delays or leading to additional costs. For clients who are particularly budget conscious, the unexpected bills for a few additional surveys and third party involvement can run into thousands. For some clients this is a major issue, which considered early might have led to different design choices. Trying to uncover these issues as early as possible arms you with as much information as possible, as early as possible, so that we can provide you with the best advice, and you can make the most informed decisions about the direction you want to go.
Some examples from real projects:
- One client decided not to go ahead with plans for a loft conversion because we were able to identify early that they did not have adequate headroom. Instead we worked on a ground floor solution. This saved thousands in drawing and design fees.
- One client decided to reduce the size and design of the extension because drainage issues would have led to major delays with full planning permission. This saved months of delays and thousands of pounds on ground water monitoring.
- One client decided not to extend due to complications of nearby trees. Simple changes to the ground floor plans gave them everything they wanted for a fraction of the cost.
Forty Four Design is a CIAT Chartered Architectural Technology Practice, and Registered LABC Partner, in Chichester undertaking a wide range of residential projects in Chichester, Bognor, Selsey, Witterings, Pagham, Bosham, Emsworth and surrounding areas.
