Your Project with Shorplans, Step by Step

Start with how you want the property to work, your priorities, available budget and timing. Provide the address, ownership information and available records, and discuss the constraints that could materially affect feasibility.

A measured survey establishes the geometry for design. Early checks can identify planning restrictions, roof and stair limitations, drainage or structural questions. Some matters need further investigation; a first concept is not a guarantee that all hidden conditions are known.

Compare credible options rather than only maximising floor area. Discuss daylight, circulation, neighbours, appearance and the likely costs of different levels of intervention.

Agree whether the proposal needs a planning application, prior approval, lawful development certificate or specialist consent. Confirm who prepares the documents and manages correspondence. Council decisions and statutory processes are outside the practice's control.

The in-house architectural and structural disciplines can resolve interfaces between the layout, beams, floors, foundations and building details. Coordinate insulation, ventilation, drainage and fire strategy at the same stage.

The scope may require external investigations or specialist advisers. Identify these explicitly so that a service described as integrated is not misunderstood as including every legal, surveying or engineering specialism.

Identify likely neighbour-interface issues early and give the appointed party wall surveyor coordinated drawings and structural information. Shorplans are architects, not party wall surveyors; statutory surveying and awards are separate appointments.

Agree the building control route, submissions, duties and inspection responsibilities. Do not treat planning drawings as the complete construction package or assume building control provides full site supervision.

Issue a consistent drawing and specification package for pricing. Discuss whether your appointment includes tender analysis, contract administration or site visits, and distinguish those services from the contractor's construction responsibilities.

Manage changes through the relevant designers and approvals. At handover, gather final drawings, calculations, decisions, certificates, warranties and maintenance information. A clear record helps the owner operate, maintain and explain the completed project.