Question 1

What does an Architect do?

Accepted Answer

An Architect is a highly qualified and certified professional who designs buildings and plans their construction.  We offer imagination and guidance through an often complex process.  All Architects must be on the ARB register, must carry PI insurance and must adhere to a professional code of conduct.

Question 2

How do I pick the right Architect for my project?

Accepted Answer

We are all very different in our approach and our fee structuring.  It is important that you choose the right Architect for you and your building.  We offer a no obligation initial meeting so that you can ask questions and we can review your brief and building.  Based upon the discussions at this meeting we produce a clear and structured fee proposal bespoke to your needs. 
 
We love what we do and we want your clients to choose us because they are happy and confident with our approach.  If you have questions or concerns then please do ask, we pride ourselves on offering a friendly service that cuts out the jargon and makes people feel comfortable with the process.

Question 3

Why should I use a Heritage Specialist?

Accepted Answer

Hiring a Heritage Consultant to help with planning permission can be vital to help you turn a Listed building or historic property into your perfect abode. They are specially qualified to maximise the potential of your historic property, with the experience and knowledge required to successfully transform older buildings. 
By using a specialist to engage with heritage issues from the beginning (rather than ignoring them!), you will be in a better position to put forward a project design which is not only higher quality, but also more likely to achieve successful planning permission outcomes.

Question 4

What is a Listed Building and how do I know if I have one?

Accepted Answer

A building is Listed when it is of special architectural or historic interest, considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting. As the term implies, a Listed building is actually added to a list: the National Heritage List for England. You can use this to discover whether your home is listed and if so, what grade it is.  The following website will allow you to do a map search: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
Please be aware that your building can also be locally listed by your local authority.   These are almost always in Conservation areas and it is important to check with your local authority to see if your building requires additional consideration when carrying out work.  Local Listing does not offer the same degree of protection to the building however it is a Material Consideration when determining planning applications. If you have a Listed building then you must obtain consent prior to carrying out work.  This is regardless of the Grade of Listing.  It is not true that Grade II buildings are only protected on the exterior!

Question 5

Does a Listed building mean I can’t do anything to it?

Accepted Answer

No.  A building is Listed (either nationally or locally) because there is something about it that is significant and worthy of protection.  It is not however a museum piece preserved in time, it can be altered.  The process of designing within the context of a Listed building however requires a more careful and considered approach to ensure that there is no harm to that significance.  Our careful attention to detail aims to guide you through that process to make the most from your building whilst protecting the thing that makes it special in the first place.

Question 6

Can a Listed or historic building be environmentally friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the greenest building is the one that already exists. 
Pre 1900 building stock needs a different approach to those built with modern construction methods but almost all buildings can be made more environmentally friendly.  We can offer advice as to how far you can go with this and the processes to follow to ensure that you can improved the green credentials of a building without threatening its heritage values.

Question 7

When should I get an Architect involved in my project?

Accepted Answer

As early as possible! It saves your time effort and money if you have an Architect working with you right from the beginning, ensuring the building renovation process. It can maximise value, often saving your time and money along the way to the finished article.

Question 8

Do you charge for the initial visit?

Accepted Answer

No. We offer a free initial consultation, to ensure we are confident that we can maximise the potential of your project. It allows us to tailor the service specifically to your needs.
 
Find out about our approach and the 5 step process here(undefined)

Question 9

What information do I need to bring to our initial visit?

Accepted Answer

We want things to be clear and transparent from the beginning. We will meet at the property to look at the project. We will then give you a Fee Proposal, which will outline the services we can offer you, and project’s phases, with a fixed price, so no hidden costs! If there are additional services, we will offer that as an optional extra.  If you wish to add additional services if the brief or budget evolves then we can do this but we will always confirm the fee agreement before carrying out additional work.

Question 10

What is a Heritage Statement and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A Heritage Statement is a report often required as part of a planning application or consent application that involves Heritage Assets, including Listed Buildings or Conservation Areas. A Heritage Statement is needed to provide an understanding of the change that has occurred on a site over time to establish the history and development of a building or site, to better understand its historic significance.
If you’re planning to make changes to a Listed or heritage building, then the answer is probably yes, you will need one.  
This step is key to providing the local authority with information on which to base their decision-making process, but also to provide early and clear advice to inform design proposals that may result in a change to the asset or its setting.

Question 11

What costs will be involved in my project?

Accepted Answer

During our initial meetings, we will discuss costs in a clear way, managing expectations. As part of our process we will do a cost estimate, making sure the budget and brief match. Our goal is for you to get the most out of your build within your budget. We work with you to ensure your brief is workable within your budget. We want to give you cost certainty ,and will work with you, bringing in outside cost consultants if needed, to ensure that.

Question 12

What will the timeline of my project be?

Accepted Answer

Every project is different but we can provide some guidance on how long some elements of the process can take.
From our initial visit, you will generally get a fee proposal back within a week. Upon instruction you will be asked to book a survey. Around 3 weeks post survey, we have a ‘marmite test’ sketch proposals session, where we define what you love and don’t like. 
The design evolution then works at the clients pace - depending on the speed that you wish to move at. 
Once a design is confirmed and a Planning Pack submitted then the planning process usually takes between 8 and 13 weeks after validation depending on whether the scheme is heard before the Planning Committee.
Once Planning is achieved then we will send you a building regs questionnaire to complete.  The Building Regs pack takes approximately 4 - 8 weeks, again depending upon the scale and complexity of the project.  In some cases where the building is Listed then some of this stage may have been fast forwarded and included in a Listed building application. 
Larger or more complex projects may require a technical design pack before construction works commence or even before the project is tendered.
The tender process once you have selected a number of contractors takes a minimum of 5 weeks.  This can be shorten however it is often counterproductive leading to higher returns to building in risk or build in subcontractor figures that haven’t been received.

Frequently Asked Questions: helping to make the process easier

Our 5 stage process

Our Associations & Useful Resources

Email: office@heritagefusion.com