Sterne Design | Architecture Studio | North Norfolk

Our Services

Services.

Our Process -

Sterne Design is a creative and dynamic architecture studio based in Cromer, North Norfolk, with over 14 years’ experience working in and around Norfolk. We specialise in house extensions, renovations, alterations, conversions and bespoke new homes, covering all aspects of residential design, guiding our clients through each stage of their project from initial ideas and feasibility through to planning, Building Regulations and construction.

We are committed to providing the highest level of service to every client, whether the project is a small porch extension, a home renovation or a larger-scale residential development. Every project is approached with the same care and attention, ensuring that the design responds to our clients’ needs, aspirations and budget.

Please find below an overview of our services, together with a brief description of each stage of the process.

01 - Measurement Survey.

As we hope on every project, the free initial consultation will be a success and creative discussions will have taken place allowing us to work together on pin-pointing the exact details to form the ‘project brief’. Once approved, we will start by undertaking the measurement survey which will be tailored around each proposal. If you haven’t yet booked your free initial consultation, please do so by clicking here.

02 - Production of Existing Drawings and Site Information.

Using the information gathered during the measured building survey, we will prepare accurate existing drawings of your property. These drawings provide an important foundation for developing the proposed design and, where required, will form part of a future planning application.

Existing drawings can also be provided as a standalone service where you simply require accurate plans of your existing property, without progressing to a proposed design.

03 - Concept Design / Feasibility Study & 3D Visualisations.

This is where ideas begin to take shape. During this stage, we develop a concept design and discuss the proposed scheme with you, exploring how the project can respond to your requirements, the existing property and its surroundings.

Hand sketches and 3D visualisations are provided as part of our design process, regardless of the size of the project, helping you to understand and visualise the proposed design. We believe that traditional simple two-dimensional drawings do not always provide enough information to fully appreciate the layout, proportions, spaces and detailing of a scheme and are sometimes just not enough.

A design meeting on site provides an opportunity to review the proposals together and make amendments where required. Every aspect of the design is carefully considered to ensure the final proposal meets your needs and aspirations.

At this stage, we can also review the likely construction costs of the developing design by appointing a local quantity surveyor or obtain preliminary cost estimates from local Norfolk builders, helping to ensure the design remains realistic and within your budget.

The production of 3D visualisations can also be provided as a standalone service. Please refer to “VR/AR and interactive visualisations” & the integration of drones for more details on how this technology can form part of stage 3 and can enhance the design process.

04 - Planning Permission / Developed Design.

Once the concept design has been agreed, we develop the proposal into a detailed set of drawings suitable for a planning application. The design is refined to ensure that the proposed scheme is clearly communicated and that the relevant planning considerations have been addressed, where a pre-application has been submitted beforehand, taking any feedback received into consideration.

We will prepare the necessary planning drawings and forms on your behalf and can submit the application to the relevant planning authority. Throughout the process, we will liaise with the planning department for you, monitor the progress of the application and keep you updated as information and correspondence are received.

Where required, we can also assist with responding to queries raised during the planning process and making amendments to the proposal where appropriate.

05 - Building Regulations / Working Drawings.

Following receipt of a planning approval, we develop the scheme into a detailed set of technical building regulation drawings, providing the information required for Building Regulations and to allow your chosen builder to price and work from on site.

A Building Regulations application will be prepared and submitted on your behalf following completion of our drawings. The necessary information will be provided to Building Control, including relevant third-party information, and we will liaise with the assigned Building Control officer throughout the plans application process on your behalf.

If you are unsure which builder to approach, don’t panic. We can recommend a number of trusted local Norfolk builders who we have experience working alongside on previous projects and whom we’ve worked with for many years.

Where required and by separate agreement, additional services such as detailed specifications, schedules of works and tender documentation can also be provided.

06 - On-site.

On site assistance throughout the projects construction phase can be offered as part of our service.

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