Design / Architecture

Professional Builders in London.

If you are looking for a best builder in London Uk, then look no further than FC Builders LONDON lTD

Approach

We specialise in Home extensions, conversions, renovations and re-modelling of residential properties. Our architectural design work is highly creative and technically sound.

At the heart of every project we take on is a philosophy of creating a one-of-a-kind home for each and every client. We aim to create a unique, creative and yet highly functional home that matches the client’s personal lifestyle and enhances their time at home.

We don’t just think about the outside when we produce architectural plans. We work backwards from how you want to live inside. It’s very important to marry your architecture with your interiors right at the start of your project, for the ultimate home.

We create meticulously detailed, technical drawing packages. This equips the builders with all of the details they require to get the construction and fit-out right first time. This avoids any ambiguity onsite, which is what often results in disputes, delays and additional costs.

We can provide a complete, wrap-around project management service. This means that over and above a standard architect’s Contract Administration offering, we co-ordinate and manage the entire project on your behalf.

The design process

1. FREE SITE VISIT

The initial site visit allows us to see your home and understand what you want to accomplish. Every single project is different and it's important we fully understand what you want to gain from your project from the very beginning. Following your Site Visit, we will confirm our Fixed Fee Design Service, and also a budget estimate.

2. MEASURED SURVEY

After you have agreed to appoint us we will book in the site survey. During this meeting we will measure up the property in detail and will discuss all design alternatives from the layout and floor plans to the materials used in the exterior.

3. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Following the Measured Survey, we will send over existing & proposed floor plans within 7 to 10 days. You are free to amend your plans or request new plans until you are totally happy with your final layout - we don't rest until it's perfect. We actually encourage our clients to take this time to experiment and consider lots of designs as you want to be sure before committing to a design via planning.

4. PLANNING SET

Once you are completely satisfied with your design, & structural design we will prepare your planning application for you. This includes your planning application or permitted development application and anything else we feel would support your application such as a Heritage Report or a Design & Access Statement. This also includes your drawing set (site plan, existing and proposed ground floor plan, roof plans, sectional details, side elevations etc.). We'll tell you exactly what we feel we should submit on your behalf and the reasons why.

5. PLANNING PERIOD

Planning generally takes 8 weeks. Once we submit your application, we will immediately begin to chase the council to ensure it becomes validated. Validation means that the council are registering the application as valid and confirming that they have what they need to make a determination. Once the application is validated, a Case Officer (CO) will be assigned. We then make contact with the CO to ensure that they have our details. Sometimes the CO will want to carry out a brief site visit at around week 6 or 7 of the planning period and in this case we will be in touch with you to book it in. They generally just want to have a quick look around and take some photos.

6. PARTY WALL

If you want to build soon, we would recommend getting started on Party Wall (PW) once you have submitted to planning, so you can run the process alongside the 8 week planning window. Party Wall can be lengthy, especially if your neighbours are not supportive of the works you intend to carry out. It’s important to remember that no neighbour can stop you from building; they can only delay it during the PW negotiations.

7 Structural Engineering

-STRUCTURAL SERVICES:

- Drawing and specification reviews

- Measured building surveys

- Structural Engineers report

‍- Piled Foundation Design

- New Builds

- Traditional Foundation Design

- Extenions/Lofts

7. BUILDING REG PACKS

If planning permission is accepted, we will notify you and send over all of the documentation for your information and records. Once the application is accepted, we begin your Building Reg Pack. These are the detailed drawings that Building Control and your assigned contractor will require during your Build. They are the detailed drawings that show all of the steel placement and specifications etc. If your application is rejected, we will look carefully as the reasons for rejection and work with you to find the best solution forward, be that to Appeal the decision or amend the drawings and resubmit.

8. . Quantity surveyors

Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects

9. Project management

Construction managers, also called general contractors or project managers, typically do the following: Prepare and negotiate cost estimates, budgets, and work timetables. ... Report on work progress and budget matters to clients. Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other construction and building specialists.

10 Mechanic

We provide detailed design of the following Mechanical Services:

• Utility applications and loads assessments

• Site infrastructure and Master-planning

• Incoming mains cold water, fire main and natural gas

• Mechanical ventilation and specialist ventilation system

• Air Conditioning

• Domestic hot and cold water services

• Heating system

• Chilled water system

• Internal natural gas distribution

• Above ground drainage and associated Water Hygiene Solutions & fully coordination of Soil Vent Pipework Design

• Sprinkler and firefighting system

• Building management system

• Energy and Thermal Modelling to Provide Energy Efficient Building Services Design

• Gas distribution and Ventilation Design for domestic, non-domestics buildings

11 Electrical Engineering

We provide detailed design of the following Electrical services:

• Utility applications and loads assessments

• Site Infrastructure, Load Assessment and Transformer Sizing

• Distribution systems

• Small power distribution systems

• Lighting installations including internal, emergency, external and controls

• Fire alarm system

• Specialist alarm systems

• Telecommunications systems

• Back-up and standby power systems including generators and UPS systems

• Public address systems

• Power factor correction

• Metering strategy

• Disabled refuge systems

• Induction loop system

• Security including CCTV, access control and intruder alarms.

• Home Automation ,System Design, Installation, Maintenance ,Interface Systems /Lighting ,CCTV ,Door/,Window, TV

12 Condition and Dilapidation Surveys

We regularly undertake detailed condition surveys of Mechanical and Electrical services for our clients, providing detailed reports and recommendations on age and condition of plant, maintenance provisions, life expectancy and system efficiencies.

We also undertake specific dilapidation surveys at the end of tenancies or to assist in Landlord / Tenant lease negotiations.

As part of these surveys and investigations we are also able to review the efficiency of the existing MEP plant and proposed energy saving options and initiatives.

We are able to offer advice on renewable technologies such as photo-voltaic, biomass heating, wind generation and ground source heat pumps; and energy saving options such as free cooling optimisation, BMS upgrades, lighting controls, voltage optimisation, power factor correction etc.

FC Builders London Ltd

BRINGING ALL TOGETHER