The Design Process - It is often useful for a client to have a fuller understanding of the design process from start to finish. There are many stage to the design process, often involving overlapping and repetitive actions. however, most design projects involve the following elements, in order, as detailed below:

Inception - Discuss design requirements and conceptional outline with client to determine scope of brief. Determine requirements for third party consultants sub-contractors and contractors.

Feasibility - Determine feasibility of project including cost, site study, surveying, and other preparatory work as appropriate. Depending on the nature of the project issues such as traffic impact and access; social, environmental and ambience; and risks such as fire, storms, floods, vandalism and accidental damage are also taken into consideration.

Scheme Design - Deliver scheme design based on inception brief and results from feasibility study with artists impressions and architectural drawings. Submit planning application and confirm design scope

Detail Design - Develop scheme design into detailed architecural, structural and working drawings. Prepare bills of materials and develop a works programme. Advise on changes in costs and variations on design scope and coordinate existing sub-contractors and consultants. Where required, detail environmental and listed building considerations will be drawn up.

Production Information - Prepare schedules & specifications for materials and working drawings. Coordinate associate architects, planners, surveyors and consultants. Determine works schedules and plans. Drawup detailed drawings for electrics, water, gas, communications and other items.

Tenders - Draw up tender list and invite proposals. Carry out contract negotiations. Key features looked for in the tender process include cost, time and quality as well as the technical competence of proposals.

Tender Reviews - Prepare short list of tender proposals and advise on suitability, price and service. Prepare building contracts and review contractor terms. Determine scope for cost reduction.

Contractor Appointment - Appoint contracts, administer building contracts. Set up system for contract administration and provisions for acting as client's representative and employers agent. Schedule a payment program with agreed points for assessing the value of works completed and client reporting.

Contracts Management - Review works progress, inspect work completed, advise on payments, changes to costs and adherence to contracted agreements. Issue certificates for payment on account.

Completion - Review final work and bills of materials, manage inspection and surveying of work to confirm quality and delivery of agreed services. Sign off contractors and sub-contractors and agree final payments.