Project Managment, Design, & Remodelling
Planning and Building Applications
Whether or not you are a private or commercial property owner or tenant, you may be intending to undertake alterations or to extend the property to meet the changing needs of the occupants. In the majority of residential alterations, proposals will invariably require planning permission. However, there is scope to adopt permitted development rights within the Town & Country Planning Act (restrictions on the size of an extension). There is no exemption for extending commercial or industrial properties.
The financial investment made by a property owner to improve, is substantial and therefore in order to maximise the investment it is important that accurate drawings, which not only interpret their desires correctly, also provides the contractors with accurate plans to ensure that the building is constructed correctly and in accordance with the Building Regulations.
Failure to obtain the relevant planning and building regulations approval may result in a prosecution by the local authority and upon conviction the guilty party will be exposed to substantial fines and costs.
Unfortunately many property owners do not realise that they require building regulation and planning approval before commencing the work. The local authority will take enforcement action. By discussing your requirements with APA Property Services we are able to provide initial guidance on the proposed works and if necessary have pre application meetings with the Local Authority before the preparation of detailed drawings for submission to both the planning and building regulations departments of the Local Authority.
The planning process can be further complicated if the property is located within a conservation area or has listed status.
APA Property Services offers a professional design service using the latest Autocad software to produce drawings that compliment the building. APA has extensive experience of construction technology to achieve the most economical and attractive scheme, thus minimising the cost but maximising the benefits to the client.
Failure to obtain the relevant statutory approvals will in the future prevent or hinder the future sale of a property, and APA Property Services have on a number of occasions received instructions to submit retrospective applications. This is an uneconomical approach and causes delays.
If you would like to know more and how we can help please contact us without obligation on 01245 492495 or via our online form.
Project Co-ordination
To enhance our design and remodelling services, APA our Project Co-ordination team provides a single point of contact, with strong client focus, expert professional advice and an understanding of the value of the property.
Our professionalism and detailed knowledge of the construction industry and contract procedures allow us to achieve the client’s aspirations from the vaguest of inceptions to bringing together the necessary resources and leading the team through to the successful conclusion and realisation of the finished building.
APA Property Services Ltd will advise on the most appropriate procurement method and then administer the pre-construction, construction and post construction phases pro-actively to ensure that the clients goals of time, cost and quality are achieved.
This will include the preparation of the most appropriate form of contract, (the legally binding document that establishes the obligations of each party to the contract). Periodic monitoring of progress on site in order to agree a value action of the completed works for which payment is due. The amount due is advised in a Certificate of Payment provided to all parties and no money should change hands prior to the Certificate being issued. Preparation of a snagging list and final account, defects liability period and percentage of retention.
The Specification and Schedule of Works is an itemised document identifying the works required and which competitive tenders can be obtained from contractors.
Certificate of Payment. During the contract administration APA will periodically issue certificate of payments for the release of money to the contractor, whilst withholding a 5% retention of each payment. Following satisfactory completion of the works APA will issue a Practical Completion Certificate indicating the commencement of the defects liability period and release 2.5% of the retention. At the end of the defect liability period APA will visit the premises and undertake a final inspection, if any defects have occurred the contractors will be instructed to return and complete the works before the final payment is released.
For an informal discussion, please contact Philip Antino on 01245 492495, submit our online form or alternatively email him on phil@apaproperty.com.
