The Process
The Process
Envelope provides architectural and project management services for residential projects in London, guiding clients from their initial design aspirations, through to detailed design and Building Regulations, tendering and construction. Our process provides clear technical drawings and specification to control costs and help projects run smoothly on site.
Stages of your project
1. Detailed Design
The detailing phase starts when we produce a package of drawings and specifications that we call the Design File. This is the technical backbone of the project, providing the detailed information your contractor needs and helping the construction phase run as smoothly as possible.
2. Tendering and Cost Management
Our bespoke Cost File system provides:
1. An initial ‘soft estimate’ of construction costs
2. A template for contractors to price the work consistently
3. A way to monitor costs, variations and payments as the project progresses.
Where appointed as Contract Administrator, Envelope also manages the building contract, assesses contractor payment applications and helps keep the project, costs and responsibilities clearly documented.
3. Building Regulations / Principal Designer
The Design File incorporates the technical information required to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations. We coordinate the design with other consultants and liaise with Building Control as required. Envelope can also act as Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations, coordinating health and safety during the design phase and helping ensure that foreseeable risks are properly considered.
4. Construction / Contract Administrator
Our Design Files provide clear technical information for your contractor, while the Cost File provides a framework for monitoring costs and payments. Where Envelope is appointed during the construction phase, we oversee progress on site, respond to technical queries, inspect the work and, when acting as Contract Administrator, administer the building contract through to completion.
1. Detailed Design
The detailing phase is where the design is developed into something that can be accurately priced and built. We work through the construction, materials, finishes and junctions, resolving the practical details before work starts on site.
This information is brought together in the Design File, combining Envelope’s drawings and specification with relevant information from other consultants to give the contractor a clear and coordinated set of information.
What’s a Design File
Readymade Design Files
Instantly get a Design File Estimate
2. Tendering and Cost Management
Our bespoke digital Cost File provides an initial ‘soft estimate’ of construction costs and later becomes a consistent pricing document that can be issued to contractors, so that quotations can be compared on a like-for-like basis.
We can assist with obtaining and reviewing quotations, and during construction the Cost File is used to monitor costs, variations and payments as the work progresses.
Instantly get a Project Management Estimate
2. Tendering and Cost Management
Our bespoke digital Cost File provides an initial ‘soft estimate’ of construction costs and later becomes a consistent pricing document that can be issued to contractors, so that quotations can be compared on a like-for-like basis.
We can assist with obtaining and reviewing quotations, and during construction the Cost File is used to monitor costs, variations and payments as the work progresses.
Instantly get a Project Management Estimate
3. Building Regulations / Principal Designer
Many aspects of construction are controlled by the Building Regulations. We work with the structural engineer and other consultants to resolve the technical aspects of the project and liaise with Building Control throughout the approval process.
Envelope can also act as Principal Designer under the CDM Regulations, coordinating health and safety information during the design process and helping to ensure that relevant information is passed on to the contractor.
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4. Construction / Contract Administrator
Our involvement can continue throughout construction, with regular site visits and ongoing communication with the contractor* to answer technical queries and resolve issues as they arise.
Where appointed as Contract Administrator, we administer the building contract, assess payments and variations, monitor progress and help carry the project through to completion.
We can also provide a broader project management service where required, coordinating the construction process on the client’s behalf.
* We may also be able to suggest contractors to quote for your
project
Find out the Cost Instantly
4. Construction / Contract Administrator
Our involvement can continue throughout construction, with regular site visits and ongoing communication with the contractor* to answer technical queries and resolve issues as they arise.
Where appointed as Contract Administrator, we administer the building contract, assess payments and variations, monitor progress and help carry the project through to completion.
We can also provide a broader project management service where required, coordinating the construction process on the client’s behalf.
* We may also be able to suggest contractors to quote for your
project
Find out the Cost Instantly
Got Any Questions?
If you would like to discuss a project or have any enquiries, please get in touch with us.