PP Building Design Ltd

Who we are

PP Building Design Ltd is a small practice providing architectural services for small building projects in the Nottingham area. Our clients are mostly householders and small busineses.

Peter Prescott is the principal, and is responsible for the running of the practice and all project work, including client consultations, site surveys, preparing initial designs and detailed drawings and specifications. Peter studied architecture at Nottingham University in the 70's, and holds a BA(hons) in Architecture. He has since worked in architectural practice for over 25 years, and set up PP Building Design in 2006.

Peter is assisted by office manageress Paula Clothier, who works 3 mornings each week and deals with all invoicing and administrative matters relating to the practice, and provides clerical support.

The company secretary is Peter's son, Daniel, who is also training as a Civil Engineer, and works part-time in the practice providing draughting and IT support.

What we do

We provide initial advice, designs, detailed drawings and specifications, planning and building regulation applications for the following types of small project:

• house extensions & alterations
• loft conversions; garage conversions; new garages
• individual new dwellings and small multiple house schemes
• barn & outbuilding conversions
• extensions & alterations to commercial & industrial premises
• new build retail premises, industrial units and offices

We can also advise on and assist wtith selection of contractors and sub-contractors, arranging and administering building contracts, appointing other consultants [project managers, structural and services engineers, planning consultants, quantity surveyorsand other specialists] where required.

We aim to give you as much or as little help as you require to bring your project to a satisfactory completion - on time and on budget.

How we work

On receipt of an enquiry from a potential client, Peter will arrange to visit you at the project site, to talk through your requirements, sketch out some initial ideas, advise what approvals you are likely to need, and make an initial assessment of any problems you may encounter in obtaining appprovals. There is no charge for this initial consultation.

We will then provide you with a written quotation for the fees for our services, and an estimate of the other costs you may need to cover during the design and approvals process. If required, we will provide a seperate quotation for our fees for supplementary services [for instance seeking tenders, appointing contractors and arranging and administering contracts]

If this quotation is accepted, we will then contact you to agree an outline timetable for our work.

We will provide you with preliminary drawings for your comment, amend these as requested to meet your requirements, and then develop these into the detailed information package required for applications and for obtaining builders' prices. We deal with all associated correspondence, and keep you informed of progress..

Where we operate

We will consider commissions in any part of the UK, but we work predominantly in the following local authority districts:

• Ashfield
• Bassetlaw
• Broxtowe
• Charnwood
• Erewash
• Gedling
• Mansfield
• Melton
• Newark & Sherwood
• Nottingham City
• Rushcliffe
• South Kesteven

What service do you need?

If you are considering a typical house extension, even if you know exactly what you want, you will normally need help to obtain the necessary consents from the local council [planning permission, building regulations, listed building consent as appropriate] and to obtain quotes from builders.

We can help by

• preparing the necessary plans and supporting information such as specifications, design & access statements
• advising what consents you will need and dealing with the applications
• obtaining specialist services, for instance structural and thermal calculations
• putting you in touch with builders in your area and, if required, helping you to obtain and analyse quotations

For more complex projects, we can

• take your instructions and advise on feasibility [cost, permissions, suitability of site]
• provide preliminary designs, and alternative ideas for your consideration
• prepare detailed drawings for applications and for obtaining quotations
• prepare supplementary documents such as specifications, design statements
• advise on the need for associated consultant services and help you with appointing these
• deal with applications for approvals, and coordination of other consultants' information
• help with obtaining tenders and selection and appointing of builders and sub-contractors
• deal with administration of building contracts
• advise on obtaining building guarantees

[We are not 'architects', as this title is protected by law and is only available to individuals who are registered with ARCUK: we do however aim to provide an equivalent range of services for the scale of projects we undertake. If we believe you would be better served by employing a registered architect for your project, we will point this out and will assist you to find a suitable firm.]

Our fees

Each project is priced individually according to its complexity and the services you request. We do not have 'standard packages' or apply percentage rates, but the following may help by indicating the fee ranges for some typical projects:

• Single storey house extension requiring planning and building regulation approvals: service includes measured survey of existing house, client approval plans, submissions for approvals, provide copies of plans for builders' quotations: £500 -£1,250
• Double garage: plans and approvals service: £450 - £900
• Two storey house extension in conservation area requiring measured survey, all consents: plans and approvals, design & access statement, copies for builders' quotations: £900 - £1,800
• Barn conversion requiring design options, all consents, written specifications: £1,250 - £2,750
• New dwelling requiring design, all consents, working drawings package: £2,000 - £5,000

[The above figures are indicative only and do not form part of any offer.]

Contact Us

If you are looking for good design standards and an efficient, personal and friendly service at a reasonable cost, please contact the PP Building Design Ltd team here by utilising the contact details displayed on this website. Thanks for visiting....