Our Approach
Our Approach
Rider Stirland Architects provide a full service, from inception to completion. We lead the project team to ensure the end result is of the highest quality, within budget and programme. Our process is split into stages, with clear communication throughout.
Full Service
For projects with a construction budget of £250k and above.
For lower budgets, please see our Small Projects Service.
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We meet to discuss your aspirations for the property and lifestyle - listening carefully to interpret your needs for the project brief.
Next, we undertake comprehensive research, from local planning policy and neighbourly considerations, to sunpath analysis and tree constraints.
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We develop design options in response to the project brief and initial research.
Through drawings, models and visualisations, we explore, test and communicate design ideas to discuss with you, along with a considered strategy for planning.
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We take our responsibility for budget management very seriously, and therefore include for detailed cost estimates through the early stages of the project. This puts you in control of any key design decisions that will affect the construction cost.
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We develop a refined vision for the project in response to any feedback you have from the earlier stages.
Once you are happy with the design, we prepare a comprehensive package of information for planning. Our thorough approach will put the scheme on the best possible footing to achieve a successful outcome, whether the property is listed, set within a conservation area, or sited in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If any special approvals are needed – such as The Dulwich Estate or The Grosvenor Estate – these would be made simultaneously with planning.
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We develop detailed designs for the interior, including the selection of fixtures and fittings, bespoke joinery, and physical material samples for review with you.
Designs are often very personal, so we always approach this stage collaboratively, to arrive at a solution that is unique to you.
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We assemble a trusted professional team to help develop the technical design.
The output will be a co-ordinated and detailed package of drawings, schedules and specifications, which can be costed accurately by main contractors.
We invite an agreed list of contractors to tender for the project, review their figures and report back to you clearly.
A submission for Building Regulations will also be made at this stage, and Party Wall Notices served, if relevant.
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Once a preferred contractor is chosen, we will prepare an appropriate building contract between you and the contractor. We serve as the contract administrator throughout construction, managing all contractual procedures, including regular site inspections and assessing applications for payment.
We help solve arising problems, and provide additional information to the contractor as needed. Attention to detail is paramount.
When finished, we will certify the project for Practical Completion. Latent defects will be monitored for an agreed period, and then made good on instruction.
We take great pleasure working with others to help deliver outstanding results.
Fees
Every project is different, so we prepare a tailored fee proposal based on the scope, scale and complexity of the work.
For most full-service projects, our fees are structured to reflect the different stages of the design and construction process. The early design and planning stages are usually agreed as fixed fees, giving you certainty while we establish the brief, develop the design and secure the necessary approvals.
Technical design is typically charged as a percentage of the net construction cost of the works being taken forward. This allows the fee to respond fairly to the eventual scope and complexity of the project, particularly where work may be phased.
During construction, our services are generally charged on a time basis. The level of input required can vary depending on the contractor, programme and issues arising on site, so this approach allows us to provide the level of support the project genuinely needs. We give an indication of likely monthly input within our fee proposal.
We take budget management seriously and include detailed cost testing during the early design stages. This allows decisions about scope, specification and potential phasing to be made while the design is still flexible.
Small Project Service
For projects with a construction budget of less than £250k.
Our Small Project Service provides you with a design vision, developed up to planning, for you to then take forward with your preferred contractor, or a project manager. It includes:
Briefing, Research & Concept Design
Budget Costing
Planning Submission
With a clear scope of work, fees for this service can usually be agreed as fixed lump sums for each stage.
Pre-Purchase Consultation
Advice on a property which you do not yet own.
We can tailor this service to suit your needs – which may depend on the property type and any specific questions you have about it. A typical scope will include:
Site visit to meet with you at the property.
Discussion of your aspirations and brief for the project.
Review of site planning history.
Review of local planning context and constraints.
Advice on planning strategy.
Provide a response to any specific questions you have.
Guidance on other professional input that may be required.
High level budget assessment.
Preliminary straight-line programme.
Compile report for issue to you by email.
Follow up video call to discuss report.
The service aims to put you in an informed position, so that good decisions can be made about how best to move your project forward, or whether to proceed with the purchase at all.
