Who we are
Northern Design Partnership are chartered architects based in Meltham, Holmfirth. The practice has previously worked on projects in Barnsley, Calderdale, Cheshire East, Kirklees, Leeds, Oldham, and Wakefield.
At the practice, we pride ourselves on building a friendly and professional relationship with all clients, contractors, and developers who approach us. This strength is reflected in the quantity of further work obtained through previous recommendations.
Our clients benefit from our excellent design skills, whilst also receiving a creative, but realistic approach. Our experience allows high-quality concept designs in the planning stages, to be achieved in the construction stage, with a level-headed approach. The building climate is continuously changing, but with our insights, we make sure our clients are fully aware of the process, any difficulties they may face and the estimated cost that the project may reach.
We aim to provide excellent service through all the stages of your project. These stages are explained below:
Our Process
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Stage One - Advice, Feasibility Studies & Surveying
As part of our service, we will meet you free of charge to discuss your project and ideas. With over 30 years of experience, we can advise you on a range of projects including domestic extensions, internal alterations, new dwellings, and works on commercial and industrial buildings. We will provide guidance about relevant local development plans and planning policy statements.
Following the initial advice, we can carry out a full measured survey, which will supply us with all the measurements required to produce drawings and begin the design work.
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Stage Two - Design & Planning
Once we receive a brief of what you would like to achieve with the project we will begin the creative design work. We use a range of tools to progress and help you visualise designs. Two-dimensional plans and elevations together with three-dimensional models and interior walkthroughs can be used throughout this stage.
We will ensure you are happy with all the proposals before submitting the required information to the local authority as a packaged planning application. It may be that there are supplementary reports required by the local authority to validate the application. We will also be able to advise you on any reports we think may be required.
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Stage Three - Detailed Drawings
Our service in this stage includes the scope to finalise your plans. Changes to doorways, kitchen/bathroom layouts, internal walls, and furniture planning can all be discussed and resolved during this stage to ensure contractors know exactly what your plans are.
This stage includes preparing fully detailed plans, sections, elevations, and a schedule of works. These are then passed onto builders to receive an accurate build cost. These drawings will also be submitted to building control, allowing building inspectors to check the works against the plans and issue a final approval when the work is complete.
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Stage Four - Overseeing Construction
Our involvement includes taking regular site visits to monitor the building and safety standards. During these visits, we can resolve any problems and also make sure the contractor has carried out the correct amount of work for the valuation they have submitted. We often work as the middleman during this stage allowing the work to progress smoothly.
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Stage Five - Architects Certification
Following the completion of a new building, we can issue an Architects Certificate or Completion Certificate. This certifies that we have monitored the building through the construction and together with the building inspector agree that the building has been completed without any defects. As architects, we are sufficiently covered by professional indemnity insurance and will be liable for any structural faults for six years.
Our services are flexible and the stages are optional. You may only wish to gain local authority approvals eg, if you have your own builder.
