Oakland Vale Design and Build Service
(Once Planning has been approved)
Building Regulations
Once planning approval
has been obtained for your new house the next stage is to obtain building
regulations approval and deal with any planning conditions. Once we have agreed
fees for this and you have instructed us to proceed we would usually have a
meeting with you to discuss the building regulations requirements in relation
to your house. We would discuss and advise you regarding the most cost
effective way to build your house whilst complying with the current regulations.
We would also run through with you any minor changes to the layout and design that
you may require. This meeting is also an opportunity to look at the finer
detail of the build such as floor finishes, staircases, windows and external
finishes. We now have a wealth knowledge and experience in building bespoke
homes, so are able to advise you on material choices and the added complexity
and benefits that beautiful green Oak framing brings to a project. At this
point we would introduce you to our client wish list which covers everything
from exterior finishes to electrical sockets, this is a live document that
develops throughout the Design and Build process and helps you start to think
about the various aspects of the build.
We would then prepare
some preliminary building regulations drawings for you to review. Running
alongside this we would start dealing with any planning conditions, these
usually need to be discharged prior to work starting on site and one of the
main condition that needs to be dealt with is the materials that are to be used
in the exterior of the building need to be agreed with the planners.
Once the preliminary
drawings have been prepared we would usually arrange a meeting with you to run
through these to ensure that everything is in order and as discussed at the initial
meeting. Following this meeting we would finalise the drawings ready to submit
to building control for approval and pass the drawings over to our Quantity
Surveyor to price up the build.
Usually we
submit our drawings to an Approved Inspector as opposed to using the Local
Authority Building Control department. We use Approved inspectors as we feel they
offer a more practical approach to the build, working with us in order to
ensure that the proposal complies with current building regulations. We have a
good working relationship with BBS Building Control
Ltd, who also carryout
site inspection for a structural building warranty scheme provided by Build
Zone.
Building
control will then check through our drawings to make sure they comply and then
they will either issue an approval or a conditional approval. We will then deal
with any conditions as and when the information becomes available.
Building
regulation drawings need only satisfy the specific details required by building
control and are not full
constructional drawings or “Working drawings”. Initially we would prepare
drawings which would be suitable for building regulations approval and initial
pricing purposes only. More detailed drawings would then be required in order
to facilitate the build and finalise costs.
The Building Regulations standards
The Building
Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings,
primarily to ensure the safety and health for people in or around those
buildings, but also for energy conservation and access to and about buildings.
At various stages throughout the build process a building inspector will check
to ensure that the building complies with current legislation.
It is important to understand the building regulations because as the owner of the building, it is ultimately you who may be served with an enforcement notice if the work does not comply with the regulations. The requirements with which building work should comply are contained in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations and are grouped under the thirteen 'parts' below:
It is important to understand the building regulations because as the owner of the building, it is ultimately you who may be served with an enforcement notice if the work does not comply with the regulations. The requirements with which building work should comply are contained in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations and are grouped under the thirteen 'parts' below:
- Part A - Structure
- Part B - Fire safety
- Part C - Site preparation and resistance to moisture
- Part D - Toxic substances
- Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound
- Part F - Ventilation
- Part G - Hygiene
- Part H - Drainage and waste disposal
- Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
- Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact
- Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
- Part M - Access to and use of buildings
- Part P - Electrical safety
Sustainability
Front view of Isle Of Wight Eco Home - Designed and Project Manged By Oakland Vale,
with Photo Voltaic and Flat Plate solar panels built into the roof.
All our
houses are designed wherever possible to exceed the minimum thermal
requirements set out by the current Building Regulations.
Building sustainably not only has benefits for the environment but also for the client and future generations. All our homes are designed to be thermal efficient with high levels of insulation. Where practicable and subject to budget many of our clients opt for the installation of renewable energy sources to heat their homes such as ground source heat pumps and flat pate solar panels. We also design our homes to make use of passive heating by enhancing solar gain and thermal mass.
Building sustainably not only has benefits for the environment but also for the client and future generations. All our homes are designed to be thermal efficient with high levels of insulation. Where practicable and subject to budget many of our clients opt for the installation of renewable energy sources to heat their homes such as ground source heat pumps and flat pate solar panels. We also design our homes to make use of passive heating by enhancing solar gain and thermal mass.
Code for Sustainable Homes
View of a completed Code 3 Home designed and project managed by Oakland Vale Ltd
The Code
for sustainable homes has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable
building practice for new homes.
The code
measures the sustainability of a home against design categories rating the
'whole home' as a complete package.
The
design categories included in the code are:
- Energy/CO2
- Water
- Materials
- Surface water run-off
- Waste
- Pollution
- Health and well being
- Management
- Ecology
The code
is closely linked to the Building Regulations, which are the minimum building
standards required by law. Minimum standards for the Code compliance have been
set above the requirements of Building Regulations. It is intended that the
code will signal the future direction of Building Regulations in relation to
carbon emissions from, and energy use in homes, providing greater regulatory
certainty for the homebuilding industry.
Many
Local Authorities require that new homes are built under the Code and they deal
with this as one of the planning conditions. If your home needs to be built
under the Code we will appoint a code assessor to evaluate the project and
ensure that the completed build meets the requirements. Once complete a
certificate will be issued stating the level reached, this will then need to be
submitted to the planners to discharge the condition.
Construction Phase
View of the Oak Frame being erected on site on one of our Design and Build projects
We have a
well-established team of highly skilled trade’s people and are able to offer a
fully professional managed design and build service, offering advice and
support throughout the build.
We
outline a fully detailed and broken down cost schedule which forms part of our
contract and allows you to keep a close eye on your budget. We only ever charge
for work that has been satisfactorily completed and we operate a completely
transparent financial system which is discussed at our regular monthly meetings
during the project.
Prior to
works starting on site we would provide you with a detailed programme of works,
this would be used throughout the process to ensure that the trades and
construction phases work effectively and keeps you informed of progress.
Your new
home will be looked after during the construction phase by a dedicated site
agent, who would work under the direct supervision of the contracts manager who
in turn is supported by a dedicated surveyor, technical director and a
procurement manager.
During
the build we hold monthly progress meetings between you and our build team,
where we will provide you with an update as to how the build is progressing and
discuss with you any design decisions or client choices that need to be made. We
also provide you with project cost forecasts so that you know exactly where you
are at any point of the project from a financial point of view.
As the
build progresses we would provide any additional detailed drawings as required,
advice on materials, fixtures and fittings etc. thus ensuring your new home is
built to your exact specifications.
We also
have the ability to accompany you to see some of the completed schemes to
provide you with ideas and inspiration thanks to a number of our satisfied
customers.
Please contact us for friendly advice regarding your own Design and build project:-
Tel: 01424 214411
Email: info@oaklandvale.co.uk
