F A Q's

Building Warrant

A building warrant is the legal permission to commence building work, convert or demolish a building. On the 1st of May 2007 a new building standards technical handbooks will come into operation in Scotland. All building warrant applications from this date will be processed under the Building (Scotland) Act 2004, information on which is set out on these pages.The Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA) is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive to undertake the national functions related to the building standards system.This section is intended to help anyone who is unfamiliar with the building standards system in Scotland.This guidance deals only with the building standards system and you should be aware that other statutory requirements may also apply to the work proposed, such as planning permission, fire certificates or licensing. Planning permission is a separate matter and further guidance may be obtained from your local authority or from the Scottish Executive planning website.Some building proposals are exempt however you should consult your local authority for confirmation.

Follow this link to the SBSA. Building Regulations - Your Questions Answered.

Planning

Many types of new development need planning permission from the local council before building work can be carried out or the use of a property changed. In these cases, a planning application must be made to the local council describing what the new development will involve and where it will take place. The Scottish planning system can be complicated with each application vetted on individual merit in accordance with local authority strategy plans. Most local authorities have local planning guidance aimed to assist applicants to develop submission proposals, you are advised to be familiar with this guidance during your design development process. This information can often be obtained online from your local authorities web site. To find your local authority online click here Local Authorities . Helpful information can also be found at Planning aid scotland.

Design Service Fees

The practice aims to offer competitive rates for our professional services and places emphasis on providing the necessary degree of design information to protect each client's interests for their proposed project. We feel that Quality of design information drives each project from start to finish and ensures that the scope of works can be clearly identified ,priced and implemented with minimal complication. In many small domestic projects the main item which could be related to 'a contract document and agreement ' between you and your contractor is your design information.

Fees are Invariably dependent upon the nature and scope of works required for the individual project. We aim to provide you with our comprehensive service to optimise design value and production output, however services can be tailored to meet your requirements and suit your budget.

Full detailed quotations will be provided upon request for your project with terms and conditions of engagement defining the scope of works and related costs for services provided in advance of any work commencing.

We can provide a summarised scope of works for typical domestic extension project to explain the work flow procedure and assist your determination of service requirement. We can also provide a typical outline flow diagram to help you understand this process describing how to get from your initial idea through to your site start and successful completion.

Local Authority Application Fees.

Planning ( typical Fees )

Householder alteration/extension projects - £ 145.00 + possible advertisement fee where owners of neighbouring land cannot be easily notified.

New build house - £290.00 + possible advertisement fee where owners of neighbouring land cannot be easily notified.

Building Warrant

Building warrant fees payable to the local authority are based on your estimate of building work, most local authorities assess this estimate using the RICS building price index regardless of whether or not you or a contractor will carry out the building works.The fee payable is extracted from a standard scale of fees table published by your council for cost table for a copy please either contact us or refer to the local authority web site.