So... What is ArkiPlan.co.uk??? ...and How does it work???

(HATE reading all this boring text? Click 'Demonstration' above to see a movie that explains the unique ArkiPlan.co.uk drawing system)  

Leave it to us to explain...  

Homeowners like yourself can often find that going to an Architect for small domestic projects can prove unnecessarily expensive - especially if the project requires no complex contracts, project management or surveys.

ArkiPlan.co.uk has been formed to provide a simple and cost-effective service to homeowners requiring Planning and Building Regulations approval for small building projects including Loft Conversions, Garage Conversions, Extensions, Conservatories, Dormers and Outbuildings.

Our service is entirely web-based to help keep our prices to a minimum. This also allows prompt communication throughout the project and a simple means of sending drawings and paper work for approval. 

Once you have registered with ArkiPlan.co.uk, you will be presented with your own web portal where you can begin your Application. This is entirely unique as no other company offers such an automated and transparent application system. The intelligent web portal will prompt you for all required information and will keep you updated automatically throughout the whole process.
Why not register for free now just to take a look at it?

To see how a typical application process looks from start-to-finish, click 'Demonstration' above or read the list of steps below...

The Application Process 

STEP 1 - Details of Building Work 

The first thing you will be prompted to do is briefly tell us what sort of building work you are planning to carry out (eg. Single storey extension / Loft conversion). Once you click 'next', you will forwarded to Step 2.

STEP 2 - Photographs of your Home

The next part of the application process requires that you upload atleast ONE photograph from each side of your property including any other photographs that you may deem relevant (eg. Inside your loft space)

STEP 3 - Dimensioned Floor Plan

Next, you will be prompted to provide a dimensioned sketch of your property's floor plan. Don't Panic!... sketching your floor plan is much easier than you may think and only basic measuring equiptment is required to get the sizes of the rooms. Remember - for the purposes of Planning and Building Regulations approval, the dimensions do not need to be millimeter perfect.

You can either scan and upload the sketch to your portal and the system will automatically 'tick' off the requirement or you can fax the sketch to us and we will upload it for you. It is only after this stage that you will be prompted to pay any money...

STEP 4 - Stage 1 Payment

Once all of the above are complete, you will then be prompted to make your 'Stage 1 Payment'. This is 50% of the total fee you will pay to ArkiPlan and can be paid through your web portal using Paypal. If you would like to pay by any other means, just give us a call :)

STEP 5 - ArkiPlan Complete Drawings

Upon receipt of your Stage 1 Payment, we will begin drafting your Planning Drawings from the information and images you have provided. At this stage we will normally call you to clarify every detail of the application.

STEP 6 - Client Approve Drawings

Within 10 days of your Stage 1 Payment you will receive an email confirming that your drawings have been completed and are available for viewing.
Clicking the link in the email will take you to your web portal where you can view your Planning Drawings and check the details on each. If everything is correct you can simply click 'Approve' and this will let us know that you are happy with the drawings. If you need any changes, you can call or email us and we will provide amended drawings within 3 days.

STEP 7 - Stage 2 Payment

As with the Stage 1 Payment, you will now be prompted to make your final 50% payment to ArkiPlan. Once this paymet has cleared ArkiPlan can submit your drawings to your local authority FREE OF CHARGE or you can simply download your drawings and handle the application process yourself.

STEP 8 - ArkiPlan Submit Drawings

If you would like us to handle your application from start-to-finish at no extra cost, you just need to choose the relevant option at this stage. We will get in touch at this stage to confirm your council application fee and will tell you the address that the cheque must be sent to. We will also try to pre-empt any additional costs that you may incur due to requirements from your local council (eg. Structural surveys, Wildlife Surveys etc) and let you know how much they may be.

STEP 9 - Planning Permission Granted

Once your council has received your application fee cheque and the application pack from us, they will deliberate over the application for a maximum of 8 weeks. Once we have received a decision, you will receive an email prompting you to login to your ArkiPlan portal where the council's decision will be displayed. If the council has any issues throughout the 8 week period, they will liaise with us, rather than taking up your valuable time.

(OPTIONAL)

STEP 10 - Building Regulations Payment

Assuming Planning Permission has now been granted, most building projects will now require approval from the Building Control department of your local council. We will contact you at this stage to confirm if you would like us to produce Building Regulations drawings for your project. We will also project the expected costs you will be likely to incur from your local council or hired specialists (eg. structural engineers / party wall consultants) in addition to our drawing fee. Once agreed, you can then make your Building Regulations drawing fee payment through the ArkiPlan web portal. Any payments to required specialists will be made directly to them and all council fees will be paid via cheque to the council.

STEP 11 - ArkiPlan Complete Building Regulations Drawings

Once we have received a cheque payable to your council and our Building Regulations drawing fee, we will produce your Building Regulations drawings and upload them for your approval once again.

STEP 12 - Client Approve Building Regulations Drawings

As with the Planning process, you can then check the Building Regulations and 'approve' them once an agreement is reached that all details on the drawings are correct.

STEP 13 - ArkiPlan Submit Building Regulations Drawings

Once you have approved the drawings, we will complete all the necessary paperwork and submit the drawings to your local Building Control department.

STEP 14 - Building Regulations Approval Granted

Once your council have received the cheque, paper work and drawings from us, they will deliberate over the application for a maximum of 5 weeks. Once the application has been approved, you are then required to contact your local council to book site visits at specific times in the construction process to book site visits. Don't worry... we will explain all of this fully at the time of submission.

If you have any questions about this process or any aspect of the ArkiPlan.co.uk website, please do not hesitate to get in touch :)

.......If you would like to begin your application, simply click 'New Application' to begin...