Top 5 Benefits of Hiring a Residential Architect in New Forest and Bournemouth
Laura Simpkins is your local architect who understands the specific needs and regulations of the New Forest and Bournemouth area, having designed and built over 40 extensions and loft conversions in the Hampshire and Dorset regions.
- Local planning knowledge
This is key as the New Forest National Park has many complicated planning restrictions. We often get contacted by clients who are thinking of buying a property in the new forest area but need to be sure they can extend or renovate it to suit first. Issues can include size restrictions, is the house in a designated village, is it a small dwelling and does it have permitted development rights. We work closely with local experienced planning consultants, many of whom have previously worked for the national park authority both in the early stages of design and also to help with planning applications.
- Experience of house types in the area
Bungalows galore with a decent helping of victorian detached properties, this is the main housing type that we have lots of experience with. However we have so much variety in the Bournemouth, Pokesdown, Christchurch, Boscombe and Southbourne areas with some beautiful large villas and traditional 3 bed semi-detached houses. In the New Forest we have older cottages, large detached houses and chalet bungalows, sometimes with lots of land so potential for outbuildings or annexes. When we visit you for a free initial consultation we will show you an example of a previous project in a house much like yours!
- Knowledge of good local trades and builders
We work closely with builders, kitchen fitters, door manufacturers and ground workers and can provide you with names of companies that we have worked with and who have provided previous clients with a good service. These companies are only as good as their last job however so we do recommend that you do your homework, it is now a client’s duty to check the core competency of any builder that is appointed. We value builders that can communicate successfully with clients, things often do not go to plan during a build but how problems are solved is important for everyone’s stress levels.
- Wealth of previous projects in the area
With over 40 projects built you can be sure that we have seen many issues that you may be having with your house before. From light issues in a semi-detached house to ceiling height constraints in a loft conversion your local new forest and bournemouth architect will be able to draw on experience to help you solve your individual problem. Different areas such as Sway or Southbourne have unique soil conditions and the input of a structural engineer is vital.
- Links with other professionals in the area
Structural engineers, ecologists, garden designers, arboriculturalists, party wall surveyors, project managers and interior designers are all professionals that you may need to include in your renovation project. We spend a lot of time building up collaborative relationships with local professionals, including hosting Constructive Together networking events for construction professionals in the Bournemouth Poole Christchurch council area. Building an extension or loft conversion is a team effort and there will be a variety of professionals involved, co-ordinated by your Pride Road architect. We will let you know who you will need to use at the free initial consultation.
