Architectural design and planning in Livingston

Covering Livingston

Alongside Livingston, we also cover Bathgate (5 miles to the west), Linlithgow and Grangemouth.

Homes in the Lothians

Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.

What goes into architectural design and planning?

Designing and building under one roof means the drawings are priced as they are drawn, so there are fewer surprises when the quote arrives. If you only need drawings and a planning application, we can do that and you are free to use any builder.

Building warrant application and completion certificate
Building regulations drawings and specification
Structural engineer’s calculations

How much should I budget for architectural design and planning?

Use these ranges to budget for architectural design and planning; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.

Architectural design and planning	Guide price incl. VAT
Measured survey and existing drawings	£500 to £1,200
Planning drawings and application	£1,200 to £3,000
Building regulations drawings and specification	£1,000 to £2,500
Structural calculations	£500 to £2,000

How is architectural design and planning approved in Livingston?

Projects in Scotland need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate once it is finished. Planning permission is a separate decision. The Party Wall etc. Act does not apply in Scotland; shared walls are governed by title deeds and the law of the tenement where relevant.

We prepare planning applications where needed and the building warrant application, which must be approved before work starts in Scotland.

What should Livingston homeowners check first?

Pre-application advice from the council can help on sensitive sites.
Conservation areas and listed buildings need extra design care and supporting statements.

From first call to completion

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Your questions answered

Can I use your drawings with another builder?

Yes. If you buy drawings on their own, they are yours to use.

How long does planning take?

Councils aim to decide householder applications within eight weeks of validation.

Can you visit a house in Livingston to quote?

Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.

Architectural design and planning in nearby towns

Learn more about architectural design and planning, or see every project we cover in Livingston.