Architectural design and planning in Seaham

Covering Seaham

Seaham sits 23 miles north of Darlington, with Houghton-le-Spring 5 miles to the west and Sunderland 5 miles to the north.

Homes in the North East

In the North East, terraces, semis and bungalows all offer room to extend, with stone-built villages and conservation areas in parts of County Durham and Northumberland.

What is architectural design and planning?

Architectural design and planning covers everything before building starts: a measured survey of the house, design options, planning or permitted development drawings, the application itself, building regulations drawings and structural calculations. We offer it on its own or as part of a design-and-build project.

Design options and 3D views
Planning or lawful development certificate drawings
Structural engineer’s calculations

What will architectural design and planning cost?

Indicative costs for architectural design and planning. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.

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

Planning and building rules in Seaham

Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.

We confirm whether your project is permitted development, needs prior approval or needs a householder application, and prepare the right submission. A lawful development certificate is the best proof that permitted development work is lawful.

What can change the price or programme?

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

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Architectural design and planning: common questions

How much do extension plans cost?

Typically £3,000 to £7,000 including VAT from measured survey to building regulations drawings, plus council fees.

What is a lawful development certificate?

A certificate from the council confirming that work is permitted development, which is useful when you sell.

Do you work in Seaham?

Yes. Seaham is within our coverage for architectural design and planning, along with nearby Houghton-le-Spring and Sunderland.

Also covering

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