DesignBuild

Expert architectural design solutions

Transforming homes in North East England

Our service

Alistair and the team at Acre Design provide architectural design services to homeowners in the North East of England. We design beautiful extensions working closely with our customers. We gain planning and building control approvals on our clients behalf, then find you a contractor, and keep a close eye on the building work during construction.

Family enjoying new kitchen in their home extension

  • Open plan rear extensions
  • Garage conversions
  • Bedroom over garage extension
  • Loft conversions
  • New home design
  • Self build designs
  • Refurbishments

Why choose us?

More money left over to spend on the things you enjoy

Our designs are not only affordable but also easy for builders to work with. We pay a lot of attention to each detail, so when your builders give you quotes, they’re more accurate and won’t have to add extra money just in case. We’ve noticed that when plans are unclear, builders tend to play it safe and charge more. With our careful designs, we keep things straightforward and help you save money on your project.

Enjoy a dream home…

We use the latest 3D software to make lifelike images and explainer videos of your project. This way, you can actually see what your new home will look like instead of trying to figure it out from old-style flat CAD plans. You don’t have to just trust us – we want you to be part of the whole thing. We can even schedule meetings at convenient times for you to keep you fully in the loop.

A happier family life

Whether you are giving your children their own rooms, creating a beautiful master suite in the loft or building a new kitchen, dining and living area; the additional space we can create will improve your family relationships and happiness throughout the home. Surely that’s the most important thing that there is?

A true design an build service

A bespoke design, and the approvals are a very important start, but at Acre we offer a full tender process and contracts administration service too. Ensuring a competitive quote and regular site visits to confirm progress is on schedule, on budget, and to a good quality.

Peace and mind throughout

We will send you target dates for each stage right at the beginning for your project. We will keep you updated throughout the design and approval process – welcoming your comments and feedback. Your project is as important to us, as it is to you.

  • Our plans save builders time, saving you money
  • We offer guarantees
  • We’re confident of offering the best service at the best price

Our unique 5×5 process

Embarking on an architecture and building project is a big deal, and using the “5×5” process makes it easier, less stressful, and reduces risk to you. This process is like a step-by-step guide that helps us plan well, design carefully, get approvals smoothly, pick the right builder, and keep a close eye on construction. Following this tried-and-true method means less confusion and better results. It’s like having a roadmap that keeps everything on track, making sure your project turns out just the way you want it. Trust the process, and let’s build something awesome together!

Set up to succeed

  1. Detailed measured survey.
  2. Create a 3D computer replica of the house.
  3. Produce an existing site and roof plan.
  4. Highlight key areas of focus.
  5. Complete our unique Golden Thread document.

The creativity stage

  1. Produce black and white concept 3D designs with floor plans and explainer videos.
  2. Meeting 1 – Focus discussions on form, flow, function & material choice options.
  3. Produce full-colour 3D designs in line with comments.
  4. Meeting 2 – Focus discussions on the developed designs and a detailed costings report* (*costing report only made available with Packages 2, 3 & 4).
  5. Produce planning drawings based on comments (two further rounds of edits and meetings if required).

The techical stage

  1. The BEST technical plans are now produced. These are used to price from and build to.
  2. Detailed electrical, heating & lighting layout.
  3. Structural engineers consultation to complete the technical plan pack.
  4. Meeting 3 – Full project walk-through + final checks.
  5. Prepare and submit the application for approval.

Right builders, right price

  1. Construction plans prepared, fixtures and finished schedule produced.
  2. Detailed Bill of Quantities.
  3. Shortlist contractors based on specialism and availability.
  4. The formal tender process, gathering like-for-like quotes.
  5. Tender report – detailed cost analysis with recommendations.

A project going to plan

  1. Preparation of a JCT contract, keeping things formal.
  2. Fortnightly site visits focusing on time, cost and quality with detailed reporting throughout.
  3. Variation management – a formal process to ensure no surprises for any party.
  4. Approval of contractors’ staged invoices, advising clients to release appropriate funds.
  5. Snagging inspection and gaining completion certificate.

What if I don’t need all of this?

The basic philosophy of our studio is to create individual, aesthetically stunning solutions for our customers by lightning-fast development of projects employing unique styles.

Not all customers require our help from concept to completion on site (our 5×5 process). So we offer smaller works packages too. You may just need design and approvals or don’t require our help on site. Each package will be priced at the fee proposal stage and you can upgrade at any time.

Would recommend to anyone needing plans drawn. Alistair and his team have been very good throughout. Their experience and expertise meant that they managed to design exactly what we wanted, all within building regulations. We got a lawful planning certificate straight away. All plans were done very quickly, and all our questions or request were answered straight away. Will use them again if ever I need more plans drawn.

Michael Bouvier

Contact Acre Design

CAI Building, Royal Quays,
North Shields, NE29 6DE

T: 0191 6808 088
E: [email protected]