PROJECT SUPPORT · WORTHING & WEST SUSSEX
Project support for your home
Practical guidance between the drawings and the build.
A builder’s question. An unexpected detail. A decision that needs a little more thought. Moving into construction often brings questions that are easier to resolve with the right support.
Downland Studio provides focused architectural and technical support for extensions, loft conversions and home alterations across Worthing and West Sussex — helping you understand the information, coordinate the next step and make informed decisions.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT →CLEAR INFORMATION · PRACTICAL DECISIONS
You don’t have to work it all out alone.
You may be comparing builders’ quotations, preparing for a start on site or managing your own residential project. The useful question is often simple: what needs to be clarified before we move forward?
Downland Studio brings design and technical understanding to those conversations. We can help explain the drawings, identify gaps in the information and consider how a proposed change affects the architectural design.
Support can be arranged around a particular issue or an agreed series of tasks. You know what is included, who is involved and how the work will be charged.
FOCUSED SUPPORT
Where we can help.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Prepare for the next stage.
Review the available drawings, approvals and outstanding information before pricing or construction. We can help identify architectural information still needed and the questions to raise with your builder or consultants.
BUILDER PRICING
Understand what is being priced.
Help reviewing builders’ quotations against the drawing information, with attention to scope, exclusions and assumptions. A clearer comparison helps you ask useful questions before choosing a contractor.
TECHNICAL QUERIES
Make sense of the detail.
Clarify Downland Studio’s drawings and discuss specific architectural questions with your builder or trades. Additional construction details can be prepared where separately agreed.
DRAWING CHANGES
Consider the implications first.
Review proposed architectural changes or newly exposed conditions. Where needed, we can update the drawings and coordinate relevant specialist information; changes may also require further statutory review.
AGREED SITE VISITS
Look at a specific issue together.
A separately agreed visit can help discuss a particular design detail, query or unforeseen condition on site. Attendance is for the defined purpose set out in the appointment.
PEOPLE · INFORMATION · RESPONSIBILITIES
Keep everyone working from clear information.
Downland Studio provides architectural design and technical support for residential projects, based in Worthing and serving West Sussex. You have a clear point of contact throughout the agreed support.
We can coordinate architectural information with your contractor and separately appointed specialists, such as a structural engineer. Each specialist remains responsible for their own professional work.
The contractor remains responsible for construction methods, sequencing, site safety and workmanship. Building Control undertakes its relevant inspections and determines approval and completion certification. The support described here is flexible, scoped architectural assistance. If you would like Downland Studio to administer an agreed building contract, our optional Contract Administration service provides a separate formal appointment for payments, variations, instructions and completion.
SEE THE FULL PROJECT JOURNEY →EXPLORE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION →WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
Pause. Clarify. Then move forward.
THE QUESTION
Tell us what needs resolving.
Share the issue, your current project stage and the relevant drawings, photographs or builder’s query. Explain whether a decision is needed before work or ordering can proceed.
THE SCOPE
Agree the right support.
We review what is available, identify the architectural task and confirm the scope and fee. Where the issue needs specialist input, we identify that before proceeding.
THE INFORMATION
Bring the right people together.
The agreed review, discussion, detail or visit is carried out, with relevant contractor or consultant input coordinated as appropriate.
THE NEXT STEP
Record the outcome clearly.
Clarifications and revised architectural information are issued as appropriate. Your contractor should use the latest relevant drawings and seek clarification before proceeding with work affected by an unresolved discrepancy.
TRADE MATERIALS · SUPPLIER CONNECTIONS
Trade Materials Pricing
A straightforward route to competitive prices for your project materials.
Downland Studio can make a free introduction to an established local materials broker serving Worthing and the surrounding area. The introduction is available to all Downland Studio clients, with no added charge. The broker can provide access to trade prices available to many local building professionals.
01
Start with an introduction.
If you are managing some of the building work yourself, we can connect you with the supplier so you can discuss your project and materials directly.
02
Request a direct quotation.
Send your materials list or schedule to the supplier. They can confirm products, quantities, availability and delivery terms for your order.
03
Order directly if it suits you.
Your supplier account, orders and payments are dealt with directly between you and the supplier. You can choose whether to proceed once you have reviewed the quotation.
Delivery and kitchens. Many orders qualify for free delivery, but it is not guaranteed. Some delivery charges can exceed £200, so ask the supplier to confirm the cost before ordering. For kitchens, Downland Studio can also introduce clients to trade pricing through Howdens.
The supplier confirms pricing, availability, suitability, delivery and its terms. Any account, quotation, purchase and payment is arranged directly with the supplier.
ASK ABOUT A SUPPLIER INTRODUCTION →CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING
Support with a clear scope and fee.
Project support is arranged around the work you need. A written, itemised proposal confirms the tasks, fee basis and any separately appointed services before work begins.
Guide fees depend on the purpose, complexity and agreed extent of the work. Additional support is not automatically included in a planning or technical drawing package. Consultant fees, authority charges and other third-party costs are separate where applicable.
VIEW THE FULL FEE GUIDE →DISCUSS THE SUPPORT YOU NEED →A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
Project support questions.
When should I ask for project support?
Before builder pricing, when preparing to start on site, or when a specific technical question arises during construction. Early clarification is particularly useful before affected work proceeds or materials are ordered.
Can you help me compare builders’ quotations?
Yes. A separately agreed quotation review can help identify differences in scope, exclusions and assumptions. It does not guarantee the final build cost or a contractor’s performance; contractor appointment remains your decision.
Are site visits included in my drawing package?
Site visits are included only where your proposal says so. Otherwise, attendance is separately requested and agreed for a defined purpose. An occasional visit is not continuous supervision or certification of workmanship.
What if my builder wants to change the design?
Speak to Downland Studio before making a material change to its design. We can review the architectural implications and identify whether revised drawings, specialist advice or further authority review are needed. Additional work is agreed separately.
Can you help if someone else prepared the drawings?
We can discuss it. We first need to review the available drawings, approvals and the particular issue, including permission to use or adapt another designer’s information. The scope and suitability of our involvement are agreed before work starts.
Does project support include project management?
The support described here is focused architectural and technical assistance. Day-to-day management, contract administration, continuous site supervision and payment certification are separate services and are not included unless expressly agreed in writing.
How much does project support cost?
Standard support is £45 per hour, with site visits from £95 per visit and builder pricing and quotation review from £495. The agreed scope, fee basis and any further costs are confirmed in your written proposal.
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR BUILD?
Let’s work out the next step.
Tell us where your project has reached and what you need help with. Whether you are preparing to appoint a builder or have a specific question on site, we can discuss the right level of architectural support.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT →