A Simple Introduction from Our Experience
We know the moment well. You've spent an hour with a prospective client, you've measured up, you've understood their vision, and the rapport is great. Then comes the question: "So, what about the planning side of things?"
For many excellent builders, this is where the mood can shift. Talk about architects, drawings, and council fees can feel like introducing complex, unpredictable costs that might scare the client away. The temptation is to either absorb these costs into your margin (risky) or give a vague ballpark figure (unprofessional). Both options undermine your position.
This guide is here to change that. By presenting the planning stage clearly and confidently, you don't just protect your margin; you make your quote stand out as the most comprehensive and trustworthy option. This is how you win the job by demonstrating your professionalism from day one.
The Power of the Two-Stage Quote
The single most effective strategy for you, the builder, is to structure your quote in two distinct stages. This approach immediately de-risks the process for both you and the client. It shows that you have a clear, structured plan and that you won't be charging them for a full build until you have a viable, approved design.
It separates the planning and approvals from the building and construction.
Stage 1: Pre-Construction (Design & Planning Approval) This is the initial phase focused on getting everything legally ready for you to break ground. This is where our services fit in. You present this stage to the client as a clear, necessary first step driven by a specialist team.
Stage 2: The Build (Construction Works) This is your main construction quote. Crucially, you explain that this price is subject to the final, approved drawings from Stage 1. This protects you from having to price a job that might be altered by planning conditions and perfectly manages client expectations.
The London Extend Planning Service
When you present Stage 1 to your client, you will include our service as a single, comprehensive package. We provide one clear quote for our entire planning service, giving you and your client cost certainty from the start.
Our fixed-fee planning service includes everything required to take a client's idea and turn it into a formal planning application:
Initial Consultation: Understanding the client's goals and the project's potential.
Measured Survey: A detailed professional survey of the property to create the accurate baseline drawings.
Production of Existing Drawings: Digitally drafting the property as it currently stands.
Production of the Proposal: Creating the new design drawings, carefully developed to align with the client's needs and planning policy.
Submission of the Planning Application: Managing the formal submission of all documents to the Local Council.
Application Management: This includes all meetings with the council, responding to their queries, and providing any additional documentation they may require during the process.
Liaison with Other Professionals: We will coordinate with other experts, such as structural engineers or heritage consultants, when they are hired directly by the client to provide reports needed to support the planning application.
Please note, our expertise is focused entirely on the planning permission stage. We do not produce technical construction drawings or Building Regulation packages. Our goal is to get you the planning approval that unlocks the rest of the project.
Your New Quoting Template: Copy & Paste Wording
Use this text in your quotes to introduce our services professionally.
Phase 1: Design & Planning Approval To ensure a successful and efficient start to your project, we must first secure Planning Approval from the Local Council. To manage this critical stage, we partner with London Extend, specialists in residential planning applications. They provide a comprehensive, single-fee service that covers everything from the initial survey to receiving the council's decision. This approach provides cost certainty and expert management, giving your project the strongest possible chance of success. London Extend Planning Service Package: [Our Fixed Fee] Statutory Council Application Fee: (This is a separate fee paid directly to the council. The amount varies depending on the council and the type of application required.)
A Realistic Project Timeline (And How to Explain It)
Managing client expectations around timelines is crucial. You can use this breakdown, based on a typical project, to walk your client through the process. It clearly shows which parts we manage and which parts involve other professionals or waiting periods.
Phase 1: Design & Application Preparation (Typically 5-6 Weeks) This is the active design phase managed by us.
Initial Consultation & Measured Survey (Approx. 1 Week)
Production of Existing & Proposed Drawings (Approx. 4-5 Weeks)
Phase 2: The Planning Application Window (Typically 7-9 Weeks) Once the application is submitted, a new clock starts.
Council Validation & Registration (Can take 1-2 weeks)
The 8-Week Determination Period: This is the standard timeframe allocated to the council to make a decision. This period is for council review and public consultation; it is largely a waiting period for the client. We manage all communication during this time.
Phase 3: Parallel & Post-Approval Activities (Managed by Others) These critical activities are not part of our planning service but are essential for the project. They can often start while the planning application is being decided.
Party Wall Notices: If building on or near a boundary, the client will need to hire a Party Wall Surveyor.
Structural Engineer: The client will need to engage a structural engineer to produce calculations and designs for the build.
Building Regulation Drawings: Following planning approval, a separate set of detailed technical drawings must be produced for Building Control approval. This is a distinct stage from planning and is not included in our service.
This structured timeline shows the client that you have a comprehensive understanding of the entire journey, not just the build itself.
Need a fixed-price planning quote for your next job? We can provide one within 24 hours for you to include in your client's estimate.
Contact London Extend today. Let's win more work together.
Feeling Inspired?
Let's Bring Your Vision to Life.
Seeing a finished project is the perfect way to imagine the potential locked within your own home. The journey from an initial idea to a beautiful, functional space is one we are passionate about guiding our clients through.
At London Extend, we specialise in turning that inspiration into a well-planned, expertly managed reality. Whether you're dreaming of a light-filled kitchen extension, a clever loft conversion, or a complete home transformation, our role is to handle the architectural design and complex planning processes for you. We provide the clarity, expertise, and support needed to navigate every step with confidence, ensuring your project is not only beautifully designed but also seamlessly approved.
If these projects have sparked an idea, we'd love to hear it. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to discuss how we can help you begin your own success story.