How we work

If you are looking to expand, convert, renovate or build a new veterinary practice or animal welfare centre, ACD Projects can help.

Our multi-disciplinary team can support you from the initial concept design phase through to completion on site. Every project is bespoke, and while each one generally follows a structured pathway from start to finish, as outlined below, you may need a more tailored approach.

Whether you need expert input at a specific point or a team to oversee the entire project, we can tailor our services to suit your requirements. You can read more about each phase in our Services section.

To understand your specific situation and requirements, and to further explain our services to you, we offer a free, no obligation, initial consultation anywhere in the UK. If you are further afield we may suggest a phone call in the first instance to see how we might be able to help.

If suitable existing drawings of the building are not already available, a measured building survey would typically need to be undertaken prior to design work commencing. This is standard practice for architectural projects and is required in order to produce accurate proposals and technical drawings.

We can arrange and undertake this survey on your behalf, or you may choose to appoint a local surveyor directly. Please note, however, that responsibility for the accuracy of the survey information and resulting drawings would remain with the appointed surveyor.

The measured survey records existing building information such as room dimensions, wall positions, ceiling heights, window and door locations, drainage positions and other important site constraints. This information is then used to produce a 3D Revit model of the existing building. ACD Projects use Revit as it allows us to accurately coordinate layouts, services, equipment and technical information within a detailed 3D environment throughout the design process. Where existing survey drawings are already available, these may still require conversion into a Revit model if suitable files are not already provided.

Having accurate survey information from the outset helps avoid discrepancies later in the project and reduces the likelihood of amendments or redesign work being required further down the line, ultimately helping to save both time and cost as the project progresses.

Whether it’s an existing building you’re looking to improve or expand, or an empty site you wish to build on, a Feasibility Study is the best place to start. This study will help you understand the options open to you, so you can assess whether your project is viable and commercially the right option for you.

What a Feasibility Study for your build can provide:

an assessment of the site, considering its limitations
an initial concept design – we’ll work on a few iterations with you based on your wish list (we try and get this as accurate as possible at this stage but can iron out the details during the next 2 phases)
a cost estimate and breakdown for the project based on our experience in this sector.

This means by the end of the process you have an idea of how much it’s going to cost you, before you’ve committed to the build. We can even help you prepare a plan to present to lenders in order to raise finance.

Once you’re happy with the design and layout of your new building, if it’s required, we can then help you get planning permission. Information needed for planning permission can include:

drawings, elevations and 3D visuals
design and access, and planning statements
third party surveys and reports (such as Ecological surveys, Arboricultural surveys, Landscape design etc)
any other forms that are required in the area or specific to the build *e.g. Listed Building Consent, Heritage Statement etc.)
the application form.

We have a great track record of getting planning approval for our clients. We understand the planning process and planning law and also know our sector. This means we can pre-empt the pitfalls that might otherwise delay your application.

We typically recommend a competitive tendering process, even if you already have a builder in mind. Evaluating contractors on both price and competency helps ensure you achieve the best value and appoint the most suitable team for the project.

However, every project is different and sometimes time constraints may mean you have to act in a different way. In these situations, we can advise on all types of procurement methods, including ‘Traditional’ as well as ‘Design-and-Build’ and ‘Negotiated’ forms of contract. 

We can then compile a highly-detailed set of information, including specifications, schedules and ‘room data drawings’, which include everything from the materials and finishes to the necessary mechanical and electrical information requirements.

This detail helps to prevent any mistakes or omissions on the tender or unexpected costs or delays during the build.

To help you choose the right builder we will:

evaluate the tender returns
conduct due diligence on the company
give you our professional judgement and recommendations based on this research (but of course the final decision will remain with you)
assist you by preparing a contract of appointment for the contractor
if required, prepare a letter of intent for the commencement of the contract.

Once on site, we will:

review the construction throughout the build
attend site either monthly or bi-weekly
run regular progress meetings
monitor progress against the programme
monitor the contract
deal with the contractors’ questions, variation requests, and any issues that arise
record any matters that have financial implications, so there are no surprises for you at the end
coordinate a smooth handover and completion of the project

Did you know? If you need to keep your business running during a renovation or extension we can help plan to minimise disruption.

Would you like to know more about what’s involved in a build? Call us to discuss your project or book a free initial meeting.

Or if you’re not based in the UK, see our International Services page for more information on how we can help.

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If you are looking to expand, convert, renovate or build a new veterinary practice or animal welfare centre, ACD Projects can help.

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