Your Conversion, Step By Step

So you have decided what you want done and you have chosen Marble Construction to do it. Your new attic will be a fantastic addition to your home!

We are equally as excited as you are in creating a new dimension to your property!

We know that understanding, communication and relations are key in making sure your new space is exactly what you want. The step-by step design below will help you to know what to expect and how to deal with the nasty bits like paper work, legality and regulations.

The Customer Service Team

With a lot of construction firms, the only communication with the company is the sales department. Marble Construction is different.

Stuart will be available throughout the design, legal, construction and completion processes for guidance, advice and any other help you may need. With a vast experience in project planning, Stuart can help simplify and explain what some customers may see as a daunting challenge.

Contact Details
Name: Stuart Wyeth
Mobile: 07525 650 011
Email: Stuart@marbleconstruction.co.uk

Roles in Customer assistance:

  • To ensure your complete satisfaction at all stages of the process from start to finish.
  • To be in regular contact to answer any questions.
  • to resolve any unforeseen issues if they occur .
  • To arrange and agree on start times that suit  all parties.
  • Complete Customer Care throughout each stage of the process.
  • To Send/Deliver and help with all final completion paper work once the job is complete.
  • To negotiate any extra construction work you may want before or after the conversion.

The Design Team

Over 1000 domestic developments, previous employment as a private building control officer and a local authority inspector, completed a BSc (Hons) in civil structural engineering. No other company can offer you the experience and expertise that Nick has.

Nick will be the one drawing up the plans for your new space, if you have plans of your own, nick will go through them with you to double check the safety, efficiency and practicality of your designs.

To Make sure all work completed by Marble Construction is up to our usual high standards, Nick performs Internal Quality Control Checks at various stages of the build.

If you have any questions or information for Nick, feel free to contact him during the planning or construction stages.

Contact details:

Name: Nick Woods
Mobile: 07977 218 117
Email: nick@marbleconstruction.co.uk

Job roles:

  • To conduct all surveys before the work commences.
  • Production of first drawings are designed after a first  consultation has taken place with you. This consultation is very important as it is from this that Nick can bring your thoughts, ideas and needs into the design.
  • Discussion and amendments to preliminary drawings.
  • Planning and building regulation submissions.
  • Thames Water enquiries and build over applications.
  • Any party wall issues.

Logistics

Our Logistics expert Darren has over 10 years experience managing companies and some of the hardest conversions known in the industry.

Whilst dealing with contracts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds he at the same time dedicates the same passion and energy into all projects regardless of size.

Darren is on site everyday during the build for a daily brief of what will be done and achieved and the means to get there. He will also send and help shape the weekly plan so you can keep your life as normal as possible and avoid the disruption normally associated with conversions.

Contact details:

Name: Darren Maunders
Mobile: 07709 429114
E-mail: darren@marbleconstruction.co.uk

Job Roles:

  • To carry out the surveys before the build begins.
  • Before and after photography and documentation of build information.
  • Scheduling of site material deliveries.
  • Planning and recording all payments.
  • Answering your day to day on site questions.
  • Organizing any final decisions you make such as sink location etc.
  • Daily briefing and de-briefing of staff.
  • Main logistical decisions of the construction.

Construction Team

Our construction team is led by Luke Maunders, highly skilled and experienced in construction to ensure that you project is completed on time, on budget and just how you want it.

Not only a great manager, Luke is in charge of training apprentices to the high standards expected by Marble Construction.

Luke is always on site and always available and capable to answer any questions, making him an easy and quick liaison during the construction process.

If there is any additional work you require during the build, just ask Luke to enquire into feasibility, planning and cost.

Contact Details:

Name: Luke Maunders
Mobile: 07730 518058
E-mail: luke@marbleconstruction.co.uk

Job Roles:

  • Day to day quality control.
  • To ensure the sight is left tidy after each working day.
  • Etiquette management of construction team, i.e cursing, noise levels, music.
  • The training of apprentices and new employees.
  • On site customer relations.
  • Daily contact with you, the client

The First Step

The Survey

Nick Woods (see above) will contact you to arrange a 2 to 3 hour period where he can access your property to take down the measurements and specifications. Nick can do this without guidance, leaving you free to your normal routine, however it is advisable to have a 30 to 40 minute consultation with Nick at the end to ensure all your requirements and ideas are featured in the preliminary designs.

If you are not available for this consultation, do not worry, this can also be done by phone at a later time.

As it is necessary for Nick to take photographs from inside and outside of your property, daylight is necessary so appointments must be during the working day or weekends but not in evenings.

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Preliminary Designs

10  to 14 days after Nick has been round to create the specification, the preliminary drawings and designs will be ready. They will then be sent to you for notification of any amendments you wish to make to the design.

Once the amendments are received, it usually only takes two days for the amendments to be added to the designs and sent back to you for confirmation.

This process can usually be repeated up to 3 times within our agreed price. In the very unlikely event more amendments are needed a relaxed pricing agreement can be made once the plans are finalised.

Once the plans are agreed upon by both parties your signature is required to add to the plans to be sent off to be submitted to your local authority.

IMPORTANT! You should reach a written party wall agreement with neighbours before your plans are submitted. Here is some useful information on party walls.

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Planning Approval

All Planning applications must legally be responded to by your local authority in no more than 8 weeks. However, during peak building season, the full 8 weeks should be accounted for.

We will instantly notify you of any updates, but it is common for there to be no new information from us for 5 weeks while the council processes the application.

When approved, we will send you the approval letter and a letter of acknowledgment.

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Final Preparations

The plans will be sent to our structural engineers to carry out calculations, then submitted to building control for confirmation, once approved, we are ready to start.

Calculations by our engineers and approval from building control takes up to a month in total. During this time we will be scheduling the start date and build, so no time is wasted.

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Start of Construction

We will be in regular contact up until the start date so you will be aware and informed of the building logistics and processes.

Luke will be on site from day 1 on to deal with any enquiries you might have.

Preparations

Parking Permits

Before the start date it is necessary that you pay for and obtain any parking permits needed by the construction team from your local authority if needed.

In London and Surrey, a trade permit is available from your local authority, this can be cheaper than individual parking permits. A trade permit can only be obtained if you have proof of work.

Any of the following is acceptable as proof:

  • A photocopy of our quotation, showing the address of your property.
  • Letters confirming the building work from your local authority.
  • A highway license for skips.

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Safety for You, Your Neighbours and Us.

Safety is our main concern at Marble Construction.

We welcome you to join us on site and will supply you with the necessary safety equipment, including, glasses, helmets, high visibility jackets, gloves and masks.

It is extremely important that you wear these whilst on site for your safety.

Please avoid parking vehicles near the construction site or on the drive way, with so much equipment, goods and waste being transported, not only are vehicles a safety hazard, accidental damage to such vehicles is a possibility, for this reason please also inform your neighbours not to park near the site.

Vehicles located in such areas are at risk and Marble Construction does not take responsibility for any damage if in the area specified.

We always keep the site tidy to minimize risks. However, tools and materials in use may be located around the site, so take care when entering or leaving the area.

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Preparing Rooms

The Following points are to make sure no damage comes to any of your possessions, furnishings or property:

  • The rooms directly adjoined to the extension should be vacant and closed off
  • If you are keeping the existing carpet in areas of work, have them removed before the start date and re-lay it after completion
  • Landings if in use or passed through should also be empty, including wall hangings
  • Scaffolding can interfere with Satellite T.V reception, which we cannot take responsibility for. In the event that there is interference, aerial installation engineers will re-locate the satellite for around £70 plus VAT.

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Life Without a Kitchen?

This can be one of the most frustrating elements of an extension and can last up to two weeks depending on the job.

To show our appreciation for choosing us, we will give you a £50 gift voucher for the Thai Terrace in Guildford for One night to help with your dining arrangements.

To make the time without a kitchen or water as easy as possible, friends and family are a useful source of help. Bottled water, a kettle and a microwave in an unaffected room can also make your life easier!

Thai Terrace details:
7th Floor
Castle Car Park
Sydenham Road,
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3RT
Tel: 01483 503350

“Stunning Scenery at what ever time of day. Thai Terrace has been packed every weekend since it opened in 2003. The Thai Terrace is a chic, contemporary restaurant renowned for its attention to detail and great-value food and wine list. With panoramic views over Guildford and ample parking below.”

Remy Award winner 2005.
Children welcome.
Garden.
Access for disabled people.
Vegetarian meals.
Fantastic Food.
Great Atmosphere.