Site visit

George: Hello, you must be Tim Smith, the architect.

Tim: Yes, that’s right.

George: I’m George and this is my wife, Helen.

Helen: Hello.

Tim: Hello, pleased to meet you.

George: So this is the piece of land we inherited last year. We’ve spent quite a long time thinking about it, but we’ve decided we’d like to build a house and move to this part of the town.

Tim: Well, it’s a wonderful location, isn’t it? And the plot is an adequate size, too.

George: Yes, we think it should be big enough for a small house leaving a bit of garden.

Tim: I presume there won’t be a problem obtaining planning permission.

George: No, I don’t think so. We’re not sure how far back we can build or how close to the neighbours, but surely that isn’t a problem to find out.

Tim: No, not at all. The local authority will be able to provide all the necessary information. So, what is it you actually have in mind?

Helen: Well, we’re thinking of something quite normal really. Living, dining, kitchen on the ground floor; the bedrooms, we’ll be needing two for the children and one for us, maybe an extra guest bedroom, upstairs. I’d love either a cellar or a utility area to take care of all the technical equipment and offering storage facilities; oh, and of course, we’ll need a garage.

Tim: Okay, I’ve made a note of all of that. Have you got an idea how many square meters you’re looking at?

Helen: The house we’re living in at the moment is a 4-bedroom semi. It would be great to have a bit more space.

George: I suppose we’re thinking of something between 150 and 200 sqm. But of course a lot depends on the costs.

Tim: Yes, I can understand that. I’ll tell you what. Let me speak to the local authority, take some measurements of the site and I’ll get back to you in a week or two with some first ideas and thoughts.

George: That sounds wonderful. I’ll give you my card so that you know where we are and I look forward to hearing from you soon.