Guide For Hiring Planning Consultants in Essex for Construction Projects

Planning permits are a legal requirement before you break ground for any construction project. Small extension and conversion projects are covered under the permitted clause, meaning that you may not need a planning permit or building regulations approval. 

The process of getting planning permission approval is extensive. A planning consultant in Essex will come in handy at this stage. The consultants are experienced and know what documents are required. They will also ensure that the documents are up-to-date to prevent rejection by the authorities.

Below are tips to consider when hiring planning consultants. 

Your Budget

One of the main things you must consider before hiring a professional planning consultant is your budget. The rates will vary depending on years of experience and city. Some consultants may charge an hourly rate while others may ask for a percentage of the project's total cost.

Do your market research to find a planning consultant in Essex that fits within your budget. Good and experienced planning consultants in Essex will be expensive but are worth the extra money. Don't compromise on quality in a bid to cut costs. 

Certification and Years of Experience

An experienced planning consultant will help you through the application process and ensure that all of the necessary documents are up-to-date. They can also handle projects of different magnitudes, which is a plus if you are working on a complex building.

Certification is non-negotiable. The planning consultant must be well-versed in the construction laws and requirements in Essex. Certified professionals will advise you on the industry's best practices as per the city's laws and regulations.

Reviews and Customer Testimonials

The process of getting planning permission can be tedious, especially if you are working on a tedious project. For that, the last thing you want is to work with a poor professional with poor customer service or communication.

Reviews and customer testimonials will help you learn more about the planning consultant. Read what the people are saying about working with the consultant. Do they have good customer service? What is their communication like?

Professional consultants in Essex and other cities will be the link between you and other stakeholders like the architect, project manager, and structural engineer. Proper communication and quality customer service will be vital.

Ask for Recommendations

Whether you are hiring a planning consultant in Essex or anywhere else in the world, getting recommendations from friends or family will reduce your search time. Do your due diligence on the consultant and ask questions about their rate card, professionalism, and customer service.

You can also ask for recommendations from other professionals in the business, for example your architect or project manager. 

Wrapping Up

Applying for planning permission is a long process, especially for big construction projects. Hiring a professional planning consultant in Essex will make the application process faster and eliminate any room for error. 

Remember, planning permits and building regulations approvals are legal requirements. Failure to get a planning permit can lead to issues with the local authority. Approval can take 8-12 weeks and applications with errors are rejected, which can affect your project’s timeline.