Building & Construction Consultancy — Integrated Design, Planning & Delivery Solutions
Hillingdon, London, UK | info@miaconsultants.uk | +44 7368 292671
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Practical guidance for building
& construction projects.

Short practical articles covering common client questions, planning processes and construction best practice — written to help you make better, more informed decisions.

Why measured surveys matter before construction starts

Early and accurate surveying reduces uncertainty, improves coordination and creates a better basis for budgeting, documentation and project planning.

A measured survey provides a detailed and accurate record of the existing site or building — dimensions, levels, features and constraints. Without one, design assumptions are made on incomplete information, which leads to cost surprises, clashes between design and reality, and delays once work begins.

Commissioning a measured survey early is one of the most cost-effective decisions you can make on any construction or refurbishment project.

How planning applications work — and what to expect

Understanding the process from submission to decision, including conditions discharge and how to manage authority liaison effectively.

A planning application typically takes 8–13 weeks from submission to decision for householder and minor applications. During that time, the authority will consult neighbours, statutory bodies and internal departments before issuing a decision notice.

If approved with conditions, those conditions must be formally discharged before or during works as specified. Getting ahead of this process with good documentation makes the difference between a smooth project and one that stalls at the last minute.

CDM regulations: what every client needs to know

A clear overview of your CDM duties as a client and how a competent H&S consultant helps ensure compliance from pre-construction through to delivery.

Under CDM 2015, clients have specific legal duties on all construction projects. These include appointing a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor on notifiable projects, ensuring a Construction Phase Plan is in place before work starts, and maintaining a Health & Safety file on completion.

Failure to comply is a legal risk, but more importantly, it puts people on site at unnecessary risk. A competent CDM advisor helps you meet your duties simply and practically.

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Have a project question?

Our team is happy to discuss your specific project requirements and offer practical, straightforward guidance.