1. Fee Proposal & Validity

1.1 All fee quotations are valid for 4 weeks from the date of issue. Fees are subject to change after this period.

1.2 Fees are based on the information available at the time of quotation. Any changes to the project brief, scope, design, or statutory requirements may result in additional fees.

1.3 Any additional work outside the agreed scope will be charged at an hourly rate of £60 per hour unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Client will be notified before any additional work is undertaken.

1.4 Payment terms are strictly 7 days from the date of invoice.

1.5 All estimated fees contained within proposals are provided for budgeting purposes only and may be subject to change.

1.6 Fees quoted exclude third-party consultant costs and statutory charges, including but not limited to:

• Structural Engineers / Party Wall Surveyors / Thermal Assessors / SAP Assessors
• Planning Fees / Building Control Fees
• Southern Water / Utility Provider Fees

1.7 NAT Design is not VAT registered and therefore no VAT is chargeable on fees.

2. Scope of Services

2.1 Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, fees do not include:

• Building Regulations drawings / Structural engineering design
• SAP calculations / Thermal modelling
• Party Wall services / Build Over Agreements / Sewer applications
• Specialist consultant reports

2.2 Where a proposed development is within 3 metres of a public or shared sewer, the Client may be required to obtain approval from Southern Water or the relevant statutory authority, including a Build Over Agreement or Self-Certification application.

2.3 Where a design includes significant areas of glazing, additional thermal calculations or SAP assessments may be required in order to satisfy Building Regulations compliance. Amendments to insulation specifications or glazing layouts may also be necessary.

2.4 Where new foundations are proposed within 3 metres of an adjoining property or structure, the Client may have obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Any associated surveyor costs shall remain the responsibility of the Client.

3. Planning Applications & Revisions

3.1 The agreed fee includes only the drawings and submissions specifically identified within the quotation.

3.2 If a planning application is withdrawn, amended substantially, or requires resubmission after submission and payment of the final invoice, any additional work undertaken by NAT Design shall be charged at £60 per hour.

3.3 Minor amendments requested during the normal design process may be included at NAT Design’s discretion. Significant revisions or changes to the agreed brief may incur additional fees.

4. Building Regulations & Principal Designer Duties

4.1 Clients are responsible for complying with their duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (“CDM Regulations”).

4.2 By accepting this quotation, the Client confirms that they are aware of their duties under CDM Regulations 2015 and that they will appoint a Principal Designer where legally required.

4.3 Where NAT Design is not appointed to undertake the Building Regulations stage services, NAT Design reserves the right to charge an additional fee where required to act as Principal Designer or provide statutory compliance documentation.

5. Copyright & Intellectual Property

5.1 All drawings, designs, plans, specifications, CAD files, digital models, feasibility studies, planning drawings and other documents prepared by NAT Design (“the Works”) remain the intellectual property and copyright of NAT Design at all times.

5.2 Upon payment in full of all fees due, NAT Design grants the Client a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Works solely for:

• the agreed planning application relating to the specific property; and
• construction of the approved project where NAT Design has been appointed for the relevant subsequent stages.

5.3 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, planning drawings, feasibility drawings and concept designs may not be:

• used for Building Regulations purposes;
• used for construction;
• issued to contractors or third parties for further development;
• altered, copied, reproduced or adapted;
• transferred to future owners;
• reused on another project or site.

5.4 Feasibility drawings are issued solely for the purposes of establishing the design principles for a project and are not to be used for Planning Applications, Building Regulations, construction, tendering, or further development by third parties without NAT Design’s prior written consent and a reuse licence fee being paid.

5.4 Where the Client appoints another consultant, technician, architect, designer or contractor to continue, develop or amend the project using NAT Design’s drawings or designs, prior written consent must first be obtained from NAT Design.

5.5 NAT Design may grant such consent subject to:

• payment of a copyright licence / reuse fee;
• written limitation of liability terms;
• settlement of all outstanding invoices.

5.6 Reuse licence fees start from £500 per project and vary depending on project size and complexity.

5.7 No CAD files, editable digital files or native drawing files shall be released without a separate written agreement and additional licence fee.

5.8 Any unauthorised use of the Works, including submission for Building Regulations, construction, tendering, or further design development without NAT Design’s written consent, shall constitute a breach of copyright and intellectual property rights.

5.9 NAT Design accepts no liability whatsoever for any drawings, designs or documents that are altered, reused, relied upon, or developed further by third parties without NAT Design’s written consent and ongoing involvement.

5.10 Any licence granted by NAT Design automatically terminates in the event of:

• non-payment of fees; or
• unauthorised use of the Works.

5.11 Ordnance Survey Mapping Data
Any Ordnance Survey (“OS”) mapping, base plans, location plans or related licensed mapping data incorporated within the Works remain subject to Crown copyright and Ordnance Survey licensing terms. Such mapping data is licensed to NAT Design for the purposes of preparing the Works and does not transfer to the Client. The Client shall not copy, reproduce, extract, amend, distribute or reuse any OS mapping data except as permitted under applicable Ordnance Survey licence terms.

6. General

6.1 These terms shall apply to all quotations, commissions and services provided by NAT Design unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6.2 Acceptance of any quotation, instruction to proceed, or payment of any invoice shall constitute acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

7. Printing & Hard Copies

7.1 Standard A3 printed copies of drawings are included within the agreed fee where required. Larger format printing, including A1 drawings, is not included unless otherwise stated and will be charged at cost. Current printing charges are:

A1 Black & White Prints: £3.00 per sheet
A1 Colour Prints: £6.00 per sheet

Printing charges may be subject to change in line with supplier costs.