Natalie laid the foundations for her business twenty five years ago when she entered the London construction industry as an apprentice building services engineer. She went on to gain a degree in Architectural Technology and has worked as a subcontractor for a number of years.
Around twelve months ago, Natalie decided to form her own business and seek out her own clients. Since then, she’s worked on around 30 projects, a number of which are still in progress. A typical engagement, which starts before a planning application is submitted and runs until building work is completed, can last from six to twelve months.
Her finished projects include a loft conversion to create a master bedroom and bathroom, internal alterations to create a modern, open kitchen diner, and the construction of a two bedroomed annex.
Natalie’s clients benefit not only from her years of building design experience, but also her ability to negotiate with local planning departments. Winning planning approval can often be a challenge, as a balance is sought between the needs of the client and those of the local authority. The key to success is a thorough understanding of local issues and negotiation techniques.
When asked what her service offers to clients Natalie said: “Peace of mind because they don’t need to worry about anything.” She takes care of everything: design, planning permission, building regulations and supervision of the construction or alterations.
The Drawing Office is intended to be a Dorset business with a long-term future. Natalie has made a considerable investment in creating the perfect working environment, both for her and for visiting clients.
Work has been coming in steadily over the last year, with word of mouth proving to be a very effective marketing tool. But Natalie is not taking anything for granted; The Drawing Office now has a website and is also establishing itself in social media.
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