Design Concept

Over the years ACJ Group has noticed that there are mainly three types of inquiries when it comes to self-builds. Thinking about a self build? Away to purchase a plot? Already own a plot?

Looking to build your home? By choosing ACJ Group to design your timber frame kit home means you’ll not only save
money, but you also save time and gain peace of mind.

Our in-house professional team of architectural technicians have designed a wide range of plans for many different styles of
house design, each of which can be remodelled to suit your requirements, or we can create a bespoke design from scratch.

Our designers plan every aspect of your self-build with precision models using the latest 3D computer systems, providing you
with a photorealistic visualisation of your design, so you can make informed decisions upfront, eliminating waste and costly errors.

Becouse ACJ Group can provide manufacturing and installation, means we’re uniquely placed to select the right materials
and construction methods to ensure your home build is flawless.

Thinking about a self build?    Away to purchase a plot?    Already own a plot?

Over the years ACJ Group has noticed that there are mainly three types of inquiries when it comes to self-builds. Thinking about a self build? Away to purchase a plot? Already own a plot?

What all three types of inquiries have in common is they don’t really want to progress or commit to much prior to finding out the information they need, the problem is within the industry not every company is in a position or confident to provide this information and advise clients to wait until they have purchased the plot and they have architectural drawings produced, then going in for tender. This can potentially create unrealistic goals and can put clients in a bad position, designing a house but can’t afford to build.

This is why ACJ group offer a design concept service. For a small fee, we will sit down with you or talk to you over the phone and email finding out your requirements and budget on what it is you’re looking to achieve. We will design you a house and produce a 3D model to suit your requirements without any other commitment thereafter. During this service we will also advise you on the timber frame wall systems and renewables for the house and build costs helping you make informed decisions at the beginning.

After this service we can offer you an architectural fee propsal and deducting the design concept fee.

This means before you even apply for planning permission or purchased a plot of land you know ACJ Group can provide you with a build solution that comes within your overall budget provided, giving you the confidence that you can actually achieve your goals.

Planning Permission

The experienced planning team at ACJ Design can help you get your planning application right first time, saving you time and money.

Do I need planning permission? How do I get planning permission? These are the questions we get asked most frequently and for good reason.

Get it right first time

Even for medium sized building projects such as extensions, gaining planning permission can be a headache if you’re not prepared. The wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly and even the smoothest application can take at least two months to complete, so it’s important to get it right first time, as a resubmission could cost you a further three to six-month delay.

Your trusted advisor

We have plenty of experience in dealing with planning applications, so if you need advice, talk to us, or for complete peace of mind, leave it all to us and we’ll represent you. ACJ Design can take your applications through the full planning consent process to get you a decision by the relevant local authority in as short a time as possible.

Accurate and consistent plans throughout the project

Having a single source of plans, rather than working with an independent architect, cuts out delays in planning and warrant applications and saves you time and money.
We will prepare and submit the planning application based on drawings agreed with yourself in advance of the submission. Our team of professionals ensures that throughout the design process, from the planning to production to construction, you have a set of version controlled, consistent and coherent plans.

Keeping you informed

In full consultation with yourself, we monitor and drive forward progress on the planning, carry out any negotiations required with planning officers and consultants and respond to any representations/objections we are made aware of.
In the unlikely event that the application requires consideration by the council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, we will make a presentation to the committee making full and visual use of the information submitted with the planning application.

Latest legislation

Dealing with so many applications, we keep ourselves fully informed on latest legislation and guidance and will work with you to minimise the requirement for further procedures and assessments, wherever possible. We communicate with the planning officers, to understand their view of the proposal before recommending how to proceed.

Timber Frame Design & Supply

Beautifully designed timber frame kit homes from ACJ. Warm, cost-effective and simple to construct, the smart way to make your dream home a reality.

We design timber frames

ACJ are specialists in closed panel construction.  We design and supply energy efficient timber frames.  These frames form the building blocks for the design of new build homes, extensions, garden spaces and commercial constructions.

Our in-house architectural services team, ACJ Design, works with architects, homebuilders and individual clients to select and design the specific products for any project.

We manufacture timber frames

All our timber frames and closed panels are manufactured right here in our Elgin premises, providing a cost-effective and flexible service.

Our factory is dedicated to the production of timber frame panels. We manufacture closed panel walls, floor cassettes and roof cassettes using a variety of timber frame systems.

We custom design to your specifications

Our designers use cutting edge analysis and modelling techniques to design the connections and fittings that ensure our panels can integrate seamlessly into your design.

And because we design all our homes in-house, and can customise any design to your requirement, you won’t be faced with expensive licensing fees, which can happen when the design copyright is owned by a third party.

Energy-efficiency designed in

Our unique timber frame wall systems are each rated for superior energy efficiency, keeping your home warm, and your energy bills low.

We’re justifiably proud that the ACJ Design team developed the industry leading Therm-U-Wall system, a breakthrough in energy-efficient wall systems, suitable for use in the demanding specifications of passive house builds.

Talk to our designers about the right solution for your needs and your budget.

Delivery across Moray, the Highlands, Scotland and beyond

Frames and kits can be delivered throughout Scotland and the UK, and we ship globally to customers all over the world.

We operate our own haulage, so we have the flexibility to arrange delivery at a date and time that suits you.

To find out more about our design and production facilities and how ACJ can work with you, contact us now 01343 559327.

House Builds (Tender)

If you’ve been researching your options, and have a price from a competitor, you may be surprised to learn quite how much you get from an ACJ home, in comparison with other home builders.

If you’ve been researching your options, and have a price from a competitor, you may be surprised to learn quite how much you get from an ACJ home, in comparison with other home builders.

We don’t cut corners and we won’t compromise our quality or our professional reputation for the sake of a quick sale, but we will happily review any quotation that you may have received from an alternative supplier and offer a like for like comparison.

How do we compare?

Show us the spec that you’ve been given and we’ll endeavour to create a like for like quote, allowing you to make an informed decision about the right design and build company to engage for your project.

What’s the real cost?

When you’re comparing prices, consider the whole build process, not just the bottom line. Will you be juggling several different suppliers, handling council planning departments, figuring out the latest legislation and trying to co-ordinate tradesmen, all while trying to get on with your everyday life?

ACJ has everything you need under one roof.  Take the stress out of the home building process.  We can take care of everything and everyone that you need to complete your project on time and within budget.

Design & Build

ACJ creates beautiful new homes across Moray, the Highlands and beyond. We offer a complete design and build solution, all under one roof.

Your complete design and build solution

Building a new house is a dream that many of us share. But concerns about unforeseen costs, extensive delays, project management, getting planning permission and building warrant approval can turn that dream into a nightmare if you don’t choose the right company to partner with when you build your new home.

At ACJ we can help you at every stage of the homebuilding process. We offer a complete design and build solution, from planning to construction to maintenance, so you can get on with living your life, and trust us to take care of delivering your dream.

All your services under one roof

We are uniquely placed to provide every service and trade you need to get a house from conception to completion. Your entire build can be managed by a named person at ACJ. They’ll coordinate communication between all parties and arrange the construction schedule for trades to access the site. They’ll involve you in the decision-making process and keep you informed of progress.

Without the need to involve external trades and services, we have complete control of the progress of your build, minimising delays and cutting down costs.

Local products, local services, national presence

Our homes are constructed from energy-efficient closed panels systems designed and built by craftsmen here at our Elgin premises. Since we design our own panels, we can easily tailor the build to your specification and budget, and create bespoke details and plans for you without invoking costly licensing fees as other developers do when they use third party products.

Kit homes and timber frame systems can be delivered across the UK and beyond.  Contact us on 01343 559327 to find out more.

Professional precision planning

We empower our clients from the very start, guiding you with decisions at the very beginning of the process, before any planning applications. ACJ Design can produce visuals of your home to show you how features look and help with selecting your preferred finish.  We’ll help you select one of the ACJ wall systems that best suits your needs and budget and we can advise on the best energy technology approach.

We’ll ensure all of this is done to your specification and within your budget. All planning applications, warrant applications, SER engineering is included.

Architectural Works

ACJ’s in-house architectural services design team are fully qualified to design and plan your complete build, saving you time and money.

Do you need an architect?

ACJ Group has an in-house design services team, fully qualified to design every aspect of your new build property, extension or renovation.

Working closely with the other services within the ACJ group, ACJ Design is uniquely placed to select the right materials and construction methods that will ensure your home build is flawless.

Advanced 3D modelling eliminates errors

When you work with ACJ Design, our architectural technicians design and plan every aspect of your build.  We precision model each project on the latest 3D computer systems, eliminating waste and errors upfront, enhancing efficient production and construction, and allowing you to see an accurate view of your project, so you can make informed decisions about your build, with no surprises.

Save time and money with one point of contact

When one team of professionals takes responsibility for all aspects of your design, from the planning to production to construction, you can be confident of a set of consistent coherent plans throughout the process.

Having a single source of plans, rather than working with an independent architect, cuts out delays in planning and warrant applications and saves you time and money.

Energy-efficiency designed in

All ACJ homes are designed with energy-efficiency built in, so heating your home is cost effective and hassle free.  Our design team are uniquely placed to advise you on the ACJ wall system to suit your needs and budget, we carry out energy performance calculations based on your selected materials and advise you where and how to make savings.

We are justifiably proud that ACJ Design team developed the industry leading Therm-U-Wall system, a breakthrough in energy-efficient wall systems, suitable for use in the demanding specifications of passive house builds.

Industry leaders in PassivHaus technology

ACJ Design designers have been behind some of the most prestigious designs.
We designed wall systems that were certified and used within the most innovative energy-efficient builds of their kind within Scotland and the UK, including;

– The First Fully Certified PassivHaus in Scotland.
– The First Fully Certified Affordable housing PassivHaus in Scotland.
– The First Fully Certified terrace of passive houses in Scotland.
– The First Fully Certified PassivHaus housing development in the UK