Frequently Asked Questions

Every project is different, but we follow a similar process from concept through to completion for each. Here we’ve broken down the stages and typical tasks in each stage.

Typically, we work on projects with a construction cost of over £750,000. We have an excellent track record of domestic design, especially high-end new-build homes and sustainable retrofit projects, and we also love working on community focussed projects. We always relish a challenge, and specialise in difficult sites; if you want to do work to your listed building, live in AONB, want to build in the listed building Green Belt or have an idea for a Paragraph 84 home, we can help.

Unless your project is very simple, we think you do, especially if you will need to get planning permission. Our job is to work in partnership with you to bring your vision to life; we’re passionate about design, and believe that your project should be an expression of you. But, we’re not just designers; we want to be your trusted advisors throughout the whole process and we’re trained to manage the construction phase so that you end up with a project you’re proud of.

We have certified in-house Passivhaus Design capabilities, allowing us to appraise the energy performance of all of our projects and achieve the highest standards of energy efficiency. The Passivhaus principles help guide us in a comfort-led approach, with well-being at the core of each design; the high levels of insulation reduce the need for heating, cooling and expensive renewable technologies. Embodied energy is something we can calculate throughout the project and we place great emphasis on sourcing local and sustainable materials for all our schemes. Find out more here.

The difference lies in the amount of training and experience. Our professional accreditations as RIBA and Landscape Institute chartered practices show we’re committed to excellence in design and customer services. This also means that the (perhaps) dull but important things such as Professional Indemnity Insurance, Quality Management Systems and Health and Safety and Environmental policies are all in place.

Watch RIBA’s video, Why Work with an Architect?

Our main aim is to make sure things run smoothly for you so we like to be hands-on. We’ll be involved from the outset to help you compile mood boards and hone your brief, through liaising with other consultants and gaining you the relevant approvals, right up to you moving in once construction is complete.

No, we’re happy to tailor our services to your specific needs.

Compared to sole practitioners or architectural designs, we may be, but we like to work with clients who understand the value that good design will bring to their projects. We will add value at every stage, from working with you to hone your budget, to being on call to troubleshoot during the build; the cost of our fee is offset by the savings made through a well-managed process.

For domestic projects, following an initial meeting with you, we will propose a lump sum fee for preparation, briefing, and concept design stages. This fee will be based on the scale and complexity of the project.

There are many factors that will affect the cost of a build which makes it difficult to estimate early on, but there are a few rules of thumb to help. We always recommend getting advice from a cost expert at the concept stage to give you confidence for the next stages.

It’s important to understand the difference between the Construction Budget, which is the capital cost of the building works, and Total Project Budget, which includes all the other cost elements such as consultant fees, statutory fees and contingency.

It’s also important to consider the impact on VAT early on; currently, the rate of VAT varies depending on whether you’re building a new house, adding an extension to your building and whether it’s currently occupied, or looking at energy upgrades and renewable heating.