Residential
Frequently Asked Questions
Every project that we undertake is unique, and we understand that this may be the first time that you may have thought you need to use a residential architect; our FAQs are based on questions that we often get asked, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
How do you charge for your projects?
What did you do to make it a success?
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I live in a conservation area - can you get planning for me?
I have a very tight budget but need extra space - can you help?
I’m not quite sure what design would work best for my home, can you help?
Of course, the first part to any project is to understand what you want and explore this with sketches and ideas to ensure that what you need is explored at the design stage and reflective of your budget.
Are try RIBA certified/registered?
We are a RIBA chartered practice, and both directors are also registered as individuals with RIBA. In addition, all of our architects are on the ARB register which is a requirement by law in order to use the title of architect.
What can I expect at my first consultation?
The first consultation is about exploring and understanding your requirements, we will spend about an hour with you to understand what you are looking for relative to any contextual constraints and this will allow us to send you a fee proposal to suit your project.
Do you have an interior design team to work with?
We do interior design in house, speak to us if this is important to you.
Do you deal with planning process or do I need to?
As part of our planning stage services we deal with the planning process in house and seek to keep chasing planners to keep communication channels in place in so far as practical.
When is the best time to get architectural plans?
Before architectural plans are developed we would always advise that you should look to develop some concept sketches. Once you have some ideas in hand, we can then develop the plans for the relevant stage; this should be done before any builders are engaged.
What is the difference between planning permission and building regulation approvals?
Planning permissions considers in most instances the external aesthetic of the building (a listed building will also need permission for the inside) where as building regulations approvals is about the safety and structure of the build and considers things like drainage, electrics and thermal insulation.
Does the process take longer if a building is listed?
It can add an extra layer to the planning stage; and potentially additional detailing may be required at the beginning which can take more time; if you are in a listed building, let us know at the outset; we have plenty of experience working on listed buildings from Grade II through to Grade I as well as locally listed buildings.
I have a cost from a builder, but they have said they need technical drawings - do you provide these?
Why should we use your services?
I'm struggling to get planning, can you help?
Why do I need an architect for my project?
An architect can not only bring creative design ideas to your project but they also protect you and your interests through the build guiding you through what can be a complex process; they have the experience to understand all of the legal aspects and stages within a project whilst bringing your vision and ideas to life – in a nutshell they can make what can be a stressful process stressfree!
What stages are involved when working with you? (e.g, proposal/quote, plans, designs, etc.)
The architectural process is complex and involves lots of stages, we offer a flexible service and can support you from start to finish with all the stages inbetween; the start can be even before you have purchased your home through to supporting you once all the building works have been completed and managing builders for you.
If I choose to work with you, will I still be involved in the design process?
Completely, we really want to design spaces to suit the needs of the people we design for, at the heart of that is what you want; it is very much an exploratory and collaborative process and with our guidance you should end up with a space that is tailor made for you.
What areas of the UK do you cover?
We are based in London and predominantly cover the West London region, if we can support your project remotely we will; in other instances we will advise it may be more cost effective to hire a local architect; speak to us if you are out of our region.
Can I bring drawings from a previous architect?
We often help people that have struggled with their existing architect or that team may not take things beyond planning stage; in that instance we would want to understand where you are and establish liabilities and then consider how we can best support you.
How long does it take for drawings to be completed?
This depends on the type of project and what stage; this will be discussed with you at each stage relative to the drawings we are undertaking. Multiple parties may be involved in the development of your drawings and this can take coordination so it is important to allow sufficient time; don’t forget our role is about more than just the drawings!
How often will you visit the site once work has begun?
This depends on if we are engaged for management services for the site stage and the extent of this – we offer a flexible service so it can be specific to the project; but in most instances this will involve a visit every fortnight with some additional visits as the project merits factored in.
Do you have a team of builders you work with or can recommend?
We work with a number of teams locally, equally we are able to support you to work with with builders that you may have been recommended by friends or family or local to you.