Resources

Earlier than most people expect, and often earlier than they feel ready.

Many clients come to us with a sense of possibility rather than a fixed plan. That is exactly the right moment. Early conversations allow us to explore what might be achievable before decisions become constrained by assumptions, budget anxiety, or incomplete information.

An initial discussion is not a commitment. It is a way of understanding the landscape, including constraints and opportunities, and gaining clarity and confidence before moving forward.

yes.  

We can assess feasibility based on planning context, site constraints, and experience, helping you understand risks and potential before you commit. Where needed, we involve planning consultants early to give you greater confidence.

No.

Planning permission is part of the process, not a starting requirement. Whether planning is required, and what form it should take, depends on the specifics of the site and the proposal.

This is where professional advice is most valuable. We help you understand what applies to your project, and whether planning is straightforward, sensitive, or something to approach more strategically.

One of the most common misunderstandings is what a budget actually includes.

Some clients think in terms of construction cost only, while others mean total project budget. The difference is significant.

As a general guide, construction cost is only part of the picture. VAT and professional and consultant fees need to be accounted for as well. We help structure this early so expectations are realistic and aligned.

As a general guide:
• Construction cost + VAT (20%)
• + Professional and consultant fees (often ~15–20%)

This means a “£100,000 total budget” may translate to closer to £70,000 construction budget.

Our fees are calculated based on the scope and complexity of your project.

In some cases, we offer a fixed fee, which works well for smaller or more straightforward projects where the scope is clearly defined from the outset. For more complex projects, we typically use a percentage fee. This reflects the fact that unexpected factors can arise that change the value or scope of the works, and a percentage approach ensures the fees remain aligned with the true scale of the project. This structure provides flexibility and fairness, while keeping costs transparent.

Architecture is a process of clarifying needs, priorities, and potential, as much as it is a visual or technical exercise.

Projects evolve from understanding the brief and constraints, through conceptual ideas, into a detailed design that can be built with confidence. At each stage, decisions are tested, refined, and explained.

Clients are not expected to “know the right answers”. That is our role, to guide, question and propose, while keeping the process clear and manageable.

Budget is considered from the outset.

At concept stage, we often involve a quantity surveyor to provide cost guidance. This allows us to align the design with your budget early, rather than making compromises later.

We develop a comprehensive technical package that defines exactly how the project will be built.

This includes construction details, material specifications, dimensions, and coordination with structural and services engineers. This level of detail allows contractors to price accurately and build with confidence, reducing risk.

Good projects take time, and that time is rarely linear.

Timescales depend on the scale of the project, the approvals required, and the conditions on site. Rather than offering fixed timelines too early, we help you understand realistic sequences and decision points.

As the project develops, clarity increases and programmes become more defined.