Here’s some of the most common questions and requests form our clients:
We don’t have a standard fee scale because every job is different. We offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss the project, offer you advice and understand your needs better. This normally takes between 30 minutes and an hour. We will then prepare a fee quotation for the services you require.
The fees are normally a fixed rate price for the initial stages, moving to a percentage rate of the build cost for the latter stages.
Please take a look at the article in Latest News for more details to help you budget and compare quotes.
It is a very relaxed process. For homeowners, we will arrange a time for one of our team to visit your house and have an informal chat about your ideas for the project, and what is not working for you in your house. We can explain our process to you in a little more detail and answer any questions you may have. We will then be able to prepare a fee quote for you, which will reflect the services you need from us and the scale and complexity of the work. For commercial clients, or clients who do not yet have the keys to their new home, you may prefer to pop into our office in Dorridge for a chat. Please just call us to arrange a suitable time.
Yes, we can set up a formal contract with your builder and administer it throughout the build, with regular site visits to check on progress and quality of work. Alternatively, we can offer you a more adhoc service, where we can visit the build at key points to check that everything is in order and discuss any queries the builder may have.
Then we will prepare a new design. The design process is collaborative and it is quite normal for us to go back and forth with revisions to the drawings several times until they are perfect. We can also offer just a feasibility service, where we prepare some initial sketch ideas to explore what is possible, with no commitment for you to move on to the next stage.
To be called an Architect, we have undergone 7+ years of training and professional experience and passed a series of examinations. Being chartered means that our regulating body – the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) – ensure that we follow a code of conduct, maintain high levels of quality and keep up to date with changes in the industry. The RIBA logo that we use is a symbol of these high professional standards, giving you confidence and assurance when you appoint an architect.
Our smallest extension projects tend to have a budget in the region of £75,000-£100,000 and our larger one-off homes for private clients can have a build cost of £1-2million. However, if you are unsure, do not hesitate to get in touch and we can advise you.
We are always happy to take your call.
We also appreciate that client’s financial means can change during the lifespan of a job, in either direction. Rest assured that if it is needed, we will endeavor to review the value of your project and find you the right builder at the right price, to ensure you get the most value for money.
We have a female architect and female technician, and so if for any reason you feel more comfortable talking to a woman about your project, we are more than happy to accommodate this. Just ask to speak to Vicki Potter when you make the initial enquiry.
We appreciate that any project can cause upheaval and everyone can struggle with work being carried out in their homes, especially younger family members and those with impairments.
One of our team members, Andrew Simpson, is very experienced with children with special education needs; he has lead on a number of SEN school projects, both renovations and new builds, and is the trustee of an SEN School Academy. He would be more than happy to talk to your whole family about how the process can be worked to best suit your family’s needs at every stage.
There are many types of extensions that you can build without planning permission. This is known as permitted development. This includes a single or double storey extension at the back, a single storey extension to the side, a loft conversion, and adding a porch. However, there are very strict size limitations and the extension can only be attached to the original walls of the house. The rules are also different for listed buildings, or buildings in a Conservation Area. The Government’s Planning Portal website can give you more information, but the rules are not straight forward and so it is always best to check with a professional before you proceed. We would be happy to advise you further. Please just get in touch.