FAQs

We recognise that hiring an Architect is a big decision. We want you to feel confident and supported every step of the way. To help answer some of your questions and make decision-making easier, we have prepared our FAQs: 

  • You’re not alone—most of our clients are new to this, and we love guiding you through the process.

    We use a clear, step-by-step approach so you always know what’s happening, what’s next, and what decisions are coming up.

    You’ll be supported throughout, with space to ask questions, share ideas, and feel confident in every stage.

    To get started, we offer a Free Strategy Session—a relaxed one-hour call to meet us, ask any questions, and gain clarity on your plans.

    What else is helpful to know?

    Here are a few things that can make your journey smoother:

    • You don’t need all the answers up front. We’ll help you shape your brief—your wish list for the project—based on how you want to live, not just what you want to build 

    • Budget matters, but so does value. We’ll talk about costs early and often, and help you understand where your money makes the most impact 

    • Architects do more than design. We can help with planning permissions, coordinate consultants, manage builders, and keep your project on track 

    • Communication is key. We’ll keep things clear and jargon-free, and we’ll always listen to what matters most to you 

    • You should feel comfortable. A good architect-client relationship is built on trust, openness, and shared vision. We’re here to make the process feel exciting—not overwhelming 

  • That’s completely normal—and a great place to start.

    You’re choosing to invest in your lifestyle and happiness, and it’s important to do that within your means.

    When you share your budget with us, we’ll help you understand what’s achievable and how to make the most of it. If your budget doesn’t quite match your vision, we’ll suggest creative ways to target your money where it matters most.

    While we’re not cost consultants, we can give you a ballpark range based on similar past projects. If you decide to move forward, we always recommend working with a quantity surveyor or your chosen builder to keep costs on track at every stage.

    This allows you to value engineer early if needed—adjusting scope or materials to stay within budget without compromising your goals.


    Helpful to know:

    • Early pricing is key. 
      It’s better to adjust expectations early than fall in love with a design that’s out of reach.

    • Contingency is essential. 
      We’ll help you plan for the unexpected—whether it’s site surprises or global events—so you have a buffer built in.

    • Value isn’t just about cost. 
      We’ll help you weigh short-term spend against long-term performance, durability, and joy.

  • We respect and protect your budget by:

    • Discussing your budget at every meeting

    • Communicating if you are making choices which will push your budget up and suggesting ways in which to save costs if required. 

    • We don’t look at cost as a singular short-term figure – we look at cost in relation to long-term performance, robustness, function and health over time. There is no point in saving a few thousand pounds for a material that has a shorter warranty and worse performance, if you will need to replace it twice as often and it will cost you more in the long run.

    • We have long-standing relationships with cost consultants who support cost projections throughout your project.

    • We always suggest adopting a ‘price early’ approach. It is better to ‘lovingly disappoint’ you early on and look at alternative ways to achieve your dream than design your dream home only to find out you can’t afford to build it.

    • We always recommend a contingency as part of your budget for those unforeseen site discoveries or world events, so that, as far as possible, you have buffer funds to dip into without going over budget.

  • Sometimes—but not always.

    It’s helpful to consider how changes to your home might affect its value, especially when weighing up costs. But good design brings more than just financial return—it brings beauty, function, and daily joy.

    In some cases, the cost of work may exceed the short-term property value. That’s often worth it if the transformation gives you a home that truly supports your life now and into the future. Property values often catch up over time anyway.

    If you're planning to sell soon or have financial limits, we can adjust the scope to suit your goals. And if you're creating a legacy home—a forever home to pass down through generations—then value isn’t just about resale. It’s about how the home supports your lifestyle, wellbeing, and family.

    Every project is different, and we’re always happy to talk through value, worth, and what makes sense for you.

  • We get asked this a lot—and the honest answer is: it depends.

    Having a time buffer is always helpful, though we know that’s not always possible.

    The timeline depends on your project’s size and complexity, the design team involved, and the statutory permissions needed (planning, listed building consent, building warrant).

    It’s not just about designing your dream home. Time is needed for consultant input, coordination, approvals, pricing rounds, tendering, and general project management.

    For smaller projects—like flat alterations or modest extensions—starting within a year is often doable if things go smoothly. But there are always unknowns, like how responsive your local authority is (which can vary despite official timelines) and the availability of quality builders—you might prefer to wait for the right one.

    For medium or more complex projects, we suggest planning for around 18 months. For larger projects, plan for longer.

    If time is critical (a baby on the way or other life events), we can explore compressing the timeline by overlapping stages—like starting technical design before planning approval. This can carry some risk of rework, but in certain cases, that risk is low and worth discussing early on.

  • The RIBA Stages of Work are a trusted framework used across the UK to guide architectural projects from first ideas to completion.

    We use them because they bring clarity, structure, and confidence to what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming process.

    There are eight stages, from Strategic Definition (Stage 0) to In Use (Stage 7).

    Each one marks a milestone—whether it’s shaping your brief, securing planning permission, developing technical drawings, or supporting you through construction.


    We cluster them into 3 key parts of your project journey:

    1. Briefing and Feasibility
      (RIBA Stages 0-2)

    2. Concept and Planning
      (RIAB Stages 2-3)

    3. Technical Design and Construction
      (RIBA Stages 4-6/7)

    For you, this means:

    • You’ll always know where we are in the journey.

    • You’ll understand what’s coming next.

    • You’ll feel supported in making decisions at the right time.

    Process structure helps us deliver beautiful, thoughtful homes while keeping things calm, clear, and collaborative. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about making sure your dream home is built with care, clarity, and purpose.

  • We offer a free 20-minute Introductory Call- perfect if you know you want to work with an Architect and have a good idea of what you want and need for your project. It’s an opportunity to meet with us, ask any questions and get a feel for who we are. 

    We also offer four free 60-minute Strategy Sessions per month – these are helpful if you need clarity on your project, insight into the process, to discuss what is possible and what sort of budget you may need.

    You will have the opportunity to ask questions, share any concerns and see if you’d enjoy working with us.

    You can pick whichever meets your current needs or simply get in touch by filling out our contact form. 

  • It’s a very important distinction—and one that allows you to plan confidently.

    Construction cost refers to the cost of physically building your project. It includes labour, materials, fixtures, fittings, equipment, and the contractor’s overheads and profit. It’s what your builder charges to carry out the work, and it’s usually the figure discussed when talking about cost per square metre.

    Project cost, on the other hand, is the full picture. It includes the construction cost plus everything else needed to make the project happen:

    • Professional fees (architect, engineer, quantity surveyor, etc.)

    • Statutory fees (planning permission, building warrant)

    • Surveys and investigations (topography, ecology, asbestos, etc.) 

    • VAT (where applicable)

    • Contingency (to cover the unexpected)

    • Client-supplied items or separately contracted works (e.g. landscaping, joinery)

    • Temporary accommodation or storage, if needed

    So while construction cost is a big part of your budget, project cost is what you actually need to plan for. It’s the total amount you’ll spend to get from idea to finished home.

    A few things to keep in mind:

    • Construction costs are usually quoted excluding VAT, but VAT may still apply depending on the type of project 

    • Contingency is essential—we typically recommend 10–20% of the construction cost (depending on the project) to cover any surprises. 

    • Smaller or more complex projects often have a higher ratio of project cost to construction cost 

    If you’re unsure, we can help you build a realistic budget and connect you with a quantity surveyor for early cost planning.

  • Most people think architects just design buildings or spaces—but that’s only the beginning. Design is where the magic starts, but it’s backed by a whole toolkit of skills that bring your project to life and keep it on track.

    Here’s what we do behind the scenes:

    • Client Relationship
      We guide you through the journey, keep you informed, manage expectations, and cheer your project on. We’re here to support you through thick and thin—and make the most of every detail.

    • Briefing
      We help shape your brief by understanding your needs and evaluating what’s possible in your chosen location.

    • Visioning & Masterplanning
      We explore what’s right for you, your home, your street, and your neighbourhood—balancing ambition with context.

    • Navigating Approvals
      Planning permission, building warrants, listed building consent—we handle the paperwork and guide you through the process.

    • Cost Planning & Procurement
      We coordinate pricing, help evaluate tenders, help you choose builders and support you in making informed decisions.

    • Technical Design & Coordination
      We detail how your building should be built, specify materials and performance, and manage the wider team of consultants (engineers, specialists, etc.) feeding into your project.

    • Support through Construction 

    • We can impartially manage the construction contract on your behalf, answer technical queries, run progress meetings and visit the site to confirm that work is being built as designed or flag up when mistakes occur.

    • Project Management
      We keep everything moving—managing timelines, correspondence, and coordination from concept to completion.

    • Sustainability
      We advocate for the planet while designing for your wellbeing. That means safeguarding resources, choosing materials responsibly, and creating spaces that support your health, comfort, and future.

    • Advocacy & Integrity
      We follow the ARB Code of Conduct and advocate for good practice, sustainability, and long-term value—always with your best interests at heart.

  • It’s a great question—and one that speaks to the heart of trust and professionalism in our industry.

    In the UK, the title ‘Architect’ is legally protected. That means only those who are fully qualified, registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB), and committed to ongoing professional standards can use it. It’s not just a label—it’s a promise.

    When you work with a registered architect, you’re choosing someone who’s trained for at least seven years, adheres to a strict code of conduct, and is legally accountable for the quality and safety of their work, must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance and always work under clear written terms. It’s about protecting you, your investment, and the integrity of the built environment.

  • Passivhaus (or Passive House) is the world’s leading standard for energy-efficient buildings. But more than that, it’s a way of designing homes that feel better to live in—day in, day out.

    At its heart, Passivhaus is about reducing energy demand through smart design, not just offsetting it with renewables. That means your home uses less energy to stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and fresh all year round—without relying on conventional heating or cooling systems.

    Unlike typical UK homes, which often use 40% more energy than predicted, Passivhaus buildings close the performance gap. What’s modelled is what’s delivered—thanks to detailed design, accurate modelling (PHPP), and independent certification 

     

    Why it matters to you

    • Comfort you can feel: Passivhaus homes are consistently warm, free of draughts, and filled with fresh, filtered air.

    • Healthier living: High indoor air quality and stable temperatures support physical and mental wellbeing.

    • Lower bills: Ultra-low energy use means ultra-low running costs.

    • Peace of mind: Rigorous certification ensures your home performs as designed—not just on paper 

    • Long-term value: Passivhaus buildings are robust, durable, and future-proofed against rising energy costs and climate uncertainty.

  • Absolutely. Finding the right plot is often the biggest hurdle —and an exciting part - of building your own home. It’s where your dream begins.

    We regularly support clients through this early stage, helping you:

    • Define your priorities:
      Location, lifestyle, budget, and build type.

    • Understand what’s possible:
      We assess whether your vision can be delivered on a given site.

    • Evaluate suitability:
      We look at access, orientation, services, planning status, and environmental constraints.

    • Navigate planning:
      We help you understand what permissions are in place—or what’s needed—and how that affects your options.

    What to look out for

    Before committing to a plot, we recommend:

    • Planning status:
      Does it have full permission, outline permission, or none at all? We can help you assess the risk and opportunity.

    • Site appraisal:
      Check for flood risk, contamination, access, and services availability 

    • Legal checks:
      Title, ownership and any restrictions.

    • Viability:
      We help you understand whether the site supports your goals—financially, practically, and emotionally.

    How we help

    We offer:

    • Feasibility studies:
      To assess whether a plot suits your needs.

    • Design-led site evaluation:
      To explore how your future home could sit within the landscape.

    • Strategic advice:
      On planning, development potential, and long-term value.

    Whether you’re just starting or have a site in mind, we’re here to guide you through the process with clarity, care and creativity.