Homeowners
We help homeowners unlock the potential in their properties — whether it’s a cottage with quirks, a listed building, or a home ready for change. From initial concept, planning to detail design, and construction, our services are tailored to make each step feel, clear, and full of possibility
​Free Initial Phone Consultation
We offer a free 30-minute phone call with an architect to discuss your property, aspirations, and any early questions you might have. It’s a chance to get high-level advice and understand what kind of support might suit you best. We may then recommend an in person site visit.
To book your free 30 minute phone consultation, please click here.
In-Person Site Visits
If you'd prefer to meet on-site, we offer in-person consultations at your home or property for £150 + VAT. These visits are ideal for early-stage advice, helping you understand what’s feasible and where to begin.
After the visit, we’ll send you a follow-up letter summarising:
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Key points discussed
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Any working assumptions of your brief
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Considerations & Responsibilities for you as a client
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A stage-by-stage fee proposal tailored to your project
If you decide to go ahead with our fee proposal, we would then deduct this cost from our stage 1 fee. Please refer to our Consultation Policy for mileage limits and the scope of advice we can offer during these visits
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Thinking of Extending, Converting, or Reimagining Your Home?
Whether you're considering an extension, converting an outbuilding, or simply wondering what’s possible with your current property — we’re here to help you explore it with clarity and confidence.
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​​​Next Steps
We make the process feel clear and manageable. From first ideas to planning and beyond, we guide you through each stage with thoughtful, design-led support.
Click here to see and example of the process of how we work, including the RIBA stages.
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Homeowner Feasibility Studies - Stage 1
A Feasibility Study (RIBA Stage 1) is often the first formal step in exploring your property’s potential. It helps you understand what’s possible, what’s likely to gain planning approval, and provides early insight into high-level construction costs.
A typical feasibility (RIBA Stage 1) often consists of:
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Understanding Your Brief
• Help you shape and develop your brief into a clear design strategy
• Explore your priorities — including budget, timeline, quality and risk
• Advise on any additional consultants your project may need, and when their involvement might be required
Site & Planning Context
• Visit your site to take reference photos and drone scans (when needed)
• Request a quote for a measured survey (if required)
• In depth site analysis including reviewing local planning policies, designations, and recent approvals
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Early Design Exploration
• Analyse the site and its context, key views, orientation etc
• Create three sketch layout options to test spatial ideas and connections
• Explore massing through 3D block models or sketch impressions
• Gather design precedents to inspire the aesthetic direction
Reporting & Guidance
• Prepare and present your illustrated Stage 1 Design Report
• Advise on your responsibilities under CDM and Building Regulations
• Prepare a Preliminary Designer's Risk Assessment
• End-of-stage meeting to present ideas — either on-site or virtually
​Why Clients Choose a Feasibility Study.
This stage is a great way to get your ideas moving — to see your home through an architect’s eyes, explore alternative options, and get your thoughts down on paper. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and make informed decisions before committing to a full design process.
Following our Stage 1 meeting, you’re welcome to pause before moving into Stage 2. We work flexibly, stage by stage, so you can take time to reflect, share your report with friends or family, and consider your options without pressure.
Many clients find this step helpful — it brings clarity and allows you to test your brief: what feels right, what doesn’t, and what’s non-negotiable. You’re welcome to feed this back to us when you’re ready to move forward, ensuring our understanding of your priorities is clear and aligned.
Studies typically start at £2850 + VAT, depending on the size of your property and the complexity of your brief.
​A Typical Project Example From Start to Finish
Stage 0
This is an initial phone discussion where we can have a chat about your project and your brief. If we feel we can help you with your project, we may suggest paying you a visit.
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We would like to engage how you currently use your spaces and what you envision your new project will offer you and your family. We will try and understand your priorities and which two out of three forces (cost, quality or time) drive for your project.
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Once we have a better insight, we will send you a fee and an appointment for our services.
Stage 1
This stage is about siting the new intervention, getting a feel for its massing, orientation on the site and identifying key views.
We will explore a range of ideas with conceptual sketches. If appropriate, we will generate a block model which will help with visualising the massing of the new proposals in relation to its context. We will present to you these options where you can feedback on what you like and what you don't. There is no right or wrong answer and you may choose an amalgamation of options. This is also a good time to explore some precedent images of what the architectural language could be. Your feedback, will be incorporated with the design which will be developed further in the next stage. Where necessary, we will advise on the appointment of future consultants, whose specialist input/surveys may be required.
Stage 2
Your preferred option will be developed further based on your feedback from the closing of the previous stage. The architectural language and materiality will be developed. This is usually a good point to take the proposal to pre-app (if necessary) to get the planners' early comments so we can integrate them into the design. The advised pre-planning consultants will now be onboard and we will be coordinating them as lead consultant.
Stage 3
Stage 3 is all about bringing the design together into a package ready for Planning Submission. This typically includes a Design and Access Statement along with plans and elevations and consultants' reports.
*Once planning permission has been granted, the design has been fixed, design changes are possible but may require a new submission or an amendment which will be an extra cost.
**Once the planning is fixed, we may have to discharge any relevant planning conditions at the next stage for an extra cost.
Stage 4
Here, we will get into the detail of how the building comes together. We will continue liaising with consultants and the design team may be expanded with building control, quantity surveyor, structural and M&E engineers.
Together, we will produce a tender pack containing information that will allow for pricing based on an agreed construction method and procurement route.
Most of our projects are procured through a competitive tender process which identifies several potential contractors who will price the design before a preferred contractor is selected. The final outcome of stage 4 is to negotiate a building contract that all parties are happy to sign. This process is greatly aided with a Quantity Surveyor's input.
We can also help you with the finishing touches of interior design or direct you to suppliers. Our family business Chilli By The Sea, specialises in quirky interior accessories.
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*All subject to suitable procurement route and project fee, for example: a Building regs only package may be more appropriate but we will advise you on the options.
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Stage 5
Following signing of an appropriate building contract with all the relevant parties, we can produce construction drawings and offer Contract Administration services and regular on-site meetings.
Stage 6 & 7
Various contractual requirements which allow the building contract to be concluded such as snagging defects. The project is then handed over and you may now enjoy inhabiting it. 'As built' drawings if required are issued for your records
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Stage 7 is encouraged for collecting data from post occupancy and evaluating how your building is performing. This helps with keeping standards high in the industry and better our understanding in the sustainability of the built environment.
*The stages and associated works as described above may differ from project to project and are clearly identified in your agreed fee proposal.