The Specialist Residential Architecture Firm for
London & Essex

 Why you might need an architect’s services

When it comes to improving your home, one of the first (and most important) decisions you will need to make is whether you need an architect or not. Residential architects can have a huge impact on the quality and cost of any building work undertaken, so it’s worthwhile taking some time to understand what architecture firms can actually bring to your project.

At Humphreys & Sons, we pride ourselves on having built a reputation as one of the finest small architecture firms London & Essex has to offer. We offer all types of architectural services, from initial design concepts to helping with legal documentation/planning permission/building regulations/technical design. For more information on how we can help your residential project to flourish, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Do I need an architect?

Some people are happy to undertake major renovations - such as the construction of an extension, or an entire house refurbishment - without the use of an architect. Other people employ architects to help with designs for comparatively smaller jobs, such as refitting a bathroom.

Ultimately, unless you have a very clear idea of what you want to achieve from your construction project, it is recommended that you employ the services of an architect in one form or another. If you’re unsure about what you want, an architect can help you to develop your ideas, or if you already have firm ideas of what you want they can help turn those ideas into reality.

If you are too busy, or too inexperienced when it comes to undertaking and managing building projects, or simply aren’t sure of what to expect from your builders in terms of timescales and workmanship, an architect can ensure that you have an informed eye on things. This will essentially help your project stay on track - and crucially, to budget.

What are the advantages of having an architect?

An experienced architect can be incredibly helpful in ways you might not have even considered. When you engage with an architect, you will always end up with a better end result, and Humphreys & Sons can help you from start to finish.

Good quality architects are highly trained and have a great sense when it comes to seeing the “bigger picture”. This often involves making the best of the space you have to work with, delivering designs to specification, ensuring the project has plenty of light and that it meets all current building regulations and planning permission requirements, and also looks architecturally fantastic of course.

Undertaking any sort of construction task can be costly if you get it wrong. An experienced architect will help you avoid making mistakes which might seem simple, but are all too commonplace - things like drainage positions, which way the door should open and whether stairs meet current safety standards can all result in a project having to be revisited after an inspection, and things retrospectively “bodged”, leading to both a lower quality end result and also increased costs and delays. To get things right first time, choose a reputable London architect, Humphreys & Sons have an intimate knowledge of the regulations, and ensure that everything is regulations compliant and practical to build right from the start.

What services do architects provide?

Services provided by a flexible, reliable architectural consultant can vary greatly, dependent on the following:

- The size of the project.

- The type of project.

- The specific requirements of the client.

For private residential work, the role of an architect can cover all project areas, including briefings, site inspections, cost estimates, sketches, detailed interior design and finishes and more. As one of the most flexible architecture firms London and Essex has to offer, Humphreys & sons can be as hands-on as you like, or to take a back seat if you prefer. The following are some of the most common services provided by architects on common residential projects like loft conversions, home extensions and new builds:

Architecture drawings

Your consultant will discuss what you want from the project, before going through a variety of different design ideas. These ideas will encompass materials, finishes, natural light, space organisation,, outdoor views and architectural form. Once a clear and concise idea has been established, you can then expect to receive a set of professionally-produced, scaled architectural drawings which can be used when submitting proposals to any relevant authorities for approval.

Building regulations and planning permission awareness

To ensure your project meets all building regulations, an architect will be able to deliver detailed notes to an approved inspector, who will be able to certify compliance with building regulations and approve the plans, and planning permission will be obtained from the local authority planning department. Unlike most architecture firms, Humphreys & Sons will also be able to issue appropriate party wall notices to relevant parties with a description of any proposed work, to ensure that your legal party wall obligations are met.

Construction advice

In addition to helping with planning, designs and regulatory requirements, your architect will also be able to help appoint contractors, develop cost estimates and create contracts for tender.

Help and advice regarding time extensions and cost increases

Professional building contracts typically contain provision for damages to be awarded in favour of the client in the event of delays on the part of the builder/contractor. However, in certain circumstances your contractor might claim for time extensions for valid reasons. If you’re unhappy about this, your architect will be in a good position to assess these reasons. Your architect will also be able to protect you against and advise on the all too common issue of “extras” arising once the building works commence, which can lead to build costs spiralling. Essentially, having the watchful eye of an architect involved means that the project is more likely to stick to the initial timescale, and budget, without issue.

Certification of completed works

A practical completion certificate can be obtained by your architect to prove that the project has been finished to all relevant building regulations, and your architect will also obtain the building regulations approval certificate, completion certificate and also planning approval, meaning that everything will be fully legal and completed before the builder leaves site. A more formal building contract will include six-month rectification period (or “latent defects period”), during which the contractors can be instructed to return if any relevant issues require attention.

How much does an architect cost?

Before you begin planning layout ideas and researching materials, there will undoubtedly be lots of questions you’ll want to answer which will determine:

What sort of project you can afford.

Whether you’ll need to scale things back.

Whether your ideal extension/renovation/new build is realistically within your budget.

One of the first things prospective renovators do is take to the search engines to ask things like “how much is an architect?”, “how much do architects charge UK?” and “how much does it cost for an architect to draw up plans?” - unfortunately, there is no simple answer to such queries, because no two building projects are alike. Humphreys & Sons tailor every one of their quotations to the specifics of you and your project, and all quotations and initial advice are provided at no charge.

Architecture companies UK: how much do architects charge in London and Essex?

The average cost for architect services in the London/Essex areas can vary hugely, dependent on the complexity of your project. For example, a modest renovation like a kitchen extension will usually cost less than completely remodeling a property or designing and constructing a new build.

As a company renowned for providing the best value architectural services London and Essex has to offer, Humphreys & Sons is always happy to engage with prospective clients of all sizes to discuss projects. From here, we can make an informed estimate of how much your project is likely to cost, and provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation.

Architect services: what exactly am I paying for?

When it comes to ensuring your project goes to plan, an experienced domestic architect is worth their weight in gold. Whether it’s a bathroom renovation, large scale remodeling, upscaling of a listed building, ambitious extension or a new build, an architect will be on-hand to support each of the following tasks:

Measuring and surveying the property.

Planning permission drawings and application

Building regulations plans and application

Specifications and detailed technical drawings

Revisions of plans where required.

Serving of party notices on your affected neighbors

Monitoring your planning application at each stage.

Liaising/advising/appointing contractors.

Sourcing materials for your project.

Project management of the build from beginning to end.

How involved your architect becomes in your project is entirely up to you. Naturally, complete project management from conception to completion is likely to cost more than simply requesting some architectural drawings - but it’s worth remembering that involvement at each juncture could actually help you to save time and money in the long run, and ultimately maximise the value achieved by your project.

How to find an architecture professional?

When you’re already preoccupied with a day job, life administration budgeting and balancing the financial constraints of your project, and facing endless project design decision, finding an architect might seem like a somewhat arduous task. While the search engines might offer you an abundance of local architects in the London and Essex areas, it’s worth noting that many of these are national companies simply chasing rankings. Humphreys & Sons are a small family business with a long family history in the London & Essex areas, and indeed in the construction industry, that spans back several generations.

It’s incredibly important to choose a local architect company, because they’re more likely to have an innate understanding of the often complex planning laws in your local area, and are also local to you and your project of course.

How to find an architect that can provide you with what you need

Architecture services can differ from company to company. For example, some firms might focus solely on designs or drawings, whereas others will be able to offer complete project management solutions. The best way to find out whether a company can provide the architects services you require is to contact them directly to find out. Before agreeing to anything or commencing on your project, you should ensure that your architect of choice can fulfil your requirements. For example, if you’re going to require advice on interior layouts or where to source high quality materials and finishes, you’ll want to avoid a company that only focuses on the basic structure of buildings. If you are looking for a company that can take your project from start to finish, and deal with all matters such as project management, party wall notices, and expert technical support throughout the project, you’ll want to avoid a company that merely “churns out” basic low quality plans and offers nothing else.

While searching for “architects near me” might yield lots of results, it’s important to find “the right architect near me” - and by visiting this page, we’re confident that you already have.

Recommended architects near me

At Humphreys & Sons, over the years we’ve built our reputation as one of the best small architectural practices London and Essex has to offer. We’ve achieved this by consistently being honest, flexible, knowledgeable, friendly, impartial and affordable.

No residential building project is too big or small for our team. Whether you need to speak to an architectural consultant regarding a planning application, require detailed designs to support your application or want a dedicated firm to manage your entire project from start to finish, we’re here to help. For further information on the services we can provide and how each of these can benefit your project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Do I need an architect for an extension?

If you feel like your project is incredibly straightforward, you might be asking yourself “do I need an architect for an extension?”

Ultimately, you will need some form of planning permission drawings, whether that be under “full planning permission” or drawings provided under a “certificate of lawfulness application” in the case of permitted development extensions. Building regulations plans, specifications, and structural engineer design are also required. You should not try to to proceed with any building project without these drawings, designs and permissions.

It certainly makes sense to choose an experienced and qualified home extension architect for all of this. The cost of architect plans for single-storey extensions, and other extensions and alterations, will usually save you money in the long run, as professional architects in London will be able to:

- Help you find the best value solutions for your brief.

- Advise you on how best to spend your budget.

- Offer guidance on where you could save money.

- Guide you through planning applications and building regulations.

- Reduce the chances of costly mistakes on site and builder “extras” due to elements of work not being clear from the start and being “discovered” once the project starts

- Help you appoint the right builder for your project.

- If required, oversee the work of your chosen builder, further driving efficiency, value, and speed of build.

How to choose an architect for an extension

For many, the cost of architect for extension will be a primary concern, but it’s worth remembering that the creative input into your project, materials, costing expertise and help with planning applications will all inevitably help you to reduce your overall spend. Instead of focusing on architect fees for extension projects, it can be more beneficial figuring out how to choose the right architect instead.

How much does an architect cost for an extension?

No two extensions are alike - the cost of architect for extension projects in London and Essex can vary on almost limitless variables. The scale and size of the project, the level of architect involvement required, whether there are any boundary wall or planning permission issues, and whether you’re intending on renovating a listed building can all impact the level of work expected of your architect.

As a family-run firm with a huge amount of experience in extensions, you can rely on Humphreys & Sons to give you honest and straightforward advice regarding how much your project is likely to cost in architect’s fees. For a free, no-obligation quotation, simply call us or contact us online today, and we’ll be happy to discuss the finer details of your extension.

Do I need a planning permission architect?

Architecture and planning permission go hand-in-hand, and finding a suitable planning permission architect who can handle one or both of these processes on your behalf is one of the best things you can do when renovating your home or carrying out a building project. The reasons why are quite simple.

Firstly, a qualified architect has been there, done that and jumped through the hoops more times than they can remember. Experienced architectural consultants are used to submitting planning applications, and will have the requisite experience when it comes to ensuring all details in your application are correct, and any obstacles encountered are resolved with minimum fuss.

It’s also worth noting that planning applications often have an element of subjectivity to them. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a simple fact that in the building world, a design one local council is likely to approve, another one mere miles down the road is likely to reject. This is one of the main reasons why it is worth paying architects fees for planning application advice, as you need expert, local advise right from the start.

An experienced local architect is likely to have a strong working relationship with your local planning authority. They will be able to anticipate what sort of plans have a history of rejection in the area, and help to steer your project in a direction which guarantees it will be approved by all relevant authorities.

Of course, there might be more for you to consider than planning permission. If you’re renovating or building an extension, your home could be subject to certain permitted development rights. These laws often take into account:

How far back you can legally extend your home.

Whether any alterations/extensions have previously been undertaken.

Where your extension sits in relation to other properties.

Whether your extension causes any health and safety/fire safety issues.

The type of home you own.

Where in the UK you are located.

The technical nature of these development laws means that it’s often best to err on the side of caution. This means using an experienced architect you can trust to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible. Sometimes, a project that has been assumed to be “permitted development” by you or your builder, can actually turn out not to be, due to all of the detailed caveats of permitted development not being met by the proposed design, or sometimes permitted development rights are even removed by the local authority, on certain properties.

At Humphreys & Sons, we’re entirely flexible, and are happy to get involved at a level you feel is best. When you choose us, you can expect to:

SAVE TIME by having an expert on your side. This means you’ll secure approval quickly and easily, without the need for any lengthy and endless reapplication processes.

ENJOY BETTER DESIGNS, courtesy of our team of experts who will help you get more out of your space, and achieve maximum value from your project.

SAVE MONEY without having to readjust your designs to meet local planning criteria.

ENJOY PEACE OF MIND, safe in the knowledge that Humphreys & Sons will not only help put your design package together, but also liaise on your behalf with your local authority, and all parties as necessary.

HAVE EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS ON HAND at every step of the journey from conception to completion.

For further information on how our London and Essex-based architectural services are the right choice for your project, simply contact us for a free no-obligation quotation.

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