First

Meeting

-

Starting

Your

Architectural

Journey

Between one and three hours, depending on the service level you choose and the complexity of your project. A straightforward extension might need an hour, whilst a complex new build or heritage project might benefit from a longer consultation.

We allow sufficient time for a thorough discussion without rushing. If more time is needed, we can always arrange follow-up meetings.

Yes, but the fee is credited against your Stage 1 fees if you proceed with appointing us. This ensures both parties are committed to making the most of the time and that we can provide detailed, valuable advice rather than a superficial chat.

The investment is modest compared to the value of the professional guidance you receive, and you'll have a clear understanding of your project's viability and our approach before committing to the full design process.

Gather any existing drawings or documents about your property – estate agent plans, previous planning applications, building control approvals, or anything showing the current layout and structure.

Collect photographs of spaces, designs, or projects you like. These might be from magazines, Pinterest, Instagram, or properties you've visited. Visual references are incredibly helpful for communicating your aesthetic preferences.

Write down your requirements and concerns. What must the project achieve? What would you like it to achieve? What worries you about the process?

Most importantly, be ready to discuss your budget openly. We can't provide accurate advice without understanding your financial parameters, and we treat all budget discussions in complete confidence.

Yes we can meet at our office, or can conduct initial discussions by video call (Zoom or similar) followed by a site visit once we've established the project is a good fit for both parties.

Whilst we prefer to see the property during the first meeting to provide the most informed advice, we can arrange office meetings for initial discussions if that's more convenient for you. However, a site visit will be necessary before we can provide accurate proposals and fee quotations.

That's absolutely fine. The first meeting gives you the opportunity to assess whether we're the right fit for your project, and us to evaluate whether we can deliver what you need.

You'll have our preliminary advice and ideas to inform your thinking, even if you choose not to proceed with us. You might decide to save for longer, reconsider your requirements, or approach other architects – all of which are perfectly reasonable responses to the information you've gained.

There's no pressure and no hard feelings. We'd rather you made the right decision for your circumstances than proceeded with us if we're not the ideal match.

This is one of the key questions we can help answer during the first meeting. Based on what you're proposing, the characteristics of your property, and our knowledge of local planning requirements, we can advise whether planning permission, Listed Building Consent, or other approvals will be needed.

Some projects can proceed under Permitted Development rights, others require full planning applications, and some fall into grey areas where pre-application advice from the planning authority is valuable.

We'll give you an honest assessment based on our 25+ years of experience with Somerset and Bath planning authorities, though the definitive answer sometimes requires formal submission or pre-application consultation.

Usually within one to two weeks of your initial contact, depending on our current workload and your availability. We try to be responsive to enquiries whilst ensuring we can give your consultation the time and attention it deserves.

Contact us by phone or email with some basic information about your project and your availability, and we'll arrange a convenient date and time for the site visit.

We're based in Somerset and primarily work across Bath, Bristol, Bruton, Castle Cary, Frome, Wells or Somerset and Wiltshire and or anywhere in the South. We have particular experience with Bath Conservation Area properties, Somerset rural conversions, listed buildings throughout the region, and residential projects in local market towns.

We occasionally take on projects further afield if they're particularly interesting or if we have existing client relationships, but our local knowledge is one of our key strengths so we focus on the areas we know best.

Yes. We're not a large practice where you meet a business development person at the first meeting and then get passed to a different architect for the design work. The architect you meet at the first consultation will be the architect who handles your project from start to finish.

This personal service and continuity is central to our approach. You'll build a working relationship with someone who understands your project intimately and is invested in its success.

Yes, in addition to our architectural fees, you should budget for other costs that are typically required:

Site Surveys – Professional measured surveys start from £1,000+ and may include laser measurement surveys and topographical surveys showing site levels, boundaries, and existing features. CCTV drainage surveys may also be required for certain projects.

Planning Application Fee – Planning applications to your Local Council currently cost £528 plus an £80 service fee (£608 total). This is payable directly to the Local Authority when we submit your application.

Building Control Plans Check and Inspection Fees – These range from £900 to £1,500+ depending on the size and complexity of your project. These fees cover the checking of technical drawings and site inspections during construction. This is payable to the Local Authority.

Structural Engineering Fees – Most projects require input from a structural engineer, with fees typically ranging from £600 to £3,000+ depending on design complexity. This is essential for calculating beam sizes, foundation designs, and structural alterations.

Other Consultant Fees – Depending on your project, you may need specialists such as ecologists for bat surveys, arboriculturists for tree reports, drainage engineers, or Party Wall Surveyors (if working on or near a boundary with neighbours).

We will advise you on which of these costs apply to your specific project during Stage 1 and help you obtain competitive quotations from trusted local specialists. All third-party fees are paid directly by you to the relevant consultant or authority, not through our practice.