Services and fees
Clear fees, agreed in writing before we draw a line.
Every project starts with a fee letter that sets out what we’ll do, what it costs and when you pay. No retainers, and no surprises at the end.
How we charge
Fixed fee
For first visits, planning drawings and building regulations packages, where the work is clear from the start.
Percentage of build cost
For full service on extensions, new homes and listed buildings. The fee follows the real cost of building.
Hourly rate
£85 + VAT an hour for anything else, such as expert advice, party wall drawings or changes after approval.
01
First visit and feasibility
We come to the house, measure up the parts that matter and tell you honestly what's possible, what needs consent and roughly what it would cost to build.
Fixed fee
£250 visit, £850 study
Typical timescale
2 to 3 weeks
A two-hour visit with one of the directors
Two or three options, sketched to scale
A view on planning, listed building consent or permitted development
A rough build cost range from recent local jobs
02
House extensions
Rear, side and wraparound extensions, kitchens that open onto the garden and loft rooms, from the first sketch to the day the builder leaves.
Percentage of build cost
10 to 12% of build cost
Typical timescale
Planning in 3 to 4 months
Measured survey and design options
Planning drawings and the application
Building regulations and construction drawings
Tender, contract and visits on site
03
New-build homes
One-off houses on infill plots, garden plots and replacement dwellings, designed to be cheap to run and good to live in.
Percentage of build cost
9 to 11% of build cost
Typical timescale
12 to 24 months
Site appraisal and planning strategy
Design, planning and pre-application advice
Full technical design with the engineer
Contract administration through to handover
04
Listed buildings and conservation
Repairs, alterations and extensions to listed buildings and homes in conservation areas, with the research the council will ask for.
Percentage of build cost
12 to 15% of build cost
Typical timescale
Consent in 3 to 5 months
A historic survey and heritage statement
Listed building consent and planning
Repair schedules using traditional materials
Site visits with the conservation officer
05
Planning drawings only
If you have a builder lined up and just need consent, we'll draw the scheme, write the statements and handle the application.
Fixed fee
From £2,400 + VAT
Typical timescale
8 to 10 weeks to a decision
Measured survey
Existing and proposed plans and elevations
Design and access statement where needed
All contact with the planning officer
06
Building regulations drawings
Technical drawings and specifications to get building control approval and an accurate price from your builder.
Fixed fee
From £1,800 + VAT
Typical timescale
4 to 6 weeks
Construction plans, sections and details
A written specification
Coordination with the structural engineer
Submission to building control
A worked example
A £180,000 extension at 11% is a fee of £19,800 + VAT, paid in four parts.
35%
Design and planning
Survey, options, the chosen design and the planning application.
35%
Technical design
Building regulations, the engineer’s details and a full specification.
10%
Tender
Pricing with up to three builders and setting up the contract.
20%
On site
Fortnightly visits, valuations, instructions and the final account.
Paid on top
Other costs to plan for.
These aren’t ours, but most projects need some of them. We’ll list the ones that apply to you in the fee letter.
The council’s planning fee
Currently £528 for a householder application in England. Paid by you, straight to the council.
Structural engineer
Usually £900 to £2,500 for an extension. We’ll get quotes from engineers we work with.
Building control
Council or approved inspector fees, often £700 to £1,500 depending on the work.
Party wall surveyor
Only if you build on or near a shared wall. We’ll tell you at the first visit if it applies.
Specialist surveys
Trees, bats, drainage or ground conditions, where the site or the council needs them.
VAT
All our fees are quoted before VAT, which is charged at 20%.
Start a project
Tell us about the house and what you’d like to change.
We’ll call you back within two working days. The first visit is £250, taken off our fee if you go ahead.