How We Work
Every project we take on follows the RIBA Plan of Work — the industry-standard framework that takes a build from initial idea all the way through to completion. It's the backbone of how architects work, and it means you always know where your project stands.
We break things down into five clear stages: Feasibility, Design Development, Planning, Technical Design, and Construction. Whether you need us for one stage or the whole journey, we're here for as much or as little as you need — though we're always happy to take the whole thing off your hands, from that very first conversation to handing over the keys.
The guide below walks you through each stage in plain English, so you know exactly what to expect from us along the way.
1 - Feasibility Design
This is where it all begins. We'll sit down with you to get a proper understanding of what you're hoping to achieve — your goals, your budget, and your timeline.
From there, we'll carry out a measured survey of your property and pull together any existing drawings we need. With that groundwork in place, we'll start sketching out early design ideas and layout options, giving you something tangible to react to.
By the end of this stage, we'll have a clear project brief that everyone is aligned on, along with a realistic sense of cost and programme. It's about making sure we're all pointed in the right direction before any serious work begins.
2 - Developed Design
With the brief agreed, this is where the project really starts to take shape. We'll develop a range of design options for you to consider, presented with 3D visuals and concept imagery so you can see exactly how your space could look and feel — not just read about it on a plan.
We'll work through your feedback together and refine the design until it's something you're genuinely excited about. If there's any uncertainty around planning, we can also seek pre-application advice from the local authority at this stage — a useful way to flag any potential issues early and avoid surprises further down the line.
3 - Planning
With the design finalised, we'll prepare all the drawings and documents needed to submit your planning application.
Behind the scenes, we'll coordinate with your structural engineer and any other consultants involved, making sure everything is properly aligned before anything goes in. Once submitted, we'll manage the process on your behalf — liaising with the local authority, handling any queries that arise, and making any necessary amendments to get the application over the line.
Planning can sometimes be unpredictable, but we'll keep you informed at every step and do everything we can to keep things moving.
4 - Technical Design
Once planning is secured, the focus shifts to the detail. This stage is less visible to you as a client, but it's where a huge amount of important work happens. We'll prepare a full set of technical drawings and specifications — the kind of detailed information that tells builders exactly how everything should be built.
We'll continue coordinating with your structural engineer and other consultants to make sure all the technical information fits together properly.
Drawings will be submitted to Building Control to ensure the design meets all relevant regulations, and once everything is in order, we'll pull together a tender package and issue it to your chosen builders so they can provide accurate pricing. Getting this stage right is what sets a smooth build up for success.
5 - Construction
This is where everything you've been planning becomes a reality. We'll start by helping you review the quotes back from builders, making sure you're comparing like for like, and advising on the appointment so you go into the build with the right team in place.
Once work begins on site, we're on hand to answer any technical queries from the builder as they arise — keeping things moving and avoiding unnecessary delays. We'll carry out regular site inspections to check that the work is being built in line with the drawings and to the standard you'd expect, flagging anything that needs attention before it becomes a bigger issue.
It's your project, and we'll make sure it's delivered the way it was designed.
6 - Handover
The build is complete — and this is the moment it all comes together. We'll make sure everything is in order before you take possession of the space, and we're on hand to deal with any final snagging items that need to be resolved.
We don't charge for this stage — it's simply part of making sure the project finishes the way it should, and that you're completely happy with the result.
