Most people don’t know this, but training to be an Architect takes longer than it does to become a Doctor! Designing, remodeling or building a home is a huge undertaking. Unless your project is very simple it makes sense to talk to an Architect before you get going. We are trained not just in the art of design but also the science of it: we will make it look beautiful but we will also ensure it is functional and safe. At HRA Architects we pride ourselves on developing solutions and ideas that will improve a building without breaking the budget.

And we don’t just plan and design buildings – only about 15% of our work relates to initial designs. For the vast majority of our clients, we will guide you through the regulatory process, helping to secure all necessary consents, whether that be planning and/or listed building consent. We’ll also assist with building control, another essential part of the process. Thereafter, any project of significant size will have an Architect involved throughout the whole construction process. Our role can encompasses everything from preparing tender and construction drawings through to helping you select a builder and supervising the construction to ensure you are completely happy with the end result.

Generally a full architectural service comes into play when a project has a budget of £50,000 or more. That said, we help plenty of clients with smaller undertakings. In those instances, we can contribute best by helping steer the project in terms of concept and ambition. We can always help a client determine how to get the most out of their home.

The cost of a project can vary enormously but this is something we can work with you to determine. Complexity, scope, site conditions and level of finish will all have an impact on the necessary budget but we will always be able to give you a good indication of what you should be budgeting from as early as the initial consultation. Location is also a determining factor and in the South of England we typically advise clients to expect a finished build to cost between £2500 and £3500 per sq metre.

In terms of what fees you are likely to pay for Architecture services, these fall into three phases: feasibility and/or concept design leading into a planning application; detailed drawings both for tender and the construction package you will want to pass on to the builder; and, should you require it, oversight throughout the construction phase.

We will be able to give you a good steer on our fees right from the beginning of the process. And one of our underlying principles as a practice is that our fees will never be subject to scope creep. Once we have advised you of our fees, they will not increase thereafter.

Whatever your budget, we will be able to create the very best home that your money can provide.

The planning system often seems confusing to householders and one of the questions we are often asked, particularly when it comes to home extensions, is do I need planning permission?

In some instances, the answer is no. There are some measures you can take to improve and extend your home without applying for planning permission and those are laid out in the Town and Country Act. Usually though, you still need the council to approve that work. These smaller extensions or remodels are done under permitted development and you will need a Certificate of Lawfulness. This certificate is essential should you want to sell your home after having carried out works under permitted development.

Further information on what can and can’t be done under permitted development can be found on the planning portal.

If your intended works encompass more than can be achieved under permitted development, you will need to apply for planning permission. We will be able to advise from the point of an initial consultation what permissions you will need to seek.

Typically, we would do this on your behalf. Planning applications can still be submitted to the planning authorities via post but the vast majority go through the national planning portal website. We very much recommend this route. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed to check it contains all the necessary information. Once that has been ascertained, the application will be validated. This part of the process typically takes 1-2 weeks. Once validated, the target date for a decision is 8 weeks from the date on which the application was received by the council. In practice, it can be longer.

Possibly yes, but it may be trickier as additional regulations apply. The Green Belt was developed to curb urban expansion with the hope of protecting land. It is found around the majority of London, and includes many AONBs. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are places whose distinctive character and natural beauty is safeguarded in the national interest to conserve and enhance it.

In practical terms, development rights within AONBs are reduced. But, with the right approach, they are definitely still possible. We have found it is key to design to a high standard and with a sympathetic approach. Incorporating local planning guidelines is also vital for a successful application. In this case, every project really requires individual evaluation. We will work with you to design a building that fulfils your ambitions and meets planning requirements.

There are minimum energy efficiency requirements for a house or extension that must be met these days. But over and above these minimum requirements, looking for energy efficiency and sustainability when undertaking work to your home is an obvious thing to do. There are many ways we can incorporate energy efficiency into a design: we always take a ‘Fabric First’ approach which means we look at everything from insulation to the energy performance of the specific doors and windows we select. In addition, there are many sustainable forms of generating electricity that don’t have to be unsightly. All these options – the pro’s and con’s of each - can be discussed on a case by case basis.

Wherever possible we adhere to Passivhaus and EnerPHit principles in our design work.

These are the British Standards for every aspect of a construction and to which every project must adhere. The regulations ensure a building is safe and conforms to current performance requirements. Every aspect of a build is covered including structural integrity, fire protection, accessibility, energy performance, electrical and gas safety, acoustic performance and protection against falls. They also lay the standards for drains, ventilation, protection against the ingress of water and protection against contamination including methane and radon gas.

You will be required to get a certificate that declares your project conforms to the building regulations. This can be attained either through local building control or an approved inspector. Both will come and inspect the site during construction. Based on both their observations on site and the information provided to them by the construction team they will certify at the end of the project that the building regulations have been complied with.