An Architect plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. This can also include the space within the site surrounding the building.

Because there decisions can have serious consequences, an Architect must undergo specialised technical & design training together with a period of employment for practical experience before earning the right to practice architecture. The term “Architect” is legally protected. His work will be underwritten by professional indemnity insurance & carried out in full compliance with the Code of Conduct laid down by the Architects Registration Board UK.

Architects are trained to understand your needs and assist your decision making. Your Architect will work with and lead any specialist consultants you might need. This could be a structural engineer, mechanical or electrical engineer or a surveyor, and throughout the project, with the builder. The Architect will guide you through the design and construction process, ensuring that you avoid costly mistakes and get the most effective design for your budget.

We are committed to delivering projects to meet our client’s brief and endeavour always to exceed their expectations. We aim to complete projects on time and on budget.

A full architectural service would begin with our initial meeting with you and finish after the completion of the project As part of the process we would carry out a survey of your land and building, produce existing plans & elevations, concept designs, obtain planning and building regulations approvals, manage the project on site and finally hand over the building for you to occupy & enjoy.

Every project is unique, and each client’s needs are different, so we will create a bespoke service package to suit your precise requirements, wishes and budget.

Employing an accredited RIBA Chartered Practice will give you peace of mind. It will comply with strict criteria covering insurance, health and safety and quality management systems.

A practice can range from one person to a large, international company operating worldwide - so you'll always be able to find the right match for your project.

Whether you are thinking about refurbishing premises or acquiring a new site, BR1 will offer a free consultation as an introduction, with a full explanation of how we can help you. If you decide to employ us, we would then work with you to develop a Brief and agree an initial design before producing drawings.

MR1 has experience and skills that will make your project more successful and more cost-effective. We will listen to you, take time to understand your ideas and help you develop them. We will also offer guidance on how to spend the budget effectively and achieve the best results possible.

We are accomplished at visualising the potential of spaces and creating solutions to problems and limitations. Even if you are not totally sure of what you would like from your building, we will be able to suggest what might be possible.

Although precise details are needed to give accurate prices, we can often provide realistic estimates, sufficient to progress through the early stages of a project.

As part of our services, we can offer a cost analysis process, which means that if any quotes come in which would effectively threaten the overall budget, we will review the design and find ways of reducing the costs without compromising the design.

We have extensive experience of working to tight budgets and take pride in our ability to offer exciting solutions at low costs.

Our fees are contingent on either a percentage of the build cost or based on time charges. We can assess the amount of work required and calculate fees and costs based on this. We always try to find the best solution for your project and then work out a way of achieving it with your Budget. We will always provide you with a fee proposal, which states clearly the scope of work we will undertake, before costs are accrued. We endeavour to operate with a “no surprise” policy.

The type of approvals required will depend on the nature of the work to be carried out and the location of the site. We can make the applications for you, for example, Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent, and Advertising Consent. Most work will also require Building Regulations Approval from the Local Authority or from an approved Inspector.

We believe there is no substitute for a recommendation based on previous performance. We will work with any building contractor or supplier who is experienced, professional and capable of implementing designs correctly. We are happy to suggest and recommend contractors and suppliers our other clients have used successfully.

It is very difficult to refurbish a building without closing at some point during the work. It is often easier to close temporarily to complete the project quickly. However, if the building is large enough it may well be possible to carry out the project in stages.

RIBA is The Royal Institute of British Architects, the professional body for Architects. The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and its members. They provide standards, training, support and recognition that put their members at the peak of their profession. With government, they work to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.

RIBA Chartered Practices are the only practices endorsed and promoted by RIBA. Chartered firms have met a robust set of criteria: they employ a required number of individual RIBA Chartered Architects; they have appropriate professional indemnity insurance; they have in place an effective Quality Management system, comprehensive health & safety and environmental policies. A RIBA chartered practice represents the highest professional standards for architecture in the UK.

ARB stands for The Architects Registration Board. The ARB is the UK’s statutory regulator of Architects. The title Architect cannot be used by anyone unless they are suitably qualified and registered with the ARB. The ARB provides an online register of Architects here www.arb.org.uk

Before your first meeting with your chosen Architect, make some notes: what do you want to achieve with your project, what will the space be used for, what styles do you like, what don’t you like, what will your timetable be from start to finish, how much do you want to spend? Your Architect will work with you to develop the brief both in terms of aesthetics and function. The project will then be planned and a budget formulated.

When you have chosen your Architect, he or she will provide you with a written appointment document. This will set out your brief, a schedule of the fees, the services which will be provided and the terms and conditions.

You will need to discuss these matters with your Architect. Some Architects will be happy to undertake project management, organise competitive tendering for your project and arrange your contract with the builder.

If that is your wish and this has been agreed with your Architect, he will carry out regular site visits to ensure that adequate standards of workmanship are being employed and that the construction is fully in compliance with the drawings and specifications.

This will depend on what you have agreed with your Architect, you could simply be provided with a set of drawings for you to submit for Planning Approval or delegate full responsibility for the project to your Architect. You will be free to choose your level of involvement.

Dependent on experience, your Architect may well be able & willing to accurately estimate construction costs at the start of the project and subsequently through to completion.

If you wish to build something new, alter the appearance of your building, or change its use, you may require planning permission. If your project is in a Conservation Area or involves a listed building there will very likely be additional requirements.

A planning application has to be made to your local authority and can be by post or online. It will be accompanied by specific drawings, including site and location plans, together with a design statement. Sometimes there is a need to liaise with the planning department. Your Architect can undertake this on your behalf with your agreement and let you know of any problems with the application.

A planning officer will normally make a decision on a planning application. He will evaluate what you wish to do with regard to material considerations. These could include, but are not limited to:

Overshadowing or overlooking your neighbours, parking and access proposals, the effect on trees, appearance of your scheme, its scale or the implications of any noise generated. If the proposal involves a conservation area or listed building, there are additional special considerations which will be taken account of.

The local planning authority will usually issue a decision within 8 weeks.

If this happens, you can make an appeal against the decision. The appeal is made to the planning inspectorate, an independent body that will review the application.

How much will the local authority charge you for a planning application?

The charge for local authority planning applications throughout England is at present as follows: For a single domestic extension or alteration, the planning fee is £206. For a single new-build house the planning fee is £494. For change of use applications the fee varies and will depend on floor area.

It is possible that planning approval is given subject to conditions being discharged before work begins. Usually planning permission will only be valid for a period of three years. The work should be commenced within that time or another application will have to be submitted to the Local Authority.

Some extensions and property alterations can be undertaken without the requirement for planning approval. This is known as Permitted Development and will be dependent on the size and location of the works, The types of changes you can make could also depend on whether your house has been extended previously, is within a conservation area, or is within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

If you wish to build something new, alter or extend your building, in addition to planning approval it is likely that you may need Building Regulation Approval. You can employ your Local Authority Building Service or alternatively an approved inspector’s Building Control Service. There are two methods to obtain approval for your project. A full plans application can be submitted, to which a decision will be issued within five weeks or, with your agreement, a maximum of 2 months from the date of your submission. As an alternative, you can give a Building Notice, although there are conditions which may prevent this method from being used. You will notify the start date of the work, which will be inspected by the Building Inspector as it progresses. A charge will be payable when plans are deposited or Building Notice is given, with a single inspection charge after the first inspection has taken place. This includes for all subsequent visits.

A building inspector will visit the site at key times during the build to inspect the works and make sure that they are carried out in accordance with the building regulations. If a full plans submission has been made, when your project is complete you will receive a building regulation certificate.

Construction must be carried out in compliance with the technical guidance given in the building regulations.