You might imagine that an FAQ on an Architect’s website asking this question would only ever answer “of course!”, however that’s not what we’re going to do here.

When you think of an Architect’s role, you may immediately assume it’s just to provide a design service, but that’s only a small piece of the picture. We also steer your project through the intricacies and nuances of obtaining Planning Permission, navigating Conservation and Listed Building Status, ensuring compliance with Building Standards, and making sure that what is built by a Contractor is what was originally agreed and is also documented properly so that there won’t be any nasty surprises if you were ever to sell your home in the future. An Architect is also able to manage Contracts between Clients and Contractors and act to ensure that everything is carried out legally and professionally.

An Architect ideally is providing the expertise of a professional designer, paired with knowledge of contractual and legal processes to make the daunting task of constructing a project far more convenient, less complicated and stress free.

If you find yourself worrying that your project is too small to trouble us with, don’t fret. Our free initial consultation is designed to work out precisely what you need, but also if you even need our services.

Our free consultation is designed to achieve a few things.

1. Work out if an Architect is the right fit for your project.

2. To have a conversation about what your ambitions are and discuss how best we can help within your budget.

3. To explain the project stages we would be working through alongside rough timescales

4. Provide you an overview of the services we can provide as well as the jumping off points should you only want a partial service.

We aim to keep the initial meeting to 45 minutes or so, with no obligation to continue should you not feel like carrying on. The initial meeting is as much about giving you the chance to interview us as it is about discussing your project.

We have 6 key stages for developing a project following the initial consultation. Our service can then be tailored to suit your specific intentions, marking pre-defined jumping off points should you only desire a partial rather than a full service. Our key stages are;

1. Feasibility

2. Concept Design

3. Planning

4. Technical Design & Building Warrant

5. Construction

6. Handover

With each of these Stages comes a tangible progression closer to a finished result and we’ll be more than happy to go over each in more detail and explain what they entail with you should you have any questions.

Our fee structure is tied directly to your budget and we’ll be completely transparent in breaking down how a fee translates into hours worked. We’ll be able to give you an estimate during the initial consultation and firm everything up in a follow up fee proposal.

For determining and agreeing fees we use the Scottish Conditions of Appointment of an Architect Contract created by the RIAS (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland). Once you're confident in continuing a project with us, we’ll sit down and agree every aspect.