Questions

The ones we are asked most often, answered plainly. Questions about a particular stage, from the survey to the defects period, are answered on the services page.

How much does an architect cost?: For most of our work the full fee is 9–13% of the construction cost, split by stage so you only commit to one stage at a time. A house extension costing £150,000 to build typically carries a fee of about £16,500. Our first step is always the fixed £450 site visit and feasibility note.
Do you take on small projects?: Yes, from about £60,000 of building work. Below that a good builder and a structural engineer are usually better value than an architect, and we will tell you so at the site visit.
How far do you travel?: Anywhere inside the central belt is included in the fee. Beyond it we charge travel at cost, and we do not take work we cannot reach inside a day.
How long does planning permission take in Glasgow?: A householder application is decided in eight weeks on paper and ten to fourteen in practice. Listed building consent and conservation area work run longer. We programme for the realistic figure, not the statutory one.
Can you work with a builder I already know?: Yes. We can prepare a set of drawings for a negotiated price with your builder, or run a competitive tender among three to five contractors. Either way we administer the contract on site.
Who owns the drawings?: You receive a licence to build from them once the fee for that stage is paid. Copyright stays with the practice, which is standard, and it does not stop you taking the project to another architect.
Are you insured?: Professional indemnity insurance is held at £5m for each and every claim. Every architect in the studio is registered with the ARB.
When can you start?: Site visits are usually booked within ten working days. We start a new project roughly every six weeks, and we tell you the real start date at the visit rather than after you have signed.

Something else? Call 0141 496 0140 or send a brief. We reply within two working days.