FAQ's
We are sure that you will have a lot of questions.
We have provided answers to some of the most asked questions below.
If there is anything else you would like to know, we are here to help.
We have provided answers to some of the most asked questions below.
If there is anything else you would like to know, we are here to help.
What are your fees?
How we structure our fees:
We have a fair fee policy. Our fee structure ensures that our team are fairly paid, and that you as the client get a fair deal for the work produced.
We charge on a Standard Hourly Rate, but with a difference, we agree a fee cap with you. This fee cap gives you the assurance of knowing the maximum cost for the work agreed.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of projects, some require more work, detail or management than others. We do not want to charge upfront for work that might be needed if later on, as the project develops, it’s not needed. Therefore, we will work diligently and efficiently for you, and if we come in below the agreed fee cap, you will pay less; if we go over it, you still won’t pay more than the agreed maximum amount.
We have a fair fee policy. Our fee structure ensures that our team are fairly paid, and that you as the client get a fair deal for the work produced.
We charge on a Standard Hourly Rate, but with a difference, we agree a fee cap with you. This fee cap gives you the assurance of knowing the maximum cost for the work agreed.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of projects, some require more work, detail or management than others. We do not want to charge upfront for work that might be needed if later on, as the project develops, it’s not needed. Therefore, we will work diligently and efficiently for you, and if we come in below the agreed fee cap, you will pay less; if we go over it, you still won’t pay more than the agreed maximum amount.
How long will my project take?
This will depend a lot on the type and size of your project, but we would say that it is never too early to get in touch!
From experience, a period of 12 – 18 months from first contacting us to the start of construction is most common. However for smaller scale projects this can be as low as 6 months but depends heavily on the availability of contractors. While this may sound longer than you might expect, a lot of this time is dependent on the Local Authority planning process and contractor availability.
We have put a lot of thought into refining our process to help to reduce timescales, but it is also important not to rush through what will be a big personal and financial commitment. It is important to get it right and so we always explore a number of options with you.
From experience, a period of 12 – 18 months from first contacting us to the start of construction is most common. However for smaller scale projects this can be as low as 6 months but depends heavily on the availability of contractors. While this may sound longer than you might expect, a lot of this time is dependent on the Local Authority planning process and contractor availability.
We have put a lot of thought into refining our process to help to reduce timescales, but it is also important not to rush through what will be a big personal and financial commitment. It is important to get it right and so we always explore a number of options with you.
Can you work further afield?
In short, yes! We have experience of working on schemes across the UK and we are more than happy to discuss your project.
While this will likely impact the services that we can offer you, primarily the level of our involvement during construction, one thing that we will promise, is that we will never leave you high and dry; where we can help out, we will, and we are always at the end of a phone.
While this will likely impact the services that we can offer you, primarily the level of our involvement during construction, one thing that we will promise, is that we will never leave you high and dry; where we can help out, we will, and we are always at the end of a phone.
I want to Self-Build. Can you help?
Absolutely, we are more than happy to adjust our service to suit your project. We have completed several self-build projects, often working with our clients to manage the build process, the coordination of sub-contractors and sequencing of works.
How much will my project cost?
We understand that your project will likely be a large financial commitment, and we recognise the responsibility that we have in designing for your budget and providing you with an affordable project that meets your needs.
When you first get in contact, we can discuss your budget, together with your requirements and aspirations, and assess its feasibility to deliver what you want. We will assess your project based upon current square meter rates and our experiences of current and previous projects of a similar scale and type.
We can also offer a detailed cost analysis service, that is carried out at developed design stage. For this we will work with a Quantity Surveyor to conduct a detailed cost assessment based upon current material costs and labour rates. This is not designed to be a guarantee of build costs but is an effective indicator.
Finally, if quotes come back from a proposed Contractor that are higher than expected, we are experienced in thoroughly picking through the figures and finding opportunities to save money, while retaining the primary qualities of the design. Often a tight budget can result in us having to work out innovative solutions, which luckily is something we enjoy! And it can be an area where we can really add value to your project.
When you first get in contact, we can discuss your budget, together with your requirements and aspirations, and assess its feasibility to deliver what you want. We will assess your project based upon current square meter rates and our experiences of current and previous projects of a similar scale and type.
We can also offer a detailed cost analysis service, that is carried out at developed design stage. For this we will work with a Quantity Surveyor to conduct a detailed cost assessment based upon current material costs and labour rates. This is not designed to be a guarantee of build costs but is an effective indicator.
Finally, if quotes come back from a proposed Contractor that are higher than expected, we are experienced in thoroughly picking through the figures and finding opportunities to save money, while retaining the primary qualities of the design. Often a tight budget can result in us having to work out innovative solutions, which luckily is something we enjoy! And it can be an area where we can really add value to your project.
My building is listed. Can you help?
Certainly – we are happy to have a chat about any specific factors that affect your project. We have experience working on projects with listed buildings in conservation areas, in the green belt and under differing local legislation.
Factors such as these may affect aspects of the design and the documentation required for planning applications. We will assess and discuss the impact of this with you before the design process starts to ensure that this is all considered at an early stage.
Factors such as these may affect aspects of the design and the documentation required for planning applications. We will assess and discuss the impact of this with you before the design process starts to ensure that this is all considered at an early stage.
Im concerned about the impact on my neighbours.
We completely understand that a construction project will impact on others, especially people who live in neighbouring properties. Our aim is that our designs are sensitive to their context, which includes your neighbours’ property and the wider area.
We carefully consider right to light and implications of the party wall act on all projects; we will happily discuss the project with your neighbours and issue party wall documentation on your behalf.
While it’s always nice if neighbours are all on-board, we have a broad range of experience in dealing with affected parties, and if there is a more complex situation with your neighbours we might also recommend engaging a specialist Party Wall Surveyor.
We carefully consider right to light and implications of the party wall act on all projects; we will happily discuss the project with your neighbours and issue party wall documentation on your behalf.
While it’s always nice if neighbours are all on-board, we have a broad range of experience in dealing with affected parties, and if there is a more complex situation with your neighbours we might also recommend engaging a specialist Party Wall Surveyor.
I want a Passivhaus, but i don't need the badge.
Whilst we can design a highly efficient house without achieving Passivhaus Certification, there is a big difference between a Passivhaus and not a Passivhaus.
The Passivhaus standard is a brilliant and extremely rigorous performance standard. Designing a Passivhaus involves calculating the effect of everything in and outside of the building, from the form, and placement of windows, to the amount of insulation, thermal bridges through junctions, the amount of heat your washing machine produces and even down to the length and type of copper piping in your building. This does take a good amount of time, and this results in a finely tuned, high performance building.
If you do not go for certification, you won’t get into the details of these calculations, therefore whilst we can say with a degree of accuracy that the building will be efficient and comfortable, it simply won’t be to the standard of a Passivhaus.
There is often a trade-off with priorities when considering certification or not. Are your priorities performance, or is it a particular view, or layout. A lot of the time, other priorities, mean that certification is not the priority, and that is fine, it is about getting the right balance for you. We will discuss all aspects of this with you, if you are considering whether to build a Passivhaus or not.
The Passivhaus standard is a brilliant and extremely rigorous performance standard. Designing a Passivhaus involves calculating the effect of everything in and outside of the building, from the form, and placement of windows, to the amount of insulation, thermal bridges through junctions, the amount of heat your washing machine produces and even down to the length and type of copper piping in your building. This does take a good amount of time, and this results in a finely tuned, high performance building.
If you do not go for certification, you won’t get into the details of these calculations, therefore whilst we can say with a degree of accuracy that the building will be efficient and comfortable, it simply won’t be to the standard of a Passivhaus.
There is often a trade-off with priorities when considering certification or not. Are your priorities performance, or is it a particular view, or layout. A lot of the time, other priorities, mean that certification is not the priority, and that is fine, it is about getting the right balance for you. We will discuss all aspects of this with you, if you are considering whether to build a Passivhaus or not.
Im worried about getting planning permission for my project.
We want to provide reassurance in saying that we believe the planning process is there for very good reason, and we appreciate the importance of the planning system.
There are a lot of horror stories out there about obtaining planning permission, but we feel this is likely down to bad communication, bad drawings, or badly considered design.
We have historically had an excellent success rate on planning applications, which we put down to having a considered design approach and our open and honest communication with the local planning department, working with them if they have any concerns to achieve a result that all parties can see as successful.
There are a lot of horror stories out there about obtaining planning permission, but we feel this is likely down to bad communication, bad drawings, or badly considered design.
We have historically had an excellent success rate on planning applications, which we put down to having a considered design approach and our open and honest communication with the local planning department, working with them if they have any concerns to achieve a result that all parties can see as successful.
My house is cold and damp, and my energy bills are too high, what can I do?
Speak with us about our Retrofit Advice Service. Not only do we understand old UK housing stock, we live in them ourselves! And have spent our own time and money retrofitting them to lower our bills and more easily maintain a consistent and comfortable internal environment.
I’m not sure whether to extend or move.
This is a fair question and we will always consider it, even if the client doesn’t raise it, and talk it through if its relevant. We see it as our moral and environmental responsibility to refrain from proposing works that we do not see as financially sensible or in the best interests of the client.
How much more expensive is a Passivhaus?
That’s a question of two parts. There will be an increased upfront build cost for a Certified Passivhaus of 15-20% but over the lifetime of the building this will be paid back in both lower maintenance costs and drastically lower energy bills. And as energy prices continue to rise this payback will only accelerate, all the while, enjoying the ongoing exceptional quality and consistency of internal temperature, air quality and build quality.
What is your design style?
There are always going to be things that we love and things that we don’t like. However, we think that all of our designs are the results of the process, discussions and development with the clients. We hope that a design will be bespoke to the people that will be living in it, and whilst we will certainly bring our ideas to the table, we don’t have a specific design style.
I want to build with Natural Materials. Can you help?
We would love to work with you! We are always looking to reduce the embodied carbon in our projects. A lot of the time, this needs to be through tweaking more mainstream construction methods, which has proven effective.
However, we are knowledgeable and keen to use construction methods such as straw bale construction, hemp:lime, earth construction, as well as using materials such as cork, clay plasters, woodfibre and timber construction.
However, we are knowledgeable and keen to use construction methods such as straw bale construction, hemp:lime, earth construction, as well as using materials such as cork, clay plasters, woodfibre and timber construction.
How much do I need to be involved?
We aim to lighten the load on our clients, and work in a collaborative manner to reduce the stress of a construction project and allow it to be practical for you around your day to day life. This is something that our clients always appreciate. However in truth, there will be a lot of decisions that you will need to make, and whilst we can certainly help out, we cannot completely take them out of your hands. We are always happy to discuss this further.
Can I open my windows in a Passivhaus?
Yes. Passivhaus actually requires at least one openable window to every room (with some specific exceptions) and it is assumed that users will open their windows. This is taken into account in the Passivhaus energy modelling.
My Plot isn't south facing, or is overshadowed. Does this mean i can't achieve the Passivhaus standard?
No, this is not the case. With our expertise we believe that within certain constraints of building form and budget, we can achieve Passivhaus Certification in most locations. We are more than happy to discuss the possibilities with you.