Affordable architects services in Edinburgh

Affordable Design Services for Edinburgh Homeowners

House Extensions and Internal Alterations Under £100k in Edinburgh

Do you own a house or flat in the Edinburgh area. Does your home need more space?

Do you want to knock a wall and join two rooms together, convert your garage into a habitable space or maybe you need a house extension. I can help you get planning and building warrant approval for any of these projects if the property is in the Edinburgh area.

I only take on jobs with a budget less than £100k and I do not offer construction contract / project management services. I will produce your design and apply for the necessary statutory approvals. I can advise on how to find and manage a suitable building firm but I don't usually get involved during tendering or construction.

Is £100k A Big Construction Budget in 2024?

One hundred thousand pounds is a lot of money in anyone's book, but it doesn't go far in construction. I publish guides to house extension costs and the cost of knocking down internal walls, so that you can make informed decisions about the budget for your project.

What Architectural Services Are Included

I break the process into three stages;

The Feasibility Study Stage

where I draw the existing property and then draw what is possible taking your requirements and budget into account.

It isn't possible to know how many times a client will ask for drawings to be revised before we get to a design everyone is happy with. Because of that, the feasibility study stage is charged by the hour.

The Planning Application Stage

I will be your agent for the application, I will deal with the planners and address any questions they, or your neighbours, might have. This service is a fixed price, provided the design agreed in the feasibility study stage isn't changed.

The Building Warrant Stage

I will work with a structural engineer to draft the necessary technical drawings to show compliance with the Scottish building regulations. This stage includes answering questions from the building standards officers at the local council until the application has been approved. This service is a fixed price, provided the design agreed in the feasibility study stage isnt changed.

How Much Do These Architectural Services Cost?

The fee scale below is for guidance, every project is different. The fees for your project may vary depending on the existing house and the complexity of your requirements. The smaller and simpler your project, the lower my fees.

I will always try to take on a project in the Edinburgh area, no matter how small. If you want to disucss just get in touch on the Contact Page.

What About Construction

I do not offer construction cost estimates, competitive tender or price negotiation services and I do not get involved during construction. My services are only suitable if you are willing to find and manage a building contractor yourself. I always advise clients in this situation to download and use the SBCC Homeowner Contract.

Please also be aware that no matter how detailed the building warrant drawings, a contractor might have questions, either when pricing or building the project. I am happy to assist with this but I will have to charge the hourly rate noted in the fee scale above. Please make sure your building contractor is aware of this before they start work.

I have been working in Edinburgh since 2004, and run my own architecture practice since 2009, I have a large network of construction industry contacts and can recommend suitable builders, suppliers and sub-contractors for your project. Keep in mind the best people are usually very busy and often are not available for months, so always plan ahead.

How Do I Find A Good Builder in Edinburgh?

SIMPLE PROJECTS ONLY

I do not take on projects involving the following;

Projects with a construction budgets above £100k.
Conversion / change of use.
HMO
Subdivisions of one property into multiple different properties (splitting a house into flats or creating a ‘granny annex’ in the garden, for example)
Any work in a basement
Older properties requiring significant refurbishment (modernising heating, electrics, roofing repairs, upgrading single glazing to double, rot repairs etc)

What if I Have a More Ambitious Project in Mind?

If you want a very high-quality project, I may be able to help through my other architecture practice, where I take on complex projects on challenging sites.

These projects usually have a construction budget of £200k - £500k and I provide a full service, including construction contract administration. If this sounds more like your project, get in touch with me on the contact page to discuss.