Frequently asked questions

1. How much do you charge?

At design ACB we understand that each client will have different aspirations for their project. We realise that each project requires an individual approach and a bespoke design solution particular to the needs of the site and to your own requirements. For this reason we have developed three levels of service to enable you to consider how much involvement you would like from us at each stage of your project from inception through to completion. No decision to opt for a particular scope of service is final, we can increase the provision of service once the project is underway either in level or through work undertaken at our hourly rates. Download our service guide here which gives a full explanation of our costs.

2. I have a limited budget, why would I want a full architect’s service?

Our fees relate to the amount of work we will have to undertake. We can reduce our fee but only by reducing our level of service (refer to our service guide). In our experience however this could increase the risks to you; clients tend to save on overall project costs by getting the design right before starting construction and not making changes during construction. This saving is normally far in excess of the amount clients spend on professional fees.

3. When do I pay?

We normally ask for payments on a monthly basis. Invoices will be raised and set against the amount of work undertaken that month. We generally ask for an initial payment from new clients to cover the cost of setting up the project.

4. When do I get an idea of the construction cost?

We can normally give an approximation of the likely construction cost of a project based on area rates after an initial design or feasibility study (RIBA project stages A & B). In general costs become clearer as the design develops and will depend on a number of issues such as site constraints and the level of finishes and fittings selected. For larger projects some clients prefer to appoint a specialist cost consultant (Quantity Surveyor) who will look at current market figures and provide a likely estimate as the design develops. Even after prices have been obtained from contractors, absolute cost certainty can only be ascertained at the end of the project due to potential unforeseen events during construction! For this reason we recommend that a contingency sum is set aside to address with unplanned occurrences and changes to the design are avoided during the build.

5. What is your role during the construction process?

Typically if we are appointed for a full architectural service on a domestic project our role during construction is to administer the contract between yourself and the contractor. We make site visits to inspect the works, to resolve problems and to monitor quality. We also make an assessment of the work carried out and issue you with certificates for payment to the contractor.

6. Do you offer project management?

We can offer project management as an additional service if required.

7. Do you work on listed or buildings within Conservation Areas?

Yes, we have extensive experience of working with Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and in other sensitive contexts.