Ask Us

The Architects Registartion Board (ARB) is an independent statutory body established to regulate, maintain and protect the architect’s profession in the UK. The register ensures that only people who have had the relevant education, training and practical experience can offer the professional services of an architect.

RIBA is The Royal Institute of British Architects. This is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally. This body was founded for the advancement of architecture. Method Studio Architects follow the RIBA stages whilst endeavouring to keep this process as simple and straightforward as possible.

Yes we are insured with Professional Indemnity Insurance to a limit of £2,000,000 and Public Liability Inusrance to a limit of £5,000,000.

Please fill out the form on the contact page and we can arrange a consultation for you.

Yes we can! Just book in a free consultation with our team to discuss your project with us.

The survey process will take only 2-3 hours and our team of surveyors need access to the whole house to ensure we have captured everything of the existing property, including things like utility locations. If you have any questions or worries about a survey in your home please talk to any member of our team.

At the start of your project, our team will conduct a measured survey using 360° imaging of your home and the site. From this survey we will create your existing drawings, which will be referenced by the design team throughout the entire process.

All of our clients are issued with a ‘Fee Proposal’ at the start of the project, providing estimated fees for the entire project. An initial invoice for 50% of the fee is payable upon commencement of each stage of the work. Subsequently, invoices will be issued each month based on progress to date. Each stage will only be progressed once instructed by you. In the unlikely event that the scope of works changes any additional work undertaken will be explained to you and agreed beforehand. Additional work will be charged at our hourly rate. Payment is expected within 14 days of issue of an invoice.

For our Stage 4 contract administration an up front invoice will be issued for one months fee as set out in the client’s fee quotation. Once work starts on site a monthly invoice will be issued throughout the duration of the build. This will include the contract administration fee, which is normally 2-3% and any additional requested site support. No invoice will be issued in a month where our services are not required, for example if the project must be paused completely for longer than one month.

This will often depend on the complexity of the project, the materials you choose and your location. We can provide approximate construction costs based on the current national averages.

Planning drawings will be able to provide a better estimate but ultimately, it won't be until your technical details are established during Stage Two: Building Regulations that a more accurate quote can be provided.

No, we do not carry out any building works. We are a design and planning company only. 

However, we do have a substantial pool of reliable and trusted contractors that we are happy to connect you with.

Method Studio carefully monitor time spent daily on each project. All of our staff log their hours every day to ensure that we will not go over the estimated hours for a project. In the unlikely event that more hours are required, any additional work undertaken will be explained and agreed beforehand.

Our priority is that you are more than satisfied with our work and that dealing with our team has been a good experience. If you feel our service isn't what you had expected, please give us a call or drop us an email.

Method Studio will endeavour to keep costs on each project to a minimum. As no two projects are the same we cannot guarantee exactly what extra charges may be needed to complete your project. However, below is a brief outline of costs you may expect:

• Local Authority Planning
• Additional Reports like Heritage Statements or Arboriculutral Reports
• Party Wall Notice or Build Over Agreements This is not an extensive list of costs that may be required. For more information please contact us directly to discuss any possible additional costs on your project.

Our clients are often surprised at the number of people involved in even the most basic building project. That’s why we outline exactly who you should expect to consult with during every stage of your build.

Depending on your project, you might need to work with any of the following:

-         A Structural Engineer -         Your local council's planning department -         A Drainage Surveyor -         Building Control or an Approved Inspector -         A Party Wall Surveyor -         Builders -         Various Tradesmen

For further information on what steps are involved for your project, check out our Process page.

During the concept stage of your project once we have completed a survey we will create and issue you with a concept document. We will then organise a meeting or video call to go through each part of your project in depth and discuss any changes to help arrive at your perfect design.

Designers go to great lengths to make sure that the design is properly balanced from the roof all the way down to the foundation. This means that any major structural changes should be made during the design phase, not during the construction phase. Overall, it's most cost effective to make changes during the design phase of your home, before construction starts. For a more detailed explanation of when changes should be made, take a look at our News Articles.

Method Studio provide a full service which can help you during every stage of your project. This can even include finding the best kitchen designers or floor finishings for you, helping make your dream home become a reality.

If you are looking to make major changes to your house such as an extension or building something new you will need planning permission. Depending on the scale of your project permitted development may be appropriate. For a more in depth look into planning permissions take a look at our News Post.

Once your plans have been submitted most applications will be decided within eight weeks.

During the planning process we communicate directly with the planners to help ensure they have all the information they need during the application period. We then inform you of any updates or issues raised by the planners.

After submission the plan will be validated and the consultation period begins. During this time your neighbours will be informed and have the chance to express their opinions. Each application will be assigned to a case officer who will then arrange to visit the property and gather information such as photographs to help make an informed decision. The Officer will submit their report with their recommendation which the planning authority will use to come to a final decision.

Permitted development is an automatic planning permission for certain building works and changes. Your local planning authority will have its own guidance outlining what they allow under permitted development.

If your plans get refused you can either appeal the decision or submit modified plans within a year free of charge. With a refusal the planning authority will inform us as to why they have come to this decision, we can then help you decide which option would be best for your project.

Building regulations relate to the structural, fire and energy efficiencies of the project. A full planning application is required if you would like to make changes to your property that is larger or greater than the permitted development size allowed. This usually requires a full set of existing and proposed architectural drawings, an ordinance survey map, a design and access statement and a planning fee. The process should take 8 to 12 weeks but can sometimes last longer. Full planning permission grants permission for all aspects of your proposed build, although there may be some conditions attached.

Building control is different to planning permission and the rules are there to ensure the minimum standards on the build are upheld - in other words that your property is structurally safe, protected from fire risks and is energy efficient.

A structural engineer is an engineer that specialises in building structure. They design, plan, and oversee the construction of structures usually designed by or in collaboration with the architect. A structural engineer will often act as a consultant to a designer or building contractor, calculating loads, defining the specification of the project, and assessing which materials and structural systems would be most suitable to use during construction, such as steel, concrete, or wood. The structural engineer will assess the safety, strength, and durability of the building or structure to determine its structural integrity. We will always ensure that our structures are sturdily constructed in compliance with set industrially approved standards. For more information on Structural Engineers, read our News article.

A Build Over Agreement is required for any excavation works within 3 metres of a public sewer or drain. This will likely mean that any work you intend to undertake to your property, including excavations or foundations, may well likely require the Water Supplier's review and consent. For more information check out our News Post explaining more about Build Over Agreements.

The general principle of The Party Wall Act is that all work which might have an effect on the structural strength or the support function of the party wall or that might cause damage to the neighbouring side of the wall must be notified. If in doubt, advice should be sought from your local Building Control Office or Method Studio. For more information have a read of our News article.

This will depend on your proximity to a neighbour. If in doubt, speak to our team at Method Studio.

The main aim of Green Belt policy is to stop urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open (their essential characteristics are their openness and their permanence). Green Belt areas have some of the strictest planning controls and their planning policy is the polar opposite of planning policy in areas that aren’t designated as such. However this does not mean it is impossible to get planning approval. For more information on how to get planning approval in a Green Belt area, take a look at our News article.

Heritage Development involves listed buildings which are buildings of special architectural or historical interest that will often require special permissions. If you aren’t sure whether your building is listed or what grade it is, contact your local authority, who can let you know. Making alterations to listed buildings requires special sensitive planning within quite strict guidelines. It is worth talking to your local council before an application is made.

3D (three-dimensions) is the best way to interact and understand the design and concept for your project. You can use 3D in different ways. Our clients are not required to have any specific software or electronic devices to view our 3D designs, just a good internet connection and Method Studio will do all the work for you.

VR or Virtual Reality is a simulation in which a person can interact within a 3D (three-dimensions) environment using electronic devices. To see examples of our work with VR take a look at our Virtual Reality Page.

You will be provided with new user identification and a password. Please log in to your profile on our website. There are options once you are logged in to amend your information and password. We will upload key information, dates, invoices and PDF's to your profile which you will be notified of via email and a notification on our web app. Please regularly check your profile for updates. You can also leave comments on your profile and a member of our design team will get back to you as soon as possible.

We updated our website to create a smoother, more simplified process, removing unnecessary stress from what should be an exciting process. Our new website is a user friendly platform to facilitate better communication and bring all of your work with Method Studio into one location. No more missing documents or long email chains. Just a smooth enjoyable process to the home you’ve always wanted. To read more about this please visit our News article.