How our support fits across all project types

Loft Extension

Loft conversions are one of the most common - and most underestimated - residential projects in London.

While often perceived as straightforward, they typically involve complex structural design, fire safety requirements, party wall considerations, and (for flats) freeholder consent.

We support clients by:

Sense-checking loft design and layout proposals
Anticipating building control and fire regulation impacts
Highlighting common cost drivers and hidden risks

This is particularly valuable before appointing a builder or finalising engineering.

Kitchen / Rear extensions

Kitchen and rear extensions frequently combine architectural ambition with structural complexity.

Issues often arise around foundations, drainage, steelwork, glazing, and sequencing - all of which have cost implications.

We help clients:

Review extension design proposals and assumptions
Understand structural solutions and their cost impact
Anticipate planning and building control requirements
Avoid premature pricing based on incomplete scope

Independent advice at this stage can prevent redesign and late cost escalation.

Basement Conversion

Basement projects carry higher technical and financial risk than most other residential works.

Structural design, waterproofing strategy, neighbour impact, and programme risk all need careful consideration early on.

We support clients by:

Helping them understand structural and engineering approaches
Highlighting risk areas that affect cost and feasibility
Challenging over-optimistic assumptions
Advising on sequencing and professional appointments

This type of project benefits significantly from early independent challenge.

Full house refurbishments

Full refurbishments often combine multiple workstreams: structural alterations, services upgrades, layout changes and compliance upgrades.

The main risk is not the work itself, but how decisions are sequenced and scoped.

We help clients:

Structure the refurbishment logically
Understand where costs are likely to move
Review design and engineering proposals holistically
Support procurement decisions across multiple disciplines

This is especially valuable where projects evolve gradually rather than being fully defined upfront.

Flat refurbishments and leasehold projects

Refurbishing a flat introduces additional layers of complexity, including freeholder consent, building-wide fire strategy, and neighbour considerations.

We support leaseholders by:

Helping them understand freeholder and landlord requirements
Anticipating approvals that affect cost and timing
Reviewing design and engineering proposals in a leasehold context
Avoiding assumptions that often lead to delay or redesign

This applies equally to private and council freeholders.

Structural alterations and internal reconfiguration

Projects involving structural alterations (such as removing load-bearing walls or reconfiguring layouts) are often perceived as “minor works” but can have significant engineering and compliance implications.

We help clients:

Understand when works are structural vs non-structural

Sense-check proposed engineering solutions

Anticipate building control and fire safety impacts

Understand cost implications before works begin

Independent advice at this stage reduces the risk of unexpected changes during construction.

Kitchen Refurbishment

Kitchen refurbishments often combine layout adjustments, services relocation, electrical upgrades and ventilation compliance within a relatively small footprint.

The main risk is not the cabinetry or finishes themselves, but how structural implications, drainage constraints and electrical capacity are understood before decisions are made.

We help clients:

Structure the kitchen scope before contractor pricing
Understand when layout changes trigger structural review
Anticipate drainage and ventilation constraints
Review electrical load and consumer unit capacity implications
Identify where specification changes may distort budget assumptions
Support procurement decisions once scope maturity is sufficient

This is especially valuable where layout or appliance decisions are made before the technical implications are fully assessed.

Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovations combine plumbing alterations, waterproofing requirements, ventilation compliance and, in many cases, structural or drainage constraints.

The main risk is not the sanitaryware itself, but how drainage positioning, water pressure and compliance requirements affect feasibility and cost.

We help clients:

Structure the renovation logically before demolition begins
Understand drainage and fall limitations in houses and flats
Review plumbing and ventilation implications before committing
Identify when boiler, pump or system upgrades may be required
Clarify where installation complexity is underestimated
Support procurement decisions once scope clarity is achieved

This is especially valuable where bathrooms are being relocated, upgraded significantly, or installed within leasehold properties.

Planning Permission & Building Control Strategy

Planning applications and Building Control approval processes often run in parallel with design development, yet many homeowners treat them as administrative steps rather than strategic decisions.

The main risk is not the submission itself, but how planning conditions, compliance requirements and technical approvals affect design scope, sequencing and cost.

We help clients:

Structure planning and compliance strategy before detailed design begins
Understand the difference between planning permission and Building Control approval
Anticipate conditions that may affect materials, layouts or fire safety
Review submissions before they are finalised to reduce redesign risk
Identify when structural or fire strategy input is required early
Support procurement decisions once approvals are clearer

This is especially valuable where clients are progressing design quickly and approvals may materially affect cost, timing or feasibility.

How we support you

(Interior Design, Architechtural, Structural Engineering & Procurement)

What it is
Independent, ongoing advice to help you make informed decisions across:

Design development
Structural engineering options and trade-offs
Procurement and appointments
Cost, risk and change decisions

We act as a challenger and sounding board — not as the designer or engineer of record.

What we help with

Reviewing design proposals and options
Sense-checking structural solutions and complexity
Helping you understand engineering implications and cost impact
Stress-testing scopes before pricing
Challenging assumptions, exclusions and provisional sums
Advising when design and engineering detail is “good enough” to commit

What we don’t do

Produce drawings or calculations
Take responsibility for design or engineering compliance
Replace appointed architects or engineers
Manage construction or site activity
Responsibility always remains with the appointed professionals.