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Architects & Planning

An architect holding rolled drawings in a kitchen with a new glazed extension

Request quotes for architects, plans and drawings, planning advice and 3D models. Choose your job and describe it in a few short steps.

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  1. 1Job
  2. 2Timing
  3. 3Description
  4. 4About Me
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A new single-storey rear extension with glazed doors on a brick semi, with the architect on the patio

Overview

Building design and planning

This page covers designing buildings and getting them through planning: architects and architectural technicians, architectural and technical drawings, planning and design, planning consultants, and 3D architectural models.

Pick the nearest job from the list in the form. If yours isn't there, choose the closest and explain what you need in the description.

Jobs you can request

Typical design and planning jobs

Choose one of these in the form, or pick the closest and describe what you need.

  1. Architect

    An architect to design a new home, an extension or a major alteration.

  2. Architectural Drawings

    Drawings of a building or project, such as plans for a planning application.

  3. Architectural Technician

    Technical drawings and details for a project, such as for building control.

  4. Planning / Design

    Design and planning advice for a project, from the first ideas onwards.

  5. Planning Consultants

    Advice on whether a project needs planning permission, and help applying.

  6. 3D Architectural Models

    A 3D model or image of a design, to show a building before it is built.

Worth knowing

Worth checking before work starts

A few rules and checks that apply to this kind of work.

  1. The title architect

    In the UK, only people on the Architects Register can use the title architect in business. The register is public and can be searched online.

  2. Lawful Development Certificates

    In England, if you want to be certain that a project doesn't need planning permission, you can apply to your council for a Lawful Development Certificate.

  3. Building without permission

    In England, if work that needs planning permission goes ahead without it, the council can serve an enforcement notice ordering all the changes to be undone.

Questions

Design and planning questions

My job isn't in the list. What should I choose?

Choose the closest job, then explain what you need in the description step.

What jobs can I request quotes for here?

Architects, architectural drawings and technicians, planning and design, planning consultants, 3D models and technical drawing. The full list is in the form's first step.

Is planning permission the same as Building Regulations approval?

No. In England, they are separate. Many building projects need both, but internal alterations may need Building Regulations approval and not planning permission.

Do architects have to be insured?

Yes. In the UK, architects must follow the Architects Code and hold appropriate insurance.

Can I request quotes for drawings for a planning application?

Yes. Choose Architectural Drawings and say what the drawings are for in the description.

Do I need an architect for an extension?

No law says you must use one. An architect or architectural technician can draw the plans, prepare the planning application and help with Building Regulations. For a simple extension, a technician's drawings may be enough.

Ready to describe your job?

Four short steps: the job, when you'd like it done, a description and your details.

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