Our complete architectural service manages your entire project from initial concept through to construction completion and handover. We remain your dedicated design team throughout, ensuring your home extension or new build is constructed exactly as designed, on budget, and to the highest quality.

A full architectural service covers every stage of a project, from initial design brief and concept development through to planning, technical drawings, contractor procurement, and on-site project management through to completion. With an RIBA-chartered architect, you have a single professional overseeing the entire process.

A RIBA-chartered architect has completed a minimum seven years of professional training and is regulated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This brings legal accountability, professional indemnity insurance, and adherence to a code of conduct — protections that unregulated designers do not offer.

Many homeowners start with a builder only to find that without architectural drawings, planning consent, and proper specification, costs escalate and quality suffers. An architect manages these risks from the outset, acting as your professional advocate throughout the project.For simple projects, such as small extensions, internal alterations, garage conversions or straightforward refurbishments, an experienced builder may be able to undertake both the design and construction elements. However, builders are not typically “designers” and you will be relying on the contractor to make deign decision and design responsibility, they must be sufficiently competent to produce the necessary drawings, specifications and compliance information and accept responsibility for those design decisions. Most will rely on outsourcing the design to other parties.For more complex projects, such as large extensions, structural alterations, new-build homes or projects with challenging planning or Building Regulations requirements, appointing an architect is recommended. A good architect should save you money by maximising the potential of your property by developing creative design solutions that make the best use of available space, light and layout, and by providing a fully considered design prior to works starting, will reduce any adjustments through the construction phase.An architect can also:Develop compliant designs and technical drawings.Coordinate structural, energy and fire safety requirements.Manage planning and Building Regulations submissions.Provide detailed specifications for construction.Reduce the risk of costly mistakes, design changes and compliance issues.Under the current Building Regulations framework, all projects must be designed and constructed in a way that demonstrates compliance. If design changes are made during construction, they should be reviewed and approved by the relevant designer to ensure compliance is maintained.

It includes preparing tender packages and appointing contractors, administering the building contract, conducting regular site inspections, certifying payments to contractors, managing variations, and ensuring work is completed to the agreed specification and standard.

A Contract Administrator (CA) is the architect's role during the build phase, acting as an independent certifier between you and the contractor. Having your architect act as CA protects you financially, they certify only the work that has been properly completed, and can instruct corrections without you having to negotiate directly with the builder.

The RIBA Plan of Work sets out seven stages: Strategic Definition, Preparation and Briefing, Concept Design, Spatial Coordination, Technical Design, Construction, and Handover. A full architectural service takes you through all of them.

As early as possible. Appointing an architect at the briefing stage, before any plans are drawn, allows the design to be shaped around your specific needs, budget, and site constraints. Early involvement also prevents costly mistakes and avoids the need to redesign around planning or structural issues discovered later.

Yes, but there are significant risks. Without professional oversight during the build, variations from the approved plans can occur, building regulations may not be fully met, and disputes with contractors are harder to resolve without an independent contract administrator in place.

Under a professionally administered building contract, your architect can issue instructions to the contractor, withhold payment certificates if work is substandard, and, in serious cases, recommend termination of the contract. This level of protection is only available when an architect is formally appointed as Contract Administrator.

The RIBA's online directory allows you to search for registered practices by location and project type. Local knowledge matters, an architect experienced with South Oxfordshire District Council, Buckinghamshire Council, or a London borough will understand local planning policies, design expectations, and the preferences of planning officers. Simon Mack Architecture has a very good relationships with our local planning authorities, for example, we have 15 years of 100% planning success with South Oxfordshire.

Look for RIBA membership, a track record of relevant residential projects, experience with the relevant local planning authority, a clear process for client communication, and a portfolio of completed schemes. References from past clients on similar projects are particularly valuable.Ultimately, an architect is a worthwhile investment when good design, project coordination and regulatory compliance are important to the success of the project. The best choice is the one that matches the complexity of your project, your budget and the level of professional support you need, as well as having a good professional relationship with you.

Most architectural practices offer an initial consultation. Use this to assess whether they listen carefully to your brief, ask the right questions about budget and constraints, demonstrate local planning knowledge, and communicate clearly.

For most clients, yes. Independent site oversight protects your investment, reduces the risk of defects, and ensures the contractor is held to the agreed contract. Many clients who attempted to manage the build themselves later incur additional costs correcting problems that professional oversight would have caught early.

Yes. As part of a full service, your architect prepares and submits all planning documents, liaises with the local planning authority, responds to planning officer queries, and manages any conditions attached to the consent.

Yes. At the technical design stage, your architect produces detailed drawings and specifications to satisfy building regulations, coordinates with structural engineers and other specialists, and liaises with the building control body throughout the build.

This is where appointing an experienced RIBA architect becomes particularly important. Conservation area applications and listed building consent require a detailed understanding of heritage policy and design sensitivity. An architect with a strong track record in these areas can significantly improve the prospects of a successful application.