Covering Acton
Acton is about 6 miles west of London. We also cover Chiswick (1 miles to the south-east), Shepherd's Bush and Willesden.
Homes in London
London projects often mean working on period terraces with neighbours on both sides, tight access through the house and conservation area controls, so careful planning and party wall work matter as much as the build.
What goes into architectural design and planning?
Architectural design and planning covers everything before building starts: a measured survey of the house, design options, planning or permitted development drawings, the application itself, building regulations drawings and structural calculations. We offer it on its own or as part of a design-and-build project.
- Design options and 3D views
- Submission and liaison with the planning officer
- Structural engineer’s calculations
How much should I budget for architectural design and planning?
Typical ranges for architectural design and planning. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.
| Architectural design and planning | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Measured survey and existing drawings | £500 to £1,200 |
| Planning drawings and application | £1,200 to £3,000 |
| Building regulations drawings and specification | £1,000 to £2,500 |
| Structural calculations | £500 to £2,000 |
What approvals does architectural design and planning need in England?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.
We confirm whether your project is permitted development, needs prior approval or needs a householder application, and prepare the right submission. A lawful development certificate is the best proof that permitted development work is lawful.
What should Acton homeowners check first?
- Planning and building regulations are separate approvals; most projects need building regulations even when planning is not needed.
- Pre-application advice from the council can help on sensitive sites.
From first call to completion
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
What people ask before starting
How long does planning take?
Councils aim to decide householder applications within eight weeks of validation.
What is a lawful development certificate?
A certificate from the council confirming that work is permitted development, which is useful when you sell.
Do you work in Acton?
Yes. Acton is within our coverage for architectural design and planning, along with nearby Chiswick and Shepherd's Bush.
Other towns nearby
- Architectural design and planning in Chiswick
- Architectural design and planning in Shepherd's Bush
- Architectural design and planning in Willesden
- Architectural design and planning in Barnes
Learn more about architectural design and planning, or see every project we cover in Acton.