Architectural design and planning in the Highlands

Covering The Highlands

We cover the Highlands, including Inverness, Fort William, Nairn and Thurso, and the towns around them.

Projects in the Highlands are taken on by arrangement, and any travel and accommodation costs for the team are shown openly in the quote.

Homes in the Highlands

Scottish homes range from city tenements and sandstone terraces to bungalows and modern estates, and the building warrant process shapes the programme for every project.

What is 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

What will architectural design and planning cost?

What architectural design and planning typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.

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 Scotland?

Scottish projects follow a different process from England: the council issues a building warrant before work starts and accepts a completion certificate at the end, alongside any planning permission needed. We prepare both applications.

We prepare planning applications where needed and the building warrant application, which must be approved before work starts in Scotland.

What can affect architectural design and planning?

Pre-application advice from the council can help on sensitive sites.
Conservation areas and listed buildings need extra design care and supporting statements.

What are the steps?

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Architectural design and planning: common questions

How long does planning take?

Councils aim to decide householder applications within eight weeks of validation.

Do I need a structural engineer?

For steels, new openings, lofts and extensions, yes. We arrange the calculations.

How do I get a price for architectural design and planning in the Highlands?

Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.

Other towns nearby

Learn more about architectural design and planning, or see every project we cover in The Highlands.