Covering Shirley
Shirley sits 6 miles south-east of Birmingham, with Solihull 2 miles to the east and Acocks Green 3 miles to the north.
Homes in the West Midlands
Across the West Midlands, terraced and semi-detached houses in red brick are typical, along with post-war estates where garage conversions and side extensions are popular.
What do you get with architectural design and planning?
Designing and building under one roof means the drawings are priced as they are drawn, so there are fewer surprises when the quote arrives. If you only need drawings and a planning application, we can do that and you are free to use any builder.
- Planning or lawful development certificate drawings
- Submission and liaison with the planning officer
- Structural engineer’s calculations
How much should I budget for architectural design and planning?
Use these ranges to budget for architectural design and planning; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| 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 |
How is architectural design and planning approved in Shirley?
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
We confirm whether your project is permitted development, needs prior approval or needs a householder application, and prepare the right submission.
What should Shirley homeowners check first?
- Planning and building regulations are separate approvals; most projects need building regulations even when planning is not needed.
- Conservation areas and listed buildings need extra design care and supporting statements.
How does the project run?
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- 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.
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 Shirley?
Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.
Architectural design and planning in nearby towns
- Architectural design and planning in Solihull
- Architectural design and planning in Acocks Green
- Architectural design and planning in Birmingham
- Architectural design and planning in Aston
Learn more about architectural design and planning, or see every project we cover in Shirley.

