FAQS.
No two projects (or clients) are the same. But the questions that matter most often are. We've answered the ones we hear most frequently, as honestly and simply as we can. If something's missing, you know where we are.
Working with SPB.
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We work across extensions, renovations, new builds, commercial refurbishments, and investment portfolios. Our background in the commercial property world gives us a pragmatic lens that works equally well for private homeowners and developers alike. Not sure if your project is a fit? Drop us a line.
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Absolutely. Working with private homeowners is now a core part of what we do. Our commercial roots bring a level of pragmatism and value-awareness to domestic projects that a traditional residential architect might not offer.
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We're based in Bournemouth and London, with projects delivered across the UK and beyond. We don't restrict ourselves geographically, most of the groundwork can be done remotely, with site visits scheduled as needed.
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It means we start by asking what success looks like for you. For a developer that might be yield and planning certainty; for a homeowner, space, quality, or budget control. The design process is tailored to those goals - not the other way around.
The process.
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Most projects move through four broad stages: defining the brief, exploring design solutions, developing the detail, and navigating approvals. We're flexible about how much of that journey we take with you. Some clients need us end to end, others just at a specific stage.
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Not always and we'll always be honest about that. The real value of an architect lies in seeing possibilities others might miss, finding solutions buried in a brief, a site, or a set of constraints. Add the skills, knowledge and experience to create, coordinate and deliver a project expertly, and the question often answers itself.
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It entirely depends on the scope of your project and what you need from us. A feasibility study or concept sketch can turn around in days; a full project from brief to planning approval might take many months. Once we understand your goals, we'll give you a clear and realistic programme.
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Our strongest contribution is at the early stages - defining the brief, shaping the design, and navigating planning. We're involved throughout, but we don't manage builds on site. What we do offer beyond that is a client representative role - someone in your corner who understands the design intent, can interpret what's happening on site, and translate any issues back to you clearly.
Planning & Approvals.
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It depends on your property, its location, and what you're proposing. It's usually one of the first things we establish. Get in touch and we can give you a clear steer early on.
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Not always, but often yes. A pre-application submission is an opportunity to get an early steer from the Local Authority before committing to a full application. It can save significant time and cost by flagging concerns early and shaping the proposal in the right direction. We'll always advise whether it's worth pursuing on your specific project.
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Planning permission is never guaranteed but we work with the system, not against it, shaping proposals around local policy from the outset rather than submitting and hoping for the best. If an application is refused, there's almost always a route forward, and we've navigated both revisions and formal appeals many times.
Fees & Practicalities.
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Fees are tailored to each project based on scope, complexity, and level of involvement. As a rough guide we pitch between 5–10% of your estimated construction budget, then work with you to ensure the service is structured to get the most value from our involvement. We'll always provide a clear, fixed fee with a defined scope before any work begins.
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There’s no hard minimum. We're happy to consider projects of all sizes. We'll always be honest if we feel there's a more appropriate route for your project. Our goal is to add real value, not to take on work for the sake of it.
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Just get in touch. We'll have a brief chat and take it from there. If we think we can help, we'll tell you how.
Every project starts with a conversation. If you'd like to talk through where you are and where you want to get to, we'd love to hear from you.