Architect’s Advice
John’s Advice: How Do I Get Planning Approval on the St. George’s Hill Estate?
St. George’s Hill was founded by master builder W.G. Tarrant in 1911, who wanted to build an idyllic countryside retreat in Surrey to attract London’s captains of industry. Like the nearby Wentworth Estate, Tarrant’s winding road plans and ample planting of leafy trees and hedges creates the sensation of travelling along a continuous country lane…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: What Are the Ten Most Common Home Building Mistakes?
After a lifetime of building homes, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing hundreds of projects fulfil their owner’s wildest dreams. I’ve also witnessed people fall foul of mistakes which cause their dreams to crumble before them. Some are seemingly insignificant, some should be common sense – either way these are the ten common mistakes which…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: How Much Does it Cost to Build, Extend or Renovate a House?
Everyone who wants to build a new home or improve their current one is first and foremost concerned with cost. For many of our clients, developing their property is the largest personal investment they have ever or will ever make, so it’s crucial to be able to gain detailed cost estimates as early as possible.…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: How Do I Choose the Right Architect for my Project?
Creating your dream home requires delicate planning and close attention to detail. If you’re putting your investment and your future in the hands of an architect you need to make sure you find the right one. The right architect for you is one you can trust implicitly; with whom you can form a bond of…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: How Do I Get Planning Approval on the Wentworth Estate?
Few places in the UK, indeed, in the world, are more desirable to live than the rolling, leafy hills of the Wentworth Estate. Tucked away near the village of Virginia Water are some of the finest and most valuable homes money can buy. Part of what makes the Wentworth Estate so attractive is the efforts…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: Want to Build Your Own Home? Ask Yourself These Ten Questions First
Renovating your home or building a new one can be one of the most exciting times of your life. It can also be one of the most stressful. To ensure your project is a time you’ll never want to forget rather than a time you can’t wait to, here are ten questions which will have…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: It’s Finally Becoming Easier to Extend Your Home Upwards
Image courtesy of Architects’ Journal Since 2015, there’s been a push for roof extensions to gain permitted development status, as long as they do not exceed the height of an adjoining building. This would mean that eligible developments would not require planning permission if there are no neighbour objections. Developers and home owners would be…
Read MorePhilip’s Advice: The Challenges of Building a Home in the Countryside and How to Beat Them
More and more people are escaping the squeeze of London life to find space to breathe in the Home Counties, which is reflected in our increasingly rural portfolio of bespoke homes. But with multiple layers of overlapping protections and very strict local authorities (not to mention disgruntled locals), it’s easy to be scared off building…
Read MoreInteriors: Bye-Bye Industrial, Hello Glamour at the Decorex Interior Design Show
Decorex is an annual, international trade fair where interior design companies show off their latest products for the London Design Festival. This year’s event was held in the beautiful gardens of Syon House, home of the Duke of Northumberland – which has a stunning interior of its own. After seeing furniture, carpets, wallpapers, lighting and…
Read MoreJohn’s Advice: I Want to Build an Extension – Where Do I Start?
There are many reasons you might want an extension. Perhaps your family’s grown, or you’ve transitioned to working from home, or you want to finally install that home gym you’ve always dreamed of. But before you let your imagination run wild, you need to ask yourself the following four questions so that you have a…
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