Extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions. It starts with a free video call.
Across Maidenhead, Reading, Windsor, High Wycombe, Oxford, Aylesbury and Guildford.
- Free 30-minute video call
- Free planning feasibility report›
- Fixed-price quote for your project
- Your design in 3D before it’s built
- Planning guarantee
- Spread the cost with Klarna
Booking opens my calendar, so you can pick a time that suits you, including early evenings.
What are you planning?
Pick one to see the usual route and what I look at.
Usual route
Many single-storey rear extensions fall under permitted development. Larger or two-storey schemes need a householder planning application.
What I look at
The original rear wall, distance to each boundary, ground levels, drain runs and the neighbours’ windows.
What you receive
A 3D model and rendered images, planning or lawful development drawings, then Building Regulations drawings.
- 30 years
- designing homes
- Almost 2,000
- residential projects in the last 15 years
- 1 week
- to your first draft
- Unlimited
- revisions up to planning submission
A free video call with the designer
Every project starts with a free 30-minute video call with me, Carl Collins, at a time that suits you, including early evenings. No need to take time off work.
Before we speak, I check the planning history for your address, conservation areas, listed status, flood risk and protected trees. On the call, you show me the house on your phone and tell me what you want, and I tell you what is realistic before you commit to anything.
Afterwards, I send you a written planning feasibility report on your home, yours to keep: the best planning route, the size limits that apply, the checks on your property, typical costs and what happens next. It’s free, with no obligation. If you go ahead, I measure your home in person before anything is drawn. See a sample report
Book a free video call- BoundariesHow close you can build, and what that means for the size of the extension.
- LevelsSteps and slopes between the house and garden that change the design and the cost.
- DrainageWhere the drains run and whether the new work sits over them.
- NeighboursWindows and gardens next door that planners will take into account.
- PlanningWhether permitted development applies or a planning application is needed.
I still measure your home in person
Permitted development is not automatic. Whether your project qualifies depends on facts that can only be confirmed at the house, so once you go ahead I come to your home and measure everything before drawing anything, including for a Lawful Development Certificate.
- Limits are measured from the original house. Earlier extensions and roof additions use up your allowance.
- Height limits tighten near a boundary. They are measured from the ground level beside the building, so slopes matter.
- Some homes have restricted rights. A planning condition, an Article 4 direction or a conservation area can limit what is allowed.
- A drawing that is slightly out is not lawful. Getting the measurements right on site means the council can confirm it first time.
What you get
A planning guarantee
If planning is refused, I revise the design in line with the council’s feedback at no extra cost and resubmit, as many times as it takes to get approval.
A free planning feasibility report on your home
After every free video call, I send you a written report: the best planning route, the checks on your property, typical costs and next steps. Yours to keep, whether or not you go ahead. It’s the best way for you to see how I work before you commit to anything.
See a sample report →
Spread the cost with Klarna
Something few architects offer. When you go ahead, you can choose Klarna to spread the cost of your fee, including 3 interest-free payments, so getting your project started does not mean finding it all at once. All major cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted too.
18+, UK residents only. T&Cs apply, credit subject to status. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit.
A fixed price with unlimited revisions
Unlimited revisions up to planning submission, where many firms stop at three.
Your design in 3D
Every project is modelled in 3D, with photo-real rendered images so you can see your design before it is built.
Help finding a builder
I can introduce you to suitable builders from my extensive network of local contractors, so you are not left searching on your own.
How this compares
The speed of a national digital firm, with the designer who measures your home in person.
| Residential Architecture | A typical online design firm | |
|---|---|---|
| First meeting | A video call with Carl, the designer, then a visit to measure your home in person | A phone or video call, often with no visit at all |
| Who draws it | Carl, on every project | Passed to junior drafters and outsourced abroad |
| Revisions before planning | Unlimited | Capped at three |
| If planning is refused | Design revised free and resubmitted until approved | Additional fees to continue |
| Finding a builder | Free introductions to local contractors | A charge for the tender process |
How a project runs
Planning drawings, permitted development and Building Regulations, from first sketch to builder-ready pack.
- Free video callThirty minutes on a video call, at a time that suits you, to talk through what you want.
- Report and fixed‑price quoteYour free planning feasibility report to keep, and one fixed price for the drawings, agreed before any work starts.
- Survey and written briefI come to your home to measure it in full and agree a written brief with you, so the design starts from exact dimensions.
- First draft in 1 weekDetailed floor plans and elevations, with a 3D model and rendered images of your design.
- RevisionsAs many rounds as it takes before the planning submission.
- Planning and Building RegulationsI submit the application, then prepare the builder-ready technical drawings.
3D renders
Every project is modelled in 3D, with photo-real rendered images, so you can see your design before it is built.
One designer, start to finish
Residential Architecture is a Maidenhead-based practice led by Principal Architectural Designer Carl Collins BSc (Hons).
Unlike high-volume “design factories” where projects are often passed to junior drafters, every project is personally led by Carl. No juniors, no outsourcing.
- Experience
- 30 years in practice
- Projects
- Almost 2,000 residential extensions and loft conversions in the last 15 years
- Background
- Former Resi Senior Designer & Project Lead
- Education
- First Class Honours degree in Architecture
- Planning
- Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Greater London and the wider Home Counties
Questions people ask
Is the video call really free?
Yes. It is 30 minutes on a video call with me, followed by your free planning feasibility report, and there is no obligation to go ahead afterwards.
Do you ever visit the house?
Yes. Once you go ahead, I come to your home to measure everything in person before anything is drawn. Permitted development limits are measured from the original house, the boundary and the ground levels, and those can only be confirmed on site.
Do I need planning permission?
It depends on the house and the design. Many single-storey rear extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions can be done under permitted development. I will tell you which route applies on the call.
How much do the drawings cost?
You get one fixed price after the call, before any work starts. It includes unlimited revisions up to planning submission.
How do I pay?
A 50% deposit when you instruct me, and the balance when your first draft is ready, charged to the same card before the drawings are released. Or pay in full upfront if you prefer. Pay online in seconds by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Klarna available.
What happens if planning is refused?
I revise the design in line with the council’s feedback at no extra cost and resubmit, as many times as it takes to get approval.
Can you help me find a builder?
Yes. I can introduce you to suitable builders from my network of local contractors.
Areas covered
- Maidenhead
- Bray and Cookham
- Windsor and Eton
- Ascot
- Marlow
- Bourne End
- Reading
- Caversham
- Woodley
- Earley
- Tilehurst
- Twyford and Wargrave
- Henley-on-Thames
- Pangbourne and Goring
- Wallingford
- Abingdon
- Oxford
- Headington
- Kidlington
- Bicester
- Woodstock
- Witney
- Eynsham
- Wheatley
- Thame
- Haddenham
- Aylesbury
- Wendover
- Princes Risborough
- Great Missenden
- Wokingham
- Winnersh
- Bracknell
- Crowthorne
- Sandhurst and Yateley
- High Wycombe
- Beaconsfield
- Gerrards Cross
- Amersham
- Chesham
- Chalfont St Giles
- Denham
- Camberley
- Bagshot and Lightwater
- Guildford
- Hook
- Tadley
- Basingstoke
- Odiham
- Newbury
- Thatcham
Book your free video call
Pick a time online and we’ll talk on a video call. Or message me on WhatsApp or email with your address and a line about what you would like to build.