So, how long does it take?

Chris Dale • November 21, 2018

The majority of our prospective clients, will have some idea of what is involved in the process that leads to having an extension or new home designed and built. They range from some who think they’ll just need to tell the builder what they want to do, to others, who know they’ll need some drawings. Very few fully appreciate what is actually involved and how long it can take.



So, how long does it take?


There is no exact answer to this, theoretically, there are some types of projects (small, simple permitted development), where you could just call a builder and tell him you want to extend your house by 3m and he could make a start a couple of days later. Unless you’re very experienced or have a trusted builder who is also a designer, and knows exactly what you want, or you have experience in costing, detailed design and programming, (and I don’t mean you’ve watched Grand Designs etc back to back!) I would strongly advise against this!


Because there is no exact answer and because the time it will take depends on so many things, the simple answer is to give yourself way, way, way more time than you think you’ll need. And then some!


I’ll run through the typical steps process including an idea of the very approximate (realistic rather than optimistic) time each step (might!) take for a typical medium sized domestic extension (bigger projects will take longer).


The point is - it could take much longer than you think, and you’ll be in a much better position if you’re not forced into making rash decisions. This blog is more to help with timescales than to fully explain the process*, all of which will vary from project to project. It is possible and we can, have and will work to much shorter timescales but from my experience this drastically reduces the health and quality of a project.




MINUS 4 WEEKS - ESTABLISH AVAILABLE BUDGET & BASIC NEEDS


- Before involving construction professionals in the process, make sure you have an idea of what your overall budget is (not what you think a certain build might cost*) and some kind of wish-list of what you’re hoping to achieve. This should be the accommodation/rooms/spaces/features you’re hoping to create rather than how you think it should be done as that’s what your architect should do for you!


0 WEEKS - EXPLORE ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS


- Call some architects/designers (ideally from referrals) and meet them to discuss what you’re hoping for and get them to explain what they will do for you, what they’ll charge, and whether this is right for you and your project.


- Ask them questions if you don’t understand anything about the process or the fees.


4 WEEKS - APPOINT ARCHITECT/DESIGNER & EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES


- Appoint your architect/designer and arrange a time for them to measure your house and prepare drawings of it. They will then work on initial designs.


8 WEEKS - REFINE DESIGNS


- Meet to chat through the first set of preliminary designs and take some time to give this thought if you need to.


- Let them know what you do/don’t like and they will prepare some additional alternatives if necessary.


12 WEEKS - PLANNING APPLICATION


- Once you’re happy with the designs, they will prepare and submit planning drawings to the Local Authority (LA) for a Planning Application.


22 WEEKS - PLANNING DECISION & BUILDING REGULATIONS PACKAGE


- *IF* (I really can’t stress that enough!) everything goes smoothly, your application will be approved.


- If not, you may need to negotiate with the LA to submit different schemes or a new application, which may take extra weeks or months. If you’ve given yourself oodles of time and you (and your architect) feel the decision is very unfair, you could appeal it, which may add an extra 3-6 months!


- Once you have an approval your architect will start the Building Regulations package, you will need to appoint other consultants (Structural Engineers etc) which your architect should help you to arrange but will then work with them directly.


- Your architect will co-ordinate the information and submit it to the LA for a Full Plans Application.


- The LA may require some additional information or minor changes, which the architect should deal with (you should receive an approval within about 4 weeks).


28 WEEKS - FULL PLANS SUBMISSION & BUILDER SELECTION


- These are the drawings/information that most competent builders could use to give you a quote and from which to build (although they’re not formally for tender/construction).


- You should meet with a selection of builders and ensure you’ve seen their


work and spoken to their recent clients.


- Select and appoint your builder, ensuring scope, timescales and costs are formally agreed in a contract)


40 WEEKS - START BUILDING (subject to all of the above falling nicely into place!!)


- During the build, you may need to deal with (or get help) other things such as: Party Wall Agreement, Thames Water Build Over Agreement or Discharge of Planning Conditions.


This process is sufficient for the majority of simple domestic projects.



PRODUCTION INFORMATION, TENDERING, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION


For more unusual, larger, or projects where you will not be able to deal with day-to-day site queries, we would strongly recommend employing your architect for a full service. This would include:


- A formal set construction (production) information.


- Selecting, tendering to and appointing your contractor.


- Deciding upon, completing and administering your building contract.


- Attending site regularly to advice on and deal with queries on your behalf.


This process is likely to take the site start date to about 44 weeks



No two projects are the same. This blog is intended to give a better idea of what is involved and highlight that as with anything, the more time you give yourself to progress through the various stages of the process, the better the results of the process are likely to be. It will also enable you to attempt alternative solutions where you can’t get what you initially wanted, rather than settling for something that you’re not completely happy with because you have set yourself unrealistic deadlines or have run out of time.


If you have a project in mind and have got any questions at all, speak to a few architects as soon as you start pondering and they should be able to help you. That doesn’t mean you need to start your project straight away or even necessarily start having to pay any fees, but it will mean that you will have a better picture of how to go about getting the best out of your project.



(Asterisked items* will be covered in future blogs)

Manor Farm Regeneration: Planning Application Finally Submitted

By Chris Dale • December 1, 2025
This marks a huge milestone in what has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding projects our practice has ever worked on. An Opportunity and a Privilege When we were first approached by Step Property almost five years ago, it was immediately clear that Manor Farm was a once-in-a-career project — a historic farmstead with five Grade II listed buildings, a sensitive Conservation Area setting, Green Belt & flood plain constraints, a struggling commercial yard and collapsing historic buildings that all urgently needed a coherent long-term vision and a strategy to achieve that. To be entrusted with leading the design and coordination of such a significant site has been a genuine privilege, one which we have not taken lightly.

Why Our Kickstarter Package Could Be The Smartest Investment You Make

By Chris Dale • November 3, 2025
Across the UK, many homeowners and small developers are pausing their plans. Construction costs are at record highs, planning requirements have become more complex, and professional fees are also increasing, so even a seemingly simple home extension or redevelopment is much more of a risk. Possibly the greatest concern we hear is – “What if we spend thousands of pounds only to find out it’s not even possible?” That’s exactly why we created the Kickstarter Package — our fixed-fee feasibility study that helps you to make informed decisions at a nominal cost in comparison to house purchases and developments. What is the Kickstarter Package? The Kickstarter Package is a design-led feasibility consultation that explores the planning, budget and design potential of your property. For a modest, fixed fee (from £750 excl. VAT), our experienced architects help you understand whether your ideas are likely to be achievable, affordable, and aligned with current planning policy — saving time, stress and money later on. You’ll receive clear answers to the key questions every homeowner faces: Is planning permission likely to be granted? What might the project cost? How long could it take? What could it look like? What’s Included — and Why It Matters Each element of the Kickstarter Package offers exceptional value compared with typical early-stage architectural or consultant fees. 1. Initial Consultation and Site Visit We start with a detailed discussion about your goals & requirements — from extending your home to redeveloping a site or purchasing a property. Then we visit the site to review opportunities and constraints in person. This early visit often uncovers crucial planning, drainage or design issues before you spend thousands on detailed drawings.

Is It Still Worth Extending Your Home?

By Chris Dale • September 30, 2025
For many families, extending or renovating their home has long been the dream solution — more space, a better layout, and a home that works for modern life. But in today’s climate, with projects in the £100,000–£300,000 range, things feel a lot more challenging. So what’s changed, why is it harder, and how can you still make your project work? The Main Challenges • Planning is getting pricier – application fees are higher, and councils are demanding more specialist reports (heritage, ecology, flood risk, transport, sustainability). • Build costs keep rising – materials and labour are much more expensive than even a few years ago. • Tougher regulations – stricter building rules on energy efficiency, fire safety and accessibility add extra costs. • Financing is harder – borrowing is still more expensive than it was pre-2022. • Trades are stretched – good builders and subcontractors are in high demand, pushing prices and timescales up. • Delays and uncertainty – planning decisions are taking longer, especially in sensitive areas like the Green Belt, Conservation Areas or with listed buildings. • Budgets are squeezed – with the cost of living rising, homeowners are weighing up whether extending or simply moving makes more sense.

A Guest Blog with Mark Taylor Design

By Chris Dale • September 3, 2025
1. Tell us a little about Mark Taylor Design — how did it start, and what defines your approach to bespoke interiors and kitchens? Mark Taylor Design was set up 29 years ago. I was trained in both furniture production and management and was also a keen designer. I had completed an MBA and wanted to apply all these skills to build a business, doing something I loved. I have always believed that you can design beautiful furniture and rooms without imposing a specific ‘look’. The company has built its reputation on listening to the ideas and desires of clients. We then help to steer their vision through space design, interior expertise and craft skills. What people have at the end of their design and build journey is their vision made beautiful – rather than ours. 2. What makes a truly successful kitchen or interior design in your view — and how do you balance aesthetics with day-to-day functionality? There is nothing quite like the beauty of bespoke. Having something created to your specifications is arguably the epitome of modern luxury. Bespoke is most commonly used to refer to hand-made suits and shoes. Now the concept has become much more sought after within the world of interiors and design – with bespoke kitchens leading the way. And it’s not too hard to understand why. Bespoke means not having to compromise - getting exactly what you want and how you want it. It also allows you to unleash your imagination and embrace your creativity. The end result is a room that is crafted, in every way, to embrace your lifestyle and personal taste. Importantly, by incorporating some elements of bespoke furniture into a custom made kitchen it’s possible to give people a unique room without breaking the bank. This could be a bespoke island or dresser for instance. By combining bespoke and custom made you can optimise the space so that the end result flows smoothly and looks amazing too. 3. How do you typically collaborate with architects on a project? What makes those relationships work well? Collaboration early on always helps. We ask architects not only about style and budget but also about the client’s favoured ways of working. Ideally, we like to meet the clients with the architect from the outset. Where this isn’t possible, we at least aim for a walk round the space or a chat through all the plans – even for the areas we might not be designing for, as this gives us a more comprehensive understanding of the clients’ vision.

The Architecture of Relaxation: Designing Spaces That Feel Like a Holiday

By Chris Dale • August 19, 2025
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Should we save or borrow for our extension?

By Chris Dale • July 16, 2025
Like many, I am generally a saver rather than a borrower by default. A client recently told us that they planned to delay their project, so that they could save the additional money they needed to be able to do the extension that they really wanted, rather than compromising. Wisely they had asked us to carry out a costing exercise, so they knew this and could assess the situation and plan for it. In that instance they had £75,000 and needed save roughly another £25,000 to do what they wanted to do, which they thought they might be able to do over the course of 3-4 years. Their question was actually when they should resume the process, which we answered and I suggested that they give themselves a year to be comfortable to get planning, building regulations and find themselves a builder (it’s always better to allow more time than less!). However, it occurred to me that whilst saving rather than borrowing (in my mind at least) is an admirable and patient approach, it made me wonder what other factors should be considered.