Choose what works for you
Our services & how we work
Whether you’re starting from scratch, already have drawings, or need a full design & build service, we’ve got you covered.
Just Design
Expert design & planning, tailored to your needs.
- Fast-track planning approval (99% success)
- Buildable architecture, budget aligned
- Local, in-person architect meetings
Just Build
Have your plans ready? Let’s build it — beautifully and on time.
- Fully licensed and insured build team
- 6-year warranty included
- Visit a live site near you.
Design & Build
The stress-free way to build: we handle everything, from first sketch to finished home.
- One team, one budget, one promise
- Guaranteed budget match from design to build
- 200+ 5-star reviews
Just Design
How it works
Our Just Design and Design & Build pathways begin similarly – starting with the design phase, with a clear process, practical advice, and a sharp focus on delivering buildable, budget-aligned design.
Initial Phone Call & Booking
It starts with a quick phone call. We’ll get a sense of your project, assign the right architect, and book you in for your free consultation.
Free Initial Project Consultation (IPC)
Come and meet us at our office — it’s warm, friendly, and we serve great coffee. If you prefer, we can hold the meeting online. We highly recommend coming in person — it’s the best way to meet the team, get a feel for how we work and feel the energy of Happy Building. The consultation takes around 45 minutes.
What we cover:
- Your project goals and what matters to you
- What we have discovered in the pre-meeting desktop research on your property
- Feasibility, constraints, potential and early design thinking
- How our process works and what services you may need
- Timeline expectations
- We will provide you same-day quote for the design package
The consultation lasts about 45 minutes to an hour.
Initial Brief
We visit your property to take a formal brief and dive deeper into your ideas. This usually happens within a week of your consultation.
Full Property Survey
We carry out a measured survey to create accurate blueprints of your existing home — the foundation for all design work.
Design Development
With the brief and survey in hand, we start designing. You’ll see floorplans, layouts, and ideas start to take shape. This stage typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Design Workshop Meeting
You’ll return to our office (or join us online) to review two tailored design options. Each one includes a cost estimate so you can weigh design against budget.
Construction Cost Guidance
We provide early estimates so you can make confident choices about what to build — and what to prioritise.
Design Finalisation
We refine the chosen option with you until it aligns perfectly with your goals and budget. We’ll share updates, iterate as needed, and get your plans ready for submission.
Planning Submission
We manage the planning submission and keep you informed every step of the way. Decisions usually take 10–12 weeks.
Planning Phase Support
We handle all negotiations with the council. If the planning officer requests changes, we take care of them — it’s all included in your package. Our approval rate is 99%.
Ready to get your designs started?
What You Get
Site visit & survey
Project briefing session
Construction cost guidance
Workshop meetings
Final design & revisions
x2 design options + design development
Planning submission & support
What's required to start on site
To move from planning to building, you’ll need:
Approved Planning Designs
The designs approved by the council show WHAT can be built.
- Approved Planning Designs
Construction Drawings Package
The technical drawings package shows HOW it must be built
- Building Control Package
- Structural Engineering Package
- Detailed Project Specification (room-by-room scope)
The level of technical detail depends on your project’s size and complexity.
What will I have to pay for?
- Initial Project Consultation: Free
- Design & Planning Package: Quoted after consultation (based on project size)
- Council Fees: Approx. £500 (varies)
- Construction Drawings Package: Quoted separately, once you're clear on what needs to be built.
Construction Drawings Package
- Project Specification
- Building Regulations Drawings
- Structural Engineering Package
- Approx. 6–8 week turnaround
Just Build
How it Works
If you already have approved plans and construction drawings, you’re ready to get on site. Our Just Build pathway is designed to get you there smoothly and professionally with no fluff, no delays, and no surprises.
Initial Phone Call & Booking
A quick and friendly call to understand your project scope. We’ll assign the right Project Manager for your needs and book you in for a free consultation.
Project Details & Info Pack
After the call, we’ll send you a checklist and a short form to collect details about your project. You’ll send us what you have planning drawings, structural package, building regs, M&E, spec list. Don’t worry if it’s incomplete. We can fill the gaps and produce any missing technical packages in-house.
Free Initial Project Consultation (IPC)
Meet your Project Manager at our office (or virtually, if preferred). We highly recommend an in-person session you’ll get to meet the full team and feel the energy of Happy Building. The consultation lasts about 45 minutes.
What we cover:
- Understand your Vision and requirements
- Review of your drawings and documentation
- Understanding your priorities and constraints
- Pre-meeting research insights
- Recommended services & build-readiness assessment
- Project timeline discussion (ideal start dates, estimated duration)
- Ballpark quote estimate (delivered within 2 weeks)
Package Assembly & Review
We make sure every construction package is complete and coordinated. This is essential for an accurate quote and a smooth start on site.
QS Construction Quote
Once all details are in, we provide a full construction quote (not an estimate). No guesswork. Real numbers, clear breakdown.
Contract
We offer two contract types depending on the project:
- FMB Contract – ideal for most mid-sized residential builds
- JCT Contract – for larger or more complex works
We’ll recommend the right option based on size, complexity, and your preferences.
Mobilisation Phase
Once your contract is signed and the deposit is received, we begin mobilisation. This includes:
- Appointing your site team
- Ordering long lead items
- Finalising selections and finishes decisions
- Site preparation
- Logistics and scaffolding planning
- Health & safety set-up
- Finalising start date
Start on site
Your project kicks off with full supervision, daily updates, and a dedicated point of contact. You’ll know exactly what’s happening and when.
Progress Meetings & Communication
We hold regular site meetings to track progress, confirm variations, and keep you involved. Everything is logged, documented, and shared with full transparency via the monday.com dedicated Client Portal.
10. Snagging & Handover
Once the build is complete, we carry out a detailed snagging process before formal handover. No stress, no chasing. We only hand over once we know it’s right.
11. Rectification Period & Warranty
After handover, your 6-month rectification period begins. We return toward the end of that period to fix any minor issues or settling tweaks. And beyond that, you’re covered by our 6-year structural warranty.
More importantly, we’re still here. Even after the job’s done, our clients know we’re always around to support.
Ready to get your designs started?
Ready to Build? Let’s check.
To begin construction with confidence, the following must be in place:
HOW it must be built
- Approved drawings (WHAT you can build)
- Construction-ready packages (HOW it must be built)
- Signed contract (FMB or JCT)
- Appointed Principal Designer and Principal Contractor (we can manage this for you)
- Appointed Building Control Authority (managed by us)
- Health & Safety compliance setup (handled by us)
- Party Wall Agreements (if applicable)
- Temporary accommodation or rental arrangements (if applicable)
- Asbestos survey and certification (if required — managed by us)
- We can help fill any gaps
If anything’s missing, we can help produce it in-house before mobilisation. Let’s get building.
Pricing Notes
- Initial Consultation: Free
- Construction Estimate: Free and delivered within 2 weeks after IPC
- Construction Quote: Free
- Contract Type: Cost of contract preparation is included in your construction quote - FMB or JCT (as advised)
- Health & Safety compliance setup: Included in the quote
- Liaison with third parties: Cost depends on project requirements
- Building Control Authority: Approx. £1,200 (varies)
- Asbestos survey and certification (if required): Approx. £450 (varies)
- Party Wall Agreements (if applicable): Approx. £1,250 (varies)
How Full Design & Build Works
This journey follows the same steps as Just Design + Just Build — but fully connected under one team and one budget.
Not sure which path is right for you?
Let’s talk it through. We’ll help you find the right approach for your project, your budget, and your goals.