Free Architect Consultation Across Essex
A free, no-obligation consultation with Kirkwood’s design team. 30 minutes. No drawings or measurements needed. You receive a complete cost breakdown before spending a penny.
What Is an Architect Consultation?
Before any homeowner decides to go ahead with a house extension, loft conversion, garage conversion, annex, outbuilding, internal alterations, or any other residential project, the first thing they need to do is have a consultation with a design professional.
Kirkwood’s architect consultation is completely free of charge. It does not need to be in person. It can be done online by video call, over the phone, or on WhatsApp, whichever works best for you. The consultation normally takes around 30 minutes and covers everything a homeowner needs to know before they even decide whether extending is the right option for them.
You will come away from the call with a complete breakdown of the likely costs – build costs, architectural fees, structural engineering fees, Building Regulations fees, planning application fees, Building Control fees, and everything else you are likely to incur. These figures are based on what Kirkwood’s approved builders are actually charging, updated regularly, and far more realistic than any online calculator.
Request a free consultation
There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
No drawings needed. No measurements. No preparation required.
Just an idea of what you would like to achieve.
Why Should I Speak to an Architect Before a Builder?
It is the first place to start. It is the safe place to start.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is speaking to builders first. Builders are not design professionals. They are not specialists in planning, architectural design, or the application process. From Kirkwood’s experience, builders are often ill-equipped to advise homeowners properly not through any fault of their own, but because that is simply not what they do.
In fact, many of Kirkwood’s approved builders send their own customers to Kirkwood before doing anything else. They know it is the correct process. A design professional can tell you what is achievable, what the planning situation is, what the realistic costs are, and what order to do things in before any money is committed.
A free consultation with Kirkwood costs nothing and takes 30 minutes. Getting the wrong advice at the start of a project or no advice at all can cost homeowners tens of thousands of pounds in avoidable mistakes.
When Should I Book an Architect Consultation?
Right at the beginning. Booking a consultation should be the very first step before contacting a builder, before spending any money, and before commissioning any drawings.
Kirkwood can advise on architectural design, structural engineering, planning permission, building regulations, and realistic build costs giving homeowners a complete picture from day one. This means that by the time a homeowner decides to proceed, they already know exactly what the project involves, what it is likely to cost, and what the timeline looks like.
What Happens During the Consultation?
The consultation is an online meeting usually by video call using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or a phone call. No downloads are required. Kirkwood does the preparation before the meeting, reviewing the property remotely using floor plans, mapping tools, and planning records.
During the call, Kirkwood discusses:
| What the consultation covers | |
|---|---|
| Build costs – what the project is likely to cost | Architectural fees – fixed quote, no hidden costs |
| Structural engineering fees | Building Regulations fees |
| Planning application fees | Building Control fees |
| Timescales – design through to completion | Payment schedule |
| Planning and permitted development advice | Design ideas and layout options |
| Conservation area and listed building guidance | Alternative solutions you may not have considered |
By the end of the call, you will have a clear picture of what your project involves, what it is likely to cost, and what the next steps are. You will also receive a fixed quotation for the architectural package and building regulations package.
Do I Need Anything Before the Consultation?
No. You do not need drawings, measurements, or photographs. Kirkwood prepares before the meeting – reviewing your property using floor plans, mapping, and planning records.
All you need is an idea of what you would like to achieve. Even a rough idea is enough – ‘we want to extend the kitchen’, ‘we need an extra bedroom’, ‘we’re thinking about a loft conversion’. Kirkwood will work from there.
Why an Online Consultation With An Architect Works Better Than a Site Visit
Online consultations are faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective than in-person meetings. Since the pandemic, Kirkwood has refined the online consultation process into something that delivers more value in less time.
Kirkwood has access to the same property and planning information online as we would have during a site visit at this early stage. Floor plans, aerial photography, planning records, neighbouring extension precedents, and council policies are all reviewed before the call. The consultation is a structured conversation, not a cold first meeting.
A site visit becomes relevant later – when the project proceeds to the measured survey and design stage. The consultation itself is best done online.
We can connect on the following platforms:
Microsoft Teams · Zoom · Google Meet · FaceTime · WhatsApp · Phone call
No downloads required. Just click the link we send you.
Planning and Design Advice Included in the Consultation
The consultation covers far more than just costs. Kirkwood can advise on the following.
Kirkwood provides honest advice. Sometimes that means advising a homeowner not to extend, suggesting a different approach, or identifying a simpler solution that saves them money. The aim is to give homeowners the clarity they need to make the right decision – not to sell a service to someone who does not need it.
What Happens After the Consultation?
After the consultation, you receive:
If you decide to proceed, Kirkwood manages the entire process – architectural design, planning permission or permitted development, structural engineering, building regulations, and builder introductions. One team, one point of contact, from first call to completion.
If you decide not to proceed – or you are not ready to proceed yet – there is no obligation and no charge. Many homeowners have a consultation months or even years before they are ready to start, and come back to Kirkwood when the time is right.
Who Is the Consultation For?
Kirkwood’s consultation is available to anyone considering a residential project in Essex and East London. This includes:
- Homeowners planning house extensions – single storey, double storey, side, rear, kitchen, or wraparound
- Homeowners considering loft conversions – Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable, or mansard
- Homeowners thinking about garage conversions or garden rooms
- Homeowners planning annexes, outbuildings, or porches
- Homeowners considering internal alterations or open-plan conversions
- Landlords and developers planning residential projects from £30,000 to multi-million-pound developments
Kirkwood works on residential projects of every scale. The consultation is the same regardless of the size of the project.
Why Choose Kirkwood for an Architect Consultation?
Kirkwood has carried out thousands of consultations over many years. The advice is honest, the costs are realistic, and there is no sales pressure. The consultation gives homeowners the information they need to make the right decision – which sometimes means deciding not to extend, and sometimes means discovering a solution they had not considered.
The approved builders Kirkwood works with send their own customers to Kirkwood before doing anything else. That is the strongest endorsement of the consultation process – the builders themselves recognise that a homeowner who has had a proper consultation is better prepared, better informed, and easier to work with.
Every project Kirkwood takes on – from a £30,000 single storey extension to a multi-million-pound development – starts with the same process. A conversation. A clear cost breakdown. An honest assessment. And then a decision made with full information.
Architect Consultation - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the architect consultation really free?
Yes. The consultation is completely free of charge. There is no obligation to proceed and no fee for the call itself. You will receive a complete cost breakdown and a fixed quote for the architectural package as part of the consultation.
What does the consultation cover?
The consultation covers build costs, architectural fees, structural engineering fees, building regulations fees, planning application fees, building control fees, timescales, payment schedules, planning and permitted development advice, design options, and answers to any specific questions you have. It takes around 30 minutes.
Do I need drawings or measurements before the consultation?
No. You do not need any drawings, measurements, or photographs. Kirkwood prepares before the call by reviewing your property using floor plans, mapping tools, and planning records. All you need is a rough idea of what you would like to achieve.
Can the consultation be done online or by phone?
Yes. The consultation is done online by video call or phone. Kirkwood uses Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or a standard phone call – whichever is easiest for you. No downloads are required.
What happens after the consultation?
After the consultation you receive a fixed quotation for the architectural package and building regulations package, and guidance on the next steps for your project. If you decide to proceed, Kirkwood manages the entire process. If you are not ready to proceed, there is no obligation and no charge.
Why should I speak to an architect before a builder?
Because a design professional can advise on what is achievable, what the planning situation is, what the realistic costs are, and what order to do things in – before any money is committed. Builders are not specialists in planning or design. Getting the wrong advice at the start of a project can cost homeowners significantly more in the long run.
Is the consultation available for all types of projects?
Yes. Kirkwood advises on house extensions of all types, loft conversions, garage conversions, annexes, outbuildings, internal alterations, and open-plan conversions. Projects range from £30,000 single storey extensions to multi-million-pound developments for homeowners, landlords, and developers.
What areas does Kirkwood cover for consultations?
Kirkwood covers Essex and East London including Chelmsford, Brentwood, Billericay, Wickford, Basildon, Rayleigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Hornchurch, Benfleet, Colchester, Braintree, and surrounding areas. Because the consultation is online, it can also cover areas outside this region.
What is the difference between a consultation and a Discovery Call?
They are the same thing. Kirkwood sometimes refers to the initial consultation as a Discovery Call. Both terms describe the same free, 30-minute online session where Kirkwood reviews your project, discusses costs and planning, and answers your questions.
Can Kirkwood advise me not to extend?
Yes – and Kirkwood will if that is the right advice. The consultation is designed to give homeowners accurate information, not to sell a service. Sometimes the best outcome is a different solution, a smaller project, or a decision to wait. Kirkwood’s aim is to give you the clarity you need to make the right decision for your home and your budget.
Book your free consultation today
30 minutes. Online or by phone. No drawings needed. No obligation.
You will receive a complete cost breakdown and a fixed quote for the architectural package.
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Areas We Cover in Essex
Kirkwood provides Building Regulations drawings for residential projects across Essex and East London, including: