Services
At EB-Architect, we’re more than ‘I just need drawings’ or plan drawing service. For every project—big or small—we dedicate the time and care needed to transform spaces into meaningful, functional places that truly work for the people who live and use them.
We believe in listening first. By understanding your needs, wants, and challenges, we can take a step back, analyse the issues, and offer creative solutions. Together, we work to check all the right boxes before moving too far ahead. The design process is a journey, and we make sure you’re a part of it every step of the way. It might not always happen perfectly the first time, but that’s part of the fun. Designing spaces is something we love, and we find that our clients enjoy it too.
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. When you work with EB-Architect, you’re not just hiring an architect, you're investing in your project and we want you to be part of the team. We’ll design the project together through open discussion, brainstorming, and even a few curveballs to spark fresh ideas and push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Why? Because, in the end, it’s your space. You’re the one living in it, and it needs to work for you.
Good architects don’t expect to get it right the first time. They expect you to have second thoughts, and they welcome them
When you’re investing thousands into a home or project, it’s only natural to reconsider things. You’ll see the first design and start imagining yourself in the space. That’s when real clarity kicks in.
A good architect doesn’t just design. They refine with you. So don’t feel awkward asking for changes. You’re not being difficult. You’re making it yours!
To keep things simple, every domestic project we take on follows a clear, eight-stage process. No matter the size of the project, we add new levels of detail and refinement at each stage. Think of it as starting with a blank instruction manual. As we work together, we fill it with all the essential details to craft your ideal space.
Take a look at the process below, and let’s start creating something amazing together!
Stages of Work
Stage 1 – Information Gathering
This initial stage is all about laying the foundation for a successful project. We begin by measuring your property, conducting topographical surveys of the land, and exploring your aspirations to develop a clear and comprehensive project brief.
Not sure where to start? Here are some key considerations to guide your thinking:
Needs - What practical issues do you want to address? Perhaps you need extra space or improved flow within your home.
Likes - What aspects of your property do you dislike or want to change? Identifying these helps us tailor solutions.
Wants - Here’s where it gets exciting—tell us what you truly want out of this project. Share your inspiration through platforms like Pinterest or Instagram.
Budget - It’s essential to define your financial parameters early on. Let us know your budget so we can design realistically - prioritising function and value, not just aesthetics.
Time Scale - Is there a specific timeline or event you’re aiming for? For instance, do you need that dining room ready by Christmas?
Stage 2 – Sketch Design
The sketch design stage is one of the most exciting phases of any project, as ideas begin to take shape and become tangible. Using the information gathered during Stage 1, we start translating your aspirations into an initial design.
This stage is highly collaborative, and your input is invaluable. We encourage open discussions about the designs we present. If something doesn’t work with you, let us know—understanding why is key to refining the design and the success for your project.
This process may result in one option or several. Together, we’ll explore and refine these ideas, working towards a final design proposal that meets your needs and aspirations while minimising compromises.
After this stage, we always encourage a cost check on the design completed by a quantity surveyor independent of us….this way we don’t get too carried away.
Stage 3 – Planning
At this stage, we refine the design information to a level suitable for submission to the local authority for planning approval, where required. Our aim is to ensure all necessary documentation is in place for a smooth approval process.
Stage 4A - Building Warrant
At this stage, we take the design and develop it in greater technical detail so it’s ready for formal submission to the local authority for Building Warrant approval — this is the legal permission required before any construction can begin. We collaborate closely with structural engineers and other consultants to ensure the design meets all necessary technical and regulatory standards.
We’ll handle the process for you.
By the end of this stage, you’ll have the approved documents that allow you to legally start building. At this point, some clients — particularly those with experience in the building trade or who already have an appointed contractor — may choose to manage the next stages themselves.
However, we know that many clients are not from a construction background, and that the next phases can be complex. That’s why we’re more than happy to continue guiding you through the rest of the process — from tendering and contractor selection through to overseeing the build and final handover.
Stage 4B - Construction Documentation
To ensure contractors provide accurate and comparable pricing, it is essential to provide a comprehensive set of construction documentation. This includes a detailed specification of the elements to be installed, including specific products, materials, paint colours, floor coverings, and other key details.
By outlining these specifics, we enable contractors to price accurately for the exact materials and finishes you want. This ensures transparency in pricing and prevents discrepancies caused by the use of inferior products. While cheaper alternatives may initially appear cost-effective, their lower quality can have a significant negative impact on the overall project. Our goal is to ensure the quality of materials aligns with your expectations and the project's long-term success.
Stage 4C - Tender Administration
At this stage, we help you find the right builder or contractor to carry out the construction work. We start by putting together a shortlist of contractors we believe are suitable for your project. These contractors will have been vetted through due diligence — this means we’ve looked at their previous work, checked references, ensured they have a good track record, and in many cases, they come recommended by other qualified architects or are professionals we've worked successfully with before.
Next, we prepare a detailed information pack about your project — including drawings, specifications, and sometimes cost breakdowns prepared by a Quantity Surveyor — and send it to the selected contractors so they can price the job properly (this is called a tender).
When we receive the tender prices, we review and compare them carefully. Then we’ll provide you with a clear summary and our recommendation on which contractor is best suited to carry out the work. Finally, we help set expectations with the chosen contractor, including how often we’ll visit the site and what we’ll be checking throughout the build.
Choosing the right contractor is one of the most important decisions in the process — it’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure the job is done well, on time, and to a high standard.
Stage 5 – Contract Administration
Once construction begins, we act as your representative to ensure the work is delivered in line with the agreed contract. This service is known as Contract Administration, and it’s about making sure the contractor carries out the work as planned — to the right standard, on time, and according to the contract documents.
It’s important to note that while we play a central role during construction, we do not “project manage” the build. Instead, we administer the contract, which means we monitor that the contractor is complying with the drawings, specifications, timelines, health and safety obligations, and other key terms set out in the documents.
As part of this role, we act as an impartial professional, meaning we don’t take sides, but make fair and balanced decisions that uphold the contract and protect the integrity of the project. This ensures both you and the contractor are treated fairly, and that the work stays on course and within the agreed framework.
We attend regular site meetings, inspect the works as needed, and report back to you on progress and quality. If changes are necessary, we’ll talk you through them first, and if approved, we issue clear instructions to the contractor to implement them properly.
As the project nears completion, we’ll advise you when the work is practically complete, meaning it’s ready for handover and safe to use.
This stage is all about protecting your investment, upholding the terms of the contract, and ensuring a smooth, high-quality delivery of your project.
Stage 6 – Post-Completion
Even after the construction work is finished and you've moved into your new space, our role doesn’t end there. In Stage 6 – Post-Completion, we continue to support you by helping close out the project properly and making sure everything is signed off as it should be.
We begin by checking for any defects or issues that may have appeared after handover. If anything needs correcting, we notify the contractor and ensure they return to fix the problems within the agreed timeframe — this is usually covered under the building contract.
At the same time, we continue to administer the contract through to final completion. This includes reviewing the final costs, agreeing on the final account, and overseeing the final stages of the contract to ensure everything has been delivered as promised.
Once all works are confirmed as complete and any outstanding items are resolved, we take care of the formal contract sign-off, ensuring you receive your completion certificate, which marks the official end of the building contract and confirms the project is fully wrapped up.
This final stage gives you peace of mind that everything has been finished professionally, and that your project has been fully signed off, with the paperwork and quality checks to prove it.
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