Home extensions
Concept, planning and technical design for rear, side or multi-storey extensions to existing homes.
Architects London
Find architects in London
Planning an extension, remodel, conversion or new-build project in London? Explain the property, goals and budget once, then compare architects suited to the scale and planning context.
Genuine verified customer reviews
Up to 3 local responses
You choose who to hire
Looking for an architect near you in London?
Enter the postcode and describe the existing building, proposed changes and project stage. Mention listed status, conservation-area location or previous planning history if known so London architects can judge whether their experience fits.
Common architect services
What can architects in London help with?
Choose a professional whose experience matches the scale and practical requirements of your job.
Renovations & remodelling
Reworking internal layouts, circulation and spaces while coordinating structural and building-services requirements.
Planning applications
Drawings and design information for projects that require planning permission or specific local assessment.
Building Regulations design
Technical information and coordination needed to demonstrate compliance with relevant Building Regulations.
Listed & heritage buildings
Design work where listed-building consent, conservation context and historic fabric need special attention.
New-build design
Concept through technical design for new homes and other buildings where site, planning and construction constraints are considered together.
How much does an architect cost?
Fees depend on project value, complexity and which RIBA-style stages or services are included. Current 2026 UK guidance gives these broad examples:
£3,000–£5,000Extension planning drawings
£2,000–£7,500+Renovation projects
£5,000–£8,000Building regs & tender drawings
£5,000–£12,000Full house-extension fee guide
Indicative UK guidance checked August 2026 from MyJobQuote. London architect fees vary with project value, survey information, planning complexity, heritage, structural coordination and how far the architect remains involved after approval.
Compare like for like
Compare the same design stages
One fee may cover planning drawings only while another includes technical design, tendering and site support. Compare scope before comparing price.
- State the project budget and what you want to achieve, not only the room dimensions.
- Ask which design stages, applications and revisions are included.
- Clarify structural engineer, surveyor and specialist-consultant costs separately.
- For heritage property, mention listing or conservation-area status from the start.
Cost sources: MyJobQuote 2026 architect cost guide
London planning context
Design in London is strongly shaped by local character, density and heritage
The same extension or redevelopment idea can face very different constraints from one borough or street to another.
London has more than 1,000 conservation areas and about 19,000 listed-building entries
The adopted London Plan's heritage chapter says the capital has over 1,000 conservation areas and around 19,000 list entries for historic buildings, alongside World Heritage Sites and other designated assets. For an architect, checking heritage context early can avoid designing a scheme that ignores a major constraint.
The London Plan requires a design-led approach
Policy D3 of the London Plan says development should make the best use of land through a design-led approach responding to site context and capacity. Borough planning and conservation officers scrutinise proposals against London-wide policy and local evidence, so a generic design solution is rarely enough for a constrained London site.
Local to London
Architects covering London
Architects may work across London or specialise in particular boroughs and project types. Example areas include:
CamdenIslingtonHackneyGreenwichWandsworthEalingCroydonBarnet
Local planning experience can be valuable
Borough policies, conservation appraisals, Article 4 directions and local design guidance can vary. Ask whether the architect has handled comparable London planning contexts.
Define the appointment clearly. Planning approval, Building Regulations information and construction-stage support are separate services unless the fee explicitly includes them.
How it works
Describe the project once, then compare London architects
Budget, site, design ambition and required stages help architects decide whether the project fits their practice.
Set out the project brief
Add the postcode, property type, intended changes, budget and any known planning or heritage constraints.
Hear from suitable architects
Up to three interested London architects can respond.
Compare service stages
Check relevant experience and compare exactly which surveys, drawings, applications and construction-stage services are included.
Before you hire
What should you check before hiring an architect?
Relevant project experience and a clearly defined service are more useful than comparing headline percentage fees alone.
Compare similar project experience
Look for work with a similar property type, planning context, budget and technical complexity.
Define the service stages
Agree whether the appointment stops at planning or continues through technical design, tender and construction support.
Clarify other consultants
Ask who appoints structural, measured-survey, party-wall or specialist consultants and whether their fees are separate.
Questions
Architects in London: common questions
Useful answers before you post the job.
How much does an architect cost in London?
Fees vary widely. MyJobQuote's current UK guidance suggests around £50–£100 per hour or percentage-based fees commonly around 5%–10%, depending on the service and project.
Does a London conservation area affect an extension design?
It can. London has more than 1,000 conservation areas and borough-specific appraisals or Article 4 directions may affect what is acceptable.
Is planning permission the same as Building Regulations approval?
No. They are separate processes. Ask the architect which approvals and technical stages are included in the appointment.
Should I choose an architect who works in my borough?
It can help when the project has complex local policy or heritage constraints, but relevant project experience and a well-defined service are more important than postcode alone.
Do I have to appoint an architect who responds?
No. Up to three interested local professionals can respond and there is no obligation to hire.
Ready to compare architects in London?
Describe the site, project and planning context once, then compare interested London architects and fee proposals.
More local specialists
Explore services in London
Browse Local Trades service pages available for London.