Design & Build Services in London – Renovations, Extensions & Full Refurbishments
Planning, Architectural Design & Builds in and around London
Design & Build Company in London
Our Design and Build service is an innovative solution for homeowners in London looking to expand their living space, whether through house extensions or loft conversions. This approach offers numerous benefits, such as easier communication with architects and building experts, and helps save you time.
Our award-winning architects and qualified structural engineers bring years of experience designing both single and double-storey extensions for new and period properties. Our design services cover everything from planning and architectural drawings to securing planning permission.
If you choose to move forward with us, our expert building team will manage the entire project from start to finish. A dedicated project manager will keep you in the loop throughout, answering any questions along the way. Our goal is to transform your vision into reality with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Our award-winning architects and qualified structural engineers bring years of experience designing both single and double-storey extensions for new and period properties. Our design services cover everything from planning and architectural drawings to securing planning permission.
If you choose to move forward with us, our expert building team will manage the entire project from start to finish. A dedicated project manager will keep you in the loop throughout, answering any questions along the way. Our goal is to transform your vision into reality with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
WHAT WE DO
At the very heart of A&B BUILD Ltd our unwavering commitment to Design & Build, a philosophy we have meticulously honed and elevated each year since 2018. Our dynamic and multifaceted team brings together an extraordinary breadth of expertise, spanning the realms of interiors, architecture, and construction, allowing us to deliver an unparalleled, end-to-end service from visionary concept to exquisite completion.
We craft exceptional living spaces, harmonising sophisticated design with flawless execution to meet the evolving demands of contemporary living. Every project is bespoke, tailored with precision to reflect your individual style and budget, while seamlessly encapsulating your personality, taste, and distinctive design sensibilities.
Unlike traditional models where designers conceptualise and contractors grapple with execution, we take full ownership of both the design and the build. As both creators and constructors, every concept we conceive is rooted in practicality, feasibility, and financial prudence, ensuring that beauty and brilliance are matched by realism and refined craftsmanship.
CLASSIC APPROACH
The CLASSIC architectural model introduces a labyrinth of escalating costs, intricate complexities, and competing objectives, all compounded by the absence of a singular point of contact or a seamless channel of communication. Designs frequently evolve in isolation, devoid of real-time cost evaluation or a pragmatic grasp of buildability, leading to unforeseen delays, concealed expenses, and a breakdown in coordination. The result? A construction process that is not only protracted and financially burdensome but also fraught with avoidable stress and inefficiency.
Buildability and construction costs are continuously integrated into the design process, ensuring our concepts are shaped by the most cost-efficient construction methods, industry best practices, and cutting-edge innovations. This enables us to provide precise and transparent pricing guidance at every stage.
Our core architectural design & build service is further enhanced by optional luxuries such as Interior Design and bespoke joinery, exquisitely crafted in the UK. We seamlessly incorporate third-party specialists, including AV systems and structural glazing, into our offering, delivering a comprehensive, all-in-one solution with the invaluable benefit of a single point of contact and accountability.
The CLASSIC architectural model introduces a labyrinth of escalating costs, intricate complexities, and competing objectives, all compounded by the absence of a singular point of contact or a seamless channel of communication. Designs frequently evolve in isolation, devoid of real-time cost evaluation or a pragmatic grasp of buildability, leading to unforeseen delays, concealed expenses, and a breakdown in coordination. The result? A construction process that is not only protracted and financially burdensome but also fraught with avoidable stress and inefficiency.
Buildability and construction costs are continuously integrated into the design process, ensuring our concepts are shaped by the most cost-efficient construction methods, industry best practices, and cutting-edge innovations. This enables us to provide precise and transparent pricing guidance at every stage.
Our core architectural design & build service is further enhanced by optional luxuries such as Interior Design and bespoke joinery, exquisitely crafted in the UK. We seamlessly incorporate third-party specialists, including AV systems and structural glazing, into our offering, delivering a comprehensive, all-in-one solution with the invaluable benefit of a single point of contact and accountability.
DESIGN+BUILD
A single, dedicated point of contact and accountability not only eliminates redundant fees but also streamlines the process, ensuring efficient time management. By consolidating all stakeholder feedback through one centralised liaison, supported by a clear and structured communication channel between the client and A&B BUILD Ltd, collaboration becomes seamless. Real-time cost insights and design feasibility assessments are continuously integrated into the design process, fostering a unified approach where all parties work harmoniously towards a shared vision.
A single, dedicated point of contact and accountability not only eliminates redundant fees but also streamlines the process, ensuring efficient time management. By consolidating all stakeholder feedback through one centralised liaison, supported by a clear and structured communication channel between the client and A&B BUILD Ltd, collaboration becomes seamless. Real-time cost insights and design feasibility assessments are continuously integrated into the design process, fostering a unified approach where all parties work harmoniously towards a shared vision.
If a building becomes architecture, then it is art
For the construction phase, we employ a negotiated tender approach, meticulously refining costs and applying cost engineering principles to align the scheme with your budget. As part of our transparent process, we provide an unpriced scope of works within the tender pack, allowing you to obtain competitive quotes from alternative contractors to benchmark our pricing with confidence.
Our methodology prioritises proactive decision-making, ensuring all critical choices are finalised before construction commences. On projects where we have developed a comprehensive, itemised specification, we typically operate with a 5% contingency, reinforcing financial clarity and control.
The cornerstone of any successful build lies in expert site and project management, rigorous quality control, and highly skilled craftsmanship. By managing a select number of projects simultaneously, we guarantee each build is meticulously overseen and optimally resourced, ensuring exceptional quality, timely delivery, and budgetary precision.
Our methodology prioritises proactive decision-making, ensuring all critical choices are finalised before construction commences. On projects where we have developed a comprehensive, itemised specification, we typically operate with a 5% contingency, reinforcing financial clarity and control.
The cornerstone of any successful build lies in expert site and project management, rigorous quality control, and highly skilled craftsmanship. By managing a select number of projects simultaneously, we guarantee each build is meticulously overseen and optimally resourced, ensuring exceptional quality, timely delivery, and budgetary precision.
Our team comprises exceptionally skilled professionals, each one a Prince II certified expert in construction, bringing a wealth of technical mastery and industry proficiency to every project. We manage project communication through advanced construction project management software, ensuring that daily logs, meeting notes, progress photos, and the latest drawings are consistently updated and readily available.
For a more in-depth understanding of the construction phase within the Design & Build process.
For a more in-depth understanding of the construction phase within the Design & Build process.
DESIGN + BUILD STAGES
- STAGE 1Our first step is to gain a clear and thorough understanding of your vision. We attentively listen to your requirements to craft a bespoke solution that aligns with your budget. Following an initial site visit, we provide a detailed design fee proposal and initial cost estimate. Upon instruction, we conduct a comprehensive measured survey of the property.
- STAGE 2This conceptual stage is an engaging and collaborative process, where we refine the ideal layout to suit your needs. Our comprehensive architectural CAD service, enhanced by 3D visuals, from simple sketches to detailed CGIs, ensures you can fully envision the proposed design.
- STAGE 3Once the concepts are approved, we handle all planning and permitted development applications, overseeing the statutory ten-week process with expertise. With a 97%+ success rate, we have expertly designed and secured approval for hundreds of complex London projects, regardless of scale or style.
- STAGE 4We prepare the tender pack with a detailed technical drawing package for construction and building control approval, integrating structural designs and third-party expertise.
Collaborating with trusted engineers, we deliver structural drawings, calculations, and method statements as needed. While this stage usually follows planning approval, it can begin earlier if approval is likely.
Clients eager to accelerate construction often proceed with select elements while awaiting formal permission. - STAGE 5Structural works often require a party wall agreement. We recommend a trusted surveyor to issue the necessary notices at the earliest stage. As this can be a lengthy process, we advise initiating it as soon as possible during the design phase.
- STAGE 6When investing in a project, impeccable finishes are essential. Our interior design service, available on a full or hourly basis, seamlessly integrates with our architectural design process, guiding you in selecting finishes, sanitaryware, colour schemes, fixtures, and fittings with precision and style.
- STAGE 7Whether we are pricing off our own tender pack or a third party we produce a fully itemised and costed scope of works, ensuring our prices remain as competitive and comprehensive as possible. We are transparent with our pricing and will work with you to cost engineer the final scheme as required to fit your budget. Once the construction package is agreed we issue a JCT or FBM contract and deposit invoice to secure the start date.
- STAGE 8Prior to starting on site, we set you up on our project management software and introduce you to your project & site manager, your key contacts throughout the build. We use bespoke project management software to produce dynamic timelines, log meeting notes and upload progress pictures, keeping you fully updated through every step of the project. You can download our app via smartphone or tablet or simply log in on your desktop PC.
- STAGE 9During pre-commencement, we develop a dynamic timeline outlining key stages and client milestones, which is continuously updated throughout the build to track any critical path adjustments. We also liaise with all relevant authorities, ensuring statutory obligations—such as building control approvals and necessary applications—are efficiently fulfilled.
- STAGE 10Your site will be kept clean, organized, and fully compliant with all regulations. Work is carried out efficiently, with your project manager meeting you weekly for updates, progress photos, and detailed notes. Payment records are carefully tracked for transparency, and any cost changes are clearly communicated and approved through our specialized software.
- STAGE 11Practical completion marks the moment we formally hand over your home, having meticulously addressed all final outstanding details to ensure everything meets the highest standards.
- STAGE 12After six months, your project manager will visit to assess the property, compile a snagging list with you, and arrange a convenient time for any necessary adjustments to be completed.
Typically, an architect charges 12-15% of the build cost for planning, construction drawings, and project implementation. As contractors, we already include project management, whether providing a full design & build service or working solely as a contractor.We only charge architectural fees pre-construction, saving around 50% on design costs compared to a traditional architect. Further design input on the agreed scheme is provided free of charge during construction.
Unlike architects, who are incentivised to increase build costs to raise their fees, our fixed design fee is based on real-time construction costs. We carefully balance design, build quality, and cost, ensuring the best solution for your budget rather than inflating costs.
Architects often underestimate project costs, knowing their fees will rise later, whereas we are driven to keep construction costs economical to secure the build contract.
Unlike architects, who are incentivised to increase build costs to raise their fees, our fixed design fee is based on real-time construction costs. We carefully balance design, build quality, and cost, ensuring the best solution for your budget rather than inflating costs.
Architects often underestimate project costs, knowing their fees will rise later, whereas we are driven to keep construction costs economical to secure the build contract.
