It’s not just about finding someone who has a good track record on similar projects, but of course it’s always useful to see what they’ve done. Our past projects are here.

It’s more about finding someone who shares your aspirations and your values. If you want to get a good sense of what’s important to us at George & James, have a look at The things we care about.

Once you’re confident that you’re a good fit on paper, it’s time to start a conversation. Think about whether you want to work with them. Do they listen? Do they ask questions? Do they take your worries on board and give you the reassurance you’re looking for? Do they explain how they work without resorting to jargon or whitewashing the process? If you’ll be working with members of their team, can you talk to them too?

You’ll be working closely with each other for a while, so you need to enjoy their company. In the end, it’s probably your heart, rather than your head, that will make the decision for you.

You can see some of the lovely things our clients say about us here.

For us, just like for you, it’s mostly about being a good fit. If you care about good design and about how a building makes you feel (as opposed to simply how many bedrooms it has and what the value is), we’re likely to see eye to eye. And if you’re hoping for something out of the ordinary, that’s a great starting point too. 

We take on all sorts of different projects – new homes and old homes, interior refurbishments and transformative extensions. And we’re always interested in working with independent businesses and community groups who want to improve their shops, workspaces or workshops, yoga studios and other spaces. So it’s less about the ‘what’ and more about the ‘who’.

Most of our projects have budgets over £200,000. Below this amount, the sums just won’t add up for you or for us. There are exceptions of course, and it could be that you just want to find out what’s possible (we call it ‘getting a feasibility study done’,) before committing to a full project.  One thing is certain, though: we’re always honest about the costs upfront. We won’t underestimate the costs to get the job and then give you a nasty surprise. That wouldn’t be good for you, and it wouldn’t be good for us.

Yes, we worry too, and we take our responsibilities very seriously. We don’t call ourselves ‘eco-architects’, and we’re actually a little wary of the label – all designers have this responsibility and it should be part of the way every one of us thinks, lives and works.

We’re always looking for opportunities to create better performing, more sustainable buildings. And sustainability isn’t just about lowering your heating bill. It’s about what goes into a building (its embodied carbon) as well as the energy the building needs to function well (its carbon footprint).

It makes sense to reuse and repurpose rather than start from scratch, so if we can put to good use what’s already there, we will. And when we’re choosing new materials we ask our suppliers difficult questions: where did this come from, what went into making it, and how did it get here? 

Then we’ll be looking for ways to make the most of a building’s orientation. If we can welcome in the winter sun and hold onto the heat it leaves behind, you’ll be blessed with a warm, bright space that lifts the spirits in the depths of winter. If we can provide well-positioned windows and natural shade, you’ll thank us on the hottest summer days. We get all of that right, and then – if it’s needed – we put in place the most appropriate renewable technologies to do the rest.

If all of this strikes a chord, then let’s talk. And if you have very particular environmental aims or are keen to try something new, that’s an even better reason to put our heads together and start a conversation.

You might just want to test the waters with a ‘feasibility study’, to see what your options are and what’s possible. Or you might be excited about going it alone once we’ve developed the design and got the planning approval you need.

So, yes, you can take it one step at a time. 

But we do love throwing ourselves into a project and knowing we’re on board from start to finish – and we’d be doing ourselves a disservice if we said otherwise.

We love coming up with ideas, working out what’s possible, taking the designs through the planning process (including listed building consent), doing the detailed drawings and overseeing construction.

We’ll help you find a good builder, act as contract administrators, and be there to hold your hand (in the reassuring, supportive sense of the phrase) at every stage. Just as importantly, we can design bespoke joinery for you, find the perfect people to make it, and design the interiors – down to every last, beautiful detail.

We’ll still want to talk things through with you and share the excitement of each part of the build. But you won’t wake up at night worrying about the window measurements not being quite right, or the electrician not turning up.

You can see more about how we work – and the different stages – in Our process.

We can’t tell you exactly how much we charge without first finding out about your project. If we could we’d be trying to fit you inside a box, which isn’t how we work. But, to give you a ballpark figure, our typical fees range from 8 to 15% of construction costs.

It all depends on the size and complexity of your project, and how involved we are. And it’s not always worked out as a percentage. It could be a fixed fee, a time-charge fee, or a percentage fee – depending on your project and how we can give you the most value.

All we can say for certain is that good design – and good project management – really is worth its weight in gold. We save you time, money and worry. We get the design right before construction starts on site, which means a streamlined process, no costly changes, no time wasted, much less risk, and a happy builder.

And that’s just the start – good design is something you’ll appreciate every day, and for years to come.

It’s difficult to say until we know more. But we’ll be happy to show you examples of our past projects and give you an idea of the figures involved. That should give you a bit of context as well as the reality check you might be looking for.

And there’s one thing that we can say right away: it’s as important for you to be honest with us about how much you’re ready to invest in your project  as it is for us to be upfront with you about costs. If we all know where we stand, we can keep our feet firmly on the ground while dreaming big and aiming high.

Then, once you’ve talked us through your own aspirations as well as what you want to invest, we’ll be able to work out exactly what’s possible for you.

We’ll explain the different things – and people – you’ll need to factor in: planning application fees, building control fees, a structural engineer, maybe a party-wall surveyor, and of course construction costs, which will vary depending on the site, location, design and level of specification.

We can even drill down to the cost of furniture (both built-in and free-standing), curtains, blinds, landscaping, and all those other things that make a place both liveable and functional. You may not be ready to think about them right now, but we know they’re a crucial part of getting you to the finish line.

Here’s another question which is almost impossible to answer. A small and relatively simple – but still beautiful! – extension might take 12 months from start to finish. A new-build house could take around two years. But sometimes the planning process can cause delays, and sometimes the perfect builder isn’t available for another few months (but is definitely worth waiting for).

We don’t cut corners, so you’ll need to allow time for the project to run its right and proper course. We’ll provide you with a programme at the start of the project, and we’ll constantly be measuring this against how things are progressing in real time. Our job is to build flexibility into the schedule, anticipate issues that might lead to delays, and keep a close eye on any hold-ups. 

You’ll need to allow time on a day-to-day level, too. Creating a bespoke building that fits you like a beautiful, comfortable glove is a collaborative process, and we need you as much as you need us. We’ll be asking questions, running things by you, and coming to the right decisions together. We know that takes time, but we also know that it’s time worth spending.

We admit to being drawn to spaces that are timeless and understated, functional yet beautiful. So if you’re after a mansion with excessive ornament and a good deal of bling, we’re probably not the architects for you. We like buildings that make the most of light and air, buildings that make you feel good, and we talk more about that here.

But we come to your project with an open mind. It’s all about getting to know you, getting to know your site – its hidden quirks as well as its clear potential – and understanding the context.