Free Design Consultations for Residential and Commercial Projects

Every worthwhile building project starts with a conversation. You may have a clear vision for an extension, a growing business that needs different premises, or simply a feeling that your existing space could work better. Before committing to drawings or building work, it helps to understand the possibilities and the questions that need answering.

At Shorplans Developments Architects Practice, we offer free, no-obligation design consultations for residential and commercial schemes. It is an opportunity to introduce your project, talk through your priorities and discuss how architectural design, planning and structural coordination may fit together.

Meet the founder of Shorplans

The first conversation is an opportunity to explain what you want to achieve and understand what to investigate next. The practice brings together architectural design, planning support and in-house structural expertise, helping clients consider both the design ambitions and the practical requirements of a scheme.

You do not need a finished brief or a set of professional drawings to get in touch. Whether you are a homeowner, landlord, developer or business owner, you are welcome to start with the space you have, the changes you are considering and the questions you would like to explore.

Residential schemes: make your home work better

A residential consultation can help you think about how a property needs to support everyday life. More floor space may be part of the answer, but better layouts, daylight, circulation and the relationship with the garden can be just as important.

• Rear, side-return and wraparound extensions for more useful living space.
• Loft conversions and roof alterations to explore additional accommodation.
• Two-storey additions, internal reconfiguration and open-plan layouts.
• New homes, residential development and conversion schemes.
• Early questions about planning permission, permitted development, building regulations and structural alterations.

We can discuss your priorities and explain the information needed to assess them properly. You can see examples of the practice's work in our residential project portfolio, or prepare for the conversation with our extension and loft guides.

Commercial schemes: design around how your business operates

For a commercial project, the starting point is how the premises need to function. That may mean welcoming customers, accommodating staff, improving accessibility, organising deliveries or making more effective use of an existing layout.

• Shops, offices and other business premises needing a new layout or fit-out.
• Restaurants, cafés and hospitality spaces, including early questions about extraction and servicing.
• Proposed changes of use or alterations to existing commercial premises.
• Mixed-use buildings where residential and commercial needs must be considered together.
• Initial questions about access, escape routes, neighbours and the permissions or specialist input a proposal may require.

The consultation is a chance to identify matters that deserve investigation before you commit to a lease, purchase or fit-out. It is not confirmation that a use is lawful, that a landlord will consent or that the premises meet every technical requirement. Depending on the scheme, licensing, fire-safety advice, acoustic assessment or other specialist services may be needed separately.

Our commercial property guides provide a useful introduction to restaurant, café and hot-food premises if those are relevant to your plans.

What happens during the free consultation?

Our existing consultation offer is a 30-minute conversation online or by phone, arranged directly with the team. Tell us what you would like to achieve, and we can discuss the main design questions, potential constraints and an appropriate route towards a more detailed assessment.

1. 1Explain your project: the property, proposed use, main priorities and any concerns.
2. 2Discuss the key considerations: space, layout, planning, structure and technical coordination.
3. 3Identify what needs checking: surveys, records, permissions and any specialist advice.
4. 4Agree the next step: if you would like to proceed, we can prepare a project-specific scope and fee proposal.

What should you have ready?

Send what you already have; there is no need to commission a survey just to start the conversation. Useful information includes:

• The property address and whether you own it, are considering buying it or are discussing a lease.
• A few photographs, any existing floor plans and previous planning decisions, if available.
• A short description of the space or business activity you want to accommodate.
• Your broad budget, preferred timing and the decisions you need help making.
• For commercial premises, details of the intended operation, opening arrangements and any known landlord restrictions.

Free advice to get started, with clear boundaries

The initial consultation is free and there is no obligation to appoint Shorplans. It does not include a measured survey, prepared design drawings, structural calculations, a formal feasibility report or a planning application. Any subsequent professional services would have an agreed scope and fee before work begins.

An early conversation also cannot guarantee planning approval, statutory compliance or a particular construction cost. Those depend on the property, proposal, investigations and the relevant authorities. The aim is to help you make a better-informed decision about your next step.

Arrange your free design consultation

Ready to discuss your residential or commercial scheme? Arrange your free consultation and share a little about your plans and preferred times. Our team will confirm the arrangements with you.

Call +44 20 4513 2191 or email hello@shorplans.com. If you already have a clear brief, you can also request a free, no-obligation fee proposal online.