HOW CAN WE HELP
Got a question?
How do I know if I’ll need planning permission for my project?
Whether or not you’ll need planning permission will depend on a whole heap of variables – whether you’re converting an existing structure or building a new one, what side of the house you’re extending, how far out from the main home you want to go.
Understanding planning law is daunting if you’ve never tackled it before but that’s what MVA is here to help you with. From the beginning of the design process, we’ll guide you through what permissions you will and won’t need, and take care of any planning applications for you.
What’s the difference between an architect and architectural services?
With architectural services, you’re often dealing with a technician. Their background is in the technical aspects of developing a home, such as building regulations and what’s needed when it comes to the construction stage.
An architect combines that technical side of things with expertise in designing and planning. They don’t just provide a spec to a builder – they work collaboratively with you to interpret your vision for your home, how best to bring it to life and what you’ll need to have the best chance at planning approval.
Can I chat about my project before getting a quote?
Of course! Our process always begins with a free consultation so that we can get a better understanding of what you’re looking for and what your budget is, and – most importantly – so that you can get a sense of who we are and whether you want to work with us.
Can you help me find builders for the project?
We can. With a decade of experience in architecture, we work closely with a network of trusted local builders in Bristol and the South West, as well as further afield, and are happy to recommend them.
How do I set a budget for my home build or renovation project?
Knowing what kind of budget you’ll need in advance isn’t always easy – you know you’ll need to pay for contractors, but what about planning permission fees, or a party wall surveyor?
We’ll help guide you through what you can reasonably expect as we chat through the details of your home. For more help, you can also read our blog on what you’ll need to keep in mind when budgeting for your project<link to first blog resource when published>.
Get in touch
You deserve the space you need, not just the space you have. Reach out to see how My Village Architect can help you get there.
HAPPY CLIENTS
Reviews
"Esther did an amazing job with our internal remodel and was worth her weight in gold in terms of coming up with different options (many of which would have never occurred to us but made much more sense than our initial vision), all the way through to helping us find quotes and reliable builders to execute on her vision. She was friendly, easy to work with and dedicated to seeing the project through, which has successfully completed without a hiccup! Couldn't recommend more! "
Tom Lansdall-Welfare
"We chose to work with Esther on our single storey extension due to her vision and excitement to design something more architecturally pleasing. We had another couple of architects who were scared to design anything other than boring extensions. Within 2 weeks of being instructed Esther had achieved planning permission which was great. She was also there for technical support throughout the build. Highly recommend!"
Mark Keightley
"Esther is a very talent architect and was a delight to work with on our kitchen extension. She was dedicated and prompt with the plans and worked tirelessly to get them through planning. She went the extra mile to overcome obstacles professionally and with confidence. Her dedication and enthusiasm was amazing."
Harriet Brooks
"I just had to share how wonderful my experience was with My Village Architect! Esther was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about different design options for my parents' land. She really took the time to consider all the risks and opportunities. What I appreciated most was her genuine care for my parents' best interests. Instead of just diving into a potentially expensive and risky project, Esther guided us towards a smarter approach. Couldn't be happier with the service! Thanks Esther and My Village Architect!"
Bradley Taylor
"Esther from MVA made me realise why an architect is worth employing. I was looking for a remodel and thought I had a clear idea of what I wanted, but the several options she produced led me to something very different but better than I could have imagined. She's also designed me a fantastic new garage to work on my cars. I'm really pleased with all the work and I highly recommend!"
Lee byford
"My Village Architect is patient, full of ideas, professional, reasonably priced, quick to produce work, and up to date on current regulations. We were able to email queries at any point and Esther had a good relationship with our builder too. She was also very clear and understanding when guiding us through the planning process. We would highly recommend Esther and would definitely use her services again"
Michelle Dickson
"In 2021 Esther did a fantastic job helping us to reconfigure the rear of our house. We wanted to create a large kitchen/sitting room, plus extend into a large and under utilised hallway. The end result was outstanding and we spend nearly all our time in there now. Esther was great to work with; full of ideas, patient and walked through the whole project with us calmly and confidently."
Richard Brown
"Esther worked with our ideas to design a sympathetic and practical two storey front extension to our 1970s home. She liased with planning, building control and the builders making it a swift and hassle free project. We're really happy with her design solution for the extra space the finished extension has given our family. We have already recommended MVA to several of our friends and will continue to do so."
Richard Malin
"Esther did an amazing remodel of our kitchen. She went above and beyond what I expected from an architect, providing creative design ideas and solutions to problems we encountered. Would highly recommend."
Lizzy Lawson