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Architects in London

323 practices covering London. Listings are business information researched by Renovome; contact details and matching happen inside Workspace.

Appointing an architect in London

Most London architect appointments are rear or side-return extensions, loft conversions and basement or lower-ground reworks on terraced and semi-detached houses. Expect a longer pre-construction programme than elsewhere in the UK: party wall procedures, constrained access and borough design scrutiny all add weeks before a builder can start.

Property you'll be working with in London

Victorian and Edwardian terraces dominate, often with a narrow side return, a closet-wing outrigger and a single-storey rear addition already added. Solid brick walls, shallow foundations and neighbours on both sides mean structural and party wall advice runs alongside the design almost from day one.

Planning in London

Every borough writes its own extension and roof guidance, and many inner-London boroughs use Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights street by street. Conservation area coverage is extensive, so check your specific address rather than assuming the general rules apply.

What architects charge in London

London fees sit at or above the top of the national ranges: budget £2,500 to £6,000 for planning drawings on a typical extension, and 9% to 15% of build cost for a full service. Party wall surveyor fees of £1,200 to £2,500 per affected neighbour are normal on terraced streets.

Indicative 2026 ranges and local context, not quotations or planning advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.

How to choose an architect in London

Bring an architect or architectural designer in first, before you commit to a layout or a budget. They test what is possible on your house, produce the drawings a builder can price, and handle the planning application.

  1. Check whether they are ARB registered, and whether the practice is RIBA chartered.
  2. Ask to see two projects the same size and type as yours, in the same kind of property.
  3. Ask which stages the fee covers, and what is charged separately.
  4. Ask who does the building regulations drawings and who answers the builder's questions on site.
  5. Ask about their planning approval record with your local council.

What architects in London typically work on

  • Rear, side return and wrap-around extensions
  • Loft conversions and roof alterations
  • Whole-house renovations and reconfigurations
  • Planning applications, appeals and permitted development checks
  • Building regulations packages and tender drawings

Typical 2026 fees for architects

ItemTypical 2026 cost
Feasibility and concept design£1,200 - £3,500
Planning drawings and application£1,800 - £5,000
Building regulations package£1,500 - £4,500
Full service, percentage of build cost7% - 14%
Hourly rate for advice£75 - £160

Indicative 2026 UK ranges, not quotations. London and the South East usually sit at the top of each range. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Common questions

Do I need an architect for an extension?
Not legally, but you do need drawings good enough for building control and for builders to price the same job. An architect or architectural designer produces those and usually saves more than their fee in avoided rework.
What does an architect cost in 2026?
Between £1,800 and £5,000 for planning drawings on a typical domestic extension, or 7 to 14 per cent of build cost for a full service.

Read next

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