At MJA Architecture, we believe great design starts with understanding how you live. Every home tells a story, our role is to help shape yours through creativity, collaboration, and technical expertise. From your first consultation to the final build, we make the process clear, personal, and inspiring.
Step 1: Initial consultation and feasibility
Your vision, our expertise: Let’s chat about your project with a no-obligation consultation.
We believe a site meeting is the best way to begin, there’s no cost and no obligation. Every project starts with a calm, friendly discussion at your home (or online if you prefer) to explore your ideas, challenges, and goals. We’ll look at how you use your home, your budget, and the property’s potential within planning and structural limits. This commitment-free stage helps define possibilities and gives you a clear, realistic picture of what’s achievable.
Pre-Purchase Advice:
If you’re considering buying a property, we offer early feasibility advice before exchange. You’ll understand what’s possible in terms of extensions, alterations, or redevelopment plus any planning or structural constraints, helping you make informed, confident investment decisions.
Step 2: Design and development
Once appointed, we develop several design concepts, not just one. Together we compare layouts, explore flow, maximise light, and test ideas for kitchen placement, garden connections, and storage solutions. This creative process allows you to visualise your home’s full potential and refine the concept to suit your lifestyle.
Step 3: Planning and approval process
After the design is finalised, we prepare and submit your full planning application. Our experienced team manages communication, proactively engaging with local authorities to address issues early.
Our proven success rate across London and Surrey, including conservation areas and complex consent sites comes from a hands-on, solutions-driven approach.
Step 4: Building regulations and structural requirements
We coordinate with approved inspectors and structural engineers to create Building Regulations drawings and specifications, ensuring your project is fully compliant and build-ready.
Step 5: Scope of works & interior design planning
We prepare a clear scope of works and integrate interior design planning early, ensuring a seamless transition between structure, finishes, and overall detailing.
Step 6: Party wall & build over agreements
We guide you through all required Party Wall notices, surveys, and Thames Water Build Over applications, assisting with legal requirements so your project can progress smoothly.
Step 7: Tender process
We prepare comprehensive tender documentation and assist in reviewing contractor quotations to ensure clarity, transparency, and value for money.
Step 8: Building oversight
Should you require MJA can remain involved throughout the construction, to review progress, address design queries, and ensure the finished home meets our shared vision and is beautifully detailed, functional, and true to the original concept.
Ready to begin?
Whether you’re exploring a renovation, viewing a potential property, or planning an extension, we’ll help you understand the next steps with confidence.