Services

Whatever your construction project, we will take you step by step through the entire process from architectural drawings, budgeting, obtaining planning permission and other necessary consents, building regulations, tendering and project management with a high level of attention to detail and excellent customer service.

During your initial consultation we will discuss your ideas in detail to establish your requirements and assess the feasibility of the project. We will then compile a bespoke package of services to suit your requirements, taking your project through to completion on site if required.

  • We offer a free initial consultation at your property to discuss your ideas, the feasibility of your project and to establish the services you will require. We can then provide a comprehensive quotation to meet your individual requirements.

  • We have extensive experience in helping developers maximise their investment and breathe new life into redundant spaces by converting existing residential or commercial buildings to apartments and HMO properties. We also undertake new-build housing developments.

  • Single storey and two-storey home extensions are our speciality, we have helped countless clients to remodel and redesign their space to improve the flow and extend their home to give them the additional space they want and increase the value of their property. If you want to achieve the desirable open - plan kitchen/ dining / living space with bifold doors and light flooding in from above, you’ve come to the right place!

  • It is a pleasure to work with Listed Buildings, a delicate balance of retaining the character and unique qualities of the building whilst ensuring its continued use for generations to come. Whether your building is Grade 2 listed or a non-designated heritage asset, your alterations and / or extension requires careful consideration. You will need Listed Building Consent accompanied by a Heritage statement and possibly a planning application depending upon the development.

  • All building designs need to be compliant with all of the latest building regulations, which are concerned with all the technical aspects of your building, including structure, fire safety, ventilation, sanitation, drainage & conservation of fuel and power to name a few. Our building regulations designs comply fully with all of the building regulations and can be tailored to go above and beyond the requirements to achieve increased energy-efficiency in your home. We collaborate with local Structural engineers and Energy-assessors where specialist information is required and have excellent working relationships with the Local Authority building control (we are LABC approved partners) and the Approved Inspectors.

  • Our extended optional services include contractor procurement, whereby we issue a bespoke specification & tender document to several main contractors, either from our list of approved local contractors or of your choosing. Once the tenders are returned you can decide which contractor you would like to appoint. Project management is an optional service, whereby we oversee the project on site to completion, administering the contract and monitoring all aspects of the construction phase including adherence to the design, budget and programme considerations.

  • Converting a loft space can add valuable rooms to your home. Most lofts can be converted without planning permission even including dormer extensions within certain planning constraints.

  • Do you have a building you want to convert into apartments or a house in multiple occupation ( HMO )? Space planning is at the core of House Gecko, we are at our best when carving up space into smaller parts. Our in-depth understanding of all aspects of this type of development helps our developer clients create unique residential developments which maximise the return on their investment. We advise on the options for their development in terms of spatial design, planning constraints and building regulations requirements and manage the whole process for them.

  • The finishing touches to bring your new space to life. Our interior designs are developed through detailed discussion with our clients to establish your requirements and preferences. Our ideas are presented in the form of mood/ design boards, which illustrate the design, colour scheme, materials, furnishings, lighting etc. The scheme is explained through floor plans, elevations, perspective drawings, layouts, sketches,3D visualisations, summary notes along with samples of fabrics flooring and wall coverings where required with details of all proposed fixtures and fittings.

  • What comes first? A common quandary that pops up time and again, many of our clients ask a builder for a cost for the construction before coming to us and the builder advises them that they need the drawings before he can provide a quote. Understandably some people don’t want to commit to paying for architectural services if they don’t know their construction project is within budget, here we have the chicken and egg scenario! House Gecko offer a guide price service, whereby once the initial design has been drawn up, before proceeding to the planning stage and other stages we pause and obtain a guide price from a trusted local building contractor so you can proceed with confidence or move to plan B.

  • Permitted development (PD) rights are your protected rights as a property owner to change the use or extend your property without the need for planning permission from your local council. There are restrictions to these rights and in some cases PD rights may have been removed from a property. PD rights apply to single storey side or rear extensions, two-storey rear extensions, loft conversions, front porch extensions, outbuildings and dormer window extensions amongst other developments. We can establish whether your PD rights are in place. We always recommend obtaining a ‘certificate of lawful development’ to confirm the properties PD status and also as confirmation the scheme designed conforms to all the relevant rules of PD.

  • Garage conversions are increasingly popular, very few people park in their garage any more! Usually the most economical way to add additional living space to your home. Planning permission is not always required but building regulations approval is.

  • Often requested for elderly parents, teenage suites and holiday lets. Annexes can be completely detached from the home, attached as an extension or even achieved by reconfiguring the existing space with some thoughtful space planning. We have helped so many clients achieve that sweet spot between sharing their accommodation, while maintaining boundaries and privacy.

  • With experience of new build homes for both private clients and developers we have a deep understanding of how to balance our clients ideas with the constraints of the planning system, creating bespoke homes which fit seamlessly into their surroundings. We have recently designed a Passive House in Market Drayton, which is currently under construction (pics coming soon!).

  • We offer a range of 3D visualisation services from basic white CGI models which give an overall impression of the shape, form and massing of your building to photorealistic visualisations, showing detailed images of the exterior and interior. Animations give an amazing opportunity to walk through the new design of your property allowing you to imagine yourself in the space and giving you the opportunity to make any tweaks in the early stages.

  • Planning appeals are a crucial component of the urban development and regulatory process, serving as a mechanism for individuals or organisations to challenge decisions made by local planning authorities. If you have had a planning application refused by a local planning authority, we can advise you if it is appropriate to submit a planning appeal then prepare and submit your appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. We at House Gecko use our planning expertise to review your decision & identify any grounds for appeal. Common grounds include incorrect interpretation of planning policy, factual errors, or procedural issues. We will then draft your appeal statement, submit the statement and evidence to the planning inspectorate, and await the decision notice. You can save time and money by utilising the expertise that we provide, as well as boost your chances of a successful appeal.

  • With an excellent pass rate, we are well placed to advise you on the best planning-route for your project and steer you through the planning process. Most domestic projects can be assessed under a ‘Householder planning application’ and sometimes don’t require planning permission at all (see Permitted development). We can advise on the most appropriate type of application for your development, prepare, submit and monitor your application, liaising with the Planning officer and any other consultants. We have extensive experience of developments in the countryside, conservation areas, Green belt land and Area’s of Outstanding Natural Beauty with an excellent reputation for achieving great results in the trickiest of circumstances.