Services

Choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a building project. Whether you’re planning a house extension, a commercial development or the refurbishment of an existing property, you should feel confident that the people designing your project have the qualifications, experience and professional protection to deliver it successfully.

Not everyone offering architectural services is a qualified architect. In the UK, the title ‘Architect’ is legally protected, and only individuals registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) can use it professionally. However, anyone can offer architectural design services, regardless of their qualifications or experience.

Before appointing anyone, we strongly recommend checking their professional credentials, relevant project experience and insurance arrangements.

Why choose Unit3 Design Studio?

• RIBA Chartered Practice: Unit3 is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects, demonstrating our commitment to recognised professional standards, quality management and best practice.
• ARB Registered Architects: All our architects are registered with the Architects Registration Board, providing reassurance that they have achieved the necessary professional qualifications and are accountable to a recognised regulatory body.
• £4 Million Professional Indemnity Insurance: We maintain substantial professional indemnity insurance, providing an important level of protection for our clients, subject to the terms of our policy.
• Established Track Record: Founded in 2013, we have extensive experience delivering residential, commercial, leisure, heritage and community projects across Liverpool, the North West and North Wales.
• A Professional Team: Our clients benefit from the collective experience, technical knowledge and creative skills of an established architectural practice, with clear communication and professional accountability throughout.

While architectural technicians, sole practitioners and students can all contribute valuable skills to the industry, qualifications, experience and professional oversight vary considerably. We would always advise caution when appointing anyone who cannot demonstrate appropriate competence, relevant experience, adequate insurance or suitable professional supervision.

Choosing a designer based purely on the cheapest fee can sometimes prove costly if mistakes, planning complications or technical issues arise later in the project.

At Unit3, we believe our clients deserve the reassurance of working with properly qualified, experienced and insured professionals. Our RIBA Chartered Practice accreditation, ARB-registered architects, substantial insurance cover and proven track record provide that confidence from the very beginning.

Good architecture is an investment. Choosing the right architect is where it starts.

At Unit3, we work on a diverse range of projects, from small residential alterations and extensions to large-scale commercial developments, refurbishments and regeneration schemes.

Our experience spans residential, commercial, hospitality, leisure, heritage, education and community projects. Whether it’s creating a new home, transforming an existing building, adapting a historic property or developing an ambitious new commercial space, we bring the same creativity, attention to detail and practical approach to every project.

We particularly enjoy projects that present interesting challenges, whether that’s making better use of an existing space, working within a sensitive historic setting or finding innovative solutions to complex design and planning constraints.

With offices in Liverpool, Chester and North Wales, we work with homeowners, businesses, developers, charities and community organisations across the North West, Cheshire and North Wales.

No project is too small to start a conversation. If you have an idea in mind, we’d be happy to explore what’s possible.

No. Our appointments are tailored to the services you require. For example, we can be appointed for an initial feasibility study, design and planning stages, a Building Regulations package or more comprehensive architectural services.

We will explain the proposed scope and any exclusions before work begins.

The cost of any building project, whether a house extension, residential development, commercial refurbishment or new-build premises, can vary considerably depending on its size, location, design, specification and the complexity of the works involved.

At Unit3, we understand that establishing a realistic budget is one of the most important parts of any project. From the outset, we’ll discuss your expectations and help you understand how different design decisions, construction methods and material choices can influence the overall cost.

For residential projects, we can provide indicative construction costs based on our experience of similar schemes. For larger or more complex residential and commercial developments, we can also work alongside experienced Quantity Surveyors (QS) to prepare detailed cost estimates, cost plans and budgets as the design progresses. This provides a more accurate understanding of the likely construction costs and helps identify potential financial risks before work begins on site.

We can also assist with the tendering process, preparing the necessary architectural information and inviting suitable building contractors to submit competitive quotations. This allows you to test the market, compare a range of construction prices and help you make an informed decision when selecting a contractor.

Where budgets are particularly tight, we can explore alternative materials, construction methods and design solutions to help achieve the best possible value without compromising the quality or functionality of the finished building.

It’s also important to consider costs beyond the construction work itself, including professional fees, surveys, statutory approvals, VAT and an appropriate contingency for unforeseen circumstances.

Our aim is to help you understand the financial implications of your project from the earliest stages, make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcome for your available budget.

Our fees depend on the size, complexity and requirements of your project.

We prepare a fee proposal identifying the services to be provided, relevant RIBA stages and any anticipated additional consultant costs. This helps you understand the level of investment before committing to the work.

More details on how we price our services are on our website here: Pricing Policy

Although often confused, Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval are two separate processes, each serving a different purpose.

Planning Permission – What you can build

Planning Permission considers whether a proposed development is acceptable in terms of its design, appearance, location, use and impact on neighbouring properties and the surrounding environment.

Applications are assessed and determined by your Local Planning Authority (Council). Where planning permission is required, it must normally be obtained before construction begins. However, certain smaller projects may fall under Permitted Development Rights and not require a formal planning application.

Building Regulations – How you build it

Building Regulations focus on the technical design and construction of a building, ensuring it meets the required standards for structural stability, fire safety, accessibility, insulation, energy efficiency, ventilation and other essential matters.

Building Control services can be provided by either the Local Authority or a private Registered Building Control Approver (previously known as an Approved Inspector), depending on the project.

Both options involve fees for checking compliance and carrying out inspections during construction. These are often split into plan-checking and inspection charges, although fee structures and costs vary between providers.

Do you need both?

Many projects require both Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval, although some may only require one, or neither.

At Unit3, we can advise on which approvals your project requires, prepare the necessary drawings and documentation, and guide you through both processes. We can also help you select a suitable Building Control provider, ensuring your project progresses as smoothly as possible.

Depending on the project, you may require structural engineers, building services engineers, planning consultants, ecologists, surveyors or other specialists.

We can help identify the appropriate professional input and coordinate it where included within our appointment.

A Principal Designer is a professional responsible for coordinating important aspects of health and safety and regulatory compliance during the design stages of a construction project.

There are two distinct Principal Designer roles under UK legislation:

• CDM Principal Designer: Required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This role focuses on identifying, eliminating and managing foreseeable health and safety risks during the design and pre-construction stages.
• Building Regulations Principal Designer: Responsible for planning, managing and coordinating design work to help ensure that the proposed building complies with the relevant Building Regulations.

For most projects involving more than one contractor, including many domestic extensions, renovations and commercial developments, these appointments are a legal requirement. The roles can be undertaken by the same competent professional but must be clearly identified within their appointment.

At Unit3, we can provide both Principal Designer services, helping clients understand their responsibilities, coordinate the design team and meet their statutory obligations.

We’ll advise you on which appointments your project requires and ensure the appropriate responsibilities are established from the outset.

Planning timescales depend on the type and complexity of the application, the local authority and its current workload.

Although most domestic planning applications have a statutory determination period of eight weeks, in practice we are regularly seeing decisions take 12 weeks or longer. Larger or more complex developments typically require at least 13 weeks, while some commercial schemes can take considerably longer, occasionally extending to 12 months.

Whilst planning approval can never be guaranteed, our experience enables us to identify potential challenges early, navigate the planning process efficiently and explore alternative approaches where appropriate.

At Unit3, we have extensive experience across residential, commercial, heritage and change-of-use applications. We work proactively with planning authorities and specialist consultants to give every application the strongest possible chance of success, whilst keeping our clients informed throughout the process.

Possibly, but we’d always recommend checking carefully before starting any construction work.

Permitted Development (PD) Rights allow certain building works, such as smaller house extensions, loft conversions and outbuildings, to be undertaken without the need for a formal planning application. However, there are strict rules governing the size, height, location and use of the proposed development.

These rights can also be restricted or removed, particularly for listed buildings, properties in conservation areas or where conditions have been imposed through previous planning permissions. Some types of Permitted Development also require the Council’s Prior Approval before work can begin.

At Unit3, we strongly recommend obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness before starting work.

Although not always a legal requirement, a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) provides formal confirmation from your Local Planning Authority that your proposed works are lawful under planning legislation.

This offers valuable reassurance that your project complies with the relevant planning rules and provides an official record that can be particularly useful when selling or remortgaging your property in the future.

Importantly, Permitted Development does not mean you can ignore Building Regulations.

Even where planning permission is not required, most extensions, structural alterations, loft conversions and other substantial building works will still need to comply with Building Regulations, with the appropriate Building Control procedures and inspections.

Other requirements, such as the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, listed building consent or restrictive covenants, may also need to be considered.

At Unit3, we can assess whether your project qualifies as Permitted Development, prepare and submit a Lawful Development Certificate application and provide the technical drawings and documentation required for Building Regulations approval.

Our advice is simple: establish what you’re legally entitled to build before committing to construction. A little professional guidance at the outset can help avoid costly mistakes, enforcement issues and complications further down the line.

A planning refusal doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your project. At Unit3, we carefully review the decision, identify the reasons for refusal and advise on the most appropriate way forward.

This might involve revising the design to address the Council’s concerns, engaging in further discussions with the planning officer, submitting a revised application or pursuing a planning appeal.

Drawing on our experience of the planning process, we’ll provide clear, honest advice on the available options, their potential costs and likelihood of success, helping you make an informed decision about the next steps.

Absolutely! Over the years, we’ve developed a trusted network of building contractors, consultants, surveyors and specialist professionals across Liverpool, Cheshire, North Wales and the wider North West.

From smaller local builders specialising in domestic extensions and renovations to established contractors delivering large-scale commercial developments, we can help connect you with companies that have the appropriate experience and expertise for your project.

Our network also extends well beyond building contractors. We have strong working relationships with structural engineers, quantity surveyors, planning consultants, ecologists, heritage specialists and many other professionals who may be required throughout the design and construction process.

Importantly, Unit3 is completely independent and has no contractual affiliations with any particular contractor or organisation. This means we can provide impartial recommendations based on your project’s requirements, rather than any commercial arrangements.

We can also assist with the tendering process, inviting suitable contractors to provide competitive quotations, reviewing their submissions and helping you make an informed decision about who to appoint.

When you appoint Unit3, you’re gaining more than just an architectural practice. You’re benefiting from years of industry experience, established professional relationships and a wider network of knowledge, contacts and resources that we can draw upon to support your project.

Our aim is to make the entire process easier, helping you assemble the right team, find reliable professionals and move forward with confidence.

Let’s turn your ideas into something exceptional.

Whether you have a clear vision for your project or simply an idea you’d like to explore, we’d love to hear from you.

Getting started is easy. Simply get in touch with a brief description of your project, the site address and your contact details. We’ll review your enquiry and advise on the next steps.

Once we understand your aspirations and the scope of the work involved, we’ll prepare a clear, fixed-fee proposal outlining our services and what’s included. If you’re happy to proceed, we’ll issue a digital appointment agreement for you to review and sign securely online.

If you have any existing drawings, planning history or information about restrictions affecting the property, these can be helpful at the outset. Don’t worry if you haven’t — we can guide you through what information might be needed and how to obtain it.

We’ll also explain any relevant responsibilities you have as a client under the CDM Regulations 2015 and Building Regulations, including those introduced through the Building Safety Act, so you can move forward with confidence.

Great projects start with a conversation. Get in touch with us by clicking here!