Architectural Designers · Surrey
Surrey projects are a different scale from inner London. Bigger plots, detached houses, room for serious new builds. We work across the county - from extensions in Esher to ground-up homes in Cobham - handling the architecture, planning and construction ourselves.
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Working in Surrey
Surrey has something that most of London does not - space. The plots are larger, the houses are detached, and there is room to do things properly. That changes the kind of projects we take on here. New build homes on private plots. Large extensions that wrap around three sides of a property. Full renovations of period homes that need bringing back to life.
The planning landscape is more varied than London too. Surrey has multiple district and borough councils - Elmbridge, Guildford, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Waverley - each with their own local plan. Parts of the county sit in the Green Belt, which adds another layer entirely. We navigate all of it, whichever part of Surrey your property is in.
As experienced residential architectural designers, we handle both design and construction. One team manages architecture, planning and building under a single contract - our design-and-build model.
Services in Surrey
Surrey projects tend to be larger in scale than our inner London work because the properties and plots allow for it. Alongside house extensions and loft conversions, we design new build homes on private plots, manage HMO conversions for developers, and carry out whole-house renovations of period properties.
The design quality stays the same whether we are working in Chelsea or Cobham. The only difference is scale - and in Surrey, the scale tends to be bigger. We also provide interior design services for clients who want a complete transformation.
Planning in Surrey
The planning landscape in Surrey is more complex than most of London. The county is divided between multiple local planning authorities, each with its own policies and priorities. Elmbridge covers Esher, Weybridge and Cobham. Guildford Borough handles Guildford itself and surrounding villages. Mole Valley takes in Leatherhead and Dorking. Reigate and Banstead, Epsom and Ewell, Woking, Waverley - each has a different approach.
The Green Belt is the biggest planning constraint in Surrey. It covers large areas of the county and imposes strict limits on new buildings and significant extensions. Replacement dwellings are sometimes possible if the new building is not materially larger than the original. Outside the Green Belt, the prospects for new development are generally better.
Conservation areas in towns like Cobham, Esher, Guildford and Reigate restrict Permitted Development rights, meaning a full planning application is usually needed. We check the planning position for every property and advise on what is realistically achievable before any design work begins.
Cost Guide
Construction costs for extensions in Surrey typically range from £2,200 to £3,500 per square metre, depending on specification. A rear extension usually costs between £60,000 and £130,000. Double storey extensions typically come in at £100,000 to £200,000. Wrap-around extensions range from £80,000 to £160,000.
Loft conversions range from £55,000 to £100,000 depending on the type. New build homes start from around £2,500 per square metre for construction, with the plot cost separate and varying enormously by location. For a bespoke detached home, construction alone can start from around £500,000 and go well beyond that depending on size, finishes and site conditions.
Professional fees for architecture, structural engineering and building regulations usually add 10 to 15 percent on top. For broader London area pricing, see our house extension cost guide.
Cost Calculator
Tell us the size, location and finish level. Our calculator returns a realistic range for your extension or loft conversion, with a detailed breakdown available.
Property Types
Surrey has a diverse housing stock that reflects centuries of building. Georgian and Victorian properties are found in established towns like Guildford, Reigate and Cobham. Large Edwardian detached houses are common across the stockbroker belt - Esher, Weybridge, Oxshott and Virginia Water. Inter-war houses from the 1920s and 1930s make up a significant part of the suburban landscape.
What sets Surrey apart from inner London is the plot sizes. Detached houses on generous grounds are common, creating opportunities for significant extensions, new build projects and even plot subdivision. Many properties have large gardens that can accommodate substantial rear and side extensions without overwhelming the site.
Nearby Areas
Our Surrey work extends across the county, from the London borders through to Guildford, Dorking and Reigate. We also cover the London boroughs closest to Surrey, including Richmond, Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Kingston.
Across London, we work in Chelsea, Kensington, Hampstead, Islington, Hackney and Camden. We take on projects within a 30-mile radius of London, including parts of Hertfordshire, Kent, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
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