Who do you work with and where?
Due to where we are based we tend to serve families and homeowners across East Renfrewshire and Glasgow Southside (G76, G77, G46, G78, plus nearby). We have taken on jobs as far as Edinburgh, Falkirk and Lugton too. We take on 10–15 projects per year so we can give each one proper time.

What types of projects do you take on?
House extensions, loft/attic conversions, internal reconfigurations, and bespoke new build homes.

What’s the first step?
Book a free up to 30-minute discovery call. If it’s a good fit, we arrange an on-site working consultation.

Do you charge for the first visit?
Yes— £100 for an on-site working consultation. We review aims, feasibility, constraints and outline the best route to approvals.

What packages do you offer?

• Straight to Consents (Bronze): one clear option; Planning + Building Warrant drawings.

• 2D Design (Silver): three 2D options, one refined design; Planning + Building Warrant.

• 3D Design (Gold): three 2D options plus 3D model, animation and realistic imagery; Planning + Building Warrant

What’s the difference between Planning Permission and a Building Warrant (Scotland)?
Planning permission deals with the use, size and appearance (how it affects neighbours/streets).

A Building Warrant checks the technical standards (structure, insulation, fire, drainage, etc.). Many small works don’t need Planning permission (permitted development) but still need a Building Warrant.

Planning approval and Building Warrant approval are two different consents.

How long do approvals take?

Typical guide (varies by council and workload):

• Planning: ~8–12 weeks from validation.

• Building Warrant: ~4–8+ weeks depending on complexity and responses.
  We can’t guarantee timescales, but we prepare robust submissions to minimise queries.

Can you tell me if my project needs Planning?
Yes— on the discovery call we’ll advise generally, and at consultation we confirm the most likely route (Permitted Development vs Planning) and any risks.

Do you deal with the council for us?
Yes. We prepare and submit applications, act as your agent, and respond to council queries.

Do I need a structural engineer?
Most extensions/loft conversions/new builds require structural engineering. We coordinate with an independent structural engineer and integrate their details into the Warrant drawings. Their fee is separate to our architectural fee.

How do your fees work?
We price by package with staged payments (e.g., appointment, concept, planning submission, warrant submission). Council fees and third-party costs (surveys, structural engineer) are separate.

Do you charge VAT?
We are not required to charge VAT at present. If that changes, we’ll state it clearly in your quotation.

How long will the design stage take?
Typically 4–10 weeks depending on scope and the package you choose (Straight to Consents is quickest; 3D/iterative design takes longer).

Can you help me choose a builder and get prices?
Yes— on request we can prepare a tender pack and invite builders to price. This is an add-on service.

Will you manage the build?
We have provided site support/contract administration as an optional service in the past, however, we do not currently offer this as a service. We can give you a link to a contract you can put in place with a builder should they not offer one. Always get agreements in writing with your builder.

Who owns the drawings?
Houlet Studio retains copyright. You receive a licence to use the drawings for your project at your property.

What if I change my mind during design?
The package you choose will include a defined number of options/revisions. Additional iterations can be added if needed. Later on in the process, we can also apply for a non material variation and/or building warrant amendment if required.

Do you work on listed buildings or conservation areas?
Yes—these may require additional information and time. We’ll advise on risks and strategy at consultation.

Do you handle Building Control completion?
We’ll assist through to building warrant approval. We send you all the information you need to submit the completion on your own but should you need help we can look at this for you as an added service.

Typical project timeline (guide):
Discovery call → On-site consultation → Survey/measure → Concept design → Client review → Planning (if needed) → Building Warrant → Tender (optional) → Build → Completion.

How do I get started?
Book a free discovery call. If we’re a fit, we’ll propose the right package and send a written quotation with stages and fees.