The term Architectural Design covers a large market, ranging through residential, industrial, commercial and specialised aspects such as sustainability, conservation and more.

Our business aims to serve mainly homeowners and small commercial (e.g. shops, restaurants), where the market is large and currently fragmented. It is served by local disparate architectural businesses, all offering different services, processes, quality and pricing. Also, without a common approach or strategy to existing and upcoming technology and Ai.

Typically, homeowners mainly need house extension design, planning drawings, planning consent, house remodelling, outbuilding design/upgrading, help with planning enforcement or defining lawful uses. Whilst commercial owners or leaseholders, often require change of use, shop/restaurant design, extension and planning applications.

Also, once planning permission is achieved, or sometimes where it isn’t needed, the onward stage is defining how Building Regulations are achieved with the build. Sometimes, architecture professionals will also project manage the onward project.

Summary of market opportunity

  • Large market opportunity in every area of the UK.
  • Fulfilling and professional role.
  • High profit margin, low operating cost.
  • Work from home from 15 hours per week, with plenty of day and hour flexibility.
  • Fragmented market currently, crying out for a recognised and quality national brand.
  • Traditional and outdated market practices currently, ripe for an innovative entrant.
  • Opportunity to share facilities across geographic regions, such as designs, software and insurance, resulting in greater efficiency and less cost.

The UK market value for house extension design alone, is very large, running to an estimated 5000+ householder planning applications per week, at an average cost each of around £2000 taking design, drawings and applications into account. Add to this other related inputs and applications, and the overall UK architectural design market is estimated to be in excess of £9 billion revenue per annum, for competent practitioners.

Also, with the right training, technology and ongoing support, motivated new entrants can start earning in this marketplace within 3 months and can thereafter continue to learn to undertake fuller assignments. There are 3 distinct earning opportunities, namely:

  • Selling to local clients (marketing locally, visiting potential clients, understanding their needs, discussing broad solutions, onward sales and property capture).
  • Using 2D and/or 3D software to model the existing property, and to design potential solutions to the client needs. Interacting with the client, until a good solution is agreed upon. Modelling the final solution.
  • Converting the solution to a planning application, if needed, and submitting the same to the local authority. Onward management of this application, toward achieving a positive outcome. Client interaction along the way.

The above earning opportunities do not necessarily need to be undertaken by the same person, and in many instances, they are not. However, the process between the three, needs to be cohesive, in order to get the best outcome for the client. Architecture professionals naturally have their strengths and ‘could be better ifs’, so it makes sense to link strengths to the required task. This is the benefit of working together in collaborative environments.

Using combined local and national marketing techniques, it is reasonable for a partner to progress at least 3-5 designs per month, netting £500-£1500 per design. Naturally, the time and effort expended will ultimately drive the level of demand and supply. This operating cost of this business is generally low, mainly requiring one’s own time, so profitability can be high. As time progresses, skill level and tricks of the trade are reinforced, resulting in the ability to tackle each project in a lesser timeframe.

Property owners needing design, plans and planning permission are currently left scouring local listings to try and find someone suitable. They often end-up with architects who are generally overly qualified and expensive for these type of jobs. Many of these practictioners still use outdated feasibility and design methodologies such as traditional black and white line drawings. Few use 3D modelling or Virtual Reality to help clients truly visualise the outcome prior to producing detailed plans. This naturally leads to sub optimal outcomes, as most projects have multiple possibilities, each with a balance between design, client benefits, cost and practical implications.

Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of this lucrative market, is that there is no standout or obvious national brand for such services.

All this presents a great opportunity for a new national company to disrupt this rather inflexible, traditional and overly expensive market. This can be achieved by building national coverage using new or existing local designers like yourself, to service the demand you and our company creates. We will promote our Property Designer national brand and offer clients a high quality, flexible and cost-effective architectural design experience, using the latest technology.