Architects in Durham & the North East
Residential architectural design and drawings from our office at Aykley Heads, Durham, for homeowners across Newcastle, Sunderland, Teesside and Northumberland, and remotely nationwide. Our structural engineers sit in the same office, so your design is buildable from the first sketch.
An architect near you, with engineers in the same room
CR Design Services has designed extensions, conversions and new homes since 2012. The team includes a senior architect who has been a registered architect for over 25 years, architectural technologists and in-house structural engineers, coordinated by a Technical Director who is a technical member of the ICE, with a dedicated project lead as your single point of contact. We are ARB registered, RIBA and ICE members, fully insured with every design covered for £1m, and rated 5.0 from more than 70 Google reviews. Because the structure is considered while the layout is still being drawn, you avoid a scheme that wins planning approval and then proves unbuildable or unaffordable.
- A measured survey and scaled existing plans and elevations
- Proposed plans and elevations, refined with you over a reasonable number of revisions
- Planning drawings with a licensed OS location plan, submitted as your agent where needed
- Building regulations drawings and a full written specification
- Structural calculations and drawings from our in-house engineers
- Optional 3D visualisation, building control application and Principal Designer (CDM) duties
- House extensions, single and two storey
- Loft conversions, including dormer and hip-to-gable
- Garage conversions and porches
- Wall removal and internal remodelling
- New build homes and Class Q barn conversions
- Commercial schemes
Nine stages, and you only commit to the next one
- Site visit and measured survey. We measure the building, levels, openings and services, and photograph the affected areas.
- Existing and proposed drawings. Scaled drawings of the house as it stands, a brief agreed in person or by video call, then proposed plans and elevations refined with you. Survey to agreed design typically takes one to three weeks.
- Planning application, if required. We confirm the route, prepare the planning drawings in two to three weeks and manage the application as your agent. Councils typically take around eight weeks to decide.
- Building regulations drawings and specification. The technical pack your builder prices and builds from, typically prepared within two to three weeks.
- Structural design. Beams, lintels, padstones, foundations and connections, calculated by our own engineers in parallel with the building regulations pack.
- Optional stages. Building control application with Principal Designer (CDM) duties, tendering to a shortlist of five contractors, and project management on site.
Fees are fixed in writing for each stage before it starts and paid at the start of that stage. See the full nine-stage process and typical timescales.
How our fees work
Every stage is a fixed fee, agreed in writing before it starts, and you only pay for the stages you use. The figure depends on the type of project, the size and type of your property and where it is: site visits outside our local postcode areas (NE, DH, DL, TS and SR) carry a travel charge, projects inside the M25 are priced higher, and listed buildings and conservation areas involve extra work. Council and building control fees are separate and paid directly to them.
- Site visit and measured survey
- Existing and proposed drawings
- Planning application, submitted as your agent, where required
- Building regulations drawings and specification
- Structural design and calculations
- Optional extras such as 3D visuals, party wall notices and site support
The instant quote tool prices every stage separately for your property in about two minutes, with no obligation. If you already have planning drawings, upload them and we send a fixed written proposal.
Planning permission and building regulations
Many single-storey extensions, rooflight lofts and garage conversions are permitted development, within strict depth, height and volume limits that tighten near boundaries and on designated land. Checking the route is one of the first things we do: full planning permission, or a Certificate of Lawful Development. Either way we prepare the drawings and OS map and act as your agent with the council.
Almost every extension, conversion and structural alteration needs building regulations approval, even without planning permission. We prepare the technical drawings, specification and structural calculations, typically within two to three weeks, and can manage the building control application through to the completion certificate you will need if you sell or remortgage.
Read our guides to planning permission for house extensions, loft conversions and removing internal walls.
See real drawing packs before you commission one
We publish anonymised packs from completed projects at reduced resolution: planning drawings for a whole-house extension with dormer loft and remodel, building regulations and structural packs for a first-floor extension with garage conversion, and the technical drawings for a house extension with internal remodelling. Browse the example project packs.
Frequently asked
Do you work as a residential architect near me?
Yes. We work as residential architects for homeowners across Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Teesside and Northumberland, and remotely with clients across the UK. Only the site visit has to happen at your property; the consultation can be in person or by video call, so you never need to visit our office.
Are you based in Durham?
Yes. Our office is at Salvus House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS, and our architects, technologists and structural engineers all work from there. We work with clients locally and nationwide.
How much does an architect cost for an extension?
Our fees are fixed per stage rather than a percentage of the build cost, and each stage is agreed in writing before it starts. The figure depends on the type of extension, your property and its location. The instant quote tool gives the exact fee for your home in about two minutes, with no obligation.
How long do architectural drawings take?
Survey, consultation and an agreed proposed design typically take one to three weeks. Planning drawings and building control drawings are each typically prepared within two to three weeks. If a planning application is needed, councils usually take around eight weeks to decide it.
Can you submit my planning application for me?
Yes. We act as your agent, prepare the drawings and licensed OS location plan, submit the application and deal with the council through to a decision. Our admin fee is fixed and quoted up front; the council charges its own application fee separately. Approval can never be guaranteed because the decision rests with the local authority.
I already have drawings from another architect. Can you help?
Yes. From your planning drawings we can prepare the building regulations drawings and structural design; from building control drawings our engineers can provide the structural calculations alone. Upload your drawings through the instant quote tool and we will send a fixed written proposal.
Do you only work on houses?
No. Most of our work is residential, from porches and garage conversions to new build homes, but we provide the same design and engineering for commercial schemes including schools, retail, industrial and hospitality buildings.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project and we'll talk you through the right stages, the likely route and what to expect.