Rated architects
7
Every architect we found in GU9, with Google's own ratings — collected by Google, not by us. The bar beside each name is their review count on one fixed scale, so the list can be read at a glance and a short list is a short district, not a hidden one.
Most trusted first
Review volume
Contact
Most trusted first
16reviews
★ 5.0 average on Google
13reviews
★ 5.0 average on Google
10reviews
★ 4.9 average on Google
6reviews
★ 5.0 average on Google
6reviews
★ 5.0 average on Google
New listing · 3 reviews
New listing · 1 review
Based in neighbouring districts, covering GU9 — each card shows where they're actually based.
Farnham's Georgian heart, Victorian terraces on Castle Street, and sprawling post-war estates mean architects here juggle conservation area constraints, Surrey Hills AONB planning policy, and the ever-present challenge of extending valuable but modestly-sized family homes. Whether you're working with a Grade II shopfront on Borough or adding a rear extension to a Wrecclesham semi, local planning quirks demand someone who knows Waverley Borough Council inside-out.
Farnham sits within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which layers extra planning scrutiny onto most projects. The town centre conservation area covers much of the historic core — expect Article 4 Directions limiting permitted development rights on Georgian and Victorian properties. Demand centres on rear and side extensions for Victorian terraces (where narrow plots make every metre count), loft conversions on inter-war semis in Weybourne and Wrecclesham, and basement conversions on larger Edwardian properties near the town centre. New builds are rare inside the settlement boundary; most happen on edge-of-town infill plots or barn conversions in surrounding villages like Tilford and Frensham. Architects working here need fluency in Waverley's Design SPD, which pushes brick-and-tile vernacular and resists overly contemporary materials. Lead times for planning decisions run 8–10 weeks for householders, longer if parish councils weigh in on AONB-visible elevations. Surrey clay subsoil means foundation design matters — underpinning often crops up on Victorian stock, and drainage calculations get scrutinised closely.
Budget £3,000–£6,000 for full architectural services on a single-storey rear extension (design through to building control sign-off), rising to £8,000–£15,000 for two-storey or complex loft conversions. Listed building work or conservation area projects add 20–30% due to heritage statement requirements and slower pre-app negotiations. Most Farnham practices charge hourly (£80–£150/hour) or percentage-of-build-cost (8–12%). Expect a measured survey visit, then 2–3 weeks for initial drawings. Planning application prep takes another 2–4 weeks once you've signed off designs; add the council's 8-week determination period, and you're 3–4 months from first meeting to permission. RIBA-chartered architects dominate the market here — check the register, ask for professional indemnity insurance (minimum £250k for domestic work), and confirm they've handled Waverley planning before. Many Farnham architects also cover building regulations submission, which is separate from planning and costs £400–£800 in council fees alone. Emergency work doesn't really exist in architecture; if a surveyor flags structural movement, you want someone who can coordinate engineers and submit retrospective applications quickly.
Waverley Borough Council designates most of central Farnham a conservation area, meaning you'll need planning permission for extensions that would normally fall under permitted development. Article 4 Directions remove PD rights entirely on many streets — your architect should check this before quoting fixed fees. The Surrey Hills AONB boundary runs close to or through parts of Upper Hale, Weybourne, and Badshot Lea; any prominent elevation visible from public vantage points faces heightened landscape-impact scrutiny. Listed buildings (Farnham has over 400) require separate Listed Building Consent, even for internal alterations. Expect pre-application advice to cost £150–£300 but save months of back-and-forth. Parking is contentious: Waverley wants two spaces for most family homes, tricky on narrow Victorian plots. If you're near the town centre or station, your architect may need to argue a 'sustainable location' case. Building Control can be handled by Waverley or a private Approved Inspector — most architects have a preference and will advise. Tree Preservation Orders are common; any work within crown spread of a TPO tree needs consent, adding 6–8 weeks.
Full services (design, planning, building regs, site inspections) typically run £3,500–£6,000 for a single-storey rear extension, £7,000–£12,000 for two-storey. Conservation area or listed building projects add £1,500–£3,000 due to heritage statements and longer planning negotiations. Many architects quote 10% of construction cost as a rough guide.
Not always — permitted development allows up to 50 cubic metres of new roof volume on detached houses, 40 on terraces/semi-detached. But if you're in the conservation area (most of central Farnham) or an Article 4 area, you'll need full planning permission. Your architect should check the planning portal and council constraints map first.
Householder applications take 8 weeks from validation. If you're in a conservation area or near a listed building, expect neighbour consultation and parish council input to extend this to 10 weeks. Pre-application advice adds 4–6 weeks upfront but often smooths the formal application.
The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers land around Farnham's edges. If your property sits within or near the boundary, Waverley scrutinises designs for landscape impact — expect pressure to use traditional materials, limit visibility from public footpaths, and respect rooflines. Your architect will need to submit a landscape assessment for larger projects.
Yes, but you'll need planning permission even for modest rear extensions due to conservation area rules. Waverley favours subservient designs in brick to match existing, and you'll likely need a heritage statement explaining how you've preserved character. Expect 10–12 weeks for approval once submitted.
Most RIBA-chartered architects offer building regs drawings as part of their service, though some charge separately (£800–£1,500). You'll still pay Waverley's Building Control fees (£400–£900 depending on project size) or hire a private Approved Inspector. Confirm what's included when you get a quote.
A feasibility study (£500–£1,200) explores whether your project is viable before committing to full design fees. Useful for tight plots, listed buildings, or when you're unsure if Waverley will grant permission. The architect reviews planning policy, site constraints, and rough costs, then advises go/no-go.
Check the National Heritage List for listed buildings (historicengland.org.uk) and Waverley's online planning constraints map. Most of central Farnham east of the A31 is a conservation area. If you're unsure, your architect can confirm during the initial survey.
Yes — if previous owners extended without permission or you've breached conditions, an architect can prepare a retrospective application. Success depends on whether the work complies with current policy. Waverley can serve enforcement notices, so address it sooner rather than later.
Planning permission (from Waverley) checks your design fits local policy — appearance, size, impact on neighbours. Building regulations (from Building Control) ensure structural safety, fire exits, insulation, drainage. You need both for most extensions. Your architect typically handles planning; building regs can be submitted by architect, builder, or a specialist.
About this guide
Compiled from held data
This guide is assembled by Domifyr from the data we hold: Google ratings and review counts (collected by Google, not by us), UK statutory register requirements, and typical price ranges for the area. No individual author is credited because no individual wrote it — and we would rather tell you that than invent someone.