Rated architects
6
Every architect we found in HR2, 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
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Most trusted first
10reviews
★ 4.9 average on Google
6reviews
★ 5.0 average on Google
6reviews
★ 4.7 average on Google
New listing · 3 reviews
New listing · 2 reviews
No Google reviews yet
Based in neighbouring districts, covering HR2 — each card shows where they're actually based.
Hereford's housing mix — from Georgian townhouses on Broad Street to Victorian terraces in Whitecross, 1930s semis in Hampton Dene, and rural conversions in surrounding parishes — presents distinctive design challenges. Architects here work regularly with conservation area restrictions, SAP calculations for solid-walled properties, and the unique planning considerations of a cathedral city bordered by AONB countryside.
Hereford's architectural market splits between city centre conservation work (the city has multiple designated areas including the Cathedral Close and High Town) and rural conversions or extensions across the HR postcode villages. The local building stock — much of it pre-1919 with solid walls — creates demand for architects skilled in retrofitting insulation and reconfiguring dark, compartmentalised layouts. Typical projects include rear extensions on Victorian terraces (where overlooking and boundary proximity trigger prior approval hurdles), barn conversions in parishes like Clehonger and Holmer, and loft conversions on Edwardian properties where roof pitch often determines feasibility. Herefordshire Council's planning portal shows modest application volumes compared to urban centres, but turnaround times historically sit around 8–10 weeks for householder applications, longer if conservation officer input is required. The market sees steady demand rather than boom-bust cycles, with agricultural building conversions and farmhouse extensions forming a significant slice of work. Architects with Listed Building Consent experience command premium fees — Grade II properties are common across city and county, and ecclesiastical or timber-framed vernacular buildings require specialist knowledge of lime mortars, breathable construction, and heritage officer expectations.
Budget £3,500–£6,000 for full Planning and Building Regulations drawings on a typical single-storey rear extension (12–15 sq m), rising to £8,000–£12,000+ for two-storey or complex builds involving party wall matters or conservation area constraints. Listed building work often adds 30–40% due to additional surveys, heritage statements, and iterative consultations. Feasibility studies for loft conversions or side returns typically run £600–£1,200. Expect architects to visit site before quoting, assess constraints (rights of way, tree preservation orders, proximity to neighbours), and outline realistic timescales — Planning in Hereford generally takes 8 weeks for straightforward householder apps, but conservation area cases or objections can stretch to 13+ weeks. Most local architects offer staged payment (feasibility/design fee upfront, Planning submission fee on lodgement, Building Regs/tender package on approval). Check ARB registration (legally required to use the title 'architect') and ask for recent Herefordshire portfolio examples — familiarity with the local planning officer team and understanding of rural curtilage rules matters considerably. Don't expect instant responses; smaller practices dominate here, and site visits to outlying villages mean availability fluctuates.
Hereford sits within Herefordshire Council's jurisdiction, which has distinct rural planning policies affecting extension scale (Policy LD1 caps rural residential extensions to 30% volume increase in some circumstances). Conservation areas blanket much of the historic core — any external alteration visible from the street requires full Planning, not Permitted Development. The Wye Valley AONB borders the city to the southeast; properties within or near it face heightened landscape impact scrutiny and potential restrictions on roof materials or glazing. Listed buildings (circa 1,200 across the county) require separate Listed Building Consent alongside Planning — expect 10–12 week determination periods and mandatory heritage statements. Party Wall Act applies where terraces share structure. Building Control can be via Herefordshire's in-house team or Approved Inspectors; local authority turnaround for initial plan checks averages 3–4 weeks. Drainage often complicates rural builds — mains sewerage doesn't reach many villages, necessitating septic tanks or treatment plants, which require Environment Agency permits and percolation tests architects must coordinate.
Expect £4,000–£6,000 for a single-storey rear extension including Planning and Building Regs drawings, or £8,000–£14,000 for two-storey/complex builds. Conservation area or Listed Building projects often add 30–40% due to heritage statements and additional consultations. Hourly rates for feasibility advice typically run £80–£120.
Not legally, but most Building Control submissions and structural calculations benefit from professional drawings. Hereford's older housing stock (steep pitches, collar ties, chimney breasts) often requires bespoke steel beam specs and stair placement solutions. Architects charge £2,500–£5,000 for loft conversion packages depending on complexity and whether Planning is needed (it usually isn't unless you're adding dormers in a conservation area).
Herefordshire Council's statutory target is 8 weeks for householder applications. Straightforward cases often meet this; conservation area proposals or those attracting neighbour objections can stretch to 10–13 weeks. Listed Building Consent runs in parallel but often takes 10–12 weeks due to conservation officer workload.
Possibly, but conservation areas (which cover much of central Hereford, Whitecross, and parts of Hampton Park) remove most PD rights for rear extensions. Even outside conservation zones, terraces and semis face restrictions on side extensions and two-storey rears. An architect can assess your PD entitlement in 30 minutes on-site — worth doing before assuming you'll avoid Planning.
Typically a site visit, measured survey (or review of your drawings), sketch proposals showing 2–3 layout options, and written commentary on Planning prospects, structural implications, and rough cost brackets. In Hereford, expect architects to flag conservation constraints, boundary issues, or drainage complications. Fees run £600–£1,500 depending on property complexity.
Some do; it's a specialist skill. Listed Building Consent requires heritage statements, historical research, and often liaison with conservation officers and Historic England if the property is Grade I or II*. Not all local architects take on this work — ask for recent LBC project examples and expect fees 30–50% higher than standard applications.
Planning (from Herefordshire Council) governs what you can build — size, appearance, impact on neighbours/streetscape. Building Regulations ensure it's built safely — structure, insulation, drainage, fire safety. You almost always need both. Architects typically handle Planning drawings; Building Regs packages can be same architect or a separate technician, though most Hereford practices offer both services bundled.
Some offer it; many don't or charge separately. Standard architectural services in Hereford usually stop at issuing tender drawings and answering builder queries during construction. Full 'contract administration' (site inspections, payment certificates, snagging) costs an additional 3–5% of build value. Clarify scope upfront — smaller practices may prefer you appoint a separate project manager or main contractor.
Yes — this is common work across HR postcodes. Barn conversions often fall under Class Q Permitted Development (agricultural to residential) if the building was erected before 2013 and meets size/location criteria, but you'll still need Prior Approval drawings. Listed or curtilage-listed barns require full Planning and LBC. Architects familiar with Herefordshire's rural policies can navigate agricultural tie restrictions and AONB landscape requirements.
Usually yes, especially for extensions removing walls, loft conversions adding steels, or underpinning work on Hereford's older housing stock. Most architects coordinate the engineer (who produces beam calculations and foundation details), either as a subconsultant included in the architect's fee or separately invoiced. Budget £600–£1,500 for engineer input on a typical extension.
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.