Got a question?

Starting a renovation project can raise a lot of questions. Whether you're curious about how our process works, need help with statutory requirements, or wonder why early cost assessments are so important, we’ve got you covered.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, tell us more about your home renovation project and ask how we can help.

Why choose Narrative?

  • In an architect-led consultancy, costing mechanisms are often not considered until the contractor tender stage leading to a breakdown between budget and design. In addition not collaborating with construction methodology often leads to on-site issues during construction. This causes reluctant, reactive design changes and creeping costs. Our cost consultancy services create residential design tied to a transparent and detailed costing process along, and our construction knowledge feed directly into the design process.

  • Design & build is a great way to engage a turnkey service, but it tends to design predominantly focused on its own construction framework. The design can often be muted (in comparison to an architect) and costs will typically revolve around their pricing system, rather than an average of the construction industry. Narrative ensures the design doesn't get lost in cost savings.

Process & timeline

  • At Narrative, our consultancy timescale will be clearly illustrated, set deadlines and ensure your expectations are managed throughout. 

    Typically, the process takes no longer than 4-6 months, dependant on planning and the specific requirements of your home renovation.

  • In renovations there tends to be a lot more moving parts than our clients normally expect. Narrative's main objective is to illustrate all of the things involved and diagnose what resources are needed and where. We aren't driven by one of the main disciplines such as design or construction, we are looking at all of them, finding a solution and making sure that they all communicate and collaborate throughout the consultancy period and into the construction phase.

  • You can start here! Give us a call or drop us an email.

Costing methodology

  • Associating costs as early as the end of the targeting stage means that the design process can feed off detailed data and work intimately with our client’s budget. Our pricing derives from an average of SE London construction costs as well as our trusted contractors’ rates at various levels of quality.

  • A Schedule of Works and a BOQ is a document used for costing that illustrates the written detail of the works (the Schedule) and the rates and costs for those works (the BOQ or Bill of Quantities).

  • Design, Cost and Construction. All three have a particular way of functioning and they all need to be able to relate to each other. No one is more important than the other and they intrinsically rely on each other. Narrative’s focus is to make sure that all three methodologies are given their due diligence and held in the appropriate balance with each other.

Technical and statutory requirements

  • An SE is an abbreviation for Structural Engineer. This is the design body that deals with the structural demands of the project such as steel and Foundation requirements. Narrative has numerous resources at different price points that we would recommend for your project.

  • Party wall matters can be dealt with with your neighbours directly and / or engage in a party wall surveyor to navigate these responsibilities. Narrative would both liaise with our clients on the matter and provide specialist resources where necessary to assist. Remember, party wall matters cannot stop planning, but they can make life a lot harder if not dealt with properly.

  • Typically, Narrative would do all planning applications and notifications for you. This would be built into our process and normally occurs during phase three of our consultancy process. Planning can either be a case of notification or full application and Narrative would advise. On more challenging projects Narrative also has excellent contacts with planning specialist to help navigate demanding design requirements.

  • There are a few and they are all considered when we embark upon the consultancy process. They can range from building within/bridging and/or moving drainage, moving gas or electric meters to arboriculture demands and health and safety. All of these are evaluated in phase one of our consultancy process and all costs are illustrated in our schedules and BOQ’s.