What to Consider When Briefing Your Architectural Designer

Starting a new project - whether it’s a home extension, a reconfiguration of existing space, or a complete new-build - can feel both exciting and overwhelming. One of the most important steps in the journey is the initial consultation with your chosen architectural designer. At MWArchitectural, we offer this first meeting free of charge, giving you the opportunity to explore ideas, ask questions and understand the pathway ahead without any obligation. However, to get the most out of this discussion, it’s helpful to arrive with a clear sense of your priorities. Here are the key things we recommend you consider when briefing an architectural professional.

1. Be Clear About Your Budget

Budget is often the most difficult topic for clients to discuss, but it is absolutely essential. We need an honest, realistic figure from the beginning so we can guide you effectively - whether that’s recommending cost-efficient construction methods, advising on phasing options, or exploring alternative materials.

Even if your budget has a degree of flexibility, it’s useful for us to understand your comfort zone and any absolute maximum. This helps avoid designs that are either unachievable or unnecessarily cautious. Transparency at this stage ensures your project develops in a way that aligns with your financial expectations and avoids surprises later on.

Landscaping design is one aspect of a construction project which is frequently left until last and therefore suffers when budgets become strained. Setting aside protected 'pots' of money for each element with suitable contingencies for each can be crucial to maintain the original vision.

2. Outline Your Timescales

Understanding your expected timescales is another key part of the briefing process. Are you hoping to complete your project within a year? Are there personal milestones - such as a new arrival, a change of job or a planned event - that influence your timeline? Timescales help us tailor the design and planning strategy to suit your needs.

Different projects progress at different speeds, depending on their complexity, planning requirements and contractor availability. By sharing your ideal timeframe early on, we can assess its feasibility, flag any potential challenges and outline the key milestones that will shape your project journey.

One of the most common methods to accelerate a project programme is to carry out the planning approval and technical design/ tendering phases in parallel. This comes with inherent risk but can potentially save months of waiting. Get in touch to discuss how your project might benefit from this technique.

3. Think About Your Overall Brief

Your brief forms the backbone of the design process. It doesn’t need to be perfectly polished at the first meeting - many clients come to us with rough ideas, sketches or simply a list of frustrations with their current layout. All of this is valid and helpful.

When thinking about your brief, consider questions such as:

• What problems are you trying to solve?

• What new spaces do you want to create?

• How do you want the building to feel and function day-to-day?

• Are there specific features you want to include - such as improved natural light, better connection to the garden, or more efficient storage?

We’ll help shape these ideas into a clear, structured brief that guides the design in the right direction and be able to advise on how they might impact costs, required statutory approvals and timescales.

4. Share Any Styles or Aesthetic Preferences

Architectural style is deeply personal. Whether you love clean contemporary lines, warm timber Scandi interiors, traditional detailing or a blend of styles, it’s incredibly helpful for us to understand your preferences from the outset. Images, mood boards or examples of buildings you admire can be especially useful. These references help us create a scheme that feels authentically 'you' while also working seamlessly with the existing building and its context.

Some 'standout' design moves are rooted in the very earliest conversation. This home in Leicestershire wanted a highly contemporary aesthetic with some incorporation of render; the black brickwork and timber cladding were later additions.

Moving Forward

The initial consultation should scrutinise possibilities, explore the process and make sure we’re the right fit for your project. At MWArchitectural, we’re passionate about crafting thoughtful, well-considered designs that respond to your brief, budget, style and aspirations.

If you’re ready to begin your project journey, we’d be delighted to start the conversation.