Extended Ideas: Specialist Derby Architect Reviews 7

Having had no previous experience of working with an architect, I decided to contact Stuart Collumbell from EXTENDED IDEAS as his website showed he was keen to work on domestic projects.
From our first conversation I realised here was someone who would listen to what I was proposing and give me advice on the feasibility of my project I.e. having the hall of my 1960’s semi in Mickleover ,Derby extended to incorporate a cloakroom with toilet etc.
After in depth consultation, Stuart produced a couple of 3D designs for me to study. There was the option that he could do more if I found neither was what I wanted. However I was really happy with one of them and he is now planning to work on the next stage including applying for the necessary planning permission for the project to go ahead.
So far, Stuart has made everything very easy for me and certainly not as daunting as I had expected!

We were keen to explore the options of an loft conversion and a local magazines article recommended Extended Ideas' architectural services.

At first, Stuart from Extended Ideas listened to our lifestyle needs: more office space, more bedrooms, minimum disruption to the first floor and to blend in with the original externally. We wanted to explore a design without roof dormers.

He explored the loft space, the best location for the new staircase and discussed possibilities with us. We saw 3D plans and visuals of two design options, which really helped us feel we were considering all the possibilities.

The designs were so original, we discovered that builders also found the visuals beneficial when providing quotes and as keen to be part of something unique.

Stuart, submitted our chosen design to the council and we have just received the great news that planning approval has come through much earlier than expected so we can get to work!

We have found that what Extended Ideas does is Invaluable. Stuart clearly knows his stuff we would recommend him ten times over if anyone wants any work done on their house

We have used Stuart for two projects now and are extremely happy.

The first project he did was a single-storey kitchen extension to the rear of our house and we have been here for over 3 years. At the beginning of the project, we asked for one design as we felt confident in our needs and required an architect's input.

He improved how our design, making it better than we originally visualised and seeing it in a 3D Plan and 3D visuals really helped us.

As the project didn't require a planning application, Stuart promptly submitted plans to the council for a lawful development certificate because we wanted to legally make sure everyone was okay before we started building using the drawing to build from, everything went smoothly at and now we really enjoy living in the space.

With the second project, alterations to the front of our house, we had a completely different mindset. We looked at the space, wondered what to do with it and how to get the most out of it. Keen to get a Stuart's perspective on things we asked him for two different design options. Seeing the two designs side by side we felt that we could make the right decisions.

Stuart took our chosen design through planning with no-problems. He chased-up the planners when necessary and kept us informed at every step .

Now we can't wait to get started with the build. We feel the changes will maximise the space, give an air of something much larger than the plot suggests and give a wonderful feeling of space.

We have been thrilled with Stuart's service on both occasions, we couldn't have asked for any more and would recommend Stuart without any hesitation. There is no doubt we will be speaking to him again about other projects.

We have been living in our home renovation for over a year now and we are so happy with it. Originally we contemplated commissioning a large architectural practice, but we became aware of Extended Ideas.

Stuart showed us two design concepts that consisted of 2D, 3D plans and visuals. This allowed us to revaluate our needs and desires. A third design was provided and we were confident that this one would be best for us.

Not putting the correct amount of design emphasis into your project may appear that you are saving money, but this is short term and any initial errors or omissions will be there to remind you in years to come. You will be living with design faults that should have been sorted prior to any construction.

Stuart's process made us discover how to use space more efficiently. This revelation meant we could not justify extending upstairs, thus saving us around £30,000.

Stuart worked alongside our local council planning department, applied for pre-application advice, produce planning drawings and handled the whole planning process. The process went very smoothly and planning was granted without hiccups.

We love living in our new large, sunlit, open plan kitchen. It enables us to sit and look out onto our garden. The rear extension gives lots of sunlight and privacy, it doesn't overshadow our neighbours. It all works perfectly and is everything we have asked for.

Thank you, Stuart

Mr & Mrs Flanaghan, Etwall, Derbyshire

Stuart was recommended to me by a friend. He had done some living kitchen drawings and she said that he gave them so much more space and different ideas to consider. I commissioned him on 29th January 2019 on a house in Willington that had not been updated much since 1960. I found Stuart easy to work with and he very much listened to all my ideas for the house. He kept me up to date all the way through the process. Today he presented me with Two drawings allowing me now to visualise the house and its possibilities. He was so professional, never pushy and completely focused on what I wanted. I also felt his architectural service was very reasonably priced. Thank you, Stuart.

2022 Update...My house renovation was completed over 2-years ago and the space is amazing.

It doesn't resemble anything like the original house; helped by the addition of bi-fold doors, open-kitchen and loft conversion with windows over looking the garden. The open plan kitchen/diner is where the two downstairs bedrooms were and I wanted the kitchen at the back of the house. Stuart’s drawings helped me to envisage this. The dormer room was all new with main bedroom and en-suite bathroom and again it was Stuart’s drawings that helped me and the builders to create this beautiful space.

The renovation was designed so it did not require planning permission and was within permitted development rights. Also, Stuart's drawings were a massive help with the builder and kitchen designer. The builder used these drawings for all the structural work that was needed.

The road on which my house is one of the nicest in Willington. And for me to be able to turn it into my forever home was wonderful. The whole design is exactly what I now realise I wanted. I found Stuart really easy to work with and he listened to all the plans I had and then put this into a drawing which was exactly as I wanted. This is my forever home.

Thank you again, Stuart.

Mary Rogers

We have been in our newly renovated living kitchen and garage conversion for nearly 4-months now and I am really pleased with how it has turned out.

Stuart provided 3D plans and visuals of two different design options. One with an extension and the other with a garage conversion. What this helped within my mind was cementing the decision not to extend.

Most people just naturally think I need more space, I'll extend. This would have been the worst thing, with hindsight, we could have done. If we have had done it blind-sighted and extended. We would have ended up with less garden space and it would all still have been incomplete. Making better use of your existing space is what it's all about and saves money along the way.

Our home renovation fell within budget and we're so happy with the outcome.

For several years we have been trying to envisage the perfect design for our home renovation, to provide us with the perfect living kitchen and extension. So many different ideas confused us, and nothing was ever perfect.

We searched  the internet to see if there was help out there. We came across an  architectural design service and thought, we'll give it a go.  Stuart gave great professional advice, was  friendly, and put us at ease. He clearly understood exactly what we needed, and we couldn't wait to see what his input would provide.

The designs show 2D and 3D plans and internal and external visuals that we could have never envisage. This meant we could proceed with our project.

Now it's complete, we can honestly say that Stuart's involvement made our dream home possible and can't thank him enough.