Revised 06-03-2026
HNA Architects offer a complete range of architect’s services. Our services are arranged as per the RIBA Work Stages and services can be tailored to suit individual project or client requirements. We offer:
HNA are also able to carry out the statutory roles of:
If you haven’t worked with an architect before it is quite common not to fully know what architects do, or what the process of architecture involves. With this in mind we have provided a fuller description of each Work Stage to help explain the process. HNA Architects aim only to provide the services that will be of benefit to you and your project.
This stage is where we discuss and agree your requirements, what problems you are trying to solve, budgets, etc. to establish a detailed project brief that we use as the basis for our design work. This is where we would normally organise measured surveys of the site or existing building (if needed).
This stage is where we begin to form our ideas as to how best to satisfy the brief whilst addressing various other requirements, such as planning, building regulations, structural implications, site topography, best use of light, views, solar gain, drainage strategy, privacy and amenity for you and for your neighbours, and so on.
We will produce a full design at this stage for your input, comment and approval, and once agreed we can fix the design before progressing to the next stage. For large or complex projects, it may require the appointment of other specialists at this stage, such as a Structural Engineer or Quantity Surveyor, in order to sufficiently advance the design, to identify how we will overcome structural or services challenges, or to allow accurate budget costs to be ascertained.
During this stage we would also establish if planning permission would be required. If so, we would also establish if a pre-planning application to obtain formal comment from the Local Planning Authority (LPA) would be beneficial, prior to advancing to RIBA Stage 3.
This stage, also called Spatial Coordination, is where the concept design has been agreed with you and is now fixed. The design can now be developed to a more detailed level and any outstanding issues resolved. Only once complete can planning permission be applied for.
Planning departments require specific information and have specific drawing format standards, so this is where we also prepare and submit the planning application including all relevant drawings and supporting documents required by the LPA. Keep in mind that information by other specialists may be required as part of a planning application, such as a tree survey, bat survey, heritage assessment, etc.
Once submitted we always endeavour to work with the LPA to achieve a successful outcome for applications by responding to queries and by trying to maintain open dialogue with planning officers throughout the process.
This is where planning permission has been granted and we now prepare detailed information on how the building will be constructed. Drawings for many projects will require a package of information suitable for a competent builder to build from, and to be used in the Building Regulations application.
In addition to our work for this stage, we will often require a structural engineer to be appointed to the project to produce calculations or drawings for, for example, foundations or new steelwork. Several other specialist reports or consultants may be needed during this process depending on the project, such as an air test, heating and ventilation systems details, fire report, etc.
Building Regulations applications run throughout the construction process, with Final Approval only being achieved once the building work is completed.
This stage, if required, is where additional drawings are prepared beyond those required by Building Control, and in order to provide sufficient co-ordinated details for any items or products to be created, installed or manufactured. This could include detailed staircase designs, door and window details and schedules, concepts for fitted furniture, lighting designs, finishes layouts, etc.
Large or complex projects are likely to require far more details. However, even smaller projects can benefit from some level of detailing in order to achieve more accurate tender prices and/or to provide certainty of finishes and details.
Once Stage 4 drawings are complete, they can be used as part of the tender process. HNA can help with the tender process if required. Complex projects may also require the use of a Quantity Surveyor.
This stage runs from when the building contract has been signed, just prior to the building contractor taking over the site and beginning the works, and runs largely until completion of the works, called Practical Completion or PC, along with a later requirement to review any defects that come to light within the first 12 months after PC.
Our work during this phase will be to administer the contract via a monthly general inspection, and site progress meetings on larger projects, to ascertain that the construction contract and programme is being adhered to. We also issue contractual certificates, such as payment certificates and completion certificates, and we issue architect’s instructions should changes be required by you after building works have commenced.
For anything other than domestic projects HNA will likely require the appointment of a Quantity Surveyor to provide valuation services as part of this work. QS fees are separate and not included within our fees.
In addition to the RIBA work stages, HNA also offer a variety of Additional Services, including:
The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) has several client guides, links to YouTube guides, and an FAQs section here: https://www.riba.org/explore/find-an-architect/why-work-with-an-architect/
The ARB (Architects Registration Board) has several guides here: https://arb.org.uk/public-information/
If you have a specific query that has not been answered in the information above, please email your query to info@hna-architects.co.uk.