What most impressed me was the end-to-end service they offered.
Undertaking a major house renovation can be a daunting prospect and for me the very first step was to appoint an architect, so guided by recommendations I began my search. Don’t see this as a cost, rather as an investment …it’s all too easy to think you can DIY and save the not inconsiderable fees, but successful design is a hugely complex task and you definitely need a seasoned professional you can 100% trust and who has been through the process countless times and that invaluable experience and know-how is what you are paying for.
My criteria included identifying a talented architect; RIBA qualified; but above all someone who would listen to my ideas, but add their own vision. Also engaging a local consultancy with knowledge of the area was critical, especially with regards to potential planning issues.
Crawford Bond Architects in Oxford ticked all of these boxes and more. Their website was super helpful with examples of past projects for other clients and a crystal clear step-by-step guide to the process involved.
What most impressed me was the end-to-end service they offered, providing introductions to Structural Engineers, a Party Wall surveyor, building contractors and countless other providers – all of whom had worked with Crawford Bond Architects for the last 15 years+. The choices were obviously mine to make, but all of the contractors came with impressive track records and that was hugely reassuring…and no cowboys in sight!
Duncan Crawford was a rock throughout what was an exciting, challenging and stressful experience in equal measures…. he was always at the end of the phone, as well as regularly on site to provide quality control, clarity, creativity and practical solutions to any problems we faced throughout the build. From the initial design stage; to drawing up contracts; managing the planning application and advising on endless minutiae… his patience, good humour and calm demeanour was simply amazing and kept me sane!
Two years later and the transformation of my home is complete and as if by magic, aka Crawford Bond Architects.
