The National Park is increasingly one large village. A strong rural character is still present in the long-term residents. If you buy a property in the area you have to accept that most local people will know a lot about you if not within days then certainly within the first few weeks. It is a good thing in many ways as even the most famous residents don't get bothered which is possibly part of the reason they come.

There is a tradition of personal recommendation which still thrives. Whether you are looking for an Architect or a chimney sweep asking around will usually produce honest opinions.

To my mind this is a sensible approach.

Nearly all my work comes from recommendation - but that probably reflects the rural location.

Websites are a good tool. I find that clients often use my site as a reference check before getting in touch to have an initial chat.

Commercial Listings and Directories

Choosing any firm out of such as Yellow Pages is a bit of a lottery and long ago I removed my Yellow Pages advertisement however I do know that some colleagues get work from advertising in YP and/or yell.com.

There are a number of online listings of Architects of generally poor quality and often include non-Architects (see Architects Registration Board (ARB) in next section).

In my case telephone or email usually and we have an informal chat. It doesn't need to be about an imminent job I will answer any query as best I can. Social media is also fine - links are at the top left of this page.

Within reasonable distance I don't mind meeting up for a no-obligation chat on site. If this goes well then I will send a fee proposal. If that is acceptable then I can organise measuring up or further research and get things under way.

There isn't a standard pattern to be honest - every job is different and I try to be as flexible and accommodating as I can.

Broadly speaking the headings below are a reasonable summary of how jobs proceed although every job is different and I doubt if I have ever seen one which went exactly as the list, but it is a useful read.

On some projects stages are 'telescoped' by clients eager to get work under way immediately after planning consent and on many jobs now detail design is a rolling programme. I tend to work on these types of job with a team of trusted contractors who can handle the demands of such a process and still produce very high quality workmanship.

The RIBA (see left) famously produces a 'Plan of Work' document with nicely set out stages and procedures but while an interesting reference work I have never seen it used directly in a project but worth a look via the link

• Initial contact, follow up meeting for informal discussion

• Agree terms (I send you a fee estimate) See Charges page
• Do measured survey (I now recommend a local firm of land surveyors to quote for the measured survey)
• Draw/model up the existing layout
• Draw/model up a design
• Discuss with client and amend (repeat as necessary)
• Make any Planning Applications on client's behalf
• Wait for Planning Consent or resolve any issues, if possible
• Draw up detail plans to allow builder to price and to
• Make Building Regulations application
• Agree choice of contractor(s) with client
• If appointed to run the job arrange for formal acceptance of prices and start of work on site.
• If appointed to do so carry out periodic inspections of the work
• Sort out any problems that arise during the works
• If appointed to do so certify contractor's claims for payment and agree final account.

While this is a simplification it just about covers the usual order of events in a typical project. Below is a bit more detail: