Our office & showroom is based in Colchester, and we typically cover areas within a 60-mile radius. If you're unsure whether your location falls within our service area, feel free to get in touch - we're always happy to help!

We specialise in a range of high-quality projects, including bespoke renovations, period property restorations, custom-built homes, and home extensions. Whether you're looking to modernise a heritage property or create a unique new build from the ground up, our team brings experience and attention to detail to every project.

Most definitely. Adding extra floor space is one of the most effective ways to increase your property’s value. Well-designed extensions not only enhance your living space but also offer a strong return on investment. Features like open-plan layouts, expansive glazing, high-quality kitchens & a striking garden are especially attractive to buyers and can significantly boost your home’s appeal.

Research from Nationwide Building Society indicates that adding floor space through an extension or loft conversion can increase your property's value by up to 25%. Specifically, adding an extra bedroom can boost value by nearly 15%, while an additional bathroom can add around 6% to the average home's worth.

Building control is a vital part of any construction project, ensuring that all work meets current building regulations for safety, energy efficiency, and structural integrity. Building control surveyors carry out site inspections at key stages of the build to check that everything is being done to the correct standards -  helping to prevent poor workmanship and "cowboy" building practices.

You can appoint building control through your local council or use an approved independent inspector. Once the work is complete and meets all the necessary criteria, you’ll receive a Completion Certificate. This document is essential when it comes to selling or re-mortgaging your home.

Not sure what your project needs? Speak to your architect or the Project Nine team — we're happy to guide you through the process.

There are many factors to consider here…. Under permitted development rights you can make certain changes to your property without needing to apply for planning permission. However, some locations are restricted from permitted development so any potential project needs to be checked with your architect or local planning authority first. Even if the project does fall under permitted development, you will still need plans drawn up, as it’s a legal requirement. For further information please read this handy guide on the Government’s planning portal Extensions - Guide to permitted development (planningportal.co.uk) 

As a guideline this usually takes 8-10 weeks to obtain a decision from the local authority. Should your project then require building regulations drawings, this could take another 4-8 weeks. 

Building regulations help to ensure that projects are going to be safe and high performing. Detailed drawings are carried out by the architect and cover range of topics which are bespoke to each project. From structural integrity to energy performance, ventilation and drainage. Building regs drawings are then used by the building contractors as a set of standards to adhere to. Find out more here…. Building regulations approval: When you need approval - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

A successful project requires a good amount of time spent on the design & pre-construction phase. So, it’s never too early to start planning! With the lead times mentioned above in terms of planning, design and building regulations approval, you’ll need a minimum of 6 months prior to building works starting on site. This will allow time to carry out critical surveys, prepare material specifications, budgets and contracts for the build. For larger projects we’d recommend spending additional time in the design and pre-construction phase.