Policies & Client Terms

1. Parties and trading status

Affordable Architectural is the trading name of Ryan David Skitt, operating as a sole trader. A quotation may identify a different contracting entity only if expressly stated. The accepted written quotation, scope and any agreed variations govern the appointment.

2. Quotations and acceptance

Quotations are ordinarily valid for 14 calendar days unless stated otherwise. We provide the agreed services, fee basis, known additional charges, estimated timings and applicable consumer information before appointment. The QuickBooks quotation and accompanying terms form the written appointment when accepted and confirmed.

3. Professional status

We provide architectural design, drawing and planning-support services. We do not claim to be an ARB-registered architect or a chartered architects' practice. Planning-agent work is undertaken only where instructed. Specialist engineering and regulated professional services are provided by appropriately competent parties where separately agreed.

4. Services and exclusions

Only the work specifically identified in your quotation is included. Planning-stage drawings, illustrations and visualisations must not be used as construction instructions. Unless agreed, statutory application fees, Building Control charges, engineering, site investigations, party-wall matters, specialist reports, construction supervision and legal advice are excluded.

5. Information and verification

Clients should provide accurate project instructions, measurements, ownership information, drawings and known constraints, and review draft plans carefully. Remote assessments are not substitutes for a full measured survey, structural investigation or verification of concealed conditions. We continue to owe applicable duties of reasonable care and skill.

6. Timescales and communications

Quoted drawing-stage timescales are estimates unless a firm deadline is agreed. They depend on receipt of information, instructions and payment. Planning authority and third-party timescales are outside our control. Material delays will be communicated, and work may be suspended on reasonable notice where justified.

7. Amendments and reasonable usage

Unless the quotation says otherwise, two coordinated rounds of reasonable design amendments at the same design stage are included. Corrections required because our work falls below the agreed standard do not count against this allowance. Material redesign, changed scope, repeated reversals or additional specialist work require an agreed supplementary fee. Unlimited amendments, where expressly offered, remain limited to reasonable changes within the original brief.

8. Planning applications and permissions

Our planning and permitted-development advice is an assessment, not an approval guarantee. An authority, inspector or court makes the relevant statutory determination. Application submission requires client authorisation and approval of the final information. Refusal, appeal, resubmission, discharge of conditions and material post-submission changes are outside the original scope unless expressly included.

9. Building Regulations and technical services

Building Regulations drawing packages do not themselves establish compliance or authorise construction. Building Control may seek further technical information, calculations, inspections or amendments. Appropriate specialists must undertake engineering and other work outside our competence.

10. Principal Designer and statutory dutyholders

Principal Designer services under CDM 2015 and the Building Regulations dutyholder regime are not offered as part of our standard services. We intend to act only within the agreed designer scope and do not take responsibility for overall pre-construction phase control. Statutory default appointments and duties can still arise by law; where there is a potential conflict, arrangements must be reviewed before proceeding. Our own statutory designer duties cannot be waived.

11. Party walls and other consents

Party Wall etc. Act procedures, build-over agreements, utilities, drainage, highways, listed-building matters, restrictive covenants and other consents are separate unless specifically included. Clients should obtain competent specialist advice and any necessary approvals.

12. Independent specialists

We may work with independent freelance designers, technicians and engineers. The quotation should distinguish specialists appointed directly by the client from those subcontracted by us. Each provider is responsible for its own professional services, while we remain responsible for obligations that the law places upon us.

13. Fees and payments

Unless otherwise agreed, 50% of the professional fee is payable on instruction and 50% when the relevant deliverables are ready for release or before application submission, according to the agreed milestone. The first payment is an advance against work, not automatically a non-refundable deposit. Additional statutory and specialist fees apply unless included in writing. Final documents may be withheld for unpaid sums where legally permissible.

14. Consumer cancellation and termination

For qualifying distance or off-premises consumer service contracts, a 14-day statutory cancellation period will generally apply, subject to legal exceptions. Starting work during that period requires the applicable express request and consumer information. Any proportionate charges or refunds are determined under the contract and consumer law. The statutory rights of consumers are not removed by these terms.

15. Copyright and use of drawings

The lawful rights holder retains copyright in original drawings, documents and models. After relevant payment, clients receive a non-exclusive licence to use the agreed completed deliverables for the specified site and project, including reasonable sharing with the project team and authorities. Draft documents are for review and must not be used for construction unless expressly authorised.

16. Professional care, liability and insurance

We exercise reasonable care and skill. Nothing removes liability that cannot legally be excluded, including death or personal injury caused by negligence and fraud. The October 2026 terms propose a negotiated business-to-business liability cap, which is subject to legal and insurance review; it must not be treated as automatically applicable to consumer contracts. The supplied policy declares £2,000,000 professional indemnity and £1,000,000 public liability insurance, subject to policy terms and verification.

17. Complaints

Please send complaints through our published business contact details. We aim to acknowledge a written complaint within five working days where practicable and provide a substantive response or updated timetable within 15 working days. Mediation can be discussed by agreement without restricting statutory rights.

18. Privacy and personal data

Ryan David Skitt, trading as Affordable Architectural, is identified as the data controller in the supplied policy, which gives ICO reference ZC214230. We use client, property, project and communication data to provide services and meet legal obligations; necessary information may be shared with instructed specialists, authorities and processors. Special-category information, including health and disability details, needs an appropriate legal basis and additional protections. Privacy rights are subject to applicable law.

19. Cyber and digital security

Our internal cybersecurity policies cover access management, backups, suppliers and incident response. They do not amount to Cyber Essentials certification or a guarantee that systems are risk free. Communications and cloud services carry residual risk.

20. Website use and cookies

Website guidance, illustrations, project information and indicative fees do not constitute a project-specific professional opinion or guarantee. Website enquiries do not alone create an appointment. Analytics, cookies and marketing communications require appropriate notices and consent controls under applicable data protection and electronic privacy rules.

21. Records and publicity

Project records may be retained where needed for legal, insurance or professional purposes under relevant retention policies. Identifiable project images, testimonials and sensitive material will be used in publicity only with a suitable lawful basis and necessary permissions.

22. General provisions and updates

Terms for an existing accepted appointment do not change merely because a new policy is published online. Contract changes require the parties' agreement unless a lawful existing provision permits them. Mandatory consumer protections remain in place.

Contact and related notices

For quotations, complaints, privacy requests or questions about these terms, contact enquiries@affordablearchitectural.co.uk or call 01902 239360.

The full October 2026 Client Terms, the separate Website Privacy & Cookie Notice and any applicable cancellation information should be supplied together with your written quotation.