A Cost-Led Design Journey for a Family Home in Compton Acres, West Bridgford

This project was the long-held ambition of a busy family who had been planning improvements to their dream home for many years. Like many homeowners, life took over — and by the time they were ready to move forward, construction costs had risen significantly. The client was understandably concerned that approaching individual consultants in isolation would make it difficult to understand what was genuinely achievable within their budget.

We were appointed as part of a design-and-build team alongside BRW Construction, providing a coordinated and transparent route from concept to delivery. From the outset, our role was not just to design, but to test feasibility in real time.

Every design option was supported by live cost information, allowing the family to clearly see the financial impact of each decision. By developing and comparing multiple design routes, we helped them identify the solution that best balanced family needs, long-term value, and available budget — without surprises.

A key part of the process was ensuring clarity before work began on site. We therefore guided the clients through the project in detail, using virtual walkthroughs to explain spatial arrangements, key junctions, and material choices. This allowed the family to fully understand the design, ask informed questions, and feel confident in their decisions well before construction commenced.

To maintain budget control, we strategically limited the scale of rear works, focusing investment where it would deliver the greatest impact. At the same time, we advised on adjacent areas of the house, providing a clear masterplan for future phases so the project could evolve over time without compromising the overall vision.

The result was a carefully considered, well-costed project that aligned ambition with reality — giving the family confidence, clarity, and a clear route forward.