JLArchitecture

We are currently abroad and came across James by chance as we were searching for a London based architect. We had an initial meeting over a video call to get to know James and were impressed with his knowledge and liked his personality a lot. James has been very clear about costs from the outset. James has assisted with the extension designs, and offered various layouts on how we can best use our space, given the remit we provided. James is very patient and has a lot of creative ideas. Further to this, James has assisted with the architectural drawings, submitting our planning application, as well as recommending structural engineers, building control, building contractors, and other designers. James has been a massive help to us, and we fully appreciate what he has done for us so far, he has been very accommodating in answering the many questions we have had via messages, email and video calls, as well as our constantly changing ideas and plans. We would absolutely recommend James, and look forward to seeing the completed extension and refit of our home.

James provided an outstanding service for our rear extension and we absolutely love the final result. We have already recommended him to friends and neighbours. The whole job went smoothly from start to finish. The costs were clear from the outset. During the planning stages he was very collaborative and gave us a lot of good ideas. He was always on hand if we had any queries and made frequent visits during the project. We had planning accepted very quickly with no amendments needed. He also recommended the builder, building control and structural engineer to us and that helped the whole project go without a hiccup as everyone knew each other. Would highly recommend as an architect and a thoroughly decent person to work with. Thank you for making our house into a home!

James supported us on our recently completed loft office project in St. Albans. He assisted with the schematic designs/planning/building regulations as well as coordinating the structural designs. We had already secured a builder but James was happy to work with these specific elements of the build and was proactive and positive suggesting solutions and great ideas for maximising space. He is professional and friendly and didn’t use jargon when he was communicating with us. Would highly recommend.

James is an extremely talented Architect who helped us realise our dream loft conversation. He crated some very original plans and was able secure planning permission efficiently and with little compromise.

James provided us with a brilliant service, helping us with detailed architects drawings for a planning application. He was always very pleasant to talk with and always happy to answer our questions. He was also very accommodating when we changed our mind about certain aspects and he was able to quickly alter the drawings to our new requirements. I would thoroughly recommend JLArchitecture, thank you James!

I have been hugely impressed by my dealings with James so far on our project. He was very clear at the outset as to the scope of the work and the costs involved so nothing was unexpected. In addition, he has been very creative with his plans for our works and am looking forward to seeing the finished loft conversion. I would definitely recommend him.

James worked so hard to meet our ever changing requirements, even working on nee year to resubmit our planning application. Always calm, constructive and practical - we were delighted with the final plans for a ground, first and attic extension.

Well done job form start to finish. Practical and professional. Many useful recommendations along the way.

James designed a complete remodelling of our house, adding a ground-floor kitchen extension, upstairs bedroom extension / reconfiguration and ambitious basement structure. Throughout the project he has worked quickly and diligently, while showing exactly the sort of imagination we had hoped for. James worked hard to get our project through the planning stage, liaising with the local council and even coming round to meet with our neighbour to ease his concerns and remedy any grievances. James has a great network of local contacts – builders, suppliers, experts ETC – and is more than happy to put clients in touch with other people he’s worked for. What’s more, he’s a lovely person and a delight to deal with. We’re really happy with how the project is shaping up and would fully recommend James.

James took on this project after it had already received a planning permission. James was not involved in the original design but had help me to improve the initial design. He made a few suggestions to make the layout more practical and define the specifications with much better clarity. This enable me to progress with builder selections and James has many good contacts and he had facilitated the bidding process and his advice is invaluable. The building phase is still ongoing and therefore there is no project photos other than the picture of the foundation.

I used James to plan my total house refurbishment and extension after seeing his fantastic work on two of my family members' properties. The project involved a full width ground and first floor extension and loft conversion in Finchley N3 (Barnet Council). James was professional and courteous throughout the planning process, and was able to secure two difficult planning permissions for us before lockdown started. After planning was approved, James still keeps in regular contact and visits the building site every so often to check on the progress. If you're looking for an architect who has innovative ideas and great industry contacts (particularly useful with planners), then you should definitely talk to James!

My wife and I would have no hesitation in highly recommending James Lai services. He is thoroughly professional in his work and an absolute pleasure to deal with.