LA Hally Architect

Lesley and the team have been extremely professional, helpful and supportive throughout our project. They have shared a wealth of knowledge and experience which have helped us to use the space innovatively and creatively to maximise our living areas and the function of each zone. The final result is a testiment to the design expertise of Lesley and the team, and they have always been on hand to offer advice and guidance around contract, legal issues and necessary regulations. Would certainly recommend!

The LA Hally team made designing our extension and gaining planning permission an enjoyable, productive and stress-free experience. From the first visit to site, they listened to our needs and made suggestions that were both practical and imaginative, and which exceeded our expectations for the space. They have been mindful to keep budget and logistical restrictions in check, have been flexible with our requests, and efficient in dealing with the planning requirements and paperwork. We look forward to undertaking the next stage of the build with them.

As a kitchen design studio we have a lot of customers who use L A Hally as the architect. For a few years we have worked with them together to achieve the best for both our clients. Last year our own house needed some doing and it was clear from the beginning that we would choose Lesley and her team. They listend to our wishes and came up with some brilliant ideas. They gave us advice in terms of materials, cost, planning permission and re-drawing of the plans was always done very quick. Unfortunately doing the house will have to wait until next spring, but never the less, we really would like to recommend Lesley and her team to everyone, searching for a professional and inspired architect.

We asked Lesley Hally and her young team of architects to propose design options for our extension. As we hoped, they took full account of our own thoughts and built them into the design with their own innovative ideas, much improving the overall effect. We worked closely with LAH to finalise the design which they then steered professionally through the planning, tendering and construction phases of the project. They gave their full attention to all the details which made our lives (and the builders) much less stressful. The final result is as we hoped: completed (close to) on-time and on budget. We would highly recommend them without hesitation.

We used LA Hally for designing the conversion of an old barn for residential use. Leslie and her team have been great at taking us through the necessary stages of design, resulting in a great design which we are very happy with. LA Hally have also been very patient when we have had questions and have been flexible when there have been changes in requirements. We particularly value Leslie's attention to detail, covering things that we would have surely missed. Their approach is very consultative, involving us every step of the way. The builders' quotes came in more than hoped for (possibly not uncommon!) and Leslie worked carefully with the builders to bring costs down and help us decide on which builder to use in the end. We would definitely recommend LA Hally!

LA Hally designed and managed a redesign of most of the bottom floor of our house. This included a new single storey extension, kitchen, utility, dining room and wc. We started with a fairly "run of the mill" 3 bed detached house in dire need of updating and maintenance which had a lot of space but a layout that was no longer working for us as a family. The initial brief was very vague - help us modernise the kitchen and maximise the space downstairs. Lesley and the team at LA Hally created a design far better than anything we imagined for this house. The team at LA Hally helped us through design, planning, building control, builder tender, valuations and management/quality control of the build. All members of the team were superb - very knowledgable and always available for questions. We had no experience of building work on this scale but Lesley and team were so patient and helpful. No question was any trouble for them. They helped us identify an excellent builder and clearly explained costs and preempted common issues we might hit on a house like ours so we were not surprised or worried. I had no idea what to expect when engaging architectural services but in my opinion, all of the LA Hally team regularly went over and above to ensure a stress free and exceptional build. The end result frankly speaks for itself. We have an exciting, interesting, unexpected space in our otherwise "normal" family home. It has already become the hub of the house and is a joy to live in. We love it. Highly recommend!

L A Hally worked on a single storey extension to my mid terrace house. I am delighted with the outcome. I had no previous experience and they helped me through the process with tact and clear guidance. They demonstrated a good understanding of my requirements and they worked well with the builders to ensure the work was of the required standard. Deadlines were met and the budget adhered to.

Having worked together previously I felt confident in using LA Hally for my swimming pool building design. Dealing with the team is always a pleasure. They did a great job with the use of space and were always open to my input. Highly recommended.

This was the second time we had engaged LA Hally for architect services, having been delighted with the first project (a kitchen extension and boot room). This time we were replacing our porch and building a double garage. We live in a conservation area, so plans had to be carefully reviewed with the Borough Council, and this was done promptly and sensitively, so that although we had to make changes, the overall project was approved. We had a clear vision of what we wanted, but the knowledge and suggestions made by LA Hally all significantly improved on our original ideas, and we have ended up with a really impressive entrance, which has significantly improved the look and functioning of our house. LA Hally also found us an excellent builder. We encountered many significant issues during the course of the work due to challenges beyond our control (a gas main supply requiring replacement; old boundary walls without any foundations etc), but these were dealt with by LA Hally and our builder working effectively together. The consequent cost overruns were all clearly explained in advance of work being undertaken, and were kept as low as possible. One issue which could have been better managed was the order for our front door, which is oversize. I felt that the delay from order to delivery should have been anticipated, and it added a few weeks to the project length. Overall, we are really pleased with the work undertaken, and the result is even better than we had imagined.

Our brief to Lesley was that we needed our home to work better for us. We wanted more light in our north facing kitchen, a tired conservatory refreshed as part of a small extension and windows added to both ends of the property to help it work more appropriately in its plot. After working around the initial drawings, and making adjustments to the final design, Lesley and her team submitted the plans for approval. They then took us through the whole process, making sure we complied with party wall requirements, liaising with the planners, structural engineers and organising the building tenders. They then contract managed the arrangements with the building firm selected. Throughout Lesley and her team were very supportive and patient. Although this was a small project for the team, to us it was very important; we also had a tight budget that we needed to work to, and their support in delivering this was invaluable. The end result is just what we wanted and the brief was certainly delivered. We are delighted that Lesley helped us hold our nerve with some of the design ideas and not to compromise - we just wish financially we could have been more adventurous with the budget and the ultimate size of the extension!

We are very happy with the service provided by LA Hally. During the design phase, they listened to us, took on board our hopes for the space and communicated their ideas back to us very clearly. The handling of the builders was excellent, both during the process of tendering the contract and once they were undertaking the work – the practice has very high standards and demanded the same of the builders. They had obviously already developed a good relationship with them, but at all times we felt they were 'on our side'. When the unforeseen arose (not that it did, very much, thanks to the careful planning of the project), they were able to think around the problem and offer good alternative solutions. The project came in on budget and on time and we lived in the house throughout - we were - and still are - very happy with the outcome. We are very happy to recommend LA Hally, as both Architects and Contract Administrators of building projects. Last account activity: in 11 hours Details

We have worked with LA Hally Architect from initial design stage, through planning control and are now close to completion of our double storey extension and internal refurbishment. We have been thoroughly impressed with Lesley, and also her team who are always fully briefed and able to deal with queries. LA Hally Architect came up with a design which strongly incorporated our key requirements, have responded efficiently to changes that we have made during the work, and have provided practical advice on all aspects of our project. We have been particularly impressed with the innovative ideas in relation to light and space that Lesley has brought to our project, yet at the same time she has kept our 'traditional and elegant' feel in mind. We would definitely recommend LA Hally Architect.