Design Options & Variations Guide
Helping You Make Clear, Confident Decisions Throughout Your Project
At BGA Architects, we aim to make the design process enjoyable, efficient and well structured.
A clear approach to design options helps avoid confusion, keeps projects moving forward and ensures you receive thoughtful, high-quality solutions.
This guide explains how our design options are developed, why we limit the number of variations, and how additional options are handled in a fair and transparent way.
Our Design Options Approach
Every project begins with the preparation of one well-developed primary design option.
This provides a clear starting point and ensures the design responds directly to your brief, budget and priorities.
Once you have reviewed this initial option and shared your feedback, we can refine it and, where helpful, prepare up to two further design options, giving a total of three options at the early design stage.
Design options are produced sequentially, not all at once. This allows each option to respond directly to your comments and avoids unnecessary or speculative work, keeping the process focused and efficient.
Why We Limit the Number of Design Options
We believe clients benefit most from carefully considered design solutions, rather than a large number of loosely developed alternatives.
Limiting the number of options helps to:
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focus on the strongest ideas
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avoid design overload or conflicting directions
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support clearer and faster decision-making
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keep the project on programme and within budget
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maintain a high level of design quality
This structured approach leads to a smoother process and a more confident, well-resolved final design.
What’s Included in Our Fee
Our standard service typically includes:
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up to three design options at the early design stage
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development of the agreed option into the relevant planning or technical package
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minor adjustments and clarifications within the scope of the agreed stage
This ensures you receive a creative and professional design service without unexpected or hidden costs.
Requesting Additional Design Options
Some clients enjoy exploring further ideas, or their priorities may evolve as the design develops.
We are always happy to assist with additional design options beyond those included in our standard service.
To ensure clarity and fairness, additional design options are treated as an extra service.
Additional options are charged at:
25% of the relevant stage fee per option, subject to a minimum fee of £250 + VAT.
This reflects the additional design time, coordination and drawing work required to develop each option to the same standard and level of detail.
Why Additional Variations Are Chargeable
Creating design variations involves more than simply adjusting drawings. It typically includes:
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additional design development time
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coordination with consultants
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internal design reviews and checks
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quality control and document updates
Charging for additional options ensures:
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you only pay for work you specifically request
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the project remains focused and efficient
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sufficient time is dedicated to your design
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our core fees remain fair and competitive
Our approach is always based on clarity, transparency and no surprises.
You Stay in Control
We will never proceed with chargeable variations without your approval.
Before undertaking any additional design work, we will clearly set out:
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what is being proposed
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the associated cost
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any impact on the programme
We will only proceed once we have received your written confirmation, ensuring you remain fully in control of decisions and costs throughout the project.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
We’re here to guide you through the design process and help you get the most from your project.