Architect insight. Before you buy.
Unbiased pre-purchase appraisals to reveal a property’s true potential.
Before you commit to one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, you deserve more than a quick viewing and a surveyor’s report.
A structural survey might tell you what’s wrong — we help you understand what’s possible.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home or investing, we provide impartial, architect-led due diligence before you buy. Each Architect appraisal explores a property’s potential and its practical limitations: planning permission, permitted development, building regulations, party wall implications, change of use, and even freeholder consent where relevant.
We help you see the full picture — opportunities, constraints, and likely costs — so you can make confident, informed decisions and avoid costly surprises later.
Why choose The Potential House?
We’re not like most architects. Traditional practices focus on design after you’ve bought — often offering early advice as a route to win future work. That can create a conflict of interest, where the goal is to secure a project rather than give impartial guidance.
The Potential House is different.
We don’t take on follow-on design work, and that’s what makes our advice completely objective. Because we’re independent, we can assess a property’s feasibility, planning risks and financial viability without bias — helping you decide whether it’s truly the right investment.
Think of it as an architectural equivalent of a survey — focused on design potential and planning constraints rather than structural issues.
Our only priority is to help you make the right purchase decision at the right price.
Our Services
Whether you’re buying your first home, planning a renovation, or assessing a potential development, we offer clear, impartial architect-led advice at the earliest — and most important — stage of the property journey.
Pre-purchase Architect Appraisal
£550.00
A focused consultation providing professional due diligence before you commit to a purchase.
Ideal for homeowners, buyers, or small-scale investors seeking expert guidance on feasibility, planning risk and design potential.
Includes:
Pre-visit review of property details, planning history, and key constraints
60-minute on-site consultation (in person or video call)
Discussion of permitted development opportunities, likely planning permission requirements, and key building regulation implications
Verbal advice on potential layouts, daylight, access, and possible structural considerations
Short written summary (1–2 pages) including key recommendations and next steps
What to expect:
Clarity on how a property could be extended, reconfigured, or improved — with practical insight into planning and regulatory constraints, and realistic next steps before you buy.
Remote Appraisal
£295.00
A lighter-touch, desktop appraisal for buyers who want impartial, professional advice anywhere in the UK. Perfect if you’re comparing properties, based outside our in-person areas (Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, London), or need quick guidance before making an offer.
Includes:
Review of property listing, planning records and site context
Analysis of design opportunities, regulatory constraints and planning considerations
Written advice (1–2 pages) outlining likely risks, opportunities, and what to check before proceeding
What to expect:
An independent overview of potential and pitfalls — helping you understand planning risk, likely building regulation issues, and financial implications before committing.
How it Works
Simple, transparent steps from first call to confident decision.
1. Book your consultation
Choose a free discovery call or an appraisal service. We’ll confirm your booking and request details of the property and its listing.
2. Share property information
Send any floor plans, photos or estate agent details. We’ll review planning history, local design guidance, and relevant permissions or restrictions.
3. Your architect consultation
We’ll meet you on-site or online to discuss feasibility, permitted development scope, planning and regulatory implications — focusing on creative yet realistic options, not sales pitches.
4. Receive your summary
You’ll receive a concise written report setting out key insights, risks and next steps — helping you decide whether to buy, negotiate, or walk away.
Speak to us first
Buying a property is a huge decision — and before you commit, it pays to understand what you’re really taking on.
Our free 15-minute discovery call gives you the chance to talk to an experienced architect about your property plans and see whether a pre-purchase appraisal is right for you.
During the call, we’ll help you:
Understand whether the property has potential — and what might hold it back
Identify any key planning, building regulation or structural considerations
Get clarity on what permissions or consents (planning, party wall, freeholder, etc.) might be required
Decide whether our appraisal service could help you move forward with confidence
There’s no obligation — just impartial, professional guidance to help you take your next step with open eyes.
Behind
The Potential House
The Potential House was founded by Emily Barnes, an ARB-registered architect with over 20 years experience in residential design, planning, and property development. As the founder of Design for Me — a platform connecting homeowners with architects across the UK — she saw how often buyers committed to properties without understanding their true potential.
The Potential House was created to change that. We bring impartial architectural insight to the very start of the property journey, revealing opportunities, highlighting risks, and helping you make confident, informed decisions before you buy.
What our clients say…
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I wasn’t sure about the house when I first viewed it - it felt too dark and the kitchen was far too small. I wanted an expert opinion on whether it could ever work for us before making such a big commitment. What I really valued about Emily’s advice was how impartial it was. She actually advised against adding more space, explaining how that would eat into the garden and may not add value. Instead, she suggested clever ways to reconfigure the existing layout and bring in more light. We took her recommendations on board and the transformation has been incredible. I’m so glad I got her advice before buying.
Vicky, Brighton
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As first-time buyers with a new baby, we were nervous about whether the Victorian terrace we loved would be big enough for us long term. Emily helped us see all the ways we could make it work - from a future loft conversion to a side extension, and even walked us through what neighbours had successfully done under planning in the conservation area. That insight gave us the confidence to move forward, knowing the house could evolve with our family over time. We wouldn’t have had that peace of mind without her advice.
Jeremy, London
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I approached Emily for advice on a tired property I was thinking of flipping. What impressed me was her focus on value, not just design. Rather than suggesting costly renovations that would eat into profit, she showed me how to do ‘just enough’ to appeal to the family market - highlighting where small design moves could make a big difference and where not to overspend. Her insight helped shape my offer and ultimately the success of the project. I’ll definitely be using The Potential House again.
James R., Property Developer
Our place in the process
The Potential House provides impartial, pre-purchase architectural appraisals only.
We don’t take on design or construction work — and that’s by design.
It means we can give objective advice, focused entirely on your investment and the practical realities of developing a property.
Once you’ve decided to move forward, we encourage you to appoint a design team for the next stage - whether through your own contacts or trusted networks like Design for Me.
Our aim is to give buyers clarity and confidence before they buy.
Architect Insight: What Does a House Extension Really Cost?
Understanding the true cost of extending can make all the difference before you buy.
In this 4-minute video, architect and founder Emily Barnes shares data from over 100 UK residential architects — and what it means for your project.
