Residential Architectural Design for the West Midlands
McTernan Design produces planning application drawings and Building Control-ready construction packs for homeowners across Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands. Every project uses 3D modelling during design discussions, so you can test decisions before you commit.
Planning drawings. Building Regulations packs. 3D walkthroughs.
One designer from options on screen to builder-ready detail.
Recent Projects in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
Start Here - Desktop Appraisal
Most homeowners, self-builders, and developers don’t require a lengthy conversation to start. What they need is a quick and honest assessment.
A desktop appraisal allows us to check the essential factors first: any constraints, the likely path forward (whether it’s planning permission, prior approval, Class Q, or permitted development), and whether the project aligns with the site’s characteristics.
We work best with homeowners and self-builders who value detail and certainty over the lowest possible fee.
This is also a fit check. If your main focus is comparing the cheapest drawing quotes, we may not be the right match. If you want a clear, staged process, design decisions tested in 3D, and architectural drawings that builders can accurately price, then welcome to the design team!
We are a good fit if...
✔ You want a complete "builder-ready" drawing package rather than just a quick sketch..
✔ You want to test layouts in 3D/VR to see exactly what you are buying making a commitment.
✔ You value a fixed-fee process in which we manage all council negotiations on your behalf.
Why Homeowners & Self-builders Choose McTernan Design
One designer throughout. You will work with one designer throughout the process: Mark McTernan. The person you speak to is the same person who will produce your drawings.
3D modelling - We use 3D modeling as a standard part of our design process, not just as a sales gimmick. Every design is modeled in 3D, allowing you to review layouts and proportions practically before any plans are submitted to the council. This approach helps us identify and resolve issues early on, creating designs on screen that work for you.
Builder-ready drawings - We create detailed Building Regulations compliant technical packs that meet Full Plans standards, ensuring that your builder has clear information and that Building Control receives everything necessary for a thorough review of the construction.
Local experience - Our designs take local constraints into account from the beginning. This prevents you from spending weeks developing an idea that may not succeed during the planning submission process.
Regardless of your project's size, you will receive the same level of professionalism and respect. The only difference is in scope, not in care.
Residential Architectural Services in Solihull & Birmingham
McTernan Design focuses on residential projects across the West Midlands. We design the scheme with you, produce planning drawings where needed, then develop technical packs for Building Regulations when you’re ready to move forward.
Bespoke Houses
New-build and replacement dwelling projects demand a clear design case and strong site response. We develop the concept in 3D, then produce planning submissions and technical drawings that your contractor can price and build from.
House Extensions
We design single- and double-storey extensions, larger home extensions, wraparounds, and side returns. Crucially, we check your design against Solihull’s 45-degree code and Birmingham’s distance separation standards before drawing a single line. This reduces the risk of refusal and neighbour objections.
Barn Conversions
These projects often involve Green Belt constraints or Class Q applications. We work through the planning risks with you at the outset, designing sympathetically to meet local conservation policy while delivering a modern internal layout.
Loft Conversions
Some loft conversions fall under permitted development, others need planning. We assess the route early so you don’t get surprised later. You’ll see the layout and headroom in 3D before we commit to drawings.
How We Work Together
We keep the process clear and staged. Each phase has a defined deliverable and a pause point, so you stay in control of decisions and fees. We don’t move to the next phase until you sign off the last.
Phase 1 - Constraints + Feasibility
We start with a desktop appraisal based on what you send: your postcode, photos, and your goals. We assess planning constraints and potential risks before recommending the next step.
Timeline: desktop appraisal response is usually within two working days once we have the basics. If the project looks viable, we’ll agree on the next step and timing.
Phase 2 - Design Together in 2D/3D (VR optional)
This is the decision-making phase. We model options in 3D and review them with you, so you can understand layout, proportions, and flow in a practical way. Changes are easier and cheaper here than on site.
Timeline: typically a few weeks, depending on complexity and how quickly you can review options.
Phase 3 - Planning + Building Regulations Packs
Once the design is agreed, we produce the planning drawing set if needed, then develop the technical Building Regulations pack when you’re ready.
Timeline: planning decisions typically have an eight-week council target from validation. Full Plans Building Regulations decisions are often around five weeks, but amendments and workloads can extend this.
Throughout, you work directly with Mark. No handoff. No junior staff. No subcontracted design work.
During the build (defined support)
During construction, we stay available for drawing-related queries and agreed updates. We don’t run the site, but we help keep the build aligned with the approved design and the information set. Any extra work gets agreed in writing before we start it.
See Your Project Before It’s Built (3D + VR)
Standard 2D plans can be difficult to read for those who are not trained in them. That is why every McTernan Design project incorporates 3D modeling as a fundamental tool in the design process, rather than an optional extra.
You can review the scheme from every angle. Walk through and explore the rooms. Compare layouts. Sense-check proportions. Spot problems before they lead to costly site changes.
This is functional rather than decorative. Many clients change their minds once they see an option in 3D. That’s the goal: to make better choices now and prevent surprises later.
We can bring the design review to your home, connecting to your TV so we can walk through the model together. This way, everyone in your household can see it and provide feedback in real time.
Make your decision with confidence: observe how light flows into your new kitchen extension.
VR is an optional extra. We recommend it for new-build homes, barn conversions, and large renovations where the layout is complex or the cost of decisions is high.
What You Can Expect
Four questions come up on nearly every first conversation. Here is how we handle them.
Will it get approved?
No one can guarantee the outcome of a planning process. We can minimise risk. We assess the constraints before starting the design, then adjust the proposal to align with what the site and local policies can realistically support. If we identify a significant risk, we'll inform you promptly and adjust the design strategy to prevent unnecessary fees and delays.
What will it cost?
Fees are structured by phase, with clear deliverables at each step. Before any work begins, you will receive a written quote. If there are changes to the scope of work, we will agree on the changes and the associated fees before proceeding with any additional work. This ensures that the process remains fair and predictable.
Can I see what I’m buying?
Once the design is agreed, we produce the planning drawing set if needed, then develop the technical Building Regulations pack when you’re ready.
Timeline: planning decisions typically have an eight-week council target from validation. Full Plans Building Regulations decisions are often around five weeks, but amendments and workloads can extend this.
How long does it take?
During construction, we stay available for drawing-related queries and agreed updates. We don’t run the site, but we help keep the build aligned with the approved design and the information set. Any extra work gets agreed in writing before we start it.
Fees, Explained Clearly
We provide quotes for each phase: feasibility and constraints assessment, 3D concept design, planning drawings (if applicable), and Building Regulations drawings. You will receive a written fixed fee quote before the start of each phase, and you can proceed only when you are ready.
Factors that influence the fee include the complexity of the project, the type of property, any specific constraints (such as whether it’s in a conservation area, a listed building, or in the Green Belt), and the level of technical detail required. For example, a simple single-storey extension requires less work than a barn conversion with heritage constraints. We will explain these differences in straightforward terms.
What is included: design development within the agreed scope, 3D modelling used in design reviews, and preparation of the drawing packs for the agreed phases.
Conversions & Redevelopments
What is not included: local authority application fees, structural engineering calculations, party wall services, and any specialist reports that may be required. We highlight likely additional costs early, allowing you to plan effectively.
Planning & Regulations
If you want to change the design after a phase is signed off, that’s fine. We agree the revised scope and fee first, subject to availability, then proceed.
Clear drawings cut builder guesswork. That reduces variations, delays, and cost creep.
We believe in straightforward pricing. You receive a fixed quote for each stage after our initial appraisal, so you know exactly where you stand. Fees are staged. You pay for clear deliverables, in a clear order, with clear decision points.
TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS SUMMARY
Builder trust: We are trusted by builders such as Use Your Space in Knowle, who recommend our clear, build-ready drawings. Builders know our plans reduce questions on site, speed up pricing, and keep projects moving.
Extension value: For extensions, good design delivers more than just extra square metres. It creates spaces that suit daily life, light-filled kitchens, connected family rooms, and practical lofts. Nationwide data indicates well-designed extensions and loft conversions can increase property value by up to 25%, while also enhancing the everyday living experience in a home.
New-build certainty: For bespoke new homes, 2D floor plans alone never show how a house will feel. Our 3D models and virtual reality walkthroughs let you step inside the design before it’s approved, seeing how rooms flow, how light moves through the spaces, and how views open onto the garden. This gives you certainty and control before a single brick is laid.
“Excellent, responsive service which helped us not just narrow down our options but helped us think about things we hadn’t ever even considered. Mark was also extremely helpful whenever we had any related questions which gave us confidence to choose the right builder and that their quotes were also fair and reasonable. We also loved the interactive, VR simulation. This really brought our plans to life and helped involve the kids in the final choices.”
Thomas Dillon, Knowle, Solihull
Recent Projects in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
What Our Clients Say
"We needed more space but didn’t want to leave our neighbourhood. We got the perfect family home without moving in by the rear extension designed by McTernan. We were able to see exactly how the spaces would work before we committed to them with their 3D visualization." — Sarah & James, Solihull (Rear Extension)
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning and Building in Solihull, Birmingham & Warwickshire
We’ve got a plot of land in Solihull or Warwickshire – how can you tell us if it’s feasible to build?
A: We carry out a site-specific feasibility assessment. This involves evaluating access, utilities, ground conditions, and local planning policies. In Solihull, many sites fall within green belt restrictions; in Warwickshire, heritage and conservation considerations are often important. Our appraisal highlights opportunities and risks so landowners and self-builders understand what is practically achievable before investing further.
Do you prepare all the planning documents for the applications?
A: Absolutely. We prepare everything in-house: planning drawings, Design & Access Statements, heritage reports, and Building Regulations packs. This is especially valuable in Solihull and Birmingham, where councils often request detailed statements. Managing it all under one roof keeps the process quicker and avoids additional consultant costs.
We’re considering a replacement dwelling - demolishing and rebuilding. What is the process?
A: Replacement homes are common in Solihull villages such as Knowle and Dorridge, as well as in Warwickshire countryside plots. The process generally involves: securing planning permission for demolition and rebuilding, designing in line with local size and height policies, and producing Building Regulations drawings that detail how the construction will be carried out. We work closely with structural engineers and building control to ensure confidence before work begins.
What about barn conversions – how do they work locally?
A: Barn conversions may fall under Class Q permitted development or require full planning consent, depending on the structure and location. In rural Warwickshire and Coventry, many barns need heritage or conservation approval. We evaluate feasibility, prepare conversion designs, and manage all permissions, offering a pathway to a modern home that retains the building’s character.
Can we see and experience the design before it is built?
A: Yes. We use 3D modelling and virtual-reality walkthroughs so you can explore the design before planning approval or construction. Families often use VR to check kitchen layouts, window placements, and garden views, while developers test capacity and flow. This prevents costly mid-build changes and provides you with certainty.
How long does the planning process take in Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire?
A: Timelines vary by council. Solihull decisions usually take around 8 weeks from validation. Birmingham often takes longer at 10–12 weeks due to backlogs. Warwickshire and nearby districts typically range between 8-10 weeks. We monitor current council performance so you know what to expect before submitting.
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
If you’re planning an extension, loft conversion, barn conversion, or a custom-built house in the West Midlands, start with a desktop appraisal.
To give you a helpful and focused response based on your location and design goals, please share some basic information. If you're just starting out and exploring options, that's completely fine. Your house number, postcode and a brief description of your aspirations will be enough to get us started.
We treat every inquiry with respect and maintain clear standards, ensuring the work remains buildable and the process stays controlled.
Please send photos or a quick video of your house or plot via WhatsApp at 07955 572811. Images of the rear garden, access, and any tricky corners really help with the appraisal.