Architect
Forte Services
Trust score
64out of 100
Rating4.8★
Review volumeLow · 23
Source diversity1 source
VerificationListed
Based on rating, review volume, independent sources and verification. Evidence context — not a guarantee of workmanship.
About
Verified architectural services in London.
Reviews · public evidence
What the public record says
4.8out of 5
Highlights
"Iain was brilliant! Listened, understood and delivered on my brief. Thorough, delivered on the timescales and communicated well with me. Really pleased so far and highly recommend him."
"Iain provided design support from planning through to the end of build for my three story extension (90 sq metres). As I was building / project managing the extension myself as a DIYer, the level of support required was significant. There are a lot of architectural service in the area that provide very designer / posh architectural services. I have found that Iain’s knowledge and ability is better than my previous experience with those over priced services. If you want a very experienced, skilled and capable designer without the fluff and excessive cost of the designer architects try Iain."
"After being let down by our first architect we contacted Forte Services, Iain was great, explained the process, prepared all the paperwork and submitted to the council for planning approval. Before the councils due date we had 2 out of three applications back, waiting on the third and Iain is not completing our drawings. Fantastic communication and explanation as well as realistic pricing. Couldn’t refer more."
Detailed reviews
Iain was brilliant! Listened, understood and delivered on my brief. Thorough, delivered on the timescales and communicated well with me. Really pleased so far and highly recommend him.
After being let down by our first architect we contacted Forte Services, Iain was great, explained the process, prepared all the paperwork and submitted to the council for planning approval. Before the councils due date we had 2 out of three applications back, waiting on the third and Iain is not completing our drawings. Fantastic communication and explanation as well as realistic pricing. Couldn’t refer more.
Iain provided design support from planning through to the end of build for my three story extension (90 sq metres). As I was building / project managing the extension myself as a DIYer, the level of support required was significant. There are a lot of architectural service in the area that provide very designer / posh architectural services. I have found that Iain’s knowledge and ability is better than my previous experience with those over priced services. If you want a very experienced, skilled and capable designer without the fluff and excessive cost of the designer architects try Iain.
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Local context
Rated 4.8★ — in line with the local average for architects in London
Across 120 rated architects in London, the typical rating is 4.8★. We compare against the same businesses a homeowner would find searching for this trade locally.
Public evidence checks
Public evidence shownTrust checks and red flags
Public review evidence4.8★ from 23 public reviewsCheckatrade
Sources
1 named sourcesEvery signal, traced to its origin
Review sources
Checkatrade
Public evidence checks
What's strong, and what to check yourself
✓Strong signals
✓Rating: 4.8★
!Worth checking yourself
!Review volume: Low · 23
!Source diversity: 1 source
!Verification: Listed
Verify at the sourceCheck them yourself
"Architect" is a title protected by law - only people on the official Architects Register (held by ARB) may use it. Confirm they're on it before you commission a design.
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Only someone on the Architects Registration Board (ARB) register may legally call themselves an 'architect' in the UK — ask for their ARB number and check it free at arb.org.uk. An 'architectural designer' or 'technologist' is a different, unregistered role (often capable, but not the same protection).
Agree how they charge before any work starts — a percentage of the build cost, a fixed fee, or an hourly rate — and exactly which stages it covers (concept design, planning application, building-regulations drawings, work on site), so there are no surprises later.
Confirm what they will actually handle versus what is excluded — the planning application, the building-control drawings, and whether they will administer the builder's contract on site — and get it, and a portfolio of similar projects, in writing.
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