Tag Archives: Architectural design

Construction, News

Christmas comes early for Nottingham architectural firm as they celebrate a prestigious award win – and a brand-new website

A Nottingham-based architectural design start-up is celebrating Christmas early this year with a brand-new website after being named ‘Architecture Company of the Year 2020’.

The Practical Planning Company – which provides an uncomplicated, affordable and transparent service, helping everyday homeowners get the space they need and deserve – earned recognition in this year’s Central England Prestige Awards, run by Corporate Livewire.

Commended for their personal touch, consistently high reviews and attentiveness, the husband and wife team, Benjamin and Jodie Heginbotham have taken the opportunity to relaunch their website and branding, to further solidify their place as the go-to architectural designers for the East Midlands.

“Like other small businesses, we’ve experienced lows this year but we’re very grateful to have also experienced the highest of highs in recent months,” says director and head of design, Benjamin. “We were so proud to receive the ‘Architecture Company of the Year’ accolade, especially being such a new business. We haven’t stopped since we started, and it’s been a tough 12 months – not just because of the pandemic – but this is the greatest reward we could ever have hoped for.”

The Practical Planning Company launched in 2019 to provide homeowners looking to extend, convert or alter their homes with the whole design package, including planning and construction drawings, management of submissions for planning permission and building control, and assistance in the search for a reputable builder.

“We’re doing things differently,” adds business and marketing manager, Jodie. “Our website isn’t just a ‘shop-front’ for prospective clients to be able to check out what we do and contact us.

“As young homeowners ourselves, we know how complex it can all seem when you first start planning a home remodel or extension. Regardless of where you live, we want to make that process easier and more affordable. That’s why we spend time adding articles to our advice centre and posting guidance across our social media.

“And we thought a nice new website would be the perfect way to celebrate our first 12 months in business, our award win and everything else we’ve achieved this year.”

The Prestige Awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. The awards are given based on service excellence, quality, innovative practices, value, ethical or sustainable methods of working, as well as consistency in performance.

The Practical Planning Company offers architectural design services across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. This Christmas, the team are donating a portion of their December sales to Shelter – the housing and homelessness charity, via the fundraising platform Work For Good, who will double the donation as part of its Small Business Star campaign.

To find out more information about the firm and its services, visit www.practicalplanningco.co.uk or contact the team on 0115 874 8570.

News, Property

Nottingham couple celebrates as their architectural firm marks its 1st birthday

An architectural design firm based in Nottingham is marking its first birthday this month after helping more than 100 homeowners across the East Midlands design and build their dream home.

Founded by designer Benjamin Heginbotham in 2019 and bridged on the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, The Practical Planning Company provides the whole design package for homeowners looking to extend, convert or alter their homes, or even build new ones altogether.

Thanks to its success early on, the firm has recently made it a family affair with Benjamin’s wife, and PR and business consultant, Jodie joining the in-house team full time to work on the company’s marketing and development efforts as well as its finances and business operations.

“We’re thrilled with how our first year has gone,” says Benjamin. “We’ve been incredibly busy since we started, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be stopping anytime soon but it’s great to now have Jodie fully on board as we enter our second year. Our main motivation, apart from providing security for our family, is client satisfaction and we’re pleased to have received so many positive reviews from happy customers.”

Having experienced the same hardships as many other small businesses during the initial stages of lockdown this year, the firm has since seen an increase in sales thanks to a growing need for home extensions.

“Our homes have taken on new meaning in recent months,” says Jodie. “They’re not just somewhere for us to sleep, eat and spend time together as a family in. They’re now our workplace, meeting venue, gym – the list goes on! And because of that, more and more people are needing more space to cater to this ‘new normal’.”

The Practical Planning Company has partnered with several local builders and industry professionals since its launch and is hoping to continue to build a network of local tradespeople and businesses, all in a bid to help everyday homeowners across the region.

Benjamin continues: “Our aim is to provide families with access to high quality services across the board, so more people can achieve the space they deserve, within budget and without any stress, difficulty or nasty surprises.”

Jodie adds: “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and we’re excited to see what the next 12 months bring for both our business and our family.”

The Practical Planning Company offers architectural design services across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. To find out more information about the firm and its services, visit www.practicalplanningco.co.uk.