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Contemporary brick commercial building with angled bay windows against a bright blue sky, Duesseldorf

Commercial Architects A design that gets consent and gets built on the number, by one team, from concept to keys

Our track record

100% of projects delivered ahead
of programme and on budget

What our clients get

  • 4 weeksfrom first site visit to four designed and costed options for a St John's Wood building
  • 17 weeksto build a four-floor Knightsbridge clinic whose design our team completed from a stalled Stage 2 concept
  • 0snags at handover and every certificate in the file
  • £10Minsurance cover, ISO and CHAS, every accreditation your lender and insurer ask for

Drawn by architects, priced by builders, in the same room

Most commercial schemes lose money between the architect's drawings and the builder's tender. Our design team works beside our construction team, so every option carries a cost plan before you choose it. Offices, shops, restaurants, clinics, conversions and flats above commercial, across London. At Allitsen Road a derelict club became four costed schemes with a planning route in four weeks.

Bright studio interior with cardboard shelving, timber tables and white floor in soft daylight

Trusted by leading businesses

  • Trainline
  • Auto Trader
  • YouTube
  • Medusa
  • Fuse
  • Drakes
  • PTOS
  • Close Connections
  • Marnie
  • Vortex Post
  • Minds Ahead
  • Missy
  • Fora
  • Gama Healthcare
  • Equinix
  • Hubble
  • B-Engineering

Everything a commercial scheme needs, under one contract

Concept, consent, technical design and construction from one design and build team.

Cream architectural model of a pavilion on a landscaped base in soft daylight, clean white background

Feasibility and concept

Site, policy and structure read first, then options drawn and costed so you choose on numbers.

White architectural site model beneath plans and elevations hung on a gallery wall

Planning applications

Drawings, planning statement and specialist reports coordinated in one submission and managed to decision.

Monitor showing a Revit project browser and parametric script graph for a building model

Technical design, Stage 4

Construction drawings, specifications and Building Regulations submissions the build is priced from.

Finished corridor with lagged ductwork, cable tray and linear lighting exposed overhead

Structure and services

Engineers and M&E designers in the team, so plant, ducts and steel fit the drawings before site.

Curved frameless glazed ground floor glowing at dusk beneath a faceted facade

Shopfronts and façades

Glazing, signage and entrances designed for the street and for conservation officers.

Tower cranes above a concrete-frame residential block under construction against a deep blue sky, Amsterdam

Construction under one contract

Our own teams build what we drew, to the price agreed at design.

How it works

How a commercial design project runs

01

Brief and site

We meet, walk the building and agree what it must earn, by when.

02

Options and cost

Two to four schemes drawn and costed by the construction team. You choose on real numbers.

03

Planning

Pre-application feedback, then one coordinated submission managed to decision.

04

Technical design

Structure, services, fire and finishes drawn to Stage 4 and priced as a fixed figure.

05

Build and handover

Our teams build it, certificates filed, keys handed over with nothing outstanding.

Cover of the free Craftex Guide to Investor and Developer Projects

The Craftex Guide to Investor and Developer Projects

How a scheme moves from appraisal to keys with one team: what to check before you commit, which consents apply, where cost certainty comes from, and how to read a cost plan.

Our promises

Six promises, written into your contract

  1. One team from concept to keys

    Architects, engineers, planners and builders under one contract, one point of responsibility.

    Portsoken House, Aldgate: designed by our in-house team, then built by it.

  2. Costed as it is drawn

    Every option carries a cost plan, so the approved scheme is the affordable one.

    Allitsen Road: four options, each with a unit-by-unit cost plan.

  3. The agreed figure stands

    A fixed price for the written scope; changes agreed in writing and priced first.

    Standard on every Craftex contract.

  4. Your business keeps trading

    Phasing, nights and weekends planned around opening hours and tenants.

    Drake's, Savile Row: refitted in 12 weeks, open throughout.

  5. Covered for your lender and insurer

    £10M public and employers' liability, professional indemnity on request, ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, CHAS.

    Accreditations in the footer, verified.

  6. Zero snags, every certificate

    We leave when it is right, with test certificates and the health and safety file handed over.

    Beaumont House: 750 sq m handed over with nothing outstanding.

Example commercial design quotation from another firm, items listed, with the note: send it to us, we will beat it

Already have a quote? Send it to us. We'll beat it.

Compare your quotes

Where commercial design projects usually go wrong, and what we do instead

AreaThe usual riskWith Craftex
ResponsibilityArchitect, engineer, QS and contractor, each blaming the last.One design and build team answers for the whole scheme.
Final billPlanning drawings approved, tender returns 30% over the appraisal.Our builders price each option while it is being drawn.
ConsentApply and hope, then redesign after the officer's report.Pre-application feedback and precedent shape the scheme before submission.
DisruptionThe shop or office closes for the build.Works sequenced around trading hours and the neighbours.
ComplianceBuilding control, fire strategy and duty-holder appointments discovered late.Compliance designed in at Stage 4 and every approval run by us.
HandoverHandover, then months of snags and missing paperwork.Snagged before you see it; O&M manuals and certificates in one file.

RIBA stages, what you get at each stage

Design commissions start at £15,000; construction runs from £100,000 to £10M and above under the same contract. Design is quoted as a fixed fee per stage after the first meeting, never a percentage. Ex VAT.

StageWhat we doWhat you receive
0–1 Brief and feasibilitySite visit, constraints, planning history, outline optionsFeasibility report with costed options
2 Concept designPreferred scheme developed, pre-application meetingConcept drawings, cost plan, planning strategy
3 Spatial coordinationStructure and services coordinated, planning applicationPlanning submission, updated cost plan
4 Technical designConstruction drawings, specifications, Building RegulationsTender-ready package and a fixed construction price
5 ConstructionOur teams build it, design queries answered on siteProgramme, site reports, agreed changes in writing
6 HandoverSnagging, commissioning, certificatesO&M manuals, certificates, health and safety file

Our team

  • in

Commercial architects in London, your questions

What does a commercial architect do?

A commercial architect designs buildings that earn: offices, shops, restaurants, clinics, mixed-use blocks and conversions. The work runs from feasibility and concept through planning to technical design and site inspection. At Craftex the same team also builds, so the drawings are priced and checked for buildability as they are made. Read how to choose an architect in London.

What are the RIBA stages?

The RIBA Plan of Work splits a project into eight stages, from strategic definition (0) to use (7). Stages 2 to 4 are the design stages: concept, spatial coordination and technical design. Planning is usually submitted at the end of Stage 3. Our stages table above shows what you receive at each one.

Is design and build better than appointing an architect separately?

For most commercial schemes under £10M, yes. Under one contract the price is fixed during design and one party answers for the result. That is why design and build is the most used route in the UK. A separate architect gives you an independent inspector but leaves the cost unknown until tender. The trade-offs are in design and build vs traditional procurement.

How long does commercial architectural design take?

Feasibility and concept take four to eight weeks for a typical London scheme. Planning adds the council's eight or thirteen weeks plus pre-application time. Technical design runs six to twelve weeks and overlaps with procurement. Your dates are fixed in the appointment once the brief and planning route are known.

Who is the principal designer on a commercial project?

Under CDM 2015 and the Building Regulations duty-holder rules, the client must appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor before work starts. On a design and build project both sit within one team. Residential buildings over 18 m or seven storeys also pass through the Building Safety Regulator's gateways, which we plan for from Stage 2.

How much do commercial architects charge in the UK?

Most practices charge a percentage of construction cost or an hourly rate, and the figure moves with complexity. We quote design as a fixed fee for each RIBA stage after the first meeting. You know the cost before you commit to the next stage. The construction price is fixed at technical design. Send us the brief and you get the figure in writing.

Do I need planning permission for a commercial project?

Often, yes: a new building, an extra storey, a new shopfront or a change between use classes normally needs it. Some changes are permitted development with prior approval. Internal fit-out usually needs Building Regulations approval, not planning. We check the route at the first meeting and run the application through our planning consultancy.

Can you take over a design another architect started?

Yes. We review the drawings, the planning position and the budget, then carry the scheme forward as our own design. Medusa in Knightsbridge arrived as a Stage 2 concept with a few visuals; our team completed the design and built it. Early concepts are easy to continue, Stage 4 packages need a technical audit first.

Which building types do you design?

Offices, retail and shopfronts, restaurants and bars, clinics, salons, warehouses and conversions, and mixed-use schemes with flats above commercial. For a workplace brief that starts with headcount and desks, see office design and space planning. Private houses are handled by our residential architects page.

What size of project do you take on, and where?

Our design minimum and construction range are in the stages table above. In practice that means a single shop or clinic up to a mixed-use block or a full conversion. We are based in Victoria and work across London and the South East, with larger schemes across the UK.

What our clients say

See all reviews on Google
  • Hired Craftex for our conversion project. We had to convert a 600m2 office into 8 apartments. Guys did an excellent job in terms of program efficiency and quality of the finishes which gave us a big upside to exit the project 2 months faster than other competitors’ timelines.

    Misha Levit

  • Great experience from start to finish. Communication was clear, the workmanship was excellent, and the whole project was managed professionally.

    Rhea Langford

  • I’d like to thank the team at Сraftex for the work they did on our office.
    It was really important for us to get the work done quickly, but without compromising on quality, as we regularly have clients and guests visiting and needed to move into the new office within a month.
    We spent around two weeks discussing and agreeing all the details before the work started. What I really appreciated was that everything we agreed beforehand was actually followed through during the job. The work was also completed on time.
    Thanks to the whole Сraftex team for a great job. I’d definitely use them again if we need any work done in the future.

    IURII PYLYPETS

  • We recently worked with Craftex and honestly couldn’t be happier with the results. From start to finish, the team was professional, reliable, and highly skilled. The quality of workmanship exceeded our expectations, and everything was completed on time and to a very high standard.
    Communication throughout the project was excellent, and they always went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. It’s rare to find a construction company that combines professionalism, attention to detail, and great customer service so well.
    Without a doubt, Craftex is one of the best construction companies we have ever worked with. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality and trustworthy builders.

    Adam Miah

  • Craftex has completed a range of both small and large-scale projects on our commercial property with exceptional precision and quality. Dmitriy consistently delivers courteous, prompt service and has shown great flexibility in accommodating last-minute changes to plans and timelines. I highly recommend Craftex for their professionalism and outstanding workmanship.

    Pascal Hunt

  • Great company to work with as always. Super flexible at dealing with evolving requirements and fast deployment and execution.

    Akshay Khanna

  • Hired Craftex to do the full design and fit out of my gym in Chelsea. Super efficient and fast team. They gave the best price and a proper fast track program. We managed to open in less than 6 weeks with no headaches or surprises during construction. Quality was great, we had zero snags on completion. I’ve worked with a few companies before but these guys really impressed me from project management to how they treat the client. Top GGs.

    Александр Хоменко

  • I worked perfectly with Sviat and Joe, with their architect they came up with a very smart design for our office to fit more desks and optimise the space to its maximum capacity. They also did excellent value engineering on the MEP design proposed by others, allowing us to save around £50K. The quality and speed were outstanding we finished two weeks ahead of schedule. Highly recommend these guys.

    John Smith

  • Happy with the end result. Tight timeline but they pulled it off. The team worked late shifts and even weekends to help us open the doors on schedule. Site was always left tidy at the end of the day and no surprise charges either. Good communication throughout. Would definitely use Craftex again.

    Pawel Kamionka

  • Highly recommended!
    Craftex are the kind of fit-out contractors in London you can truly trust. From the very first meeting, they understood our vision and gave practical ideas to make the most of our space. They turned our old storage area into a clean, efficient, and well-organized warehouse. The team was professional, easy to work with, and clearly took pride in their work.

    Monika Kamionka

  • We brought in Craftex to refurb our London office and honestly, they made the whole thing way easier than we expected. They listened, suggested ideas we wouldn’t have thought of, and explained everything clearly. Not the cheapest quote we got, but the end result shows why, the place looks modern, clean, and our team actually enjoys being here now. Communication was spot-on too. No chasing and confusion, deadlines were hit. If you want people who genuinely care and don’t treat your project like “another job,” I’d recommend them.

    A Google User

  • Sviat and his team at Craftex were brilliant to work with on our office redesign. From the first meeting, they took the time to understand how we actually use the space rather than just pitching generic solutions. They came back with clever, practical ideas to maximise use of the space and get more employees and desks inside . Every step was handled professionally, and the process felt surprisingly smooth for a project of this size. They finished one week ahead of schedule, and the transformation is clear — our office feels brighter, more functional, and much more welcoming. I’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone who wants a reliable design team that also makes the journey enjoyable.

    Cucu Iulian

  • We recently worked with Sviat and the Craftex team on a complete warehouse refurbishment, and the results have been outstanding. From the very beginning, their team was professional, organized, and attentive to every detail. The project was completed on time and within budget, without disrupting our day-to-day operations.

    Simone Racaku

  • My experience with Craftex was excellent from beginning to end. They took the time to really listen to what I wanted and then offered practical suggestions that made the design even better. I always felt like they cared about creating a space that worked for me, not just one that looked nice on paper. The end result is an office that feels stylish, welcoming, and very functional for day-to-day work. The process itself was straightforward, well-managed, and never stressful. I’d definitely recommend Craftex if you’re looking for office design and build services in London — they made the whole journey a positive one.

    Ion Bounegru

  • I’m really pleased with my experience working with Craftex. As a commercial construction firm, they handled everything from start to finish without any unnecessary stress on my side. What impressed me was how they suggested practical ideas that improved the design while also keeping things realistic. The communication was always clear, so I never felt out of the loop. The project ran smoothly, deadlines were met, and the end result is exactly what I was hoping for — a space that feels both functional and modern. It’s not easy finding contractors who are this reliable, but Craftex definitely proved they can be trusted.

    Taron Papoyan

  • I had an amazing experience working with Sviat and the Craftex team on our office fit-out in London. They were always professional, responsive, and quick to offer the best advice whenever decisions needed to be made. I really appreciated how they balanced style with practicality — the office doesn’t just look fantastic, it works perfectly for our team. Everything was done with care and attention to detail, and the project never felt overwhelming because they managed it so well. Communication was clear from start to finish, and I always felt involved in the process. I would happily recommend Craftex to anyone looking for a trustworthy contractor.

    Artur Dvorak

  • Craftex carried out a warehouse fit-out for us, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The space has been completely transformed into a highly organized and efficient environment that makes our daily operations much smoother.
    The team was professional but also very approachable — I always felt comfortable asking questions or giving feedback. They came up with smart, practical solutions that worked perfectly for our setup, and everything was explained clearly along the way.
    The best part was how they stuck to the agreed timeline, finishing on schedule without cutting corners. It’s rare to get both quality and reliability, but Craftex delivered both.

    Roma Shchukin

  • We’re extremely happy with Sviat and the Craftex team’s work. They suggested clever ideas, managed the project efficiently, and delivered a functional, modern space. The team was easy to communicate with and very professional throughout the process!

    Polina Lysenko

  • I can honestly say our office has been completely transformed thanks to Craftex. From the very first meeting, the team was approachable, professional, and full of creative ideas that really made sense for our business. They didn’t just focus on how the space would look but also how it would work for the team day-to-day. The new layout is efficient, modern, and welcoming, and you can tell they really thought about the details. The whole process was smooth and surprisingly stress-free. They kept me updated at every stage, which gave me confidence. I’m really happy with the results and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

    Mykyta Khadzhynov

  • The results from Craftex’s commercial refurbishment in London are fantastic. The team was friendly, clear in communication, and made sure the project stayed on track. The workspace now feels efficient, welcoming, and modern. Definitely a team you can trust!

    Alaa Betar

  • We hired Craftex for a commercial ground floor fit-out with 2 flats above. There were some minor co-ordination hiccups with third-party suppliers but the team kept it moving. Finish quality was strong. Kitchens and doors look great. I have already asked them for a quote on the next project.

    Ben Edell

  • These guys actually deliver. They handled our first industrial to residential conversion near Tower Bridge, turned an old warehouse into 4 modern flats. They stuck to the plan, kept the site clean and the timing was on point. No hidden extras, no drama, just a professional construction company in London that gets the job done.

    Богдан Главацкий

  • We recently hired Craftex for a commercial office fit-out project in Central London, and overall, we’re really happy with the result. There was a delay on our side with a custom glass partition supplier, but the Craftex team managed the construction schedule very professionally and kept everything on track. Their guys worked clean, respected our workspace and IT setup, and kept the site tidy throughout. If you're looking for a reliable office refurbishment company in London, I’d definitely recommend Craftex. Would use them again without hesitation.

    Ardian Beleshi

  • This was a full high-end renovation of my Victorian rental apartment in Westminster, just off Sloane Square and Belgravia. The scope included full fit-out: electrics, plumbing, a new bespoke kitchen, and a luxury bathroom refurbishment. Craftex took care of everything and made the process easy. They weren’t the cheapest, but you can tell they really know what they’re doing when it comes to prime London property renovations.
    The team was professional, organised, and genuinely seemed to care about getting everything right. I was especially impressed with the quality of the finish – the attention to detail really shows in every corner.
    I’m very happy with the results and would definitely recommend Craftex to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality renovation work in Central London.

    Наталия Цимбалюк

  • I was stressed about timing since we had bookings lined up, but they smashed it. Even worked Saturday to finish the floor. My clients love the look — the beauty salon fit-out turned out exactly how I wanted. Couldn’t have pulled it off without their help. Genuinely appreciate the way they communicated throughout the refurbishment. If you need reliable help with beauty salon design or fit-out, especially in a place like Chelsea — these are the guys.

    Rami Jusupova

  • We used Craftex for a shop-to-flat conversion in Chelsea — turning an old retail space into two rental units. Access wasn’t the easiest, but the guys handled it well, no drama. Quote was clear, no hidden extras, and they actually stuck to it, which is rare. Finish came out solid, exactly what we needed for rentals. Joe (PM) kept things ticking and communication was always on point. All in all, smooth job — would use them again for sure.👍

    Apartify Estates

  • Fuse Energy hired Craftex on the fit-out and installation of our engineering and research centre, which included electrical, heating, lighting, plumbing, and ventilation upgrades. They delivered everything to a high standard and were proactive throughout — even working weekends to help speed up the programme, despite not being contracted to. They managed last-minute changes very well, communication was clear and consistent, and the team was professional from start to finish. We’d happily recommend Craftex to anyone needing a reliable construction partner.

    Hainro Eybers

  • Holistic therapy space fit-out
    Super impressed. I had a very specific vision for the studio. calm tones, soft lighting, hidden storage etc. the craftex team just got it. build was done quicker than I expected and the guys were polite, tidy and actually listened. we had 2 snags on day one but they fixed it before the week was out. worth it for the peace of mind.

    Dariia Shvyryda

  • Made a full refurbishment and redesign of our Central London office. Fantastic work, quality service and reliable people. Can recommend it to everybody

    Nikita Nigai

  • Amazing experience with these guys. I trusted them my apartment in London and Business. They are always accurate, very professional, responsive and neat. They would always advice me right things for my best interest. I had luxury experience with them and I would definitely recommend Craftex to everyone.

    Motush Motushev

  • Could not be HAPPIER with Sviat and the Craftex team, they certainly showed me that they’re the number one office design company in London that we’ve had the pleasure of working with. They gave us a unique design just like we wanted, and we loved the first initial draft of the concept. Also have to give them props for Construction, I gave them a tight timeline as we needed to move our team in ASAP, so they pulled double shifts and I didn’t see a drop in quality. Will be to talking to the team when we move up to our next bigger office. Highly recommended A+++

    Mikhail Burdoev

  • Very professional company. Craftex did brilliant minimalistic design and completely refurbished my apartment to the highest quality.

    Vlad

  • I and my husband are very satisfied with Craftex's service and customer support. We bought a house in Hampstead and wanted to redesign and renovate it. On our initial free consultation with Sviat, we found out that we actually can do loft conversion and rear extension and add value to the property straight away.
    We worked with the Craftex design team to bring our vision to life and deliver planning approvals. At that time guys started stripping out to save time on the construction programme as we wanted to move in ASAP.
    We worked with very experienced project director Konstantin who was responsible for all aspects of project delivery from design to construction with a very good eye on details and customer care.
    We saved a lot of money by having professional advice from the start. Project management and quality at Craftex are at the highest level. Many thanks to Craftex Team.

    Lia Lavryk

  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 14001
  • ISO 45001
  • CHAS
  • Constructionline Gold
  • SafeContractor
  • TrustMark
  • FMB
  • NICEIC
  • NAPIT
  • MCS
  • CSCS
  • Considerate Constructors
  • RICS, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
  • RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects
  • ARB, Architects Registration Board
  • Public & Employers' Liability £10M
  • Professional Indemnity £10M
  • ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified

Have a building or a site in mind?

Send us the address and what it needs to earn. You get an honest view of the design and planning route, and a costed first option, before you commit to a stage.

Unit 5, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR

info@craftex.co.uk

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