Each project is considered individually. Fees are estimated from the time anticipated, the experience required and the agreed deliverables. Where programme or scope changes are reasonably foreseeable, potential additional services and contingency allowances are identified rather than left as surprises.
The indicative rates below explain both the grade and the responsibilities it is intended to cover. Select any role for more detail.
Standard indicative hourly rates, excluding VAT. The team for each project is agreed in the fee proposal.
A founder or senior Partner with extensive experience across daylight, sunlight, rights of light and associated specialist matters. The Principal or Partner leads the project, oversees strategic advice and reviews and signs off final reports before issue.
The project lead is involved in key decisions throughout and attends client or project meetings as the complexity and scope require. Senior oversight is built into the agreed brief, rather than added unexpectedly at the end.
An experienced consultant who may coordinate the day-to-day delivery of a project, review technical outputs, advise the project team and manage progress against the agreed brief.
Associates work closely with the Principal or Partner, with regular reviews to ensure findings, strategic advice and final deliverables remain aligned.
Drawing inspiration from the role of a paralegal, para-consultants undertake the research needed to support reliable technical modelling and informed advice. This can include reviewing planning archives, historic approvals, estate agent particulars and other available records to verify existing room layouts, uses and nearby development proposals.
Research may also flag titles, deeds, easements and other matters requiring consideration by a suitably qualified legal adviser. Findings are checked and briefed to the project lead before they inform a recommended strategy.
The Technical Lead coordinates the analytical work supporting the consultancy team, overseeing model development, technical methodology, checking and quality assurance before results are passed to consultants.
The role includes coordinating with project architects and, where necessary, measured surveyors to confirm that the analysis is based on an appropriate and accurate model. The Technical Lead also manages technical delivery and keeps the project lead informed of progress.
Technical Analysts prepare and refine the three-dimensional models, run the required calculations and produce supporting outputs for technical review.
Their work is overseen and checked by the Technical Lead before being interpreted and used by the consultancy team in advice, reports and strategy.
Role descriptions explain how work can be resourced; they do not imply that each grade is permanently staffed. The precise people, services and costs for a project will be confirmed in writing. Certain formal representation and proceedings work may be subject to separately agreed rates; see the note under project disbursements.
Some projects require information or services obtained from third parties in addition to our consultancy fees. We explain anticipated disbursements when agreeing the scope and seek approval before incurring material costs.
Detailed modelling normally begins with an appropriate baseline representation of the surrounding area. Depending on the location and scope, this may require a photogrammetry survey model together with Ordnance Survey mapping.
For detailed analysis, we generally recommend a three-dimensional laser scan of the relevant neighbouring façades to establish measured window positions, levels and geometry. Requirements will vary with the questions under investigation and the information already available.
Measured survey information is often useful to other disciplines too, including topographical surveys and existing plans and elevations. We can help coordinate requirements across the wider project team and recommend independent specialist measured-survey practices with whom we work closely.
For rights of light matters, comprehensive advice will usually involve obtaining title registers, title plans and relevant deeds or leases from HM Land Registry for properties presenting a potential risk. Electronic copies are typically £7 per document where obtained through the applicable electronic services, subject to the prevailing HMLR fees. Any purchased records are itemised and recharged as disbursements.
Travel time and reasonable travel expenses associated with agreed meetings, site visits or proceedings may be charged in addition to professional fees. The basis of any such charges will be set out in the fee proposal.
*Attendance at planning committees, mayoral call-ins, appeals, mediation, litigation and court proceedings may attract separately agreed enhanced rates, reflecting out-of-hours work and/or sustained attendance away from the office. This work is led by a Principal or Partner, with support where appropriate.
For each project, we discuss the brief, likely work stages, assumptions and any foreseeable contingencies before agreeing a fee.
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