Choose our home improvement consultation to transform your home with confidence. Led by Alan Hepden at The JJ Group, this in-person service combines decades of bespoke joinery, carpentry and property improvement to turn ideas into compliant, buildable plans.
Why Book A Home Improvement Consultation?
A consultation gives you clarity before you commit to drawings or contractors. We begin by understanding why you want to change the area and what problems you need to solve, then we translate that into layouts that are realistic to build and likely to gain approval. You leave the meeting with a plain‑English summary of what is feasible, what to avoid and where your budget is best spent.
For many homeowners the question is not just what looks good, it is what will work for the property over time. Our advice covers buildability, access, services and maintenance so there are fewer surprises once work starts. If your home is listed or in a conservation area, we also explain the heritage considerations and the kind of details planners look for. The result is a plan that fits the house, suits your daily life and stands a strong chance at approval.
What The Service Includes
Every project starts with an on-site home improvement consultation. We walk through the property with you, discuss priorities and note the constraints that will shape the design. By the end of this visit you will have a short brief that sets out the preferred direction and the likely planning route.
If you wish to proceed, we complete a measured survey and produce scaled drawings. These can cover kitchens and bespoke furniture, conservatories, new internal doors, and so much more. Each drawing set includes clear notes so it can be used for planning conversations, contractor pricing and scheduling.
Planning guidance is part of the service. We outline the policies that usually apply in your area and propose practical adjustments that improve approval prospects. Where a building is listed, we explain how to respect original fabric while meeting modern standards for insulation, fire safety and services.
Specification follows once the layout is agreed. We recommend timber species, finishes and ironmongery that balance durability, cost and appearance, and we explain the reasons behind each choice so you can decide with confidence.
When the drawings are finalised you can commission The JJ Group to build, or you can take the package to your preferred contractor. For full renovations, Alan can act as Project Manager, coordinating your chosen trades and suppliers. We provide consultancy and project management, not main contracting. Fees are charged at an hourly consultation rate, with fixed prices available for well‑defined drawing packages.
Typical Projects We Advise On
Our work ranges from kitchen remodelling, all the way to bespoke staircases. We regularly prepare drawings for bespoke cabinetry, new windows and tailored internal and external doors. Listed buildings and period homes form a large part of our portfolio, so advice is always sensitive to original features and local character. We also regularly use our in-house spray booth, which is appealing for those who want bespoke features in their home, without the fuss of painting.
Planning & Listed Building Expertise
Homes in conservation areas and listed properties require a careful approach. During your home improvement consultation, we review the age, fabric and significance of the building, then shape proposals that respect original joinery, openings and proportions. Details such as glazing bars, mouldings, timber species and ironmongery are considered early so drawings feel authentic to the house. We also explain common conditions that can be attached to approvals and how to plan for them in the build programme.
Our drawings are prepared to a standard that planning officers expect to see for domestic applications. Where needed, we propose a phased route: pre‑application advice, a refined submission and coordination with your chosen contractor or specialist consultants. The aim is to keep the process predictable and to avoid rework once on site
Our Process
Enquiry: Share your aims, timelines and any constraints. We suggest the most useful consultation format and outline likely fees.
On‑site consultation: Alan meets you at the property to review the space and discuss routes that are achievable. You receive a short written brief with preferred options.
Plans and documentation: We carry out a measured survey and produce drawings with notes suitable for planning and tender. Revisions are made where needed to reflect feedback.
Approval and procurement: We help refine the package for submission and advise on selecting contractors, lead times and sequencing.
Delivery: Build with The JJ Group or your chosen contractor. Alan can project manage a full renovation to keep programme, quality and budget on track.
Why Choose Us?
The JJ Group combines more than 25 years of workshop and site experience with a practical understanding of local planning across the South East. Advice is delivered face to face by an experienced craftsman who understands how drawings translate into joinery details, site coordination and day‑to‑day living. You get transparent hourly rates, clear deliverables and a route to construction that avoids costly rework.
Aftercare & Support
Design decisions often raise new questions once pricing begins. We remain available to answer contractor queries, refine details and advise on substitutions so the build stays aligned with the agreed intent.
Who This Service Suits
The home improvement consultation service is perfect for homeowners planning kitchens and fitted furniture, clients improving period or listed properties, and households considering light extensions or reconfiguration that must pass local planning. If you value in‑person advice and clear drawings that translate directly to site, this service is designed for you.
Find Out More
We have experience working all over the South East of England, including East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Kent & London. More locally, you may see us around Heathfield, Mayfield, and perhaps Lewes or Tunbridge Wells!
If you are planning a full design and build after a home improvement consultation, head over to our service pages to see what we offer. From dressing rooms, to offices, to bathrooms, to kitchens, we’ve got you covered.
To find out more about our work and how we can help you, please either call us on 07538 797787 or email enquiries@jj-group.co.uk for more information.
