Resi vs BeforeBricks: Which Architectural Practice Is Better?
Thinking about renovating your home is exciting; however, it only becomes a reality with the right architects and tradespeople. And with so many companies offering various services at different price points, it can be difficult to make your final decision.
Today we'll be comparing Resi vs BeforeBricks. Both of these architectural design companies are based in England and provide plans, surveys, and more for your home improvement project.
While at first glance they may seem similar, they have distinct differences that will likely sway you one way or the other.
Resi vs BeforeBricks— How We'll Compare Them
We are going to take a deep dive into each of these architectural design companies and consider how they compare across five factors. We'll rank both companies out of ten to see which one comes out on top at the end, helping you choose the England-based home renovation business for you.
- Services
- Service areas
- Tradespeople provision
- Online tools
- Cost and guarantees
Services
BeforeBricks
10/10
BeforeBricks boasts a range of services that make taking your home improvement project from a dream to your reality easy, including:
- Planning drawings — Their drawings help you get planning permission. The company hasn't had a planning refusal in the past year, allowing customers to complete a range of projects. They even submit the applications for you!
- Building regulation drawings — Their plans obtain building control approval for your project. They provide all the technical information required by officials and contractors.
- Measured building surveys — As the first step in your project, BeforeBricks surveys are available for an extensive variety of property sizes and types.
Resi
9/10
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Like BeforeBricks, Resi offers architectural services that help you get ready for technical design and construction, such as:
- Measured survey — They come to your house and get the measurements needed for your project.
- Proposed design — Their designers produce architectural drawings highlighting your home's beauty.
- Planning permission — Their in-house planning officers manage your planning permission route.
- Building regulations — The technical drawings ensure you receive building control approval.
How They Compare
While there are hardly any differences between the actual services both companies provide, BeforeBricks comes out on top thanks to its track record of planning permission approvals.
Service Areas
BeforeBricks
10/10
When BeforeBricks says they service the nation, they service the nation. They can reach all parts of England UK, allowing you to utilize their expedient professionalism regardless of your location.
Resi
7/10
While Resi has undertaken projects in every postcode in the country, the bulk of the work they complete is in and around London. And yes, they have serviced every single borough in the capital city!
How They Compare
Resi has specialized knowledge of London planning permission protocols and tradespeople. So, despite saying they work nationwide, they're most prone to capital-city-based projects. Therefore, BeforeBricks comes out victorious here too for their extensive countrywide knowledge and performance.
Tradespeople Provision
BeforeBricks
5/10
Currently, BeforeBricks is a solely design and planning company. That said, they have an impressive catalogue of reliable, trusted, third-party partners and contractors to connect you with.
Resi
4/10
Resi is a design and planning company without in-house tradespeople. However, their Connect service lets you easily find vetted contractors and specialists, such as:
- Building contractors
- Party wall surveyor
- CCTV surveyor
- Inspectors
- Structural engineers
- Interior designers
At the time of this comparison, Connect is only available within the M25.
How They Compare
Neither companies offer in-house tradespeople. But BeforeBricks just clinches the win because of their nationwide network; you don't have to live within the M25.
Online Tools
BeforeBricks
9/10
The online tool offerings from BeforeBricks include a variety of cost calculators related to the following aspects of their services and possible projects:
- Extensions
- Loft conversions
- Architect fees
- Drawings
Resi
10/10
Resi boasts an extensive suite of online tools to help with everything from finding out how to add value to your home to quick project cost estimates to getting a loan. Specifically, their offerings are as follows:
- Home improvement report
- Quick design quote
- Project cost calculator
- Permitted Development rights help
- Loan finder
- Untapped value finder
How They Compare
Both architectural design companies offer online tools. However, Resi wins this round because they provide more than cost calculators.
Cost and Guarantees
BeforeBricks
10/10
BeforeBricks offers an easy-to-use Quick Quote feature, allowing you to enter your timeframe, project type, postcode, and name to get an emailed price estimation. Alternatively, you can call them for an instant quote.
Pricing includes two sets of revisions, and all their work is covered by £1,000,000 of professional indemnity insurance. They even offer a money-back guarantee and a buy now, pay later scheme.
Not to mention they're 30% cheaper than the average local architect — and ten times faster.
Resi
8/10
Resi has an intuitive Instant Quote feature to give you an idea of design and planning costs within two minutes.
Their work is insured by professional indemnity coverage with a limit of £2,000,000.
How They Compare
BeforeBricks is the clear winner for the final category, even though Resi is insured for up to £2M. The money saved working with the prompt, professional team at BeforeBricks is truly unbeatable.
The Breakdown
Despite offering similar services, there are some clear distinctions, as you'll see from the table below:
BeforeBricks
Resi
Services
10/10
Planning drawings, building regulation drawings, and measured building surveys
9/10
Measured surveys, proposed designs, planning permission, and building regulations
Service Areas
10/10
Nationwide (England, UK)
9/10
Bulk of their projects are in London boroughs
Tradespeople Provision
5/10
No in-house, wide network of reliable contractors nationwide
4/10
No in-house, Resi Connect available only within the M25
Online Tools
9/10
A variety of cost calculators
10/10
A suite of online tools for various parts of your project
Cost and Guarantees
10/10
Emailed or telephone quote, £1M insurance, money-back guarantee, buy now pay later scheme, 30% cheaper than local architects
8/10
Instant quote, £2M insurance
Final Thoughts
Since BeforeBricks wins in all categories but one (online tools), this architectural design and planning firm is the clear winner. From the cost and guarantees to the service areas, BeforeBricks is the England-based team that'll bring your home renovation dreams to life.