David Aldrich Designs Ltd

We worked with David Aldrich to do a complete bathroom and bedroom remodel for our son’s small London flat. As other reviewers have noted David has excellent experience, knowledge, contacts, and creative problem solving ability and is a pleasure to work with. He undertook the design, sourcing, and project management phases and our son now has pleasant, well functioning rooms at a cost he could afford. David had general contractors he worked with previously make bids for the project. In my experience this is standard practice for any experienced designer or architect but nonetheless such quotes can come in much higher than expected. For David’s contractors we thought the bids were correctly priced - not being ripped off at this stage is perhaps the biggest cost issue. It’s also worth pointing out that having a good interaction with the general contractor is important and this is pretty much assured with David’s recommendations. We found David to be fully sensitive to cost issues and presented good options so the cost to quality trade off worked for us. Cost savings on cabinetry is part of his package - in our project scope for this was limited but was achieved by buying the wardrobes from trade with contractor construction. In the past over the years I’ve done 7 significant remodels (yes, ridiculous but I’m quite old now) and working with David rates equal first (along with one architect - an old friend who has now passed on). Very much recommended.

I was trying to create a new family kitchen in a country property in a room made by knocking two together. I knew elements of what I wanted but I was really struggling with a combination sales-y kitchen shops, all my ideas, clippings from magazines and an utter lack of time to try and put together all my ideas. A friend recommended David and he was a life saver. He listened, he was practical, he helped pull all my ideas together, he was calm, he was both efficient and patient. He handled all the measurements and the layout, he got in competitive quotes for me, he helped on pricing managements he managed suppliers for me and coordination with trades. I recommend David Aldrich extremely highly.

David designed and managed my kitchen revamping. He worked with me to think about my particular needs, big and small when designing the kitchen. He was creative in finding ways for my kitchen to work best for me and the results were truely life changing. I am now able to be independent in the kitchen despite being a wheelchair user. Works were completed on time and stress free as David coordinated everything from tradespeople to deliveries of appliances. David was also hugely helpful with making sure the snagging list was sorted and the plumber fixed an issue post-works. Fantastically skilled, helpful and thorough

David was an invaluable aid in our bathroom and closet room full refurbishment project. He was priceless to the design process ensuring optimal results. He sourced excellent hardware suppliers and a very good high quality friendly builder. I would not hesitate to recommend his services.

If you want to do all the hard work yourself and know exactly how to coordinate a kitchen extension and refit then you don’t need David. If, on the other hand you see the benefit in working with someone who knows their way around all the interconnected details of planning an extension and a new kitchen, thinks of all the things you wouldn’t have, can advise on what things are worth spending money on and what things are not, will source and coordinate planners, builders, suppliers, architects etc etc then David is your man. David takes his job very seriously, is conscientious and accountable, holds other suppliers to account and gets the job done with good humour throughout all the twists and turns. A pleasure to work with and for us - well worth the investment for all the ways he helped us save money and think of all the right details.

David is an extremely patient man. We changed our minds several times over the months he was designing our kitchen, and he accepted each change with patience. He is experienced and knowledgeable about the products and services involved in kitchen construction. Importantly, David engaged kitchen constructers who were very pleasant to work with and very skilled. He introduced us to suppliers of most of the kitchen components. David project managed the work, and the result exceeded our expectations. I would recommend his services to anyone. It was a positive experience for us. Robert & Diana Owen

David was recommended to us when we were considering an extension and complete renovation of our home. We decided to work with him to plan our kitchen within the extension and the creation of a dressing room off of the master bedroom. His attention to detail was impressive and the VR presentation really helped us see what our new spaces could look like. He created the drawings and worked closely with the builder and architect to make sure everything went to plan. He was excellent at spotting potential problems and coming up with creative solutions. He also helped us source lighting and came with us to find the worktops we wanted. He has been very responsive in resolving snagging problems, even things which were not strictly his domain. We have no hesitation in recommending him.

David has been instrumental in providing drawings and specifications for both interior work (kitchen, wardrobes) for my manufacturer as well outside work including garden design, block paving for forecourt and providing quantities for obtaining quotations and ordering. He is both efficient with good time scales and he is trustworthy. He has often come up with ideas that had not thought of which enhance design, save money or makes sure have the correct specification on intricate quotes.

Project: Side return extension, kitchen (re)design, ensuite bathroom conversion, window replacement and general upgrading of entire house. David's role: Design (inc. VR demo), product sourcing/procurement and project management Feedback: David went above and beyond with this project, helping us at every stage and through the significant complications created by Covid-19. His knowledge and experience was evident throughout, identifying potential problems and pitfalls of different design considerations. The VR demo was extremely useful to visualise the final design, particularly for a project with such significant changes. David was very hands-on (e.g. going to kitchen and tiles shops) and managed the communication with multiple contractors. In respect to budget, David helped us to balance the inevitable trade-offs that come up in any project. Overall, we would highly recommend David for his design and project management services.

David designed and managed the conversion of two rooms to a kitchen-diner and the creation of a library out of an unused space in a unique listed building. He listened to our needs and gave us even more than we had hoped. He provided clear and useful drawings, 3D designs and plans for us and for the various tradesmen. His skill in cabinet design is excellent and the kitchen units and the library/ study cupboards and shelving are ingenious and of the highest quality. He managed the project with care and attention to detail and advised on lighting, sourcing items and colours/finish. He was always collaborative and the results are both elegant and practical, still lovely over a year later..

David helped us redo our kitchen. Complicated as it was a remodel of the entire ground floor of our home to make open plan and involved combining our dining room, entrance hall and kitchen into one space. David came up with a few designs that we could choose from to suit our style and taste aided by fantastic 3D software and virtual reality. Also helped us get through the Building Regs complications of changing walls. David helped source quality fixtures and fittings, from cupboards and appliances, work tops and even taps! Detailed understanding of pricing and quality and struck the appropriate balance for. Always had our budget in mind which we worked to. Also a useful tie-break between my wife and I in decisions! Very hands on Project Management through the 2 month build, helped coordinate various contractors and ensured work was being done to a top quality standard. Contractor recommendations from David also fantastic. It was a tight timetable and at fairly short notice and overall kept within the time frame or advised well in advance of complications. At first a little concerned paying a "premium" price for his services that perhaps my wife and I could muddled through, but throughout the Project, it proved absolutely worth it and think that we clawed back a significant cost in time, efficiency, right product selection (saved money) and a successful Project.

It's no understatement to say that without David's involvement, the project would have never have been as successful as it was! I am very grateful for the hard work he put in over the whole project and the commitment that he showed throughout. It was quite an undertaking which involved refurbishing the entire ground floor, stairs and landing. David was hired to provide a design, detailed plans, source key elements and to be the project manager. David is fun to work with and has great drive and enthusiasm. He was always helpful and patient, contributed countless great ideas and provided quick solutions when problems arose. He found a fantastic builder to carry out the job and worked closely with the builder's team to ensure that the work was carried out efficiently and to a high standard. This removed any stress on my part and allowed me to really enjoy the whole experience. I am delighted with the outcome and would have no hesitation in hiring David again for future projects.