- Source checked
- 26 Jun 2026
Public evidence profile
James Howell Designs
Credentials & registries
TrustATrader Approved
Trust Score
44out of 100
- Rated 5.0 from 11 reviews
- 1 credential shown
How this score is worked out
Rating5.0 / 5
Review volumeLow · 11
Independent sources1 independent public source
Credentials1 credential shown
How this score is made up
What customers say25.4 of 60
Independent checks8.6 of 30
Track record10 of 10
See the independent checks
- Licences and credentials0.9 of 10.3
- Ways to reach them3.4 of 3.4
- Reviewed on more than one site0 of 5.1
- Registered company details0 of 5.1
- Photos of their work4.3 of 4.3
- Industry recognition0 of 1.7
Missing evidence lowers the score because we can't check it. It doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Claiming a profile never changes the score. Evidence context, not a guarantee of workmanship.
Trust at a glance
1 checkWhat we can verify about James Howell Designs
Each card sums up one thing we can check from public sources. Open it for the full detail and the named source. This is evidence context, not a guarantee.
See the full verification checklist for James Howell Designs →Completed work
16 photosPhotos listed as completed work
These photos were listed as completed work by the business or a public source. They do not verify workmanship.
Credentials and associations
1Credentials and memberships
These credentials and memberships are attributed to named public sources. Check the source before relying on them.
From customer reviews
What customers consistently say
Recurring themes from 11 customer reviews on TrustATrader.
“His attention to detail, and ability to truly listen has been invaluable. James is always Professional, responsive, and highly skilled.” · TrustATrader, 5 Dec 2025
“James has proved his worth coming up with ideas we had not thought of, and bringing the whole project to life.” · TrustATrader, 22 May 2025
“He's design features are great!” · TrustATrader, 9 Oct 2024
Reviews · public evidence
What customers say
These reviews are published independently on the named public source below, not testimonials this business chose to show. We bring them together and link each one back to where it appeared, so you can open the source and read it yourself.
5.0out of 5
Customers often mention
5 stars11
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Where these reviews are published
- TrustATrader11 reviews · 5.0 avg
Highlights
“Working with James has been a pleasure. His attention to detail, and ability to truly listen has been invaluable. James is always Professional, responsive, and highly skilled. I would gladly recommend him to anyone looking for architectural work.”
“This is the first time we have used James, and have been very impressed. Previous experience with architects is they more or less do what you ask for without any flair themselves. James has proved his worth coming up with ideas we had not thought of, and bringing the whole project to life. Taken a real interest in our job and now spending time with the builders making sure they completely understand the job. Will definitely use him again and would seriously recommend.”
“James is professional, efficient and thinks outside the box. He’s totally on the side of his clients. He really has looked out for me and my partner and ensured we are getting the best value for money from our builders. Thank you James 👍”
Detailed reviews
Replies to reviews
He's the best designer we have every worked with !
Everything went to plan he did all the drawing the building.
James is a very nice chap. He has done multiple jobs for us, and we are very pleased. His is extremely efficient, does what you ask him to and is very prompt. I wouldn't use anyone else.
Very happy with the services provided, excellent service and fantastic design. We would highly recommend their services.
James designed and project managed our house renovations in 2019. From the outset he was professional, listened to our wishes for the project and guided a team of builders through to the final excellent result.
Reply from the business
Hi Debbie, the photo doesn’t do your project justice as we had a number of alterations going on during the refurbishment of your home. The results have been rewarding and your cottage now has a few up to date luxuries. Always a pleasure to James
Read the other 1 detailed review on this pageShow fewer reviews
James is definitely the best architect that I have ever used from start to finish very professionally a architect that couldn't do enough for you. He thinks outside the box he help design my new house which turned out outstanding with some very complicated parts to it James was on hand though the whole of the build with advice or answers can't recommend James enough thank you for my dream home
Reply from the business
Hello Tony, it was a rewarding challenge and more projects since. We’ve built a strong working relationship and always look forward to your next project. Many thanks for the review. James
Local context
Rated 5.0, in line with the local average for architects in Chelmsford
Across 7 architects in Chelmsford, the typical rating is 5.0 out of 5. We compare against the same businesses a homeowner would find searching for this trade locally.
Sources
1 named public sourceWhere this information comes from
Everything on this page is drawn from named public sources. Where a source provides a public link, you can open the original and dig deeper.
Review sources
Check dates vary by source. Where we hold a date, the check shows it.
About
James Howell Designs has been vetted and approved by TrustATrader. Covering Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Kent
See their recent work
From their own website
See their recent work
See their work: Photo gallery (opens in new tab) · Instagram (opens in new tab)
Independent checks
About this business
How long they've really been tradingOperating since at least 2016 (10 years), according to an independent source, not just their own word.
First public review2016Website online since2024
Your own checks
What to check before you hire
Worth checking yourself
Only a few public reviews are shown. Ask for recent references you can contact.
Their public evidence comes from a single source. Look them up on another site before deciding.
Verify at the sourceCheck them yourself
"Architect" is a title protected by law - only people on the official Architects Register (held by ARB) may use it. Confirm they're on it before you commission a design.
Check the Architects RegisterOnly someone on the Architects Registration Board (ARB) register may legally call themselves an 'architect' in the UK. Ask for their ARB number and check it free at arb.org.uk. An 'architectural designer' or 'technologist' is a different, unregistered role (often capable, but not the same protection).
Agree how they charge before any work starts (a percentage of the build cost, a fixed fee, or an hourly rate) and exactly which stages it covers (concept design, planning application, building-regulations drawings, work on site), so there are no surprises later.
Confirm what they will actually handle versus what is excluded (the planning application, the building-control drawings, and whether they will administer the builder's contract on site), and get it, and a portfolio of similar projects, in writing.
Want an extra legitimacy check? Run the Cowboy Checker on James Howell Designs before you contact them.
Run Cowboy Checker →Good to know
Common questions about James Howell Designs
Is James Howell Designs a legitimate business?
James Howell Designs has 11 independent public reviews, rated 5 out of 5. This is independent public evidence gathered from named public sources (no ads, no paid placement), not a guarantee of workmanship. If anything here is out of date, the business can request a correction.
What do customers say about James Howell Designs?
James Howell Designs has 11 public reviews, averaging 5 out of 5. You can read the individual reviews and where each came from in the reviews section above.
How do I know James Howell Designs' reviews are genuine?
James Howell Designs' 11 public reviews come from a named public review source, and MyTrustedTraders links every one back to where it was published, so you can open the source and read them yourself rather than trusting a single curated page. MyTrustedTraders brings this public evidence together with no ads and no paid placement: we show where every review came from rather than selling rankings, so you can weigh the evidence for yourself.
Is James Howell Designs qualified and accredited?
We hold 1 independently sourced credential for James Howell Designs, including TrustATrader Approved. Each is attributed to the body that issued it in the credentials section. For example, TrustATrader Approved is TrustATrader's approved badge: awarded after it vets the trader's identity and background.
When was James Howell Designs' website registered?
James Howell Designs' website has been online since 2024, according to the public domain registry. This dates the website, not necessarily when the business began trading.