FAQs
WHY SHOULD I BOOK A POWER HOUR WHEN A LOCAL ARCHITECT MAY VISIT ME FOR FREE?
‘Free’ home visits from local architects and designers usually offer little value.
Free home visits are usually very short, perhaps only 15 to 30 mins. Just long enough for the architect or designer to see what might be involved in a job and what a client is like, so they can calculate a fee for their paid services. They are not usually intended to answer all your questions. It’s essentially a ‘foot-in-the-door’ for architects and designers to meet you in person before they send you their fee proposal. Most architects and designers will give little away on one of these visits. You’ll often find the cost of their time is then added to their fees.
Like most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for. Nothing much comes for free.
WHERE WILL MY POWER HOUR BE HELD?
Your Power Hour will be hosted on Zoom video conferencing. I’ll send you a link to join at least 24 hours prior to the session, but you’ll need download the software on your phone or computer before you join. If you’ve got an iPhone, you’ll need to download the free app first: Zoom Cloud Meetings. It’s fairly intuitive, so you will only need to click the join link you are given for the meeting to join the call, or input the nine digit meeting code.
Please be aware that you will be on video. There is an option to switch to audio only (bottom left on a PC/Mac and if you are using a mobile device you can disable the video before joining a meeting by toggling the “turn off my video” option after clicking “Join a Meeting”) but it’s much nicer for me to see your face if I can.
Important: If you haven’t used Zoom before, please do a trial before our call. It’s really easy to use, but as with any tech there is always the possibility of glitches. My diary is often very full so I need to be strict on timings. We don’t want to waste the first 10 minutes of your session troubleshooting tech problems!
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE?
I’d suggest trying to join the call around five minutes before the start time – although if I’m on a call with someone else you may find the room is ‘locked’- hold tight and I’ll be with you as soon as I can.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE POWER HOUR?
Please email me any relevant information at least 24 hours before the session – it will mean we can get straight down to business on the call. This might include photos or floor plans of your home, links to Rightmove property listings etc.
Important note: You can screen share on Zoom so there is no need to send me any documents beforehand if that’s not possible – just show me on your screen on the call.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE CALL?
If you’d like to make notes, have a notepad and pen handy (or you can make notes on a tablet or your computer).
HOW WILL THE POWER HOUR BE STRUCTURED?
Agree the outcome: We’ll have a chat to agree what you’d like to gain from the Power Hour and what success would look like to you. Key question: what would feel like a return on investment for you from the Power Hour? (0-10 mins)
Exploring the possibilities: We’ll explore the different options you may have depending on what you are struggling with, IE – moving or improving, making the best use of space at home, how to extend your home etc. Key question: which options are the best fit to suit your needs and the resources you have available? (10-30 mins)
Quick wins: We’ll concentrate on any problems I can help you solve, or decisions I can help you make during the call to give you a quick win. (30-45 mins)
Making plans: We’ll map out the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. We’ll talk about who might need to be involved, what it might cost and how long it might take. Key question: what resources will you need to make things happen? (45-60 mins)
N.B. These are approximate timings – some segments may be shorter/longer.
WILL THE POWER HOUR BE RECORDED?
Yes – you’ll be sent the recording 24-48 hours after the session (if not sooner).
CAN I BRING A FRIEND?
My 1:1 Power Hours are just that… 1:1. However, I appreciate you may wish your spouse or partner to join you on the call, which is absolutely fine.
IS IT OK IF I HAVE MY BABY/CHILDREN WITH ME?
Lovely as they are, babies and children are distracting. You won’t get the most out of the session if your attention is being diverted elsewhere…so please organise childcare for the duration of the call.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
Bookings are non-refundable.
You can reschedule your appointment time if you give at least 24 hours’ notice by emailing jon@mrjonclayton.co.uk or call 0800 020 9514.
If you cancel twice, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reschedule – even with 24 hours notice.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE SESSION?
Following the Power Hour, I will email you to follow up on any bits we’ve agreed during the session. The email will also contain a link to download a video recording of the session.
I’ll also send you an invite to book a short follow up phone call in 30 days to see how you’re getting on.
WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM MY POWER HOUR?
A Power Hour is intended to get you unstuck and give you clarity on your next step towards your ideal home. Be that renovating your current home, moving home or investing in another property. Here are a few of the results you could get…
- Feel inspired or excited about renovating your current home.
- Realise that renovating isn’t the best option for you and that moving would be better.
- Affect what you are willing to offer for a property you’ve seen for sale, or whether you should make an offer at all.
- Feel more confident about dealing with Architects and Building Contractors.
- Get clarity on the process of renovating and extending your home, from initial design to completion.
Note, we can discuss home renovation and home design ideas during a Power Hour, but it would be unrealistic to expect we can redesign your home or design a home extension for you in a one-hour session.