Claiming tax relief for time and money spent on research and development can help practices - and particularly smaller ones - to innovate and grow
Consultancy firm Queen’s Lane Consultants (QLC) is a leading research and development tax specialist with a focus on architecture and its associated sectors.
QLC promotes and supports innovation, helping small businesses grow through R&D tax relief. Its dedicated team of architectural R&D experts and tax specialists guide architects through the claims process and provide advice throughout ongoing R&D work.
Over the past three years, QLC has facilitated the return of over £8 million to UK architectural firms, funding further investment in R&D.
Case study: Lawray Architects' restoration of Old College, Aberystwyth
Lawray Architects is an innovative and award-winning architectural practice with studios in London, Cardiff and Wrexham.
It specialises in restoring listed structures and buildings of historical significance. Its restoration and development of John Nash's Grade I listed Old College in Aberystwyth was the focus of an R&D claim prepared by specialist consultants QLC.
The project involved the full restoration, upgrade and conversion of a complex building. Lawray had to overcome major technological and design challenges because of the nature of the structure and the ambition of the project.
At the Old College, Lawray’s architects explored the possibility of using BIM in innovative ways to map the entire building, discovering hidden rooms and allowing the collection of accurate data. This was vital to providing the initial plans for the full refurbishment.
Lawray spent a significant amount of time working to improve the performance of the building in terms of acoustics, fire protection and energy efficiency and its creative solutions involved considerable advances in technology.
QLC’s service enabled Lawray to claim back for the extensive time and money spent working on those advances. QLC advised Lawray on which aspects of the project qualified for R&D tax relief, how to identify qualifying costs and the best way to compile the claim. It managed the preparation of the claim from beginning to end.
Restoration work at the Old College is ongoing. Once finished, it will provide a new cultural and educational hub for Aberystwyth University and the wider community.
QLC celebrates sustainable, community-focused and innovative projects and continues to support architectural companies that carry out R&D, no matter how big or small.
On this project the R&D work was easily discernible, but many architects will be carrying out R&D for tax purposes day-to-day without realising. QLC can help practices identify and claim for such work.
To find out if your project might qualify, or if you already claim but you're unsure if you have been receiving full value, get in touch. Book a free consultation at queenslc.com/book-a-call and quote RIBAJ20 for 20 per cent off your first claim.
For more information and technical support, visit queenslc.com
Contact:
0208 062 6837