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Carianne and Sam, the architects that work from dream to delivery.

By Carianne and Sam

Founders of Applecore PDM

Founders of Applecore PDM and Well Planned, they’ve built their business on planning, designing and managing homes for the modern market.

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Founders of Applecore PDM Sam and Carianne have built their business on planning, designing and managing homes for the modern market.

Commonly, renovating or building a home requires multiple suppliers and specialists, all working together on a strict time frame to get things done. It’s a balancing act – and often, it doesn’t go to plan.

Their business was founded with an intent to provide a cohesive, end-to-end solution that was often so hard to come by for those looking to upgrade their home. With a focus on HMOs, and a portfolio quickly expanding across the UK, they’ve shown how simple (and effective) working their way can be.

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For Sam, his journey started as an apprentice at 17 years old. Learning, and staying, with that company gave him the tools he needed to realise property development was his passion. More importantly, it taught him how to deal with people, and all of the essential skills you need to succeed in this industry.

Carianne, starting in the property sector in 2017, joined the same company as Sam. With a keen interest in planning, she loved the intricacies and complexities of property development. Her success with HMO planning approvals and planning appeals has led to building up a growing reputation for being an expert in the field, dealing with HMO planning and appeals throughout the UK.

They shared a vision about the market, and process too. Within a couple of years, they were seriously talking about setting up their own company that would follow their vision.

In 2020, Applecore PDM was born.

"We were working together, and knew we wanted to go in a different direction to where our current business was headed. It was a risk to start up, but it’s the best decision we’ve ever made."

Applecore helps people bring ideas to life in the form of architecture.

For their clients, they’re the friendly experts that turn a dream into a design, and that design into action. They’ll meet clients at their home, or the house they want to renovate, creating an action plan that gets them there the right way.

On site visits are often essential in visualising what is achievable, and then it’s on to planning, building regulation research and design. For HMOs, it’s integral to make sure the client’s plans are all feasible – they help them get the most rooms they can, ensuring their intentions match every regulation.

Their HMO work, both drawing and planning, is growing at a fast pace not only in the South, but all across the UK.

"Whilst many were slowed down by pandemic, we didn’t have to furlough anyone. We were able to carry on operating at full speed and were able to continue growing. If anything, we probably grew faster as a result of COVID."

In an industry plagued by online gurus and so called experts, knowledge and experience are essential in why clients choose Carianne and Sam. Their work turns ideas into real outcomes, not just wishful drawings. Guiding from the very beginning, they ensure clients have got the right property investment to get what they want.

Whilst the HMO market grows, there are very few companies who manage everything in house, from start to finish. Planning, building regulations, drawing and design – Applecore do it all.

Currently sitting at a 95% planning approvals success rate, their commitment to designing homes that get built, not just designed, shows.

With over 1000 projects across the UK since 2020, they’ve carved themselves a unique position in the market, building a strong team that has enabled them to expand operations and prepare for further growth outside of the HMO market.

"There are a lot of fake it till you make it people on social media, and it can lower trust in our industry. Our honesty is why our customers are happy."

"We sometimes get asked to “fix it” from people who have fallen into the trap. They’re often more complex and more challenging, but we like helping people out and showing them how it should have been done."

The future of Applecore PDM is a consolidation of the HMO market, but then growing into the commercial market and spreading it out across the UK too. They’re currently hiring, with growth showing no signs of abating.

Alongside the main business, Carianne and Sam have recently launched Well Planned, a planning consultancy for clients that don’t require drawing, but want to benefit from our track record of successful planning applications.

Spark a conversation

After a busy few years in work mode, Carianne and Sam are just starting to slow down and get back to enjoying their free time.

For Carianne, it’s dog walking, reading planning appeals (no joke!) and getting away to her new holiday let in Wales near her new grandchild.

For Sam, it’s all about the kids. His youngest son plays a lot of academy football (up to 6 times a week) and his daughter does a lot of dancing.

The best piece of business advice that’s helped Carianne and Sam

“Being prepared to take risks that you wouldn’t normally take, and thinking about what they can help you achieve. It’s how we got here!” – Carianne

“Similarly, taking the risk can give you much more reward than standing still. You only get one life, try these things and see what happens.” – Sam

Discover more of their secrets of success