Domestic refurbishment is an imprecise science. Delays in delivery, budgets that double and builders that go bankrupt on the job are common horror stories, while names of good contractors are squirreled away, not even shared between best friends. Here however are some of the best.

JAMES GORST This 57-year-old architect recently came to the media's attention after designing London's most expensive apartment ever sold (it was in Eaton Square, in Belgravia, and cost £12m). Gorts has a reputation for wanting to cast his eye over everything from the cutlery to the curtains, and, having already completed a dozen award winning houses, is now designing England's largest new-build country mansion. Unless you are deadly serious about architecture, we advise you not to bother with his firm 020 7336 7140