Renovating
What Happens When You Hire an Architect for Your Renovation?
Want to hire an architect but not sure how the process works? Our expert tips should make things clearer
There are a few ways to begin a renovation project: you could start by finding a good construction team who will put you in touch with an architect, or you could invest in the services of a design and build firm that can provide both architectural and construction services. Alternatively, you could begin the process with an architect and find your building team later.
If you’re considering the latter, follow this expert guide to find out what happens when you start your project with an architect.
Professional advice from: Chris Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates; Jane Leach of i-architect; Gavin Woodford of Woodford Architecture and Interiors
If you’re considering the latter, follow this expert guide to find out what happens when you start your project with an architect.
Professional advice from: Chris Rodgers of Guy Taylor Associates; Jane Leach of i-architect; Gavin Woodford of Woodford Architecture and Interiors
Tailor to fit your budget
Don’t have the money to employ an architect for your whole project? Many firms make it easy to be flexible with the services you choose, as Chris Rodgers explains. “We present our fees as a shopping list of items, rather than just a total cost. It’s possible to use our services for only the parts of a project you require assistance with.”
Gavin says, “There can be different levels of service, depending on your budget. You may wish to use an architect to obtain your Planning Permission and then engage a builder to secure building control approval, or employ an interior designer to look for materials.
“You may also use an architect to prepare a tender package of construction details and specification of materials and finishes, and then project manage the build yourself,” he adds.
Jane says, “I would recommend taking the project as far as you can with an architect and saving up the extra money to do this if needs be.”
Don’t have the money to employ an architect for your whole project? Many firms make it easy to be flexible with the services you choose, as Chris Rodgers explains. “We present our fees as a shopping list of items, rather than just a total cost. It’s possible to use our services for only the parts of a project you require assistance with.”
Gavin says, “There can be different levels of service, depending on your budget. You may wish to use an architect to obtain your Planning Permission and then engage a builder to secure building control approval, or employ an interior designer to look for materials.
“You may also use an architect to prepare a tender package of construction details and specification of materials and finishes, and then project manage the build yourself,” he adds.
Jane says, “I would recommend taking the project as far as you can with an architect and saving up the extra money to do this if needs be.”
Take your time
Using an architect will add extra time to the beginning of your project, but it should save time later on.
“We always say spending more time on the design, technical detailing and specification will lead to a more efficient construction stage and ensure the project finishes on time,” Chris explains.
Jane says, “You should be making as many decisions as possible before you get a builder to give you quotes, so there’s nothing left to decide once you get to site.
“Unless there are some unknown conditions that arise, the prices that come back from the builder should be more realistic and there should be few to no changes or overruns during the build,” she adds.
Find architects and building designers in your area
Using an architect will add extra time to the beginning of your project, but it should save time later on.
“We always say spending more time on the design, technical detailing and specification will lead to a more efficient construction stage and ensure the project finishes on time,” Chris explains.
Jane says, “You should be making as many decisions as possible before you get a builder to give you quotes, so there’s nothing left to decide once you get to site.
“Unless there are some unknown conditions that arise, the prices that come back from the builder should be more realistic and there should be few to no changes or overruns during the build,” she adds.
Find architects and building designers in your area
Do your research
When choosing your architect, Chris suggest you “look for examples of complete projects, not just concepts and unbuilt planning approvals. Concepts show creativity, but some of the most challenging parts of a project for designers are in the technical delivery,” he says.
“Having experience of seeing projects through to completion leads to greater cost-awareness and an understanding of how to achieve best value,” he explains. “Nobody wants an exciting concept drawing only to find later that they can’t afford to build it.”
Gavin adds, “When choosing an architect, you should ask whether they have experience of working on a similar project to yours.”
When choosing your architect, Chris suggest you “look for examples of complete projects, not just concepts and unbuilt planning approvals. Concepts show creativity, but some of the most challenging parts of a project for designers are in the technical delivery,” he says.
“Having experience of seeing projects through to completion leads to greater cost-awareness and an understanding of how to achieve best value,” he explains. “Nobody wants an exciting concept drawing only to find later that they can’t afford to build it.”
Gavin adds, “When choosing an architect, you should ask whether they have experience of working on a similar project to yours.”
Test the water
Jane Leach says it’s vital to find an architect you get on with. “You need to feel happy and comfortable talking with your architect. Every project goes through ups and downs and this relationship needs to be able to last through these naturally occurring phases.”
Gavin agrees and says, “You should look for an architect who’s prepared to listen to you and your wishes, and is friendly, professional and easy to communicate with.
“Look for someone who will politely challenge you with new concepts and ideas,” he adds. “They should have an attention to detail and be excited to make your project exceed your expectations.”
Jane Leach says it’s vital to find an architect you get on with. “You need to feel happy and comfortable talking with your architect. Every project goes through ups and downs and this relationship needs to be able to last through these naturally occurring phases.”
Gavin agrees and says, “You should look for an architect who’s prepared to listen to you and your wishes, and is friendly, professional and easy to communicate with.
“Look for someone who will politely challenge you with new concepts and ideas,” he adds. “They should have an attention to detail and be excited to make your project exceed your expectations.”
Study qualifications
Jane recommends you look for a professional who’s registered with the Architects Registration Board.
“A registered architect has had a very specific type of training and must keep up to date by continually studying throughout their career,” she says. “They must also meet strict codes of conduct in order to remain on the register.
“There are lots of construction professionals and many of them do some of the same things an architect can do, but only an architect can do all of the things an architect can do.”
Jane recommends you look for a professional who’s registered with the Architects Registration Board.
“A registered architect has had a very specific type of training and must keep up to date by continually studying throughout their career,” she says. “They must also meet strict codes of conduct in order to remain on the register.
“There are lots of construction professionals and many of them do some of the same things an architect can do, but only an architect can do all of the things an architect can do.”
Compare their values
Architects vary in the way they tackle different projects. For example, do they introduce modern elements into a period property? Do they use sustainable materials?
“You should ask an architect what their approach is to things that are important to you,” says Jane. “Finding out whether they not only support similar environmental and ethical aims, but are also active about delivering on those things, will help you to find someone who’s on your wavelength.”
Looking for a home builder? Find one near you
Architects vary in the way they tackle different projects. For example, do they introduce modern elements into a period property? Do they use sustainable materials?
“You should ask an architect what their approach is to things that are important to you,” says Jane. “Finding out whether they not only support similar environmental and ethical aims, but are also active about delivering on those things, will help you to find someone who’s on your wavelength.”
Looking for a home builder? Find one near you
Start with the brief
Every architect will have their different ways of working, but the overall process is usually quite similar.
“The most important stage of a project is the first one,” Jane says. “This is when you design your vision for your home.”
Chris calls this the concept stage. “It involves a visit to the house to carry out a measured survey, and preparation of an outline design concept in the form of 2D and 3D images,” he says.
Your architect might also include a feasibility stage. “This is when you check that what you want to do is within budget, is practically possible, is likely to get Planning Permission, and meets your brief,” Jane says.
“You want to get this checked out early on, so you don’t waste your valuable time and money getting Planning Permission for something you can’t afford, or that doesn’t deliver what you want,” she says.
Every architect will have their different ways of working, but the overall process is usually quite similar.
“The most important stage of a project is the first one,” Jane says. “This is when you design your vision for your home.”
Chris calls this the concept stage. “It involves a visit to the house to carry out a measured survey, and preparation of an outline design concept in the form of 2D and 3D images,” he says.
Your architect might also include a feasibility stage. “This is when you check that what you want to do is within budget, is practically possible, is likely to get Planning Permission, and meets your brief,” Jane says.
“You want to get this checked out early on, so you don’t waste your valuable time and money getting Planning Permission for something you can’t afford, or that doesn’t deliver what you want,” she says.
Apply for Planning Permission
Once you’ve got your initial plans drawn up, your architect will make sure they comply with local building and planning regulations.
“This involves producing 2D planning drawings, as well as a design and access statement,” Chris says. “You might also need a heritage statement to support the proposal, depending on the site location and whether it’s in a conservation area.”
For the Building Regulations process, Chris says your architect will need to produce drawings and “coordinate the technical design with other consultants, such as the structural engineer or interior designer”.
Once you’ve got your initial plans drawn up, your architect will make sure they comply with local building and planning regulations.
“This involves producing 2D planning drawings, as well as a design and access statement,” Chris says. “You might also need a heritage statement to support the proposal, depending on the site location and whether it’s in a conservation area.”
For the Building Regulations process, Chris says your architect will need to produce drawings and “coordinate the technical design with other consultants, such as the structural engineer or interior designer”.
Find a builder
You might choose to find your own builder to take on the construction of your project, or you could ask your architect to tender the project to potential builders.
Gavin says, “Most architects should have a knowledge of builders within their service area and ideally should be able to make suggestions of builders and craftspeople who have the necessary skills for your project.”
Chris says, “If they have a portfolio of built schemes, they should be well connected. Having a busy architect practice find the builder and manage the contract comes with an added incentive for the builder to do a great job, as they’ll be hoping to get repeat business.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to hire an architect to kick-start your renovation project? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments.
You might choose to find your own builder to take on the construction of your project, or you could ask your architect to tender the project to potential builders.
Gavin says, “Most architects should have a knowledge of builders within their service area and ideally should be able to make suggestions of builders and craftspeople who have the necessary skills for your project.”
Chris says, “If they have a portfolio of built schemes, they should be well connected. Having a busy architect practice find the builder and manage the contract comes with an added incentive for the builder to do a great job, as they’ll be hoping to get repeat business.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to hire an architect to kick-start your renovation project? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments.
When asked why it’s worth beginning your project with an architect, Jane Leach says, “A good architect will ask you the right questions in order to design a project that meets your needs, as well as comply with all the latest regulations and legal requirements.
“It takes on average nine years to fully qualify,” she says, “which makes an architect well placed to create all the information necessary to communicate everything to the builder.”
Gavin Woodford agrees and says, “Providing your builder with as much information as possible, such as plans and specification of materials, will help them to cost your project as accurately as possible. This should in turn minimise the number of potential cost surprises as the project progresses on site.”