do I need an architect,interior designer or someone else?!

[ouchmyfanjo]

I am looking at work to be done in the house and am not sure where to start . I'd like someone who could advise me on layout/redesign but also style.do interior designers just do colours and schemes?not getting anything done as one bit impacts on another so I carry on in the same tired old design!

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

By layout do you mean you would be doing building work?

[Snoopadoop]

If by layout you mean building work, knocking down walls, rearranging radiators, water supplies etc... Then you need an architect. If by layout you mean rearranging furniture, adding storage, coming up with a scheme or general look, then you need an interior designer.

[ouchmyfanjo]

Thanks for replies.i mean furniture layout mainly but with a couple of potential knock throughs! Find it difficult to have vision about how it could work and look.
I may look at local interior designers and see what they cover and charge!

[thewookieswife]

Try OnePlan on Houzz too, although she doesn't do colours I believe?

[Snoopadoop]

You're probably better starting with an interior designer and if they suggest modifications to your house that you like, then contact an architect.

[kali43]

gaving just been through the process…..i think you need to see the space and layout first before considering things that can be changed easily like wall colour. I would also suggest OnePlan as your first stop. She is very reasonable and will give you good direction - she's a concept planner which it sounds ike you are looking for. You will then need structural engineer calks for knock throughs etc so if you are not sure what to do and who you need try calling your local Building Control dept in the local council - they should be able to direct you before you spend much more cash and they may be free like ours currently is. Once you've got that in place if you still feel you need an interior designer then go for it - though you may find you get all the help you need on here and on Houzz.

[ouchmyfanjo]

Thanks I'll have a look at one plan. Are you pleased with your results kali?

[kali43]

still in the midst of it ouch! We can hold each other's hand if you like Building control guy actually coming out this morning to talk about some sewer challenges we have. The hardest part for me so far has been knowing where to start, what order to do things in and what to spend on services as there is no clear guide, particularly when all you want to do is knock some walls down but it's hard to visualise what would be there after and when you seem to have a teeny weeny budget getting sucked up by mundane things like central heating. I think i would do things differently next time, hence recommending OnePlan as we didn't use her and i wish we had - and may still do a later point

[ouchmyfanjo]

Oh wow kali that certainly sounds like the gritty reality of it all!my stuff won't be as major as yours by the sound of it but like you, I find it hard to work out the correct order of things. We need a new bathroom for example but I need to decide whether to replace boiler (30 yes old) first and if so with what type. That will decide whether we get rid of airing cupboard and use the space for a shower cubicle. Other issues with the ensuite,whether to knock through kitchen and dining room or extend and then just how to choose furniture that will work for us. This is why 2yrs on I've done nothing

[langlandgirl]

tbh ouch it sounds like we are on a very similar journey. When we change the central heating it too will leave a bog hole in our bathroom as we've decided combi (i think ) however we don't have the cash to do the bathroom right now - although a wise man told me today - do whatever you can to get done in one go! Have you got a budget to do it all at once? if not where do you spend most of your time, how many of you are there/do you intend there to be? Is this your forever home? Do you need the extra space an extension gives or just a better layout - we have literally just gone through all these questions and decisions ourselves!