Page 2 | To think I can design my garage extension without hiring an architect

Pavementworrier · 2026-01-04T14:20:54+00:00

Or am I kidding myself I'm sure architects didn't used to be a thing normal people ever had to hire

GreenPoms · 04/01/2026 15:02

How will your builder know what to build. They won’t accept a plan written by you.

ramonaquimby · 04/01/2026 15:00

parietal · 04/01/2026 14:53

An architectural technician can do the drawings but is much cheaper than an architect

Well quite. Clue is in their title.
i think for a garage conversion you can do it yourself, but architects are def worth their fees for bigger projects for obvious reasons

Whyherewego · 04/01/2026 14:56

It depends on the builder really. I had an architect do my high level drawings and then my builder does the next level planning without needing the detailed drawings. However you need to be on hand constantly to answer questions like do you want the plugs here or there? And you have to accept that some stuff may end up costing more because things were not anticipated or thought through. If it's a very simple conversion then I'd say go for it

parietal · 04/01/2026 14:53

An architectural technician can do the drawings but is much cheaper than an architect

ShawnaMacallister · 04/01/2026 14:39

I paid an architect about £750 to design it and Apply for planning because it seemed easiest at the time but now I'd 100% do it all myself with ChatGPT. My builder would have fudged it without plans but he's a friend and it was a very simple design, it was just easiest to follow the agreed plans that building regs had approved (though we moved the vent from one end to the other and lowered the window a bit with no issues)

Agoodrecipe · 04/01/2026 14:35

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Agoodrecipe · 04/01/2026 14:34

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Nix32 · 04/01/2026 14:33

We converted a garage into living space and a shower room. Didn’t use an architect, just chatted to the builder who knew what needed to be done. He liased with building control at the council.

It was an easy conversion though - created a doorway through from the hall, blocked up the garage door, added a small window and replaced an existing one, put up stud walls, added electrics and plumbing. Builder was very experienced and knew his stuff.

BeardedBarley · 04/01/2026 14:29

I’d never use an architect for something like a garage extension or conversion. Completely unnecessary. You don’t even need drawings if you do it on a building notice. You might need structural plans and calculations if you’re having structural steelwork, but that’s all if you have a competent builder.

Original poster

Pavementworrier · 04/01/2026 14:28

Garroty · 04/01/2026 14:26

Do you have the required skills to provide the necessary information to the council for a building warrant etc.? Are you knocking down walls or adding windows? If so you may need a structural engineer as well as an architect to make sure you aren't removing a load bearing wall without adding any additional steel support that may be required.

Have you found a builder and asked whether they would be happy to proceed without an architect's plan? What will you do if something goes tits up and there is no professional liability cover for design issues?

See this is precisely the energy I can't be faffed with

Just build my extension damnit

OP posts:

Garroty · 04/01/2026 14:26

Do you have the required skills to provide the necessary information to the council for a building warrant etc.? Are you knocking down walls or adding windows? If so you may need a structural engineer as well as an architect to make sure you aren't removing a load bearing wall without adding any additional steel support that may be required.

Have you found a builder and asked whether they would be happy to proceed without an architect's plan? What will you do if something goes tits up and there is no professional liability cover for design issues?

BrentfordForever · 04/01/2026 14:26

Use ChatGPT for design ideas

you do need an engineer for the measurements if your builder can’t do it

Original poster

Pavementworrier · 04/01/2026 14:25

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Yes, this exactly!! The guy who is going to make it exist is surely best placed to be the guy who plans it.

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Original poster

Pavementworrier · 04/01/2026 14:25

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I just assumed the builder would make the garage into a room sans drawings.

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Sharptonguedwoman · 04/01/2026 14:24

I think you can draw out what you want but you need to get an expert to do the finer details and legalities.

Agoodrecipe · 04/01/2026 14:23

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Agoodrecipe · 04/01/2026 14:22

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