Is it normal for an architect to design this much beyond budget? At this stage?

[Meforthree]

Has anyone used an architect for a full renovation project that can give us some advice? We have been in discussion with ours since before buying our property in South London in May. We were clear about budget for the renovation but when she presented us with her predicted costs they were literally nearly four times what we’d said.

We had a big conversation about how this could have happened, and she didn’t really explain that but said she did think we could do the works for just a bit over our original budget so we agreed to that and tried to move forward. But now six weeks later we are trying to really firm up how and what things may cost (she got a projected cost from a basement company that would eat up well over half our budget! For what it’s worth, other basement companies have told me it would be less) and she is now making noises that strongly suggest she is actually still designing speculatively and that we will reduce the scope of the project as and when if we need to. I just asked her outright in an email how it was she thought we could afford the rest of the works if the basement did indeed cost that and she still hasn’t properly answered. I’m so mad, she’s supposed to be designing (broadly speaking) to our budget! AND we’ve already had a serious conversation about this sort of thing..

Am I missing something? Is this normal?
And how easy would it be to switch architects at this point? We’ve already got a pre-app in and we were hoping to get everything moving enough to hit the ground with builders by end of January….

Very many home extensions are designed by engineers. I'd rather have something functional than something unbuildable - I'm genuinely aghast at how many people go to university for 7 years in order to design things that are not worth the paper they're drawn on, designs that you literally couldn't build. It's obviously not all architects but it happens often enough.

that is a strange one, yes the design may seem cool but if its not functional etc then it seems odd

Architects don't go to university for 7 years, you have to get a job in architecture to complete part three and to be able to call yourself an Architect, which is incredibly competitive. It is not something that is achieved by drawing a few 'pictures'!

You may prefer a basic structure but Architecture is Art and as Jean-Michel Basquiat said, "Art is how we decorate space,.."

But a good architect is working in concert with the engineers to make the functional beautiful. Our architects, despite periodic annoyances, saw our house in a way that required some real artistic vision.

A couple of things. Architects are usually quite clear about not giving cost advice. They might vaguely work to a sqm rate but most architects would suggest taking on a QS if you want proper cost advice. A project this size would probably justify a QS if you don’t already know the builder you want to go with that can give some cost advice as the project progresses.

Are you still at concept design stage? Or is she preparing the planning pack?

If you’re still in concept design then I wouldn’t throw all your toys out the pram. Amend the design, be willing to compromise if you don’t actually have the budget for what you want.

Quotes from builders really can vary wildly so cost can be very difficult to predict I have literally seen quotes come back at £250,000 and £750,000 for the same job. I think the one who got that project quoted £350,000. You can see how big the variation is.

I guess the question is whether you have done this level renovation before, thus a fair ballpark idea of what it would cost, or whether you haven’t and your expectations were underestimates.

QS and a very good builder are crucial on a project this size.

Are the designs actually feasible for what you want or has she added in a load of ‘improvements’ like loads of glass etc? I got rid of one technical drawer and he was suggesting a massive swinging door open to the garden and started giving advice on interiors. It was a complete waste of time. It helps if you know what you want first so you’re not influenced into expensive designer finishes that take you over budget.

With experience of our own extension, I would definitely pick someone who is used to designing for your type of budget and property. I got three quotes and went with the person who usually did designs for ordinary 3 bed semi detached and was very familiar with our type of house. The initial design was way over budget. I brought it down by reigning back on some of the most expensive bits that were more about flow - and doors matching in a line and such aesthetic type things (that I also love) but that we just couldn’t afford. But in the end we left a few rooms unfinished and finished them off later when we had financially recovered.

We made it very clear to the builder that in our situation we couldn’t borrow anymore. So when it ran slightly over budget he offered us a payment plan.

Is she a real architect (registered with the ARB, you can check the register on their website and they also have a complaints procedure if it comes to that) or an architectural designer or whatever? Lots of people offer architectural services without the training or experience. If she’s a real architect I highly doubt she would cost the project for you, she’d recommend using a quantity surveyor or getting builders to cost it.

If she did cost your project and she’s not following your instructions, she’s not following the professional standards and you can make a complaint to the ARB (if she is indeed a registered architect). If she is not on the register and she has called herself an architect, you can also report her to the ARB as that is actually illegal.

I’ve once worked with an engineer who oversized most rafters in an extension. When I queried it, he said that they look better if they’re all the same size. Well maybe, but no one would have seen them after the plasterboard ceiling was installed. So it goes both ways 🤷‍♀️

I'm sure it does.

I don't suppose she cares if she designs something totally inappropriate and way over your budget, just as long as she gets paid for what she's done.