to think that paying for an architect to draw up plans is pointless

[breakingthebank]

I'm thinking about having an extension on my house and have spoken to 5 or 6 friends who've had work done. A couple used architects, the others used technical drawers (sp?)

Not one of them can recommend the person who drew up their plans because they're not happy with the work. The common theme is that the builder had to rejig lots of things because the plans weren't realistic/wouldn't work in practice.

AIBU to just get the cheapest possible person to draw plans for planning permission purposes and accept there'll be changes made by the builder later?

we used this site and did a search for local architects. We then looked at their websites to get a feel for their sort of work, then we met around 8 iirc - a mix of architects and technicians, as we thought we knew what we wanted so a tech would work out cheaper, but actually it didn't work out that way.

There's also the Royal Institute of British Architects, who have a search facility.

Same experience as Flipchart here. We didn't even like our architects and I still say it was worth it.

Also our structural engineer's input was very good too.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know what an architect will want to know on initial meeting? And do you start paying for their time straight away ie from initial consultation, even if you don't end up hiring them? I want to meet with several to get a "feel" of their ideas, see if we gel with them of not etc Can you see I'm clueless!?

If they charge you for an initial meeting then you don't want them! It's just like any other service, you need to meet up to get a feel for each other.

We had (free) initial meetings with a number, they each followed up in slightly different ways (ie they either emailed or called to talk through some initial ideas). We then selected ours on the basis that he seemed to display the best understanding of our budget!

The second phase was what he called 'preliminary drawings' but what others called a 'site survey' - when he drew up non-detailed plans and came back to present that to us as the 'solution'. That did cost, which is fair enough, we could easily have then taken that plan and got detailed plans worked up.

Up until then it was no-obligation, after the prelim drawings we signed the contract with him.

Any good one will spend part of the first meeting explaining the contract process, how it works, etc.

I'm an architect and would say you definitely need one!

It is very easy to blame something on someone who is no longer working on a project and very easy for a builder to persuade a client to do something that is easier by saying that the architect's plans won't work.

I would suggest using the RIBA website here and ask a couple to come round and talk to you. Don't go for big firms if it's a small project (bigger overheads), a sole practitioner will do fine.

Apatite1 I never charge on an initial visit, it shouldn't take more than 45 mins -1hour. What your architect will want to know on that visit is what you are hoping to build, a rough idea of budget, any limitations that you are aware of, timescales etc. feel free to ask them to explain the process to you. That first meeting should tell you if this is someone you can work with or not.

Thanks very much lonny and slightlyjaded that's v helpful. I think I'll visit a few architects in their offices to talk over some ideas. It's a big extension and renovation so we need to find the right person. We don't have an endless pot of money unfortunately!

Happy to help Apatite1 , although I would say it's better that you ask a couple to come to you so they can see the property - much easier to discuss ideas when standing in the house.

It all depends on who you use. always go on word of mouth recommendations or written testimony. our architect who did our extension was fab, he was known to us as he had done an extension for a family member some years ago, and the builders we went with were ones he recommended as he had worked with them several times. He listened to what we wanted and came back with 2 options, one of which we liked but still got him to tweak at bit. The whole thing was a positive experience from start to finish. he liaised with the council panning team and building regs, one or 2 hitches happened during the build due to unforeseen probs, but were sorted soon. he has since worked for 2 friends of ours.
another friend on the other hand had a "I know best" architect who was absolutely dreadful, slow, expensive and a waste if space when it came to overcoming problems. They gave up on their proposed extension £1000s out of pocket!

I know an architect who drew up his own plans to build a house and (despite needing to drill deep into the bed rock) didn't bother with a ground survey which cost him 10s of thousands to put right because there were old mine workings which everyone else knew about. I know another one who didn't see the need to relocate a storm drain in an extension - that went well when there was heavy rain. Some architects are a bit crap.

I also know some builders that I would never recommend who prefer to bodge their way through a job.

Always go with a recommendation. If you can, look at previous work to see what kind of finish you can expect.

I will surely ask an architect or two to our property, good point slightly. Happily, my husband has given me free rein on all decisions thank goodness, as I'm quite decisive. If anyone has had a marvellous experience with a London based architect, please PM me your recommendation!

My hubby has an architectural design company and in his experience you can get different competence in architects/ technical drawers just as you can with builders so don't think it's clear cut. Get a good designer and you should avoid nasty shocks during the build. Where abouts in the country are you?

I'm in south east London pmgkt, thanks.

Apatite you can also ask them for references - which you should then follow up of course. I spoke to two previous customers before I went with our architect.

I'm in the West Midlands. Thanks LonnyVonny for that link. I had a look earlier and got a list of architects. One rang me up and I had a good discussion with him over the phone about what we want, etc.

He's emailed me over a quote, says he doesn't need to see the property to quote as they have standardised prices. I'm going to contact others on the list and discuss with them to get an idea of different approaches.

Thanks too SlightlyJaded for the link. A lot of information on there by the look of it so I'll look later.