How to hire an architect (N London)????

[foodfairy]

I'm looking to redo our kitchen and possibly blow lots of money knocking down walls etc. I want to get some suggestions for what we could do and want to find an architect to help.

Never done this before and I've no idea where to start. Does anyone have any recommendations for architects (living in Muswell Hill) how much we will pay, what they will do etc. Thanks!

Unless you want to pay shed loads of money - I would think about an architectural technician, or a really good builder (with a structural engineer on hand) might be worth a thought & you might be pleasantly surprised

In my experience it is builders who have given me the best ideas and 'visions' of what i COULD DO WITH MY POKEY HOUSE! tHE ARCHITECTS i HAD ROUND WERE HAPPY TO DRAW MY IDEAS, BUT WERE CAGEY ABOUT OFFERING ANY UNTIL THEY WERE SURE THEY HAD THE GIG! I'm sorry, I'm shouting.

The guy who eneded up drawing our extension plans charged us £700 for everything, prelims, and structurals because he lives oop north and comes down once a week (I'm in Surrey) But others quoted £1500 ish.