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Original poster

Anyone used Architect Your Home?

18 replies

partystress · 27/08/2011 22:59

Got an hour with an architect thru the Shelter scheme, but he turned out to be a condescending waste of space. We have ideas but need help with thinking thru how to join something new both our house and detached garage.

Just want someone creative, but who listens and uses plain speaking. AYH seem geared to normal people rather than the mega rich and as we have only a small budget this is what we need. Anyone used them or can advise how to find a good alternative? TIA

OP posts:

wonkylegs · 28/08/2011 22:34

Sorry you seemed to have a brush with one of the more wankerish sounding members of my profession.... There are a few if them unfortunately (I'm not one of them honest!)
I always think that architects and homeowners need to gel on a personal level as homes are particularly personal architecture. There are plenty of architects geared up for home scale work... You need to have a chat with a few, not necessarily a consultation but just an initial chat which should be free... Check out their previous work and just talk about how they approach this kind of work. If they don't give you the time of day or are grumpy arrogant sods, walk away there are plenty of other architects out there who are pleasant & approachable. Sorry can't suggest any in particular as I don't know where you are and anyway my knowledge of architects who do houses is somewhat limited... I know a few if u are desperate tho but they are probably nowhere useful for u. Go with ur gut ... Ur house is worth the effort, after all you have to live with it

Original poster

partystress · 29/08/2011 14:33

Thank you Wonky. Useful to know that a good architect will have a brief chat without starting the meter running straight away . We are on Herts/Beds/Bucks borders, just in case your contacts happen to be near us...

OP posts:

BrandyAlexander · 29/08/2011 15:31

We had a dreadful experience with them. They come out and visit you for a couple of hours. You have to pay around £600 after which you get drawings, but nothing you can do anything with.

Their drawings were impractical, response times were slow and the estimate they gave us for the project was blown when we discovered way down the line that one very fancy feature they had designed, would alone cost £50k if we went with it, yet they didn't tell us that it was very expensive when designing it.

Building Control wouldn't pass the extension if we had built as planned as there was a problem with the siting of beams etc.

We spent over £6,000 with them for an extension that didn't actually need permission and for a design that we had to abandon because it was impractical and expensive. We never got them to project manage so the £6,000 was literally for the abandoned plans. Oh and they have never once called us to find out how the extension went.

And breathe.

lalalonglegs · 29/08/2011 17:43

Blimey, that sounds horrendous, novice. FWIW, I know a couple of people who used them a few years ago and had good experiences - very useful way of finding out what they could do with their homes and ways of making them rethinking they way they use the spaces. But a friend has more recently had a noviceoftheday experience (not quite as bad, just a bit meh) - I wonder if the architects they use decided they weren't making enough money from the initial consultations and want to draw the process out?

orienteerer · 29/08/2011 20:49

Used them 3 years ago for ideas on side return & loft in victorian semi. Shocked to discover architect lived 50 miles away (we are in SE so should have been someone closer?) and if proceeded would have to pay travelling costs on top of fee. With hindsight should have rejected architect before initial consultation.

Original poster

partystress · 30/08/2011 20:58

Thanks for the warnings all. Can't really afford to spend anything that doesn't move us forward - can't imagine how frustrating your experience was novice. Will look close to home and test the gel factor.

OP posts:

littleomar · 30/08/2011 21:02

we had a bad experience with them too. architect seemed to understand what we were after, came up with some plans - but all four builders we consulted said it wasn't doable. cost a lot more than £600 too. we abandoned the whole idea of building at that point but if we did it again i'd look for a builder to do the whole thing including plans.

littleomar · 30/08/2011 21:03

oh man but not nearly as much as novice, didn't read down that far. sorry you poor thing!

BrandyAlexander · 01/09/2011 09:07

Thanks all! Best of luck partystress

Pendeen · 02/09/2011 10:26

partystress

There are thousands of registered Architects in the UK and, unfortunately as with any large group there will be several who are not able or willing to act in a truly professional manner.

I would echo 'wonkylegs' apology in that it is embarrassing to hear that you had such a poor experience with one of our profession.

I have spent many hours (frequently unpaid but often rewarding) sitting with potential clients, exploring their ambitions and ideas usually - I am happy to say - resulting in a successful project and a satisfied homeowner.

If you are not too disillusioned, please give the RIBA a try for a few local firms who specialise in domestic work.

Architects Directory

NoMoreWasabi · 02/09/2011 10:31

I used them although not in your area. They were pretty crap TBH and we ended up starting again with an independent architect. It will depend largely on who you deal with.

I wouldn't use them again though.

MerylStrop · 02/09/2011 10:38

OH is an architect and a couple of his architect mates have done jobs for them and their experience has not been great either.

I'd recommend looking at the RIBA directory for a local list and then googling contenders. But for small scale domestic work word of mouth is still often the best way. Ask around. Or if you happen to be in the NW we could probably suggest someone.

BrandyAlexander · 02/09/2011 10:51

Gah! Wish I had had the sense like partystress to ask on mumsnet!

drcrab · 03/09/2011 22:22

DH is an architect and he's recently set up his own practice. He considered being an architect your home franchisee but it was going to cost a lot of money for nothing much. We've had a few referrals from friend's and friend's of friends. I think the best thing for a house extension small works thing would be word of mouth. Or ask at your local planning office??

lisaraynesarchitect · 29/07/2012 17:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

PorkyandBess · 30/07/2012 22:54

we did it - it was crap, a complete waste of money.

pchip · 31/07/2012 07:29

if you search planning permissions in your council websites, many of them have drawings in pdf forms. find something you like (or even better if you drive by something you like, then look up in archives)... many of the drawings have the architect's full contact details on the actual submitted drawings. One way to find people who specialize in small residential projects.

AnnL10n · 02/08/2012 10:45

We used architect your home last year and had a great experience with them to be honest.

We needed help getting the design right as my husband and I couldn't really agree. He acted as a good marriage counsellor at times too and there were some good open discussions about what was the best way to move forward with it all.

Good luck with it all.

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