care to tell me about architects?

[Arohaitis]

um was wondering how it works.....
do they come over look around and say well you could do this or this or this and then you get back in contact if you want to go ahead?
can they tell you expected cost? (and is it accurate lol?)
some other way.....?
thanks

This may help: www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/archive/guides/employing-contractors/choosing-an-architect/ A lot depends on what you are thinking of doing. If you have quite a clear idea of what you want, and what you want is fairly standard, you can probably pay for an architectural technician to draw you up some plans, which will be a lot cheaper. If you are looking for flair, creativity, and a really original design, then you will benefit from an architect's knowledge.

I would be wary of trusting an architect's costings. My in laws had plans drawn up recently for an extension that was supposed to cost £50k. When a builder costed up the alterations it came to more like £120k. They had to compromise on quite a lot, and ended up paying £70k for alterations that almost certainly did not add half that to the value of the house. They essentially ended up building a second kitchen because they are hoarders who cannot bear to get rid of cacky old crockery.