Is an architect worth the money?

[Twilightpirate]

I know that if you are building a house or a substantial extension then yes of course they would be invaluable but we are doing neither of those things - we want to do some remodelling to create an open plan kitchen-diner. We are pretty clear on 90% of what we want to do, where kitchen will move to and how to make the other space work but we will have a slightly awkward space at the end of the kitchen that we are trying to figure out what to do with.

Anyway, long story short, I thought it might be worth to have an architect come in and just see what they think about how best to use the space. But when I approached one it was £599+VAT for them to come over and do a consultation and some drawings. Which was a lot more than I had anticipated.

So is it worth it? Given we are pretty certain about most of what we are planning to do, it seems like a lot of money. Is that a normal price?

[2boysnamedR]

Autocrad - autocad or whatever they use nowadays

[2boysnamedR]

Definatly a fully qualified architect. His plans passed planning and then we paid paid more for the building regs quality ones. We will have paid a fair bit by the time we are out of the building regs stage but it wasn't a bad outlay for a few layout designs. Once everything is measured and put into autocrad it isn't much work to move a few walls about on a plan. We had another quote which was by the hour for everything. That was a lot more expensive.

[maz210]

We got an architect to do plans for our extension three years ago - unfortunately I can't remember how much it cost but I'll ask my husband tomorrow.

It was definitely money well spent as he was up-to-date with building regulations and we then used the plans he provided to get quotes.

Have you asked around for quotes from alternative surveyors?

[maz210]

We got an architect to do plans for our extension three years ago - unfortunately I can't remember how much it cost but I'll ask my husband tomorrow.

It was definitely money well spent as he was up-to-date with building regulations and we then used the plans he provided to get quotes.

Have you asked around for quotes from alternative surveyors?

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

2boys, are you sure that was for an architect or architectural technician?

[PippaFawcett]

Marmite, that is gorgeous! Ours isn't an extension but I still want it to look like yours.

[TizzyTime]

Expect to pay £60-80ph for an architect.

[2boysnamedR]

I live in a very expensive area and we had a architect do plans for a extension as big as our original house for £400. That was too measure up and draw up three different set ups and be good enough to submit to planning permission. Sounds like yours is less work? Did you get a few quotes?

[Marmitelover55]

Thank you - still can't believe it's our house!

The utility room is next door to the office - you can see the door behind the settee in some of the pictures.

I can't remember how much the architect fees were (will check) but the whole project cost about £75k. That included new boiler, new flooring, kitchen & utility, deck, bifolds etc.

[Twilightpirate]

Wow that looks amazing Marmite! I just want that please!

We need to have everything finished by September so I guess I had better crack on! Argh!! No extension though so hopefully simpler!

Can I ask how much the architect cost and how much the overall project cost?

Also, where is your utility room? Is it a separate room or hiding behind cupboards? It looks fabulous!

[Marmitelover55]

We used an architect for our kitchen extension/knock through and I'm very glad. She came highly recommended by work colleagues. Her initial visit was free of charge and she looked round and did a few sketches. She really focused on getting as much light as possible into the space, which wasn't something I had really considered. I think we ended up with a fsbulous space and am really glad we went down the architect route. This is the end result:
www.houzz.co.uk/projects/787449/open-plan-extension-with-office-corner
Just a note on timescales - we first met with the architect mid March and had plans ready for builders tender by early August (we needed planning permission though - you may not). We got the tenders (5) back in during October and then had to wait 6 months for our preferred builder. Work started mid April and was completed early August - so 16 months from original meeting with architect.

[Twilightpirate]

That's exactly it whatsthat. I'm not really sure what an architect would do beyond some drawings perhaps and even then we mainly want the ideas. To be honest I have no idea whether it would be helpful to have an architect involved for more of the project or not - I have never done this before!

I would be very happy to pay someone for their time, just not sure if I can get what I need for a couple of hundred rather than £700! Or if £700 is totally unreasonable (it does sound a bit like it is from what pp have said).

Willow and JT those are good ideas. I will shop around a bit and see if I can put some drawings online however I think you would really need to see the space as it's the view out of the window in one room that we want to preserve.

Pipp will do!!

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

Thing is Dust, that from what the OP has said it is really only the idea that she wants. So if an architect comes round and has a brilliant suggestion they still don't really have much need to employ them for more.

The only other thing I can suggest is that they find a good interior designer/architect and just say that all they want is someone to come round a give some suggestions. Couple of hours work. They might scribble some ideas down rather than formal drawings but that could be enough, and might cost a couple of hundred. I can't imagine many architects would be keen on doing free consultations for such a small amount of work.

[Willow3131]

Why don't you make a mock up sketch & post it on Houzz for advice? Some fab pros on there willing to help :)

[JT05]

How about looking for a local Architect. Quite a few Architects set up 'micro' practices when they finish working for big practices and will often be cheaper due to lower overheads.

Just make sure they are RIBA registered and have the relevant insurances if you use them in the construction process.

[DustOffYourHighestHopes]

Can you invite some round for a quote ? When they come round, you can get a sense of how much value they would add, and what ideas they would have. It should be free to get a quote.

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

The problem is there's not much in it for the architect. If you're doing a decent sized extension their fee would be in the £1000s and most would do a free consultation. They might have a great idea for how to use the awkward space but it's a lot to pay if they don't.

[dynevoran]

Pippa it seems quite a common way to do things. Some of the contingent parts that make up the % are computed after the build cost is known and plans have been tendered. But we have a realistic idea of costs based on the architects experience of double storey cost per sq m. Part of the initial free consultation is to establish feasibility of the site and the budget on an approximate basis.

I would always pay a professional for their services. I provide professional services myself and it would be madness anyone tried to do what i do themselves without experience and specialist knowledge. I tend to apply this same logic to other services that i require.

[PippaFawcett]

Twilight, let us know how you get on as we haven't exchanged on the house we are going to need to do this to so advice will be welcome!

[Twilightpirate]

Ooh thanks everyone!

So it sounds like that might just be a really high cost. I'm happy to have an architect of we can pay about £200 for an initial session and just see what ideas they have etc then decide about drawings etc!

I'm in the South East and those architects are London-based so maybe they are especially expensive. It seemed like a package for a 4 hour visit, recommendations and drawings but if they don't come up with something different then is it worth it?!

It doesn't help that we are under time pressure, need this done before September for various reasons!

[whois]

find builders often have great ideas

Esp if they do a lot of work on that kind of house - like loads of terraces in the same area re identical/mirror so you can see some really good things that have been done.

[ChablisTyrant]

We got 3 round and ended up paying one of them just £40ph to do some sketches and then proper plans for the structural engineer to work from.

I think getting innovative ideas for use of space can come from all sorts of places so you don't necessarily need an architect. We've done loads of work on houses and find builders often have great ideas!

[PippaFawcett]

I don't understand the % of the build cost thing, surely that is a chicken and an egg thing with not knowing how much a builder will quote until they have the plans?

[dynevoran]

Im paying a similar amount for laser measurements and visualisation to go to the planners and neighbours with to start a dialogue. In London. But overall fee is around 10% of our build costs which seems pretty standard to me. We are trying to do something unusual though and there is no way it would be possible without an architect.

[PippaFawcett]

My reasoning in my discussions with DH that if we do our renovations well then we will enjoy our home more and it could add £££ to the value of the house and if we do it poorly it will be the opposite.

DH thinks they can't possibly tell us anything we don't know as there is only so much that can be done with the space but I don't think we know that for sure unless we check.