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?

[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]

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]

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.

[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?

[TizzyTime]

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

[PippaFawcett]

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

[whatsthatcomingoverthehill]

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

[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?

[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.

[2boysnamedR]

Autocrad - autocad or whatever they use nowadays