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?

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.

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!

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.

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?

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

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

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

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?

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?

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.

Autocrad - autocad or whatever they use nowadays