Home extension early stage advise

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We are just in the beginning stages of getting architects round for our single story rear extension.

We will be remortgaging to fund be build and will incorporate a 10% contingency.

Will that be enough?

For anyone who has recently had extensions did you end up going over budget?
How much by?
Were you happy with your architect and did you feel it was worth going with an architect for the design rather than just getting technical drawings done to save money

Just had this done.

Wouldn't bother with an architect again. He was rubbish and got things wrong.

Yes we went over budget - had to have deeper foundations due to pipes found and also had to have a different type of roof as Architect messed up.
Good luck with it all

Hello OP....my architect was wonderful. Suggested so many things that didn't even occur to me I could have. He also used to work for the planning department of my council so he knew exactly what I'd get PP for.

I'm coming to the end of my build and have just gone into the contingency funds (25%). If you've got an old house I think there is a much higher possibility of unforseen issues.

Good luck!

Following with interest. We appointed an experioenced architechrural technichian instead for about half the cost, so far worth it as we simply couldn't do what he does even if it 'only' invoves drawings and applications.

sorry about spelling

I've met with two architects so far. Fees vary. One is a local one man band architect who generally works in conjunction with a few regular builders.
I really liked him but he was very expensive.
Second architect is one of the top London practises. I didn't think they would be interested in my measly single story extension but they were and the price to use them seems very reasonable.
They have so far made the most effort without us having paid any money yet.
They seem exited about the materials I am keen on using and in initial meeting had some good ideas that I wouldn't have thought of.

Third option is to use a technician to do drawings but I doubt they would come up with the problem solving ideas we need.

It's a small extension - only 5mx2m, but is tricky in the detail, it's being added to a 1900's house but is to be striking and contemporary whilst serving a mixed set of purposes...