Single storey extension - is an architect needed?

[distantstars]

We are looking at adding a single storey extension to our home. It will extend the kitchen and dining room, with the view to add a utility room, downstairs toilet and bigger dining/living space.

We have an idea of what we want but was thinking of getting an architect in to help make sure we are making the best use of space.

Reading another thread thought I'm wondering if this is necessary?

The extension would be within permitted development.

It didn’t occur to me not to have an architect to be honest. I knew exactly what we wanted, but know nothing about building regs.

We're going through this at the moment. The architect has made lots of suggestions about things we hadn't even thought of. We also needed a structural engineer to calculate the steels, which we obviously wouldn't have know about. Where we are most builders won't even quote without properly drawn out plans.

That's what I'm hoping for ... the architect to make some suggestions and give us ideas etc. We just have a list of wants and a Pinterest page of what we like! Lol

Architects are a bit like doctors, they know things you never imagined, and you kind of put things in their hands and trust them.
But you wouldn't get a doctor to stick a plaster on your knee.

Drawings also help with getting an accurate quote. Friend went with just builders but the quote ended up 20 grand more expensive as the owners ideas and the builders were not quite the same with huge delays and each blaming each other. Also a four grand party wall cost as they had to keep amending the original award.

An architectural technician may do what you want. Proper drawn plans for builders but without the expense of full blown architect. Tend to be less innovative than full architects and although they will probably will give you what you want architects may save you more money with design tweaks. We’ve used an architectural technician. Have exactly what I want for our space but have ended up with some very expensive steels, I think if we’d had an architect they would have recommended alterations to plans (e.g a supporting post in the middle of our kitchen) which would have saved on steel costs but we would have paid significantly more for architect fees so overall costs probably the same.

My other half is an Architectural technician and i'm just going off of what i remember him saying (so don't quote me) As long as you don't extend out the back or side more then 50% of the existing property size it is covered under PD, meaning you won't need to put in a full planning application. as others have said, i would get them to consult on the project as they know about building regs ect.

Also you don't want to be in a sticky situation if you come to sell as the solicitors will want proof of everything! when we bought our flat, the previous owners had knocked down an internal wall but hadn't consulted anyone. For our protection we asked for a structural engineer to do a report. (all was fine but they had to pay his fee!)