Architects

[Whyisitsodifficult]

Can I ask if anyone would share how much they have paid to use an Architect? It’s for a large single storey extension, knock through of internal wall and reconfigure downstairs area. I’d be quite happy to put it through to planning and project manage the build, so really just the layout and drawings.

£1000 for drawings. He did the planning application so unfortunately I couldn’t tell you how much it would have been if I’d done that part. I’m in Scotland.

So was it drawings and got you through planning and that was the end of his involvement? Did it involve several meetings to discuss the plans?

I'd recommend finding an architectural technologist to do your drawing work, they are cheaper than architects and should be perfectly capable to do the drawings you're after. You'd need a set of drawings for the planning application and then more detailed drawings for building regs.

thecag what’s the difference between the two? I do need someone with a bit of vision as it’s a large space but needs to be multi functional!

I paid £600 for drawings and £400 for structural engineers input for a similar type of project. Word of warning, architect made lots of mistakes not picked up by planning or building control - my builders weren't impressed!

Wow really? Did you have any recourse? Isn’t that what you pay an architect for?🤔

We paid 6k, an architect is supposed to work out what you need from the space and design something affordable and build able with the lowest risk, they are likely to know more than you about what would be best. We thought we knew what we wanted, max adequate footage, but they basically ignored our idea. They also did loads of strange ideas such as moving a structural wall a foot over which turned out to be brilliant ideas. They then inspected the results during building and even found various builders. They got an se involved early and they worked together to make best use of the budget to have flush walls where applicable and the roof shape.
An architectural plan drawer just does that, they draw whatever you ask with enough detail for either planning, building regs, or construction and leave it up to you to deal with the builders etc.
If you somehow know exactly what is best then you don't need an architect, but we saw enough terrible extensions when we were house hunting to know that would be a bad idea.
Final result they were worth every penny. Good luck

Sorry just seen this.
Yes several meetings. Four maybe?
I’m not actually sure if we are finished with him now! I was hoping to be tbh but he seems to want to come back out.