Architect vs structural engineer for extension

[lboogy]

I want to do an extension but I'm not sure whether to hire a structural engineer or architect. The engineer is cheaper I believe. I want a simple single story extension which will House the kitchen so don't really need a grand design.

Does anyone have experience of either ?

Depends whether you want it to look nice or not.

Architect every time. They look at space differently. They consider how you’ll use it and how spaces flow into each other.

We run a kitchen business so are regularly in contact with architects and engineers. In my personal experience there are so many stupid architects. They do indeed consider the space, but mostly it’s not actually practical. They tend to overthink things like window placement while not thinking where that leaves your kitchen, is it in the best place it could be? They are also known for being free with the small niggly details because it’s not their money.

Personally I would choose an engineer and a good kitchen design company over an architect for a simple extension.

Some examples from only the last month include....an architect who evenly spaced some lovely narrow windows in one wall. Then did the same at the opposite end of the room, not realising that the original end had a utility taken out of it and was 2m narrower, so the windows opposite are not evenly spaced with the wall and look ridiculous.

The other one is one who had put some really beautiful low sitting windows running up the side of a whole massive extension. Except he didn’t think about how would effect the kitchen, you can’t have 900mm high kitchen units in front of a window 400mm off the floor, it’s made most of the kitchen unusable for...well, kitchen.

I'm a structural engineer and I got an architect to do my extension...

Engineer every time for a small extension as they can do the structural side of things as well as the basic design.

You really don’t need a structural engineer for a small extension.

The calculations aren’t that taxing.

Architect but interview at least 4 and make sure you get one who is competent. If your area only has incompetent architects for whatever reason then you can try engineers

But the engineer might just draw you a box with good foundations and strong roof which might not work well. Our architect spent as much money shuffling the existing house as they did extending.

I've paid £2k for an architect who basically drew what I told him I wanted. He didn't add or suggest anything creative. He is qualified to do the beam calcs so we paid extra for that. I'm now having to have a structural engineer as we need more beams. I'm pissed off that I jumped straight in with the architect. It was a waste of money. My own fault for not shopping around and researching first.

Don't be swept up in the moment when someone talks all technical making you think they know what they're doing. I've learnt the good ones know the tech but break it down into plain English for you. Too late for me £2k in the bin.

Check the architect is actually an architect as well.

Loads out there that call themselves architects but they are architectural technicians or building surveyors etc

If it's a simple extension of just one room, look on Rightmove for what you want.

Depends on what you want doing - you might need both!
If it's design, planning and then technical drawings that you want doing then an architect is what you need.
If any structural calculations are needed for steels or foundations for building regulations then an SE can then do those, although if simple then architect can specify those from tables.
Some SEs do everything but often only do very basic designs and not always very well - it's not really their job although some do give it a go. They are unlikely to be insured for designing aspects of the build outside the structure.
I'm an architect and now I'm a sole practitioner I do a lot of house extensions and I usually do everything including contracts and site supervision if necessary, but work with an SE for calculations for building regulations on more complex structures or foundations (for example an offset foundation on a boundary or in difficult soil conditions)

If it's a really simple kitchen extension you may find a contractor who will draw up your own idea for you
If you do use an architect check they are one on the www.arb.org.uk
If you want a qualified architectural technologist (more technical less design and sometimes cheaper) look on ciat.org.uk

Most structural engineers won’t do drawings for planning permission. An architectural technician may well be good enough but get an engineer to do calcs for any beams. Think how the beam will look. Can it be hidden in the wall or does it need piers?

We had brilliant suggestions from our architect for layout but we have quite s harsh house and if needed a rethink.

An Architect every time, a good Architect will use a structural engineer for any structural calculations. Then you got double professional indemnities.

Architects and structural engineers do completely different jobs! I don't know any structural engineers who do planning drawings.
A middle ground would be using an architectural technologist, they are broadly speaking less artistic and more practical than an architect (the specialism is more closely connected to construction and technical detail). I'd speak to both architects and independent technologists and see who you get on with.

Thanks everyone

If you're using a builder, they'll probably have an engineer they can call on to do the plans.

From personal experience I'd avoid an architect - most of them seem to be so far up their arses trying to design something that looks good in their portfolio without considering whether it's what you want, or is at all practical. If you have a good idea of what you want, just get the engineer to draw it out for you.

@HannibalHayes unfortunately some in my profession definitely fall into that criteria (in fact I have got a recent job because the previous architect was one of those and cocked the whole thing up) but there are lots of us who are good at listening to our clients so please don't tar us all with the same brush.
I always recommend having a chat with potential architects, and think clients should ask lots of questions as well as looking at pretty pictures and go with gut feeling
You need to work with somebody you actually like because when it's your house it's a very personal project.

If the design basic architect should manage if it contains difficult steelwork and other usual designs it out of the range of the architect and they should have contacts who work with then on such projects and be including in the overall costs . ideally get a firm who has access to both . ever council will interpret the rules differently and the last thing you want is drawing questioned at the last minute best to tick both boxes .

I would work with both. My parents did that for their Tony Montana inspired house (super 80s) and it was functional and extremely well built

I'm a structural engineer, and there is no way I would do the overall drawings for an extension. There might be some who do, but I don't know any personally. I suspect that the OP is comparing a technician with an architect. There are plenty of technicians who will do the structural design as well, but they don't tend to be qualified (as in chartered and registered with a professional body), and use standard tables etc. This might be OK, but I would be wary in case they don't understand issues such as overall stability.

We are using both. Architect for design and planning, and we will need a structural engineer for the specific calculations relating to the structural engineering bits

If it's a simple extension and you already know what you want, you could use an architectural technician - they will do the drawings for you (and can help with the planning application if needed) and will be cheaper than an architect. They should also be able to advise if a structural engineer is also needed.

Re PPs who have bad experiences with architects, I guess there are good ones and bad ones 🤷🏻‍♀️ but IMO a good one is worth it. We needed input on the design and layout though (and our architect is collaborative and happy to listen to what we want, too).

I love my architect. I knew exactly what I wanted with our extension, drew it out for her and everything. I work for an architect and am obsessed with interiors, so I’m not unversed with design! Then she came along and blew my ideas out of the water with two curveballs and a layout I never considered, that allows the flow of light through the house from front to back. Plus she’s a mum so she knows about storage
A good architect will listen to what you want to achieve, look at your property and then push you to get a layout that achieves a good spacial flow. It’s very easy to shove a box on the back of the house when sometimes a bit of reorganisation of internal space might actually work a lot better.