Honest guidance please. A design and build team or architect and builder?

[samosamo]

Dear all,

I REALLY want the easy life and to go with a build team with in house architect for a loft conversion and side return. Of not a build and design team with my own plans from another architect. This is because I fear choosing a bad builder. But I know there are bad build and design teams also.

Please, what would you advise your best friend/ sister? Take me under your wing!!!

What you do is get a personal recommendation. Do you know anyone who has had one, or anyone in the neighbourhood you would feel comfortable contacting?
After you've had a few names, Google them for reviews.
I'm going to be doing some building work soon in a new to me area but was able to get three recommendations. I'm going to ask them to look at the house and give me quotes. And I'll ask to see a recently completed job.

Get yourself an excellent project manager and they will sort everything (starting with architect).

It will cost you but should pay for itself in terms of efficiency and keeping things in track (and therefore not overrunning as much on budget).

Use an Architect if you want something more than a brick box. They aren't all that expensive and you'll get something unique to you. Do ask people for recommendations though, or ask the RIBA.

Thank you all.

I'm moving to a new road where I'd say 20-30% houses have done what I plan on doing. Should I just knock on their door do you think?

I probably wouldn't hesitate if it were normal times, but covid and lockdowns make all of that more difficult...

I'd compose a note introducing yourself and put it through doors. Ask them to text you if they could recommend their builders, then you could knock?

Best advice - visit homes of previous customers and quiz them on reliability and check standard closely. I've been let down by a firm who promised me a wrap around extension in 6 months and whom I still begging to return and finish a balcony, rendering work, leadwork, capping stones at front etc. I'll dm you their name if helps. Don't be taken in by how nice they seem and remember they may take you to a friends home as we had done who told us how great they were. They did a good job to start with but slowed down and stopped returning calls etc.

I'd endorse what @Kimye4eva said.
We had one and they prepared a schedule of works, sourced trades people, monitored the actual work, instructed and coordinated the different trades, reviewed and approved invoices and dealt with the various authorities.
At that time (2008) we paid 12.5% on top of the invoices to them.
It was well worth the money to us as it was a significant project.