How did you choose an architect?

[goldenshoe]

I've just bought a tiny new cottage and want to renovate adding at least one bedroom, but potentially a new kitchen/living area. I've done renovations before but never on this scale and don't know how to go about choosing a good architect.

I've been looking at various architects websites but it's not clear how they work with clients at the beginning. I'd rather meet with a couple and get a feel for them, but do they charge to come out and have a look at the place? Will they only want to work on large projects or not go below a certain budget? Am I being silly entertaining the idea of speaking to one with a RIBA award on what is a relatively small project?!

I don't know the size of the work I want to do. I'd rather do something small and beautiful than go big and have to compromise on the finish due to budget, but I think I have a decent budget. It's important to me that the house will still fit in to it's surroundings and retain it's tiny cottage charm to some extent!

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice please

I married one, but I realise that’s too extreme for you!
I’d look for a smaller practice who would give you a more personal bespoke service. Some large notable practices, may not want work that would not carry large fees.
Whoever you choose should give you a free initial consultation and outline a fee proposal that would indicate how much the project will cost.

Architect your home is a good place to start. They are a pay as you go service and will assign a local architect to you.

We used them for our first renovation. The architect we got went on to become a TV architect on your home made perfect.

We went back to them for our second renovation but this time the bloke we got didn't match our needs.

I think if its just a quick phone conversation no you fbg have to pay, but if you expect them to cond out to your house there will be a fee, possibly used against you employing them. Architects are expensive so they aren't going to go around doing home visits for free. A recommendation by someone you know is best, failing that be sure to Google them first- and their website will give you an idea of typical project size.

Are you a member of any local Facebook groups where you can ask for a recommendation? I see quite a lot of good recommendations offered on the groups I'm on for local services.

One thing i discovered the hard way - some architects are fabulous, imaginative designers. Some are excellent technicians who can design stuff that’s achievable in budget and that builders can work with. Not all architects are both. Make sure that whoever you use has the capability within their practice to do both sides of the job if you need them to.

We got ours off Facebook, his name kept coming up on local recommendations, he was an architectural designer though.
He designed exactly what we wanted and got the plans through planning first time. The builders weren’t happy with a couple of the drawings though and we had to change some of the steel work but building control were happy to do that.

@Purplewithred

One thing i discovered the hard way - some architects are fabulous, imaginative designers. Some are excellent technicians who can design stuff that’s achievable in budget and that builders can work with. Not all architects are both. Make sure that whoever you use has the capability within their practice to do both sides of the job if you need them to.

I agree with that. It’s hard to find someone with both the creative and pragmatic skills.

I met with several architects, reviewed their portfolio, asked them all the same questions, got their proposals, considered who I could see myself working with, eliminated the prima donnas and the unreliable types. I also visited past projects and spoke to former clients. This left a very small number! It was a hard choice from there.

FB group, local find a trade group spotting the same recommendations.

@Changingwiththetimes

I think if its just a quick phone conversation no you fbg have to pay, but if you expect them to cond out to your house there will be a fee, possibly used against you employing them. Architects are expensive so they aren't going to go around doing home visits for free. A recommendation by someone you know is best, failing that be sure to Google them first- and their website will give you an idea of typical project size.

My DH does do initial visit free, as per RIBA recommendations, most people for domestic projects use a local Architect. It is important to get an overall view of the requirements by actually seeing the property. Yes, sometimes it is a wasted journey, but the same can be said for tradespeople who come out to quote for other things. If he definitely does not want to do a job he declines the work at the initial phone call stage.

Contacted a few and went with the one who actually got back to us, was keen to visit etc. Met him in person and was a lovely guy and very clear. Good impression and drew up what we wanted basically. I did have a very clear idea of what I wanted and he just drew it and considered a few things I didn't think of, so it's not like we were relying on him to come up with the ideas, so that's maybe a factor. He was very quick making changes to the plans and submitted the planning permission for us.

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful

I can't decide what to do without professional advice as the property has a lot of obstacles! The garden to the back is a steep slope, the loft space is limited (my partner can stand up in the middle - just!), it has extremely thick walls etc etc. My ideas are subject to being able to work around them but I think I have a few good floorplans and an ability to compromise. Luckily I like low roofs and cosy spaces.

I definitely need someone who is creative and pragmatic. My worry is that an architect will design 'the best' with little heed to budget. I know what the best layout is, but I'm fairly certain it involve all but knocking down the house as it is and will wipe out my savings!

A good Architect will ask you about your budget at the initial meeting. They then, after listening to your ideas, should be realistic about what can be achieved.
Don’t be put off by TV architectural programmes, like most TV it rarely reflects real life.

We are a design led practice = we want to spend our time and your money creating our fantasy indulgences that will come in way over budget.

We are a pragmatic client led practice = we formulate your first ideas and translate them for the builder. However, the thing you said you wanted to do in our first meeting .... that won’t work and will be too difficult. We should do it the same way I’ve done my last 7 extensions.

If they define themselves in a category, listen to them as that is what they will do.

Ideally you want someone in between.

Unless your husband is at least 6'6" tall then I doubt you'd be able convert the loft into habitable space, as it won't have a 2m finished internal height. The thickness of insulation required is insane these days .
If you want to throw ideas about before you approach an architect, why not use a concept planner first. Someone like Karen at OnePlan might be just the kind of person to be a good sounding board and a starting point? (Although I do know she's very busy most of the time.)

I am an architect
Try the RIBA for local architects or ask around to see who's done what locally to you - you'll probably want a small practice or sole practitioner but look at their work and see what you like. Some architects have a particular style others a range but you tend to get a feel about them.
I always chat to people on the phone to find out a bit about them and their project and tell them a bit about me and see if we gel. All of my work is by word of mouth these days so I tend to have some connection be it a previous client, contractor or someone whose seen my work.
Nowadays I do charge for an initial visit, but it's refundable if we take a project forward. I just ended up giving out free advice otherwise, and people took the piss.
It hasn't harmed my practice and most people go forward with projects.
I would say that all the small practices I know are very busy at the moment. There has been a massive influx of home renovation and extension projects and I'm not taking anymore work at the moment until the second half of the year. Good contractors are also booked up at the moment so set your expectations of when the work is going to take place realistically.
Small and beautiful is a good goal, I often suggest that clients reign in the size of their proposals, bigger often isn't better.
RIBA award winner - if you like their stuff go for it but there are lots of great architects who don't go in for the awards because they are a faff to submit for, so don't necessarily take it as a mark of greatness.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice, it's been very helpful!

I have a couple of meetings/zooms set up to discuss the project. One of them almost immediately started talking about the VAT savings involved in knocking the house down and rebuilding even though I said 'small and beautiful' in my email! They've done some beautiful buildings though, and also said that they do any size of project and that people often have wasted space so I'm still interested to see if we can get to an understanding.

I'm very excited about it all!