Architect vs architectural designer vs architect technician

[WookieWoo]

Hello. Looking for some advice and guidance as I'm very confused!

We want to convert our loft and extend our kitchen. I've had an architect round to provide a quote for their services. I've also had an architectural designer round.

Can anyone please share their experiences of either and recommendations for whether it is worth the cost of a chartered architect over a non-chartered designer?

Many thanks

Would also like to know this...

Aren’t some architectural technicians chartered too? I’d go by price and recommendation for the work that you want. Would be pretty straightforward for an experienced practitioner.

It depends how much design work you want and how much involvement with the build. There’s a reason for Architects to take 7/8 years to qualify and why their Indemnify Insurance is so costly.

It depends on the job. The more complex, the more experienced and qualified a professional. However its no guarantee of quality, so you want to see examples of their work.
Make sure whomever you pick is designing for you, no themselves. I had obe do an extension and asked why all the shallow cupboards. He said fir CD and DVD collections (that dates it!). Because he had a extensive collection, and no kids, in his mind this is what was needed. We didn't have a collection, but had four kids, so what we needed was toy storage...and much deeper cupboards that changed to whole design.
I don't think either of your projects sound too difficult and if you have some idea, and have looked at how your street has converted lofts you may just need structural engineer's drawings. You will need these for the builder and building regs anyway. If you need planning though the drawings are more involved, requiring side views, street scene etc.

Architect (RIBA/ARB) Chartered

Architectural Technologist (MCIAT/FCIAT) Chartered

Architectural Technician (Some may be ACIAT, but not compulsory) Not chartered

It depends what you want and why you feel comfortable with. Obtain a few different quotes, then compare and contrast.

It’s not chartered vs unchartered. You can only call yourself an architect if you’ve qualified as one. It’s like being a teacher or a teaching assistant. They may be a fantastic assistant but they won’t have the experiences or qualifications of the teacher

Sally are you advertising? You’ve repeated this elsewhere today