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Architect coming to visit to look at extension- what should I expect?

7 replies

FireWafer · 17/05/2021 23:09

I have an architect coming in the morning to discuss an extension with us. What should I expect from their visit? (I get really nervous about these things)
They came highly recommended and their website states that the will draw up the plans and give us an idea of how much the project is likely to cost. They work lots with the builder we want to use too which is a bonus.
Is there anything I need to do in anticipation of their visit? I just don't know what to expect and I am pretty scared of the cost!

Our house is mid terrace and our only access is through the house, it is also down a path from the main road so these 2 factors combined are likely to really bump up the cost which is scaring me.

OP posts:
NoIdeasForWittyNickname · 18/05/2021 03:29

Don't worry, you don't have to commit to a fully blown extension project right there and the Grin

As it's their first visit, they'll probably just going to look around, have a chat about your ideas, and outline the typical timeline/phases of a project. If what you're planning is something typical for the area and they've done that many times before, they may be able to give you a ballpark idea of costs. But the prices are crazy at the moment, so nothing is solid until you get proper builders' quotes, which you won't get until much later once you have proper planning drawings.

They will (if they haven't yet) tell you what the next steps are and how much they'd charge for each phase. But the main thing to remember is that YOU are the client and it's YOU who's going to spend £££ to improve YOUR house. Obviously, not advising to go fully offensive alienating everyone with attitude like "I'm the client, I'm always right!" from the outset, but try to gauge if that person understands your taste, whether you're comfortable communicating with them. It's pretty much for you to decide if you like them and want to work with them than other way round. This is especially important if you're planning to use the architect to project manage the build - you'll be stuck with them throughout a very stressful period so you'd need to get along one way or another!

BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush · 18/05/2021 07:22

I had some pictures of things I liked and also I’d by coincidence looked round a house he’d done the plans for so could say I liked x and y in house at the end of the road.

Think what’s important to you you. We wanted somewhere to sit inside with view of garden, a bigger kitchen, downstairs loo, utility. And more light inside and better access to attic rooms, means changing rooms round.

Ask about access, be realistic about your budget and clear. Ask about practicalities like drains, party walls, underpinning.

I’m a pictures person so I wanted to see examples and pictures. It meant we got slimline roof lights specced as well as slimline sliding doors.

BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush · 18/05/2021 07:25

And ask what they’ll do. Ours, for a price, did all planning, outdoor survey liaison (effing drains), structural engineer sorting and ran the tender for the builders.

121hugsneeded · 18/05/2021 08:13

We play architect bingo -
if they are dressed head to toe in black
If they have zany glasses on
If they keep swiping a dangly bit of hair out of they eyes
If the pop their zany glasses on there head
If the have a hard hat in the parcel shelf of their car
If they have Barbour wellies
If they say I concur then you win !!

FireWafer · 18/05/2021 11:11

Thanks for the replies. that puts my mind at ease a bit. Just very nervous, there is a lot hanging on us being able to do this work but there aren't that many houses in my area with extension....I don't think many are privately owned.
I have a basic floor plan in my head so I will talk that through with him and also loads of pics on pintrest of what I would like it to look like. I want to keep it as simple as possible to keep costs down as I think our access issues are going to inflate the cost of everything!

I have lots of questions for him so I guess I could make a list and ask him when he gets here.

OP posts:
NoIdeasForWittyNickname · 18/05/2021 11:35

Yes, if you're feeling a bit nervous, a list of questions is a good idea. And also jot down answers or any other useful info he tells you. I find that if I'm nervously excited, my brain is all over the place and even if everything seems logical and easy to remember during the conversation, an hour later I start doubting my own recollections, so having "hard evidence" helps ConfusedGrin

70smillie · 18/05/2021 11:49

Definitely a list and definitely be able to describe clearly what you want and (realistic) pictures of extensions you like would be useful.

Our architect asked us to write 3 lists: must haves, would really like and perfect world, just to get the conversation started. We ended up deciding that one of our must haves wasn't really and some of the 'perfect world' stuff was easier to achieve than we thought.

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