Do we need an architect?

[StillTryingtoBuy]

We have finally exchanged after a long and rocky road and now begins the work of getting the house in a fit state to live in. A nice position to be in but a little daunting.

It’s a standard enough 3 bed Victorian terrace. There are plenty of maintenance issues to deal with including roof, gutters, central heating, removal of cement render…and we’d also like to move the bathroom upstairs (it’s at the back of the kitchen currently) and use that space to enlarge the kitchen.

We had thought we’d be wise to appoint an architect, and have a plan in place for the house. We’re not sure our budget will stretch to all that we want to do and also we know we will struggle with availability of people to do the work so thought a plan for the house would help us to future proof whatever we do e.g. when installing central heating we can take into account plans for the kitchen and bathroom…Also hoping an architect will help us make the best possible use of the house and space.

But also our budget isn’t huge so we don’t want to waste money on fees if we don’t need to.

Thoughts and experiences and advice welcome!

I think if the work you are doing doesn't need planning permission, you don't need an architect. You need to draw up some pictures of what you want (post plans here & you'll get feedback). and then you need one sensible builder who can be project manager & coordinate all the other trades.

Thank you! I think our issue is we need to move in to the house long before we’ll be able to get the majority of the work done. We need to move in by Feb, March at a push and there are some essentials we have to get sorted before move in - mainly the central heating closely followed by the roof.

So we thought a master plan that we can work to including where the boiler and every radiator will go would be worthwhile…but maybe we’re overthinking this.

you definitely need to pick a boiler location - that is v expensive to change. but radiators can be moved so don't worry so much about those.

Getting plans drawn up will be invaluable. Find a small local architect that does small house extensions and will give you fixed fee for each stage.

Even if you do work under PD you will need BC drawings and structural calcs if extending / changing walls.

Even if under PD it's best practice to submit to local council for certificate of lawful development. Same cost as planning permission (£200 ish) but you definitely get the permission and end up with a certificate to keep on file

We used an architectural technician, cheaper than an architect, drew up plans for house. But we were having a large extension built that needed structural plans and planning.

But some of it is just common sense, if you draw a plan up yourselves, you can get a kitchen designer in to see how the kitchen will fit in the new space. Think about soil pipes and where they will go, a good plumbing firm will draw up a plan too and will think about radiators, boilers, water tanks.

I think the first step would be to get a couple of plumbing firms in to look at how you'd move the bathroom.