Architects - how do they work?

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

We are considering having a double-storey extension to the rear of our house and some change of layout and would like an architect(s) to come and suggest different layouts that might work.

Do they charge to visit your house and make suggestions or only when they draw up plans or what? Also, I presume they know what can and can't be done in terms of permission/ building regs/ removal of walls, etc, or do I need a builder to come and look as well?

TIA

Hello, my DH is an architect, so I'll ask him the specifics later. I think they only begin to charge when they draw up the plans. They definitely know all about building regs, permission, etc, so you won't need to get a builder out too. Will get back to you later with more info.

Thanks!

Most won't charge for initial visit but their ideas will be very, very sketchy so that you don't just rush off and draw up the plans yourself. In my experience, architects obviously know the ins and outs of the planning system but that isn't a guarantee that their plans will be passed by the local planning dept, iyswim. They also take the view that any work can be done - eg, any wall can be removed - if you are prepared to pay enough in terms of engineering, time and stress to do it.

So I would explain what you hope to achieve and lay down some guidelines of the sort of work you would be keen to avoid and whatever your budget is, knock 33% off because whatever they tell you it will cost, will be 50% more.

The most successful client/architect relationships (in terms of finished building) seem to be those where the architect is either given free rein or the client has strong ideas which the architect interprets for him. Decide which camp you fall into .

Oh dear, really llll? The reason we want an architect is because we aren't sure about layout but we aren't made of money and wouldn't want them to get too carried away!

Would they charge us per plan then, if we wanted a few options presented to us? How much are we talking?

The usual process is that they will come to have an initial visit and talk over what you want and do a very rough sketch or sketches. So far, so free.

You will then decide if you want to proceed with any of their designs and that is when the meter starts going.

The initial meeting is very important - you have to convey what you want (a list of priorities if you haven't got any design ideas) and your budget. Hopefully the architect will be able to give - again a very rough idea - if what you want is possible for the money. You also have to work out whether you are on the same wavelength as each other.

They will charge you per plan if you give the nod to one design then decide it isn't what you want and ask for something else (you will also have to pay for tweaks to plans but obviously that won't work out so expensively). But really, if you are communicating well, it shouldn't get to that stage.

Hope that helps.

lalalonglegs - are you an architect?

It's blatently not true that you should allow for 50% more. you're a bit wide sweeping with your statements!

I do do a lot of work that involves architects and I wouldn't say that costing the job is really their forte. It was meant slightly tongue in cheek but I don't think it is that wide of the mark.