Getting to know the architects you are considering to design your new home, as you have introduction meetings with them, is an important step in making the first decision on your house project.
Here are six questions we think are vital in getting to know an architect and how they will handle your project. We like to make sure these are all covered in our consultation meeting.
1. Is my vision feasible within my budget?
Once you have described what you want from your home renovation, extension or development, the architect will be able to advise whether this should be achievable within your available project budget. They’ll also be able to give you ideas to maximise your design potential.
2. What challenges can you see with this project?
No home design project is straightforward – especially with planning permission in the local area – but forewarned is forearmed. An experienced architect will be able to tell you of any potential problems right from the beginning. This will help you to plan your project around any complications.
3. Can you give me examples of projects you have worked on that are like mine?
Perhaps one of the most important questions you can ask is for evidence of successful projects on similar properties to yours. You don’t want to hire someone to design the demolishing and rebuilding of your home who has only ever worked on loft conversions and vice versa!
4. What are your fees and what do these include / not include?
4. What are your fees and what do these include / not include?Ask your architect for a clear explanation of the design costs that will be outlined in their fee proposal. These can be overly complicated, with the RIBA scope of work being many stages long, so it’s important to understand exactly what your project entails and how much this costs.
You ideally want your fixed fee to cover the entire design process – from conceptualisation to build – however many quotes do not include the stages past planning permission (building control drawings and approval).
5. Do you have other, trusted professionals that you can recommend?
If your architect has a strong network of trusted partners it can make your entire design and build process run a lot more smoothly. These can be structural engineers, surveyors, even builders who can confidently move forward with your project once the design is complete.
6. How are your relationships with the local planning department?
Local architects should have an excellent relationship with all local planning departments in order to access advice on potential designs and support throughout the planning and building control approval processes. Your architect should manage the liaison with the council and smooth out the proceedings for you.