Choosing an Architect

I asked for recommendations from friends/family, rung a few and had a chat over the phone,  got an idea of how much they charged, id say we eliminated 3 or 4 just from their price and what they could offer.

Whittled the list we had down to 2 and got them both round for a more in depth chat and discussion about what we wanted, was it feasible? We've got a budget of x is it realistic? etc etc.

Guy we went with was really friendly, offered a really flexible package and didnt mind me asking loads of stupid questions so i fully understood what was going on and what was needed.

Depending on if you just want drawings/plans done or more of a project manager service will instantly cut down the list by a few.

we went on recommendations.

Pricing is a bit of length of string- there's the initial cost to build but then what level of fit out do you want to the rooms? Also, a structural engineer will be needed to dictate what is required to support the architect's vision!

Our architect was able to give us a ball park based on recent builds he'd been involved with, but with the caveat, it depends on what builders we used etc. Like you, it helped to have a rough idea as, say  a cost of £50-100k could be possible, but a cost of £250k may be a no go.

We found that builders would only cost on the basis of the architect's plans & structural engineer report.

You may well only get a ballpark figure based on £k per square metre but you'll never know for sure until you actually ask builders for quotes based on proper plans.

Actually I know a builder I'd like to use so perhaps I should talk to them at the same time...

Absolute minefield.  If you have contacts you sound like you are already well ahead of where most people start

Our experience, spoke to 'proper' qualified architects.  They wanted 10% of the budget.  As we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted to do, nothing majorly radical (still a big project though) we went with an architectural technician to draw up a few different options to help us choose the final plan, they produced the floor plans and managed the planning submissions.  This cost 2k

In terms of budgets and understanding what it will cost, draw a rough plan and talk to the builder.  We had a budget of 70k.  Architect said that should be fine.  Eventually costed £100k with me doing alot of the final stuff myself as we ran out of funds - and that is with only a very small % of unforeseen.  Architects just guess at costs, and its not really any bother on them if its over budget or not,  unless they are also employed to do the project management.

Prices maybe about to come down if you can wait 6 to 12 months.  Currently around my area builders and trades are charging a premium and cashing in as there is so much demand.  I imagine future pipelines are starting to dry up as some people put projects on hold

Absolutely talk to builders at the same time. A decent architect will be able to name a few local builders who have built their designs previously and will be able to say if the job went well and the customer was happy.

Builders and architects and fairly independent, and won't be afraid to give honest feedback on each other!

When we had some ideas drawn up (for free as the architect owed me a favour), he also got a quantity surveyor to do a detailed costing of the work based on his drawings.

We met a couple in person and had them talk us through their thinking on what we were after. We got a pretty good feel for their level of competence in what we needed, confidence and overall likeability and were able to decide fairly easily.
Worth thinking, btw, about whether you need just drawings/ initial setup or project management too; as some architects love the first part and CBA with the rest...

some builders offer design and build. Get one of them round to get an idea of pricing. Its worth sketching up what you think you want on some paper so you can be clear about it.

The price per sqm stuff can be way off. I know people spending over double what those guides suggest.

I know 3 architects through work and they all have very different styles. So my first step would be to do some research on previous projects to see if you actually like their style. Of the three I know, only one does work that I would realistically want to live in.

I you have a builder in mind ask them for a recommendation too.

As long as you have watched 'Grand Designs'....along with your partner...you'll be fine!

With Architects or technician's or surveyors it all comes down to if you get on with them as you will be working with them, plus giving them a load of £££.

It's never as easy as we (or others) think, there have been other threads, but basically what are you wanting them to do, what can you do, etc. Initial designs helps very much if you know what you want BUT they may have ideas and you may change your mind**, albeit your footprint/size maybe restricted and limit your plans.

Then planning, building control, thermal efficiency aspects, structural design, etc, does the cost have to add valve, not so easy.

Back to your original Q, find local examples and talk to people, but ultimately the architect should be able to understand your requirements and explain and cost their fees for what they can do for you and what they can't/won't do for you and explain this in their fee proposal.

As mentioned up the page, builders and such like to see drawings/specifications/details, it means you are serious and they have something to go on and price against...also ask about timescales good people will be booked up.

Good luck...if you want critique on designs post on here and we'll be happy to help/comment on;)

** Note if you change your mind while the builder/engineers/ building control are on site it will cost more!

and don't forget VAT on top of everything!!

We approached a builder we knew had done extensions of a similar scale to what we wanted and he recommended an architect he had worked with a number of times before.

ours is a 2 floor front and side on a 90's detached estate house. i gave our guy the brief of what problem we needed solving and roughly what our budget was. he came up with a plan that solves all our problems, looks significantly better than my "mega dormer" idea and sailed through planning permission. quotes are coming in now and theyre more or less what he said they would be.

In Edinburgh i guess it depends what you're building - a gravity defying cantilevered box off the back of a Trinity detached villa? a standard glass and flat roof kitchen out the back of a Morningside terrace or a wrap around on a Taylor Wimpy in Currie?

If youre planning something fairly standard, get on the planning portal and find plans for similar stuff your neighbours have built, then get architect and builders details from the plans.

As long as you have watched ‘Grand Designs’….along with your partner…you’ll be fine!

Going by that my wife needs to be pregnant, we need to buy an old caravan to live in, I need to order windows of the wrong size from Poland and attempt to be in by Christmas....but spend it in the caravan because the building isn't watertight.

Initial designs helps very much if you know what you want BUT they may have ideas and you may change your mind

If it was a simple wrap around or box on the back extension then I'd be asking a technician to do the drawings. I'd like someone who can come up with some ideas and change my mind. My main idea is to move the staircase and circulation spaces outside of the existing footprint so the full width of the house can be used (we're an end terrace town house). Then "something" on the rear to create a new kitchen/diner

I'm in Edinburgh too and currently going though this for an attic conversation. I initially had a look on the Edinburgh City Council planning portal as a few houses near me have done some conversations so I could see what the plans looked like and also who the architects were. The same name cropped up a few times so I got in contact with them and they've been great. Familiar with the style of building and because they've done a few of the same style, they've got a load of ideas, sketches etc to hand.

If you know the builders you want to use then ask them what architects they like to work with.

From a very small sample we discovered that architects were either good at creative designs or detailed how to build designs. The builders preferred the second type.

Depending on how you view style over function, you could consider a building surveyor . Some are just focused on surveying buildings,  but others are similar to architects, offering a full design/specification/work supervision service. IME they can be cheaper and may have a better understanding of technical issues. No disrespect to architects intended.

My opinion

if you just want plans drawn up of your own fixed ideas or something simple straightforward you could go the technician route it should be more cost effective.

However if you want someone to think about the spaces you want to create; has ideas considers the quality, light, value, practicality, technical issues, finance, thermal qualities, contractual relationships, carries PI, can help you save money while adding value both financially and to your living experience, can deal with contractors and issues on site, co-ordinate other professionals and trades and multiple other factors and is governed by a professional body and has a fairly strict charter then choose an architect.

if you want a building surveyed choose a building surveyor. I personally would not value a surveyors technical experience over an experienced architect at all, no disrespect to surveyors but in my experience they know significantly less.

There are exceptions to all these of course, some technicians are good designers some architects are not. Some are better technically than others. Building Surveyors are generally not any of the above it would be like asking a scaffolder to service your car! Unless they employ an Architect or technician?

Do your research locally, Edinburgh is rammed with Architects of all scales and specialisms find one you like or is recommended. Or choose based on the recommendations as you have already and also relevant experience and their approach, personality, ie you need to meet them.

£2.5/3K + per sqm completed at the moment for the type of work you describe in Edinburgh and choose 2 of these 3 things(a la bontrager); quality/time/cost plus finding a contractor at the minute will be hard but maybe next year it should be easier.

You will generally get what service you pay for. (unless you're tempted by a certain few names in Edinburgh when you'll just pay a lot for whatever you get it might be good it might not.)

to qualify I am an Architect and work in Edinburgh and Fife on residential projects.

Good luck

From Wikipedia. Just for balance.........

A Chartered Building Surveyor is a type of Chartered Surveyor involved in all aspects of property and construction, from supervising large mixed-use developments to planning domestic extensions and diagnosing building pathologies. Building surveying is one of the widest areas of surveying practice. It has a varied workload and can include everything from the conservation and restoration of historic buildings to contemporary new developments.

As above - I looked on the local planning portal and see the drawings that others have had done on similar houses (assume this is possible in Scotland).

In the end this narrowed down what we wanted and we just got some basic plans done and structure calculations for the steels needed for a fixed price. No 'design' input as such. Ours was nothing special, double story extension and knocking out a couple of walls etc.

squirrel, you're right, sorry went a bit too hard on the surveyors there! the scaffolder comment was uncalled for! I really like scaffolders too but NEVER EVER pick a fight with one!

some surveyors are great, agreed and have good skillsets! Just get fed up with general architect bashing (not necessarily in this post) and comparisons to much less qualified construction professionals when we as a profession are the most qualified to design buildings of any typology!

can help you save money while adding value both financially and to your living experience,

hahahhahahahahahahahahaha!---- hahahahahahahahahahah! that is completely amazing bollocks. if an architect says this to you: wee in his shoes then own him with bombers.

go to a builder and see if what you may want may be financially viable first. if you have a preferred buildier they probably have their favourite architect to work with so go with them. or they may say 'its a flipping minefield of codswallop mate so there is no way i`d put my appendage on teh line and reccommend one!'

we had both responses from differing builders.

We has to reassess what was feasible after we recovered from teh shock of hte potential costs. We still havent dont hte roof extension but we did get an architect to draw up detailed plans and regs calcs for us so we are good to go if we ever feel like wasting our money.

VanHalen all I can say is that is my experience... maybe you just had a bad one or used someone inappropriate.

I did also forget to mention that managing a clients expectations/understanding/values/level of unreasonableness is one of the hardest aspects of the job but if you manage this then definitely the above is true ......

Builders will only deal in ball park figures anyway without any real information in front of them and any decent one would direct you to a professional! Also how can you tell if the builders legit and not swinging you a line to either get the job or turn it down? then if you go with your builders recommendation what comeback do you have if they **** it up.... none

I've got a contractor friend who's putting right an extension just now the was run by a Project Manager and Contractor, could be a surveyor who knows, no contract, client handed over most of budget at the start and is now spending the same again to put it all right, its a shambles out there and very dangerous without the right advice.

By all means ask a recommended builder for recommendations but ultimately go with a professional you've researched and are happy with, knows the field and has the correct insurances and accreditations!