Why have an architect?
It’s about quality, beauty and value. The title “Architect” is, like doctors and lawyers, granted only to those who have completed rigorous training and experience, and protected in law. A professional who shares your concerns, understand your hopes and anxieties, and help translate your vision into reality. An architect brings three essential qualities:
Imagination
Whether it’s tradition or innovation, boldness or understatement, an architect can lift your project out of the ordinary. Anyone can alter a building. It takes an expert to do it with flair, imagination and style. Where an historic or old building is concerned, special qualifications and expertise are required to ensure that the work benefits its character, fabric and value.
Value for money
An architect can find the extra light and space you didn’t know you had, suggest materials you hadn’t thought of, make sure you find the right builder at the right price.
Confidence
Architects know the industry its organisation, working methods and standards. They can advise and guide you through the web of rules, regulations and obligations connected with planning and building and monitor construction through to completion. They must have professional indemnity insurance.
You’re in charge
Architects don’t impose their own tastes. They work with you, interpreting your ideas and requirements and guide you through the process to the finished building.
The initial meeting
Architects interpret and respond to any realistic brief they are given. They develop and confirm a brief which may include form, appearance, function, costs, budget and timing. Each step, option or cost implication is only progressed with your approval. Your architect can also help you find and brief other consultants or specialists who may be needed – a structural engineer or specialist craftsman, for example.
A vital service is to advise on statutory controls and procedures. Clients or building owners must comply with planning legislation, Building Regulations, health and safety and other requirements. The architect will also deal with the various authorities on your behalf.
Preparing to build
With planning approval in place, your architect will, if instructed, prepare drawings specifications for tender and construction, help you review tenders, chose a builder, recommend, administer, inspect and undertake quality control of the build.
Work in Progress
How much does it cost?
You select and pay only for the service you need, from a hour’s advice to signing off construction.
A money saver?
Yes. Architect explore the most efficient use of space, specify the most appropriate materials and finishes, provide general budgeting advice, work within factors important to you, seek operational economy and consider such matters as a building’s life cycle costs and potential for future change. Good design itself brings added value through quality, function and beauty.
Fees
We offer our clients the most appropriate fee structure for their project: percentage, fixed fee or time rates, depending on whether the brief and budget are known at the outset or variable as the project progresses.
Existing or historic buildings generally requiring greater time and expertise may attract higher fees.
Have a chat?
Call us. An initial chat can answer many questions and open new doors. And it’s free. Find out what we’ve done and if you like it. It’s vital to reach a meeting of minds at the outset, then make up your mind. Only then can a formal appointment follow. The RIBA Code of Professional Conduct requires architects to define and record the terms of any agreement they enter into to provide professional services.
