Employing contractors Choosing an architect

Architects can add value to your home

Personal recommendations can be the best way to get a good service. To help choose the right person or company for you, ask friends and neighbours who they have used or know (of course, make sure you like the work that’s been done on their property).

Look around your neighbourhood – pop a note through the door of properties that you like the look of. People will often be happy to pass on their knowledge.

Try to talk to at least three different companies or professionals, get some quotes and appoint the one that you believe will do the best job, will listen to you and help alleviate any concerns you may have.

Brief the architect

When you contact an architect or designer, they should first hold a brief meeting with you – which is often free. It is helpful to either have the meeting at your home or to take photos or drawings of your building (inside and out), together with the road and neighbouring properties.

Remember to

• state which local authority the project falls under
• explain why you want to make the changes and whether you want a quick return on the property’s value or are happy to make a long-term investment
• explain who will use the new area and what it is for
• think about the purpose of the room. If it is to create a music room or office, the design considerations will be different from a kitchen or bathroom
• decide on whether you want the plans to be in keeping with or contrast to your property – you may want a contemporary look and feel, for instance

Your involvement

If the architect or designer seem to understand your project well and you can feel confident you can solve any of the inevitable problems that turn up during major building work together, you may be happy to let him or her get on with it, checking regularly and discussing any concerns you have.

On the other hand, if you want to keep tabs on what’s happening, then you can be the person that signs everything off. The upside is you should get what you want. The downside is that it may hold up the project if there are problems that occur and you can’t solve them, and you might be more tempted to make changes to the plans too often – resulting in increased costs and perhaps not the end result you were aiming for.

It is essential to ensure that whoever you work with, you agree – in writing – what sign off is required for the design, monies and on-site decisions. Both parties need to understand how the project is being funded, the size of the budget, what the crucial finance stages are and the timings that need to be adhered to. Also, any flexibility that is available.

More information

For further information about your architect and designer options, go to www.architecture.com and www.ciat.org.uk. An example of a package company is www.garageplans.co.uk.

To find a professional, accredited architect, you can search the Register of Architects using the Architect Registration Board (ARB) website.