Advice on choosing and appointing an architect

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Sausage11 wrote: »

Hello. My experience says that you can definitely do the internal plans yourself if you have an interest in it. Originally the architects we used did an external and an internal design. But their internal was very poor and created 2 long bedrooms upstairs that would have been somewhat corridor-like in feel. We took over the internal design ourselves and insisted that they tried to work the stairs into a different location. This allowed us to make much better use of the new first floor.

It is odd in terms of strengths and weaknesses. I would slate these architects for their internal design and planning management - very slapdash. But I would definitely consider going back to them for an external design.

For floor plans I've used Floorplanner - https://www.floorplanner.com/

You can create a free account for one project. You can save lots of different designs per floor so you probably wouldn't need to pay. I've now designed the internal layouts for 2 houses on this and both have worked out really well when built. There may be better room planners out there (its 3D is a bit rubbish and it has a few issues here and there) but it does the job. There are plenty of tutorial videos on Youtube to get you started.

One other point is that I've usually found that if you call the local council and ask to speak to the duty planning officer they're quite happy to give you an assessment of what is likely to be be acceptable for planning.

Tbf, if your architect can't do a decent floor plan or deal with the planning authority then they're just not that good at their job, those things should be the bare minimum you get!!

Hoploz

My advice on finding an architect would be to have a look at the plans you mention you've seen for other houses in the road that started out the same. If you find the planning applications online then these will have the architect's details on. Then you knock on the doors of the houses and ask them whether they would be happy to recommend them... And their builder also! (the bit about knocking on doors can be important - a neighbour of mine found the architect I used this way but didn't ask me. If he had asked I'd have said no way use them they messed up my structural drawings, kept charging extra to correct their mistakes and were on holiday half the time!)

I may be able to help actually as I'm not far from you and I'm using a guy at the moment who might be worth contacting, based in Horsell. If you'd like contact details let me know

HanBan

the_r_sole wrote: »

Being registered with riba isn't important but the arb is the important one if you are looking for an architect. Riba membership is an optional thing.
If you don't go with an architect then you have to be sure about the designer you choose speak to previous clients and visit jobs, you might want to check they have pi insurance too.
It does sound like you need a bit more than just someone to draw plans, you should speak to a few and see who you think best understands you and you feel comfortable with.
Most architects will offer a service split into sections, or do as much as you ask. Just have the discussion with them, they won't give you a fee quote over the phone without seeing the job first, what you want from the phone call is to get them out for a look and then the rest of your questions will be answered in person

Thanks for this advice the_r_sole. That's worth knowing about the insurance. ...One of the building companies I was looking at actually offers a split service like you mention above. I've seen them doing work around the area and from a passers-by perspective they look like they do a very good job. I think I will definitely have a chat with them. Even if they're too expensive for the actual build (they seem quite a slick operation) they might be able to offer reasonable rates for the 'concept' through to 'planning' aspects.

HanBan

Sausage11 wrote: »

Hello. My experience says that you can definitely do the internal plans yourself if you have an interest in it. Originally the architects we used did an external and an internal design. But their internal was very poor and created 2 long bedrooms upstairs that would have been somewhat corridor-like in feel. We took over the internal design ourselves and insisted that they tried to work the stairs into a different location. This allowed us to make much better use of the new first floor.

It is odd in terms of strengths and weaknesses. I would slate these architects for their internal design and planning management - very slapdash. But I would definitely consider going back to them for an external design.

For floor plans I've used Floorplanner - link removed

You can create a free account for one project. You can save lots of different designs per floor so you probably wouldn't need to pay. I've now designed the internal layouts for 2 houses on this and both have worked out really well when built. There may be better room planners out there (its 3D is a bit rubbish and it has a few issues here and there) but it does the job. There are plenty of tutorial videos on Youtube to get you started.

One other point is that I've usually found that if you call the local council and ask to speak to the duty planning officer they're quite happy to give you an assessment of what is likely to be be acceptable for planning.

Thanks for the additional information Sausage11, and for the link to Floorplanner. What a great website - I am definitely going to have a play with it and see how I get on! ...I am completely new to all of this, and by no means at all do I think I can learn enough to manage this project by myself, but I would like to educate myself as much as possible so I can make informed decisions along the way!


Good idea about calling the planning officer too. I think we'd be in a pretty good position to get the things we want as other neighbours have them, but things may have changed since then, so I will definitely do some research!

HanBan

Hoploz wrote: »

My advice on finding an architect would be to have a look at the plans you mention you've seen for other houses in the road that started out the same. If you find the planning applications online then these will have the architect's details on. Then you knock on the doors of the houses and ask them whether they would be happy to recommend them... And their builder also! (the bit about knocking on doors can be important - a neighbour of mine found the architect I used this way but didn't ask me. If he had asked I'd have said no way use them they messed up my structural drawings, kept charging extra to correct their mistakes and were on holiday half the time!)

I may be able to help actually as I'm not far from you and I'm using a guy at the moment who might be worth contacting, based in Horsell. If you'd like contact details let me know

Hello Hoploz, thanks for your reply. I actually did as you suggested and looked at the plans online on the two houses I liked in particular - unfortunately both sets of plans were done by the owners themselves and both have since moved on! Typical!


Yes, if you have the name of someone you think it would be worth contacting, that would be great!

Hoploz

Have sent you PM HanBan

saundersben

Hi HanBan, I just came across this thread as we are also searching for advice on looking for local architects and similar for what sounds like a very similar project. Reading down the replies I was then surprised to see you're also in Walton on Thames!

It would be great to hear your experience of how you got on in the past year and what progress you have made, particularly if you have any recommendations in the area.

Many thanks in advance!