No matter what kind of building project you have planned you are probably going to need the services of an architect at some point. There is a misconception that architects are difficult and mysterious, but if you’ve ever watched the renovation and design programmes on television you will know that they are normal people, offering a professional service which benefits you.
There are plenty of ways to find a good architect and the truth is that your project will likely define the kind of person you employ for the task. To help you get a better idea of why it’s good to get the right architect and how to find one, we’ve put a short guide together.
How an Architect Will Help You.
An architect has two main benefits to you when they are on your team. The first is that they will be able to help you get the most for your money. They can see the project as a whole, use their experience and give you the best advice. No matter how simple your design they can help you make the most of it.
The flip side of this is that they will be able to know the limitations of your building, budget and plans. They won’t tell you the limitations out of spite, it’s what you’re paying them for, they wouldn’t want you to blindly make devastating alterations to your building which could jeopardise safety and cost you more in the long run.
Planning Permissions and Building Regulations
An added bonus of having an experienced architect is that they will know if you’ll need planning permission and can help you navigate the regulations. This saves you time and money in the long run and gets any issues resolved as soon as possible. There are many structures which people build onto or near their homes, which later have to be torn down due to the fact that they didn’t get the right permission or permits.
Check they are Registered and Experienced
An architect must be registered with the ARB (Architect’s Registration Board) to officially carry out work so make sure you check the ARB website for more information. Being part of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) is not compulsory but is always an added bonus, you can find architects on this website and even get recommendations.
Getting the right architect is important, they all have specialisms and you will want someone with previous experience on a project like yours. If they’ve done previous work to similar buildings as yours then they’ll know all the processes and help speed things along.
The Secret is to Communicate
Most disputes come from a lack of, or the wrong kind of communication. When you first take on an architect make sure that you draw up agreements about how to contact one another, and ensure you get the plans locked in, dithering and changing your mind is bound to frustrate everyone.
Setting your goals out helps to take a lot of the stress away and you might want to put your architect in charge of the builders. They can do this upon agreement and will probably know how to better communicate with builders than you as they will have seen it all before. You’ll be able to inspect the progress without having to do all the demanding and arguing, an architect is a professional and won’t let the little things get personal, they also won’t be afraid to ask questions of the development.
If you consider all of the above when taking on an architect you will surely find the whole process easier and have more success in the long run.
