Do I need an architect?
Is it a requirement to use an architect for my home conversion, extension or alteration project?
This is a question we get asked a lot! In this 3-minute read, we offer our honest opinion of why you should consider engaging an architect for your building project.
Key takeaways
For those in a hurry here’s a summary of our top five reasons to work with an architect:
Benefit from the expertise of design specialists and achieve a higher quality outcome.
Be guided through the legalities of your project.
Make the construction process as pain-free as possible.
Gain protection. You are financially covered by our insurance.
Remove a lot of the uncertainty and risk so you can enjoy the process.
Is it a requirement to use an architect for my home conversion, extension or alteration project?
The short answer is no. In the UK, it is not a legal requirement to use an architect when undertaking a building project. However, we can be a very useful and cost-effective team member to have on hand.
From helping you to maximise usable space, to keeping you right with planning and building legislation, our guidance typically leads to a better, more cost-effective outcome.
Below are our top five reasons to consider using an architect for your house extension, conversion or alteration project.
1. Design
First of all, we are design specialists. We live, eat and sleep building design. Our entire career history has been spent creatively solving problems. So, when working out how to maximise spaces, bring more light into a room, re-plan a messy floorplan or resolve a tricky access issue...your brief is not our first rodeo. But it might be yours.
We will quickly be able to assess the challenges and opportunities of your project and help you unlock its potential.
Lean on our creativity and enjoy tapping into a fountain of options!
2. Planning permission and building warrants
We have detailed knowledge of planning policy and building regulations. Part of our role is to guide you through the legalities and keep your building project compliant.
Should you wish to sell your home in the future and your alteration, conversion or extension is not compliant, that can be a real problem. You may need to rectify or reverse the work at your own cost.
One of the biggest benefits we can offer you is peace of mind your project will have the required approvals.
3. Construction
It's not widely understood that an architect can play a useful role during a project’s construction phase.
Here’s just a handful of the responsibilities we can take off your shoulders to help the building process go smoothly.
Construction drawings - We can produce construction drawings for your main contractor to use. These are detailed drawings for the contractor to refer to and reduce the need for last-minute decisions on-site.
Tendering - We can manage the tender process, helping to ensure you get competitive prices from good quality builders.
Contract management - We can act as a third party to administer the contract between you and your main contractor, making sure the contract is fair.
Quality control – If we manage your construction contract, we will conduct regular site visits to ensure the building works align with the construction drawings.
Our role in the construction phase is an optional service: Plenty of hands-on customers prefer to manage this part of the project themselves. If that sounds like you, then go for it. But for complicated projects, or customers who would prefer to be hands-off, this part of our service offering can be hugely beneficial.
4. Experience and protection
As Chartered Architects, we undergo years of training and are governed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This means we are held to a statutory code of practice.
Even for the most seasoned property professionals, being able to lean on our expertise to guide a project through the correct process, ensuring all steps and checks are taken in the right order, is a big benefit.
You’ll also be covered by our Professional Indemnity Insurance. If something goes wrong with your project, you are covered.
5. It is a more enjoyable process with us on board
We might be biased...
But considering each of the points above, an architect removes much of the uncertainty, stress and risk from your shoulders. Who doesn’t want that support when embarking on a building project?
Ask yourself this, would you think twice about hiring the help of a caterer for your wedding? Or a tree surgeon to deal with a dangerously wonky tree in your garden? Undertaking a home renovation or building project without the guidance of an architect is not for the faint-hearted.
Take reassurance and enjoyment from having the support of a professional on hand.
At Studio Wilde, we pride ourselves on this fifth reason. For us, it’s all about making sure our customers are creating spaces they love. We take extra time and care at every stage to ensure our customers know what their options are and feel empowered to make decisions.
If you would like to have a conversation about your project, get in touch. Conversations are free and we’re always happy to hear your ideas.
Alternatively, take a look at this short article where we cover the project types where an architect’s support is most valuable.
