Architects - how do you know what to pay
Discussion
Ill need an architect soon to design a trendy but sympathetic kitchen extension to a house I intend to buy
How do I know what to pay for such work?
With a builder you get the plans drawn and get three quotes?
With an architect I want them to draw the plans using their inspiration to suggest what I then will need building?
Bit chicken and egg
Is there a guide?
How do I know what to pay for such work?
With a builder you get the plans drawn and get three quotes?
With an architect I want them to draw the plans using their inspiration to suggest what I then will need building?
Bit chicken and egg
Is there a guide?
Contact the Royal Institute of British Architects and ask for a copy of their Guide to Engaging an Architect.
Should be everything you need to know in there.
Should be everything you need to know in there.
From your post, if I'm right, I read that not only are you after a kitchen design but a design for the extension to your property to "house" the kitchen ?
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
John Mac said:
From your post, if I'm right, I read that not only are you after a kitchen design but a design for the extension to your property to "house" the kitchen ?
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
Of course, you may not need any planning at all, depending on the size of the proposed extension and any previous work done to the house. Ask them about permitted development rights for your particular house.
Re: builders, make sure you get good references, from people you know & trust! Good luck
I bow to your possible better knowledge on this johnfm but I thought nowadays you have to get Planning permission for "any" building alterations or extensions.
I recently wanted to change a single window at the rear of my house and put in Patio doors,for this I had to have Planning permission to ensure it complied with Building Regulations. If you sell on your property, this alteration forms part of your Deeds and confirms it meets the necessary requirements and wasn't done by "cowboys", during the process of the work a Building Inspector visited to ensure all was satisfactory.
Perhaps things change from Authority to Authority but I don't think so.
As I mentioned, have a word with your local Planning office and they will give you free advice and point you in the right direction.
I recently wanted to change a single window at the rear of my house and put in Patio doors,for this I had to have Planning permission to ensure it complied with Building Regulations. If you sell on your property, this alteration forms part of your Deeds and confirms it meets the necessary requirements and wasn't done by "cowboys", during the process of the work a Building Inspector visited to ensure all was satisfactory.
Perhaps things change from Authority to Authority but I don't think so.
As I mentioned, have a word with your local Planning office and they will give you free advice and point you in the right direction.
John Mac said:
I had to have Planning permission to ensure it complied with Building Regulations
Planning permission and building regs are different things. Just about any works have to comply with building regs whether or not PP is required. Depends on size of extension etc and particuarly area lived in whether PP is required. Changing styles of windows in conservation areas etc will need PP. In our area we need PP, Estate Management and Building Regs permissions.
johnfm said:
John Mac said:
From your post, if I'm right, I read that not only are you after a kitchen design but a design for the extension to your property to "house" the kitchen ?
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
Assuming this to be the case, an architect is likely to suggest initially something like a minimum of about £500, this should cover a couple of initial meetings/discussions and then a set of "sketch" plans (try to give as much information initially to save time).
Drawings will then have to be prepared for your Planning Application, this will cost you extra. The site will need to be surveyed for any structural alterations and drains etc. but this should be in the initial cost.
I would suggest a "small" architectural practice rather than a large one as they are more likely to specialise in the smaller type of job. Yellow pages will give you initial contacts and don't be afraid to ring them up and ask "how much"
Initially I would suggest you ring your local planning office to see firstly that you can build an extension, better sooner than later or you would have wasted your money.
If its the kitchen equipment that needs the design rather than the extension, get the kitchen shape right and then go to a Kitchen specialist who will then give you a free design, I did that and it cost me nothing. There are outfits like B&Q, Waites or MFI that all can give you a kitchen layout based on the extensions "shape" - and all for free.
The old rule of thumb for an architects guide price used to be about 9% of building cost, excluding fittings ie units or electrics. Having been away from all this now for some years I expect like most things costs have gone up.
Hope the above helps.
Of course, you may not need any planning at all, depending on the size of the proposed extension and any previous work done to the house. Ask them about permitted development rights for your particular house.
Re: builders, make sure you get good references, from people you know & trust! Good luck
You are both right !
I used to work for a small architectural practice in Bromsgrove, but have since moved on to Taylor Woodrow/Bryants. It's been a few years since I've had to go through what permissions are required etc. but generally if the building work doesn't affect the exterior of the house in any way, you will only need to get building regs approval. If it does involve changes to the exterior (in some cases including just the addition/removal of windows), then you will need to get both planning and building regs approval. HOWEVER ! Last time I checked, you only needed planning permission if you were building an extension over a certain size, or within a certain distance from a public right of way.
For example, a small porch of about 1 sq m would probably not require permission, but a larger kitchen extension probably would.
If you look on your local authority website, they will probably have some guidelines that you can download.
As for costs, the figures you have already been given sound to be about right, but will vary from practice to practice.
Also I couldn't agree more about the builders ! Make sure to get references, and only go with one once you are absolutely sure about them !
andy g bmth said:
i believe you are allowed up to 10% of the property footprint without planning permission.
It isn't quite that straightforward, I'm afraid.
Apart from anything else, Permitted Development may apply if the volume of the original house is not increased by more than 10% - footprint is irrelevant - but there are a lot more ifs and buts involved.
This link covers the basics.
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