Appointing an Architect for your Home
If you're planning on undertaking a building project for your home and finding the prospect a little daunting, a Chartered Architect can help.
For most people, their homes represent the single most significant financial investment that they are likely to make in their lifetime. The decision to improve, extend or renovate must be carefully made, with due consideration given to both feasibility and cost.
Advantages
Even relatively minor projects can involve substantial financial resources; it makes sense to plan your project at the earliest stage. You may have a good relationship with a builder who has a firm grasp of your needs, however if you are seeking to undertake anything other than very minor works, it's likely that you will require Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval; these are applications for statutory permission from the relevant local authority and it's therefore prudent to ensure that the information that must accompany the applications is properly prepared.
There are many advantages in appointing a Chartered Architect to design and manage your project. SIX AD are able to assist you, to ensure that :
- You are presented with all of the relevant options
- You achieve the best possible return on your investment
- You're able to see the finished scheme before a brick is laid
- The design process reduces risk, error and cost on site
- The project is completed on time and on budget
- Your best interests are protected by us at all times
Process
SIX AD follows the Plan of Works developed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA); this gives us a logical and methodical process by which to organise the project, meet planned project milestones and monitor progress. The Plan of Works is set out as follows.
Preparation : Stages A - B
Appraisal - Brief
We will listen to you describe your needs, help you to identify relevant constraints and opportunities that you may not have otherwise recognised, then record these aims in the form of a 'brief'. Actions undertaken during this phase of the project are as follows :
- Visit the property and carry out an initial appraisal
- Assist you in preparing your requirements
- Identify suitable solution/s for the project
- Advise on the need of services by consultants or specialists
- Survey and prepare drawings of site and / or buildings as required
- Arrange investigation by any relevant third parties
Design : Stages C - F
Conceptual Design - Detailed Design - Technical Design - Production Information
We will develop initial designs and discuss the advantages of each with you. Once a course of action has been agreed, we will produce a final scheme, developed in sufficient detail to make an application for Planning Approval. We will then continue the design process to ensure that the scheme will fulfill technical criteria, such as thermal performance and safety in the event of a fire.
In Stage F, we produce final dimensioned drawings and other documentation to allow one or more builders to provide accurate costs for the project. During these stages, we also submit an application for Building Regulations Approval, if we have agreed to do so. Actions undertaken during this phase of the project are as follows :
- Prepare a preliminary design and discuss it with you
- Develop the final design
- Prepare an approximate estimate of cost
- Submit the final design proposals and approximate cost for approval
- Provide services in connection with Party Wall negotiations
- Make an application for detailed Planning Permission
- Co-ordinate and integrate any designs provided by others
- Prepare drawings and other information required for construction
- Make an application for Building Regulations approval
- Prepare (a) a specification (b) a schedule of works
Tender Information : Stages G - H
Tender Documentation - Tender Action
The tender documents are issued to the chosen builders and we then manage the process by which the builders offer prices for the proposed works. When the tender prices are returned, we will evaluate the information and produce a tender report that we will discuss with you. Actions undertaken during this phase of the project are as follows :
- Advise on an appropriate form of building contract, its conditions and the responsibilities of the Architect, Builder and you as Client
- Prepare documents required for tendering purposes
- Advise on builders to be invited to tender for the work
- Invite, appraise and report on tenders
Construction : Stages J - L
Mobilisation - Construction - Completion
Ordinarily, we will liaise with the chosen builder as they make arrangements to start work. If agreed, we will periodically monitor building activities on site and ensure that the terms of the Building Contract are honoured, including completion times, managing changes to the agreed design, authorising payments and providing completion certificates. Actions undertaken during this phase of the project are as follows :
- Advise on the appointment of a builder
- Prepare the Building Contract and arrange for it to be signed
- Provide the Builder with the information required for construction
- Visit the site to see that the work is proceeding generally in accordance with the contract
- Certify payments for work to date – advise on finances
- Provide record drawings showing the building and its services
- Make final inspections and arrange for correction of any defects
- Agree final account and issue a Final Certificate
Next steps
For additional information on engaging an Architect, we recommend reading 'Working with an Architect for your Home' by the RIBA.
We have developed a Construction Calculator to allow you to determine budget building costs and approximate fees for your project.
