Project Approach
Why work with an architect?
Employing someone to design or remodel and build your most valuable asset is likely to be a nerve-racking experience. Unless your project is very simple it makes sense to at least talk to us for advice before you get going. This includes exploring outline design possibilities and guiding through the Planning, Building Control and Construction process and project requirements. We will empower you so that you feel confident about the decisions you make so that you can relax and watch them come to fruition.
Working with highly skilled and professionally qualified Architect over other non-certified ‘architectural designer’ will ensure that your project will run more smoothly and can foresee both potential risks and opportunities for your project. Subsequently hiring a professional architect at the start of the project can save you costs long-term, therefore increasing the effective build budget.
Do you really need an architect?
Once you have considered your outline brief and budget, it would be good time to contact us to discuss what architectural possibilities are available. Even if you are not quite sure of potential outcome or simply stuck for initial ideas, we can offer a one-off consultation service of a Design Workshop to provide guidance bring out potential design opportunities, identify outline build costs and project requirements without needing a formal appointment. In a short space of time you can gain an enormous amount of valuable information which will help you realise your project for a small one-off fee.
What does an architect do?
The first thing we do is ask questions, listen and understand what you are trying to achieve. We will work with you to develop your project brief and finalise the budget. Essentially appointing an architect will develop solutions and propose ways to reduce costs, whilst coming up with a design that will increase the building’s value and impact positively on you and your family. We can guide you at every step of your project from coming up with an initial design to seeing the project through planning and construction to completion.
Costs, Fees and Appointment
Typically clients are offered a choice of three levels of service; basic, standard and premium. Each level of service features differing levels of involvement at each stage and the associated fees. This is in order to provide clients maximum choice and control of their project and level of service they desire.
Generally our fees will vary depending on the location and complexity of the project and level of the service required. This can range from outline sketch ideas, planning drawings, building control construction drawings to guidance for construction works on site.
Depending on which is more suitable for you project, architect’s fees can be charged on the basis of the total project cost, fixed price lump sums at each stage, or on a time charge basis. How much as how little you commission us during your project is up to you – from coming up with an initial design to seeing the project through to completion.