Even once an architect has been appointed it is useful to know how they will work with you. This simple outline describes the common process that most of our clients go through with their architect from the initial conversation to final site visit.
The First Meeting
Most architects start on site. They walk around your home and garden and talk about how you live in your home and what you need from your home. They will ask about your budget and about what you like and dislike about your current home and how you think they could improve it. Many chartered architects are registered with the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and in the first meeting they will be looking to see if you are the right client for them and if they are the right architect for you.
Concept Sketches and Options
This initial conceptual work can often be provided in the form of simple massing drawings of possible ways to extend a property. Expect to have discussion and feedback with your architect on these early drawings, possibly in 2 or 3 sessions, until you arrive at a design that you are completely happy with.
Submitting the Planning Application
Once you have agreed on a design for your project your architect will prepare the drawings and other documentation required for submission of a planning application to the local authority. This will include a site plan, elevations and other information about the proposed works. The architect will guide you through the planning process and advise you of the likely timescale for a decision on your application. Your Monmouth Architect should clearly explain the process and likely timescales at the outset of your project.
Technical Drawings and Building Regulations
After planning permission has been granted, the project will move on to the technical drawings detailing the exact specifications for items such as the amount of insulation to be used, the type of fixings to be used to attach the extension to the main house, the drainage and how the new rooms will be connected to the existing services. These drawings will also detail how the new extension will comply with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations, such as fire resistance and energy efficiency.
Getting Quotes from Contractors
Your architect will typically collate the finished drawings and distribute them to several suitable contractors. They will then obtain like for like quotes from each contractor, allowing you to compare their prices for similar work. Often the reason for price differences can be exposed and this enables you to negotiate the best price for similar quality.
Site Visits During Construction
The architect will visit the site at various points during the construction of your home extension. This will enable the architect to check that the building work is being carried out in accordance with the drawings and also to identify any problems which may have arisen.
Knowing what to expect at each stage of a project makes a big difference to how daunting it all seems and helps you know what you can expect to happen next and when.