PPCo Guide: How to build a home extension #1 - finding a local designer
Updated for 2021/22
This article is the first in our new PPCo Guide: How to build a home extension - a series which will take you step by step through the process of designing, planning and building your extension.
First up is how to find a local architect or architectural designer.
Architect vs Architectural Designer
What’s the difference, you might ask?
In the UK, a person must be registered with the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and follow its professional code of conduct to call themselves an architect. Some architects also subscribe to be a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Architects, who take a minimum of seven years to qualify, tend to offer full services, including administering the contract between you and your builder, and charge around 15-20% to the cost of the project - which can become expensive!
‘Architectural designer’ - a broader term - covers those (like us) who offer architectural design services, but who do not hold all the qualifications an architect does - and therefore do not charge as much for their work. Here at PPCo, we offer affordable fixed fees for all our design packages, so you know exactly how much your plans will cost from the get-go.
Qualifications, experience and expertise will vary from designer to designer, company to company, but there are a few things we would always recommend:
Choose a designer who has at least Part I of an architecture degree to ensure they have relevant training in architecture and design. That’s something we’re proud to have.
Make sure your architectural designer holds adequate professional indemnity insurance
Ask to see examples of similar work to make sure they have relevant experience in what your project entails.
Use a local designer who can meet you at your property to carry out feasibility checks. Some companies will ask that you measure your own property which can be risky and also does not allow the opportunity for the designer to check in person that the project will work, before you embark on the process of getting plans drawn up.
Choose a designer that has expertise in planning and building regulations, and who can introduce you to reputable builders (and who are ideally members of the Federation of Master Builders).
How to find help
You can use sites such as Houzz and MyBuilder to find local architects and designers near you. Or simply type ‘architectural designer near me’ or ‘local architect’ into Google, for example.
While you’re in this initial stage of your project, we also recommend you speak to a lender, if you’re going to be borrowing, and a builder. Although builders won’t be able to provide full quotes, they should be able to give you a ballpark figure and timeline. They may also be able to introduce you to an architectural designer, for example, we prepare plans for a number of builders across Nottingham and the East Midlands.
Coming up next…
If this is the first article you’ve seen in this guide, why not check out the first instalment here and catch up!).
And no matter what stage you’re at in your project, our team is here to help. If you’re based in the East Midlands and you’d like to book in with our Nottingham team for a free, no obligation design consultation, please give us a call on 0115 874 8570 - or hit the button below.
If you’re not quite ready to get started, or you’re based elsewhere in the UK, please feel free to check out the rest of our Advice Centre - and connect with us on Instagram and Facebook for tips and inspiration.