I have just moved to a house which needs a great deal of work doing. I've checked that I don't need planning permission for any of it. It involves making a garage into a room with lantern skylight, converting an upstairs cupboard to a dormer with shower room, taking down one internal wall, that type of thing. Should I get an architect to draw up plans for this or is there another suitable profession - maybe cheaper? I'm in the Kingston, Surrey, area so architects are expensive around these parts, I expect. And how the hell does one choose someone if they're necessary? All advice heartily welcome!
I don't really think you need an architect for the work you are proposing. You may need to consult a structural engineer with regards to moving the wall.
I'd try speaking to your local BCO and see if they can offer any advice.
A good architect would be a sensible way since he should be versed in making the bits that show to the outside fit in with the existing as well as possible - and making use of the space effectively. But for structural work he will still require a structural engineer to do the calcs - unless they are not needed. A good architect may also be able to help with the tradespeople required.
To find a decent one look for other conversions nearby you like the look of and ask the owner. If you're in an older part of town is there a Kingston Society or similar dedicated to preserving the 'look'? If so they should know of suitable ones.
Agreed. The first thing to determine is whether or not you need Building Regs approval. The BCO will be able to advise on that. If you *do*, you will need plans which detail the structural changes - possibly backed up with calculations done by a structural engineer. If you cannot do those plans yourself, get an architectural technician to do them - that will be a lot cheaper than using an architect.
If you *don't* need Building Regs approval, the only plans needed will be whatever is necessary to convey your requirements to your builder in an unambiguous way. A text description plus some sketches on the back of an envelope may be sufficient for that if you have a reliable builder.
On Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:29:10 +0100, a particular chimpanzee, "Roger Mills" randomly hit the keyboard and produced:
The work described will need a Building Regulations application (new bathroom is work to a controlled service or fitting, conversion of a garage is an alteration to a thermal element, moving a wall may be structural and/or may affect fire safety).
It can be done on a Building Notice, which won't necessarily require plans. However, if the OP has details of what's proposed, the BCO may look them over to check that it will meet the requirements. Don't count on this however; BCOs are often too busy to even check full plans applications, so a B/Notice for minor alterations is way down their list of priorities.
Agreed. To the OP: What level of plans and specifications depends on how much of the work you're doing yourself, and your level of expertise. If you're knowledgeable about what's required, you obviously don't need someone else to tell you what you already know, or to be able to instruct a tradesman on what you want. If you're less sure, you may want someone to draw up a speci and plans so that you have a better idea of what you need to do, or so that you're not ripped off by someone charging for more than what you need or cutting corners. The best people for this are Building Surveyors or Architectural Technicians rather than Architects.
Actually, it turns out I don't need an architect, or rather architect don't need me. My wife has phoned 3 so far who all have said that thi isn't architects' work. I'll pursue some of the other suggestions but I have some sound advic to follow and that's most helpful. Again, thanks
Well if you are prepared to do up teh learning curves I mentioned, no you don;t. There was nothing sarcastic about my post: I merely pointed out the three areas that an architect should be able to cover, that you might not.
In my case I pretty much dispensed with mine when it became clear that I had acquired most of whet he had to offer anyway.
It read like an annoyed architect's post:-) Since I know what I want to do, I've found a architectural technician who will do the drawings and building specs for me. Two architects quoted me high prices for obtaining planning permissions. In both cases I had pointed out that the proposed changes came well within the allowed (with riders) 70m3. Thanks for the advice everyone.
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