When you make the choice to design your own home, or make a moderation to your existing one, you want the very best, the perfect house. There are some things that need a professional touch and the design of your home is definitely one of them! A registered architect can provide you with an excellent, bespoke design and so much more, including building knowledge and suggestions for how to make your home energy efficient.
In addition to having an excellent knowledge of house planning and of the build industry as a whole, a professional architect will also have the correct understanding of permissions you need and local requirements. They can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run because they can prevent you from bumping into problems. If you employ an architect for the duration of your build, they can over-see the whole construction process, thus reducing your stress significantly!
Once you have found an architect which suits your project (many have samples of their portfolio online for you to view), you need to make it clear to him/her what your design brief is. This includes a list of what you require (such as room sizes and types and what you will need to fit into the spaces) but could also include some pictures of existing designs that you like the look of. Although you want to make your home look exactly as you have dreamt, remember that any recommendations your architect makes are because they fit the specific planning needs of your home. It is important to recognize when and where compromise is important.
Once you have discussed with your architect what your wants and requirements are, he/she will create a concept design. Obviously this is not set in stone and you will need to discuss any alterations you want to make. Once you are happy with the design, proper construction plans can be created and other professionals can be contacted for quotes. It is important to get quotes from about three people in each profession to gauge what a fair price would be. Your architect will be able to sort out tender documents for contractors and the council to make sure estimates are fairly accurate and plans have been approved.
Your architect will probably be able to advise you on your build budget and will be skilled in considering extra expenses which might not be obvious to someone who isn’t a professional. You an rely on this advise to be fair and as accurate as possible.
Although the ideal situation is to employ your architect for the duration of your project, this may not be financially viable. It is worth noting that you can ask an architect to advise you on a few areas at a reduced cost. They can: create a concept design; sort out council and construction documents; carry out inspections of the site and meet with different contractors on your behalf. Ultimately, having a professionally designed home is the start to a good future build. An architect can provide you with that support and peace of mind.