If you've put off using an architect because of the cost, or fear you'll be ridiculed, check out our guide to affordable, approachable professionals.
Architects cut stress and mistakes by:
• Finding the right builders for the job
• Suggesting materials you or your builder wouldn't know about or have considered.
• Translating your ideas and anxieties into practical solutions, often finding space and light where you didn't think possible.
• Guiding you through the dull bits like the regulations and contractual obligations you need to deal with.
How to find your architect
• First off, spend some time talking to friends or even knocking on doors of homes that have inspired you, as word of mouth is always the best recommendation.
• Visit www.ribafind.org/dom.asp. It's the search engine of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a brilliant resource for looking up architects in your area according to your budget and the type of work you want done.
• RIBA also offers a free five-day referral service tailor-made to your project, recommending up to five architects. Simply complete the online form.
By this stage you should have a short list:
• Phone them all first to find out whether they're available to do your project - some architects are booked months in advance.
• Arrange interviews with at least three of the available firms, ideally meeting the team who would actually work on your project.
• Be prepared - bring as much information about your project as you can.
• Ask how they generally liaise with you, the client, so you can agree on how much time you expect face-to-face, online, on-site etc.
Choosing the right architect
By this stage you should have a shortlist:
• Phone them all first to find out whether they're available to do your project - some architects are booked months in advance.
• Arrange interviews with at least three of the available firms, ideally meeting the team who would actually work on your project.
• Be prepared - bring as much information about your project as you can.
• Ask how they generally liaise with you, the client, so you can agree on how much time you expect face-to-face, online, on-site etc.
• When making your decision, go for the architect whose skills and experience are most suited to your project, but bear in mind the team you were most comfortable with.
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