How to build a home extension #1: Finding a local designer
This blog marks the first in our new series - “How to build a home extension - PPCo's practical guide” - which will take you step by step through the process of designing, planning and building your extension.
First up is…well, the beginning.
So, you’ve decided you want to create a bit of extra space in your home - great. You need a house extension - wonderful. But where do you begin?
Budget
The first thing we’d always advise you consider is your budget - how are you going to finance this extension? Have you got cash? Or do you need additional borrowing? If it’s the latter, make sure you have the means to borrow the money. You might want to add a double storey extension (which requires planning permission) but affordability is key. Two floors means a higher design cost, planning fees (single storey extensions often come under permitted development), building control fees, engineer fees and build costs.
A good idea of average build costs is the following:
£1,500 per square metre for ground floor
£1,100 per square metre for second storey
Of course, build costs will vary, but these estimates will help you plan what you can really afford. Oh, and remember to factor in a healthy contingency to cover any unexpected costs.
Architect vs Architectural Designer
Secondly, you need an architect - or 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.
‘Architectural designers’ is a broader term, covering those 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 (this is where our team comes under). 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.
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 Local Architects Direct and MyBuilder to find local architects and designers near you. Or simply type ‘Nottingham architectural designer’, for example, into Google.
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 Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.
And if you’d like to speak to our team about a project your’re planning, please get in touch.
In our next blog we’re talking all things design. Stay tuned!