Find an Architect you can trust in Kent.

Like building an extension, you’re not legally required to hire an architect to build a house. However, given the amount of money you’ll be investing in your project, it’s vital to get it right. Clear, accurate plans are essential for any builder or other tradesperson to get the right materials in the right place. Building projects that go wrong because of inaccurate plans can at best look odd, and at worst be structurally unsound.

We’d recommend hiring either an architect or a skilled design and build company to create the plans for your new house. If you hire an architect to do your designs, you can choose whether to involve them further in your project, or use another professional or your own skills to take care of any applications and project management.

The key aspect to choosing the right residential architect for your project is communication. Make sure you choose an architect who you can communicate well with – it’s vital that you are able to accurately communicate your requirements for your building.

Architects specialise in designing new properties, extensions and interior layouts. Land and property owners typically hire an architect to help them create structures that compliment their environment, make best practical use of space, are structurally sound and meet budget requirements.

Architects typically offer design and project management services. This means that they’re involved in a project from start to finish, creating a concept, submitting planning and other applications, and managing construction. However, you can also hire an architect just to create your design and plans.

There are lots of different styles and colours of guttering to suit any property. Half round is the standard style, but guttering is also available in ogee (half square), deep flow (U shaped), and square styles or box guttering (three straight sided).

You don’t legally have to hire an architect for your commercial building project. In many cases, property owners liaise directly with a builder to create their extension or new building. This can help to reduce your project cost if you have a limited budget.

However, there are several benefits to hiring an architect that might mean it’s the best option for you.

Firstly, the architect you hire should have up to date knowledge of all the legislation and best practices that your commercial building should comply with, and will have professional indemnity insurance to cover you if they get anything wrong. This will help you make sure that your building is legal and safe, and avoid any expensive rectifying work.

An architect can also help you get the most out of your space. Their specialised experience means they may come up with layouts or solutions that you might not have thought of. If this helps you create a more successful commercial space, you might end up saving or earning more money.

Commercial architects can also take care of your project management. If you have limited time or experience to devote to your building project, an architect can manage it for you. This could be a great way to streamline your project and make sure it’s completed on time.

When you’re trying to decide on an architect to hire, start by making sure that all the professionals you consider specialise in residential architectural services. The architect you choose needs to be an expert in and have plenty of experience working on similar projects to yours.

It’s also important to factor in what other customers think. Look for online reviews of the professionals you find, ask to see portfolios of their work and even ask for references. This will help to give you an idea of whether they’re skilled and reliable.

Make sure you also meet and have a discussion with any architects you’re considering hiring for your home building project. It’s vital for you to get on with them and to share the same vision, otherwise you’ll struggle to get the end result you want.

It’s recommended to use a professional guttering company to repair or replace guttering, as well as to carry out cleaning. These companies have the required insurance and will comply with health and safety standards, particularly when working at height.

If you’d like to hire a residential architect, but have limited funds, there are several things you can try to reduce their quote.

Firstly, you don’t necessarily need to hire them for project management – you could just ask them to do the design. This will mean you’ll have to do some extra donkey work, but you could choose between finding a cheaper professional to do your project management or simply doing it yourself.

There might also be other architectural services that you can cut down on. Some professionals offer extras like landscape, interior and detailed joinery design. If you can do without any of these, this will help to reduce the overall cost.

You could also think about scaling down your project. Lots of residential architects work out their fees as a percentage of the total construction cost of your project. Lower the cost of this, and your fees might go down too.