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What Is The Benefit Of Hiring An Architect

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  • ARCHITECT, BENEFIT
  • Posted date:
  • 02-12-2021
What Is The Benefit Of Hiring An Architect

If you are planning to build your own home or make significant alterations, you will be wondering: What is the benefit of hiring an architect? This article explains how the expertise of an architect can help your building project succeed. Before we begin to understand the benefits of using an architect and how they can help your construction project, we should explore what an architect is.

Bob Trimble is a chartered architect registered with RIBA with 30 years experience in the industry. Trimble Architects work throughout Hounslow, Twickenham, Richmond, Kingston Upon Thames, Teddington and the surrounding areas of London.

What is an Architect?

An architect is a legally protected term and can only be used by those that have passed an exam and received an architecture qualification from the Architects Registration Board (ARB). 

Anyone without that title is practising without legal authority and cannot call themselves an architect. The Royal Institute of British Architects logo should be advertised on their banners, website, or requested if you doubt the legality of who you're working with.

Beyond that, an architect is someone who is skilled in the designing, planning and alteration of building design and can work alongside clients to visualise and realise any project.

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What Is The Benefit Of Hiring An Architect?

Why use an Architect?

Some people do view hiring an architect as an unnecessary expense, as they can be costly. However, when you hire an architect, you know that you're working with someone passionate about the trade and has passed an exam to be recognised as an official architect. 

Their experience and knowledge about budget distribution, material access, lighting levels, and building construction will be vital in speeding along your design process, and they can offer much more than an unqualified designer. You're more likely to experience design errors and construction errors if you try to complete a project DIY, and navigating the local council for your build could prove tricky.

WHY USE AN ARCHITECT? London

Creating a Brief

Before you hire the services of an architect or anyone from a construction team, you will benefit from creating a brief. As quickly as possible, this can explain the build and what benefits you want to gain from it, perhaps what your intentions behind it are. 

It can also outline the desired materials if you're looking for a contemporary or traditional plan and any locations for fixtures and appliances you have in mind.

 The brief isn't the finished plan or design. It is simply the bridge between the consultation and drawing that the architect creates, as they will bring their own element and interpretation to the project while trying to achieve your goals. 

A brief can contain a range of ideas and suggestions, and the architect can advise on what they believe to be best.

Advantages of Hiring an Architect

There are many advantages to hiring an architect beyond what we've already discussed, and you should hopefully begin to realise the importance of one by the end of this article.

Expert Guidance

Unless you have a background in buildings, the construction process and design plans, you will benefit significantly from the guidance of an experienced architect. 

Not only do they understand the design and structural implications they must follow, but the laws and guides outlined by Building Regulations. Any building project must abide by them and complete the necessary paperwork. 

Architects will also have experience talking to contractors and project managers, meaning they can oversee and slimline the entire process by answering any unknown variables.

Advantages Of Hiring An Architect London

Design Planning

The training and exam procedure that an architect goes through has prepared them for almost any project, and they can design your home with more factors in mind than you realised. 

The natural lighting that your site offers will affect window placement and the entire layout of the property, for example. 

A good architect worth their money will be able to decipher the sunlight availability throughout the day and ensure they're respecting the surrounding area so that the new home doesn't stand out like a sore thumb. All of this is possible while still remaining creative and implementing your design ideas.

Budgeting

How much do you really know about material costs and budgeting for a construction site? 

Depending on your budget, which will also be outlined in your brief, the architect can outline where you can afford to stretch and how to receive value best. 

Where you want one material, they may suggest another that looks similar but is more cost-effective and is more thermal, for example. The quality and type of window, door, heating systems, etc., can significantly make a difference in how the house looks aesthetically and performs thermally.

Construction Management

Some architects will also offer services to act as Construction managers on-site, increasing efficiency once more. 

This does cost more money for them to do this, but by them being on-site and managing the builders, any questions can be answered quickly and help you get your project on track. Scheduling, payment requests and additional expenses are all things an architect can also manage as a construction manager.

Dispute Resolution

When appointed the title of architect, a set of ethics and rules follow suit. This means that any practising architect must remain unbiased and ensure that all health, safety and welfare on-site is the number one priority. 

Any disputes and conflicts must be resolved before more work can complete. An architect can remain impartial to the project and ensure that everyone is kept happy while remaining professional.

Contract Negotiation

Over their years of experience, an architect would have worked with many different contractors and knows how to find a worthwhile team. Architects are trained to review contractor bids and contracts, and they can sift their way through the nearby firms and suggest a team that will complete your build efficiently and safely. 

Contractors will propose an 'allowance' which will also be reviewed by the architect and outline the amount of money placed aside for any appliance installations that weren't initially outlined in the contract. 

As the construction progresses, you will choose more plumbing fixtures, wall tiles, cabinets, etc., and these can fall into the allowance pot.

High Resale Value

More factors are taken into account when an architect designs a property, as discussed above. The natural sunlight and any features in the garden or surrounding area that would benefit from a window point-of-view are evaluated into the design. 

A good architect will also take into account passive solar techniques and ensure that the best heating and cooling systems are put into place for the property, lowering the overall operating costs of the house. 

What's more, architecturally designed homes have been reported to have an increased resale value of up to 15%.

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Helps You Every Step Of The Process

In conclusion, an architect will be working alongside you every step of the way and can be an extremely valuable asset to have. 

They know of the laws you must follow, the paperwork to be completed, the design implications and can visualise the most outlandish ideas, bringing them to reality. 

When you hire an architect, you're receiving their services for as long as you want them. From initial consultation and design drawings to the technical implications involved on-site. Their understanding of space and experience across many projects can make even the smallest of concerns seem understandable.

Navigating a new building without an architect can lead to serious structural issues and problems working with contractors and builders. In the long run, you will not regret using an architect.

 Architects Near Me

 

If you are looking for architectural services throughout Hounslow, Twickenham and the greater London area, then get in contact with our team today. We can offer advice and begin guiding you towards making the right decision.

   

Bob Trimble is a chartered architect registered with RIBA. Bob Trimble has 30 years of experience working with residential and commercial property projects. For 4 years, Bob Trimble has worked from his housing association and private architectural practice for clients throughout Hounslow, Twickenham, Richmond, Kingston Upon Thames, Teddington and the surrounding areas of London.