Architect for House Extension - How much? - Go cheaper instead?

[@adamuk73]

I work in the process industry and it's far cheaper to redraw a drawing than make site modifications. Money spent on good (i.e accurate, feasible) design pays off in the long run. Great video.

[@build-better-things]

Yes I think so too. Thanks a lot for the comment.

[@burropoco]

I came here researching my house extension. I work in IT. Every project I've ever been on that wasn't rigorously designed from the outset has ran over budget and not to specification or requirements. I'm not making that mistake on my house! Great video, thanks.

[@build-better-things]

Best of luck with it and thanks a lot for your comment.

[@impamiizgraa]

This is fantastic - I really considered skimping out on an architect and getting a builder friend to draw it (permitted development single-story, single-room extension), because I genuinely believed architects weren't doing anything an average Joe can't do with some paid CAD software. I see how much consideration is put into design and am going to consult a professional. Also means I can be a bit more creative, which is great.

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Creatively adds value which means a lot in property since you’re dealing with large equity and compounding returns.

[@Prakriti-Architecture]

Brilliant! Finally a down to earth Architect who is concerned with average middle class population's problems. Really enjoyed this video (it's my first one) and I am surprised that you don't have many subscribers. Please keep posting, we do need more architects like you helping common people out - since the Councils, Government and the so called RIBA is not looking out for them anymore. Consider one more subscriber achieved.

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot. Appreciate the encouragement

[@Prakriti-Architecture]

@@build-better-things Always welcome. More power to you! Will keep rooting for you and getting inspired by your videos.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

I am building my own passive solar off grid cottage. No architect, engineer, or paid for plans. Design makes a difference. Just doing a simple skillion/shed roof/mono slope cottage. I do have 6 foot frost depths and 70 psf snow loads. Going with post and beam timber frame with square notches and glulam beams and timbers. 6 foot deep cmu block piers. Our building codes made it easy to figure out spans. I do masonry work and timber framing. Here 2x4 or 2x6 stud walls are known as stick built. Timber framing means heavy timbers here. I like when people put which way the door swings on plans. Using architect would of saved me time. Even with a simple design.

[@build-better-things]

Good luck with your project. It sounds very interesting.

[@ezdeezytube]

Im doing the same thing - passive solar design with insulated foundation and icf walls. I drew up the plans myself and then had someone build it in autocad and render it for vr goggles. So I was able to walk inside the house virtually -Very helpful as it let me see what I liked and what dimensions needed changing. I was considering having a draftsman bring those plans up to code and then an engineer to review.

[@gmbyson6869]

Hiya, I think your channel is great and you provide a really good insight in taking on DIY projects. I’m waiting to complete on a Victorian Terrace, and I want to do my own plans for a side return extension. My girlfriend works for a planning comp, so I was thinking of doing the plans and submitting the application myself. Do you have any sketch up tutorial links. I just want to say thank you for taking the time to make the videos you put out there, I think your pioneering a new trend, 💪👏👌

[@build-better-things]

I’ve done a couple of videos on how I draw my plans using sketchup showing my process…check out the videos below… GARDEN ROOM Sketchup tutorial build in 12 minutes with Sizes, downloads, order materials from model kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYDVY42Hnbx9Z7c And….. ATTIC CONVERSION - HOW I DREW IT - from initial sketch to 3D model to 2D construction drawings kzbin.info/www/bejne/omOTmZ6Hn6qkesU

[@markbaldwin5455]

Good, clear video.

[@build-better-things]

Thanks a lot.

[@adreenryan2901]

Where are you based are you in the uk.

[@cliveRackham]

Great video thank you.

[@ryanmitchell4619]

What program are you using?

[@build-better-things]

If you mean for the 3d work, it’s sketchup.

[@ryanmitchell4619]

@@build-better-things thank you!! I love your videos, very inspiring. I’m a civil site engineer using autocad civil 3D every day, and hoping to learn to work in sketch up to designing a timber frame of my own. Can you print architectural plans from sketch up creations? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

[@build-better-things]

Thanks for the encouragement. Yes you can print 2d plans and sections from your Sketchup model, and add all the annotations and notes. I do it all the time, works well, however I think you need to be using the pro version which has something called Layout which comes with it. It might be possible to buy cheaper old versions which work just fine.

[@ck008uk]

This is a video that anyone who starts a building project must watch. I wish if this video was there a year ago. My architect wasted more than 163 days to redraw what I provided in Sketchup drawings for their draughtsman to redraw (adding many more mistakes to it by the way). I wasn't familiar with the UK planning application process, therefore I totally relied on the architect as they are familiar with the process. But, if I had a little bit more time, I would have done a much better job myself saving a lot of money. At the moment also, I redraw most of the detail diagrams they put on the building control drawings due to the number of mistakes (copy/paste errors) on those.

[@build-better-things]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Generally I find architects will get there in the end…but sometimes you do need to get clarity from them about time and process. It’s great that you’ve taken some control and that will only help you for the construction costing and for the build.

[@ck008uk]

@@build-better-things He was introduced by a friend (the architect is a friend of my friend). Therefore, I couldn't put a lot of pressure on meeting timelines. My friend was also embarrassed after this and told me he wouldn't recommend that architect anymore to anyone after this. He has assumed at least the architect would have reduced the price due to the delay and the basic errors in drawings which led to higher costs from my end (for example, he hasn't read the building regulation updates of 2021/2022 even though he started my building control drawings in 2023. Once we were finished with the footings, a builder told me that the 110mm cavity may not be enough now to meet building regulations. Therefore, I checked with the architect again and it was a mistake (a copy/paste detail diagram from an old drawing, I assume). His drawing was for a partially filled cavity wall with 60mm PIR and 50mm void. But now I have to do it with a fully-filled cavity with a special 90mm tongue and grove PIR board from Kingspan to meet that U-value, which is an expensive option than filling a 150mm cavity with rock wool.

[@webcore2]

@@ck008uk this is a false dichotomy you basically need to employ someone who is good rather than bad, whether they are an architect, surveyor, technician, plumber, magician.

[@ck008uk]

@@webcore2 The issue is that you can't identify who is good and who is bad until you employ them. A similar experience was started with my previous builder as well. But I was in a real struggle to employ a new builder because I don't like to upset someone. However, it came to a point where I had to get rid of him and get a new builder. Now the project progresses really well. I should have done the same with the architect when he was delaying things. But, I couldn't do it probably because this is my very first experience of hiring people for any building project.

[@anonay7238]

@@ck008ukyou sure this was an architect? Have my doubts after you mentioned he got the cavity wall wrong.

[@stephendavies2925]

In my experience Architects draw pictures!

[@simbax67]

Hi there, quick question..does your contract with the client end after the building warrant stage completed, i.e., in the form of RIBA PSCs ? And do you go on to provide CA through JCT forms ? Thanks in advance

[@build-better-things]

It depends on each one, but for most domestic small projects, many clients don’t want to pay for things like site inspections and contract stuff. They just go direct with their builder. Just be sure to lay out the stages, choices and so on.

[@simbax67]

Thanks for getting back to me. Can I ask if the example sheet (excel) you used for calculating fees is available for download ? Thanks