Architect wants more money after we have paid him
kellyapte
8 years ago
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New kitchen remodeling - architect or designer? SW11 London
Comments (12)Hi Paula, Wow loads of great advice already ! I'd suggest you ask your builder if he can recommend a structural engineer, that he's worked with previously, to come and view the stack - it may be that by extending the thick nub on bottom left of that area marked, that you can then put one beam across to support above? ( but I'm not a SE - so you will need on site advice for this !!) I'm the concept planner that Minnie added the link for ( thank you Minnie !!) We sell purely design, no product. So charge for our services, rather than making a mark up on what you buy, like a showroom would. (We have a few types of service - the most expensive, for a project this size, is about the same cost as a good dishwasher) But that does mean you get a PDF with all the plans/elevations/colour perspectives, panoramics and item listing to shop around with, which means you can compare like for like and negotiate great deals with showrooms/studios/even online suppliers of kitchen furniture and appliances etc. We can even supply colour A3 prints, if you want, too ! So we are a bit different to a free studio service - but can work well for busy people who want an input into the design stage ( we have a service that involves you throughout the design process over a five day period) and those who want to approach a few different studios or online suppliers to quote, but that don't have the time to deal with several site visits from several designers and to sit through several presentations that are all different - so it becomes a bit confusing to see who's offering the best deal ! You simply email them your design PDF - or drop them in a printed copy, ask for their best price as you are shopping around. All they need to do initially is price it - so much easier for the studios too ! Anyway enough of the 'sales pitch' from me ! Best wishes for your project, which ever route you choose ! :-)...See MoreRelationship with Architect
Comments (7)Thank you all for taking the time to provide the comments. I wanted to take the time to read and consider before responding further. And all very valid points. 1. When we met with our now architects and others we considered, our brief strongly emphasised the need to meet the budget and solutions/plans/layout to meet our current lifestyle as a family. 2. Interior design was a bonus as the now architects differentiated themselves as a firm that offered both services and the fee/package reflected and included for both. 3. In terms of 3D rendering, it is indeed our lack of experience resulting us believing all firms provide the same output -ie drawings, models etc etc etc, which we now understand is not the case, but OK. 4. Taking matters in our own hands - there were many attempts at stage 1 and 2 when we flagged to them about the costs/budget not being met from what has been proposed. We were told, wait for the cost analysis. We did. The cost analysis came back at double the budget. We were told, wait, they would strip out the furnishes from the cost analysis and a separate FFE schedule would show the breakdown between the build and the fixtures and furnishings. We did. The FFE schedule came back even higher after the architects provided the details of the furnishes they proposed. Again, we flagged not just from a cost perspective but also the colour palette/scheme was not to the initial mood imagery they had provided and the materials were not practical for us as a family. Another example - we went to the supplier for the carpet they had proposed to have a look in person. The supplier said to us straight away he would not have recommended that carpet to anyone who has a pet and/or kids. And immediately said the product is popular from an aesthetic point but for us, it would not be practical at all and we would regret it. We have also flagged this to the architects, ie the proposed items require some level of functionality and practicality to suit this particular client ie us, a young family. 5. Changing the kitchen layout - we did everything we could to avoid changing the layout therefore we spoke to the gas engineers at the recommendation of the architects. In fact we feel that now having changed the layout, we ourselves have compromised on what we really wanted ie the first design we had selected. We were effectively told by the gas engineers that the layout was never going to work unless we did not have a boiler in the kitchen OR we end up with a floor boiler, which was pointless, as it was more expensive and wouldn't give us a better flow rate as it was the mains rather than the boiler that would affect in our case. And people who go the floor boiler mainly do us to achieve better flow rate or capacity. Whereas if we ended up with a floor boiler, it would purely be to force the layout to achieve. Plus, it defeats us moving the washing machine out of the kitchen to another room in the first place if we end up with a floor boiler. And finally, not only ending up with a floor boiler in order to make the original layout work, we would also have ended up with a stove at the kitchen island (initial design was a sink), which was also all along we told the architects, not something we would at all consider due to a young child. So therefore, the proposed solutions in order to keep to the original layout would not suit us. 6. Maybe we are asking for too much but we gave an itemised brief to the now and all the architects we initially met with as to what we wanted to cover for each and every part of the space. We have constantly referred back to the brief to ask what about this? has this been factored in? what about that? 7. In all our correspondences, we have taken care to explain where we are coming from and use a collaborative tone. The only one time when we really pushed back was on the kitchen layout and expressing our disappointment that we had to end up changing the kitchen layout because the boiler placement was not given due consideration prior to coming up with the layout. 8. Finally, of course we have lost some faith in the architects but we are all about moving forward and wanting to maintain their engagement and commitment to the project to the end which we are finding tricky. For instance, the hard part in getting them to see that us proposing alternatives or not wanting to go with the proposed furnishes for e.g. is not dissing their taste but is us thinking the big picture of getting the project done aligned to the budget and scope (again, suitable for a family). In ANY type of project management, budgeting is an integral aspect we would have thought? We were told "we don't project manage" by the architects which is also why we are now spending our time to do this ourselves and having paid for services which we feel have not been met (like selling meat to a vegan)....See MoreLayout dilemma. Have we missed a trick?!
Comments (16)Hi Lauren, That's probably the biggest utility room I've seen on a house of this size! I think its a bit over kill and being right in the centre of your house it will clog up the flow and make the house feel disjointed. In order to have a functional house with good flow and lots of natural light you are going to have to rethink the whole floor plan. I don't think the split level idea is worth considering unless your ceilings are very low. Random steps in the house look great magazine pictures and in some limited scenarios are useful but they are not practical for kids, prams, elderly, disabled and the poor delivery guy that has to deliver your washing machine and take away the old one! You've just added an unnecessary trip hazard to your home. I would instead consider raising the patio at a later date when finances allow. In a house of this size a single level floor is safer, will make your house feel more open and coherent. So firstly I think you need a new tape measure! I couldn't work with any of your measurements. None of them add up! I had to base the plans on the measurements the architect labelled and work from there. So my solution for your house is a simple one but I think it will have a big impact and that is to change the stairs from straight to quarter turn at the bottom... Now you can utilise the space next to the front door and I would use this space for the wc. The next few steps could be omitted if the budget is too tight but I do think they would really make your house work well for you. I would build a small porch and remove the existing front door and opening. I would place the coat closet/ storage in the porch. I would reduce the size of the living room by extending the hall by the amount of space taken by the WC. This would create a spacious entrance great for prams, school bags, and shopping trips etc. I think the lounge should be small and cosy, used for watching Tv, reading, quiet time etc. I would remove a large section of the lounge wall and replace with a sliding wall or glazed doors. This means you can have the whole house open plan when you want it that way and the lounge closed off when you want a quiet cosy space. I'm not sure why you say you need a side entrance but I've left it in and created a small utility entrance with storage there. I would move the washing machine and dryer under the stairs. (I have made doors are transparent in the drawings to show their location). I would remove the living room window as I think with the bi fold and the huge skylight, the window is unecessary, as it faces a wall so won't be adding much to the light levels in the house. This leaves the remaining area completely open plan and able to accommodate a large kitchen with island and bar stool seating with 8, extending to 10 seater dining table and a comfortable lounge area. The thinking behind this layout was to take all the centralised "utility" area and divide it up and place it along the edges of the house, freeing up the centre for a spacious open plan living area. If you consider the porch storage, side entrance, wc and washer/dryer stack area, you actually have more "utility" area than before, but here it goes unnoticed and doesn't clog up the flow of the house. The sliding wall, along with the spread out utilities would help create a home where you and your husband get what you both want from it. With the sliding wall open, a large spacious home with great sight lines through out and utilities that aren't in your face. And with it closed, the same spacious home with lots of useful storage and utility space, and a nice quiet retreat to get away from it all. Sliding wall closed: Sliding wall open:...See MoreWhat can we do while we wait for architectural drawings and tender?
Comments (7)hi Kat by the time you waiting for a planning and finalised drawings and you saying you sent your documents for planning its a right time to get estimate by the planning drawings till they turn up with a tender spec. if you have clear idea about what would you like to have maybe its better to skip the tender spec and make your own decisions as a guide for a builder to price. compare to a size of your project you can assume flexibility from a builder for certain changes during a time of a built. if you have existing bathrooms for example which were stay as its is with no layout changes (studwall movements) its a right time to start to rip them off and start to 1st fix them up also as you would have underfloor heating (not to sure if its piped system) builder can start to expose floors and insulate them through and make all pipework/electrics ready for a next phase which would be your loft and extension. if you issued your planning and you have structure engineer drawings on place too its a time think ahead if you need any party wall agreement on place you would need to start to work on it as it can slow the process of a build (or just propose it for your neighbours involced). other things as like find out main water pressure and main water upgrade is a right way too to start with as with that amount of upgrades old pipework might don't have enough pressure so good to submit applications for water authorities as nowadays it can takes up to 8-10 weeks too to have a main connection to be done....See More
kellyapte
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8 years ago
PROBell Architects - Creative sustainable
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