How to Work With an Architect Well Ahead of a Renovation

If you’re planning a future home project, it pays to contact an architect early on to help you get the ball rolling

Amanda Pollard 30 June 2020

Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.

Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More

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There are many stages to a home renovation project, with the actual physical construction work right at the end, so it makes sense to get the preparation and planning done well ahead of time. Here, three professionals give their advice on how to work with an architect in advance of a future project, so it remains stress-free, on budget and on schedule.

Professional advice from: Emilie Mauran of EMR Architecture; Lior Brosh of Brosh Architects; Miles Griffies of Red Squirrel Architects

EMR Architecture

Think about your needs
Give yourself plenty of time to understand what it is you’d like to change in your home, advise our experts.

“Before you start any renovation project, it’s always a good idea to identify areas you like in the house and what you’d like to get rid of,” Lior Brosh says. “Notice which areas don’t work for you and what you’d like to change in order to get a better flow of space or simply improve natural light.”

“It’s useful to make a list of things that are wrong, such as a lack of light in a particular room, a corridor that’s too narrow, or a room that’s too cold,” Emilie Mauran suggests. “If you’ve bought a new home, do the same list based on your old property with things you don’t want to have to experience again in the new one.”

Miles Griffies suggests putting together a bullet-point brief of your key objectives and requirements. “Start by giving a more general description of the project and the feel you’re trying to achieve,” he says. “Then create a list of requirements for each area, space or room of your home as you envisage it.”

Strom Architects

Gather information
The more details you can relay to your architect at the start of a project, the smoother things will be later on.

Miles recommends sharing any information relating to utilities and below ground services. “Often the homeowner will have a copy of these as part of their mortgage Home Information Pack,” he says. “If the project is more extensive, a copy of the title deeds can be helpful as well, to check for any restrictive covenants attached to the property.

“Be clear about the timescales for your building project,” he continues. “Are there any events or key dates that are driving your project or mean work needs to be carried out between specific periods?”

Brosh Architects

Put together ideas
“Remember that even if you appoint an architect or interior designer, the brief and the vision is yours – the client,” Lior says. “It’s always helpful to put together moodboards or save images you like to a Houzz ideabook. It’s basically putting your thoughts into ‘visual’ writing – and it’s fun.”

“People often think it’s easier to collate a moodboard for the whole house, but it’s best to do one per room,” Emilie says. “Also, create an ideabook for each item, such as joinery, the stairs, the tiles and even door handles. The details are always hard to decide upon, so it makes sense to do this early to avoid having to make a quick decision later.”

Find the right architect for your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.

Red Squirrel Architects Limited

Identify issues
“Before you start a renovation, take the opportunity to plan in anything that needs doing in the rest of the house, as it can be difficult to get builders to come for small issues,” Emilie says.

“If you’re just about to purchase the house with the aim of renovating it, consider having a full structural survey report,” Lior suggests. “This will give an overall picture of the condition of the property, and identify any issues that will need to be dealt with during your renovation.”

He also recommends a CCTV drainage report, which can identify any blockages or damaged drainpipes under the house.

“If you have a period property with original features, such as fireplaces, doors and cornicing, it would be wise to note them,” Lior adds. “This will enable your architect and builder to plan ahead and make the right precautions to preserve them.”

Martins Camisuli Architects

Find your budget
The cost of the project and the amount of money you can afford to spend are, of course, huge factors when it comes to planning ahead.

“It’s advisable to know your total budget and what you can afford in advance,” Lior says. “Work out whether you have the full amount ready or whether you need to sort out your finances through the bank.”

Emilie recommends talking to a broker well ahead of time, as they’re a great source of advice. “People are often unaware of the options available to them,” she says.

“Experienced architects or quantity surveyors can often provide a ballpark figure depending on your brief, which will give you some guidance with regards to the overall cost (subject to specifications),” Lior says. “Avoid getting advice from unqualified or inexperienced people. Do your due diligence and consult with professionals who will give you the true market costs and not just the budget you want to hear.”

“[If you’ve already hired an architect, he or she] may recommend the appointment of a cost consultant or estimator if the project is significant or complex, and this can be money well spent,” Miles says. “The success of any good project depends on realistic budgeting and the careful allocation of your budget to the appropriate areas of your project.”

Read more: Here’s What it’s Really Like to Work With an Architect.

Design Squared Architects

Approach an architect
“Once you have an idea of your vision and budget, you can approach professionals,” Lior says. He recommends using Houzz to find a few local firms you think might fit you best.

“If you’re using an architect, take the time to meet three local ones,” Emilie says. “One of the most important things to consider is your relationship with the [person you appoint], as you’re going to be in touch for a while on a weekly basis.

“Have a chat either in person or on a video call,” she adds. “Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. Find out who’s going to be working with you from the team and how often they’ll be on site, for example.”

“Don’t select an architect based only on their fees,” Miles advises. “It’s important to feel comfortable with your architect and have confidence in their ability to deliver your project. A good architect’s fees may be slightly higher than others, but their experience and professionalism may save you thousands of pounds further down the line.”

Professionals who use our Houzz Pro management tool can quickly schedule video meetings with clients at any part of a project. Look out for an “Offering virtual meetings tag” on a Houzz pro’s profile.

Studio Dean

Move to the next stage
“Once you’ve seen a few architects and know which one you’d like to work with, they can guide you through the entire process,” Lior says. “They’ll advise you on which type of consultants should be involved based on the agreed design, such as a surveyor, planning consultant and structural engineer.”

“Most – but not all – architects will work in accordance with the RIBA Stages of Work,” Miles says. This begins with outlining a brief and making preparations, which then leads to creating some concept drawings. These are followed by a developed design, which is then submitted for Planning Permission.

The final stage before construction is the technical design. “At this stage, the architect (and other consultants) prepare detailed information to enable contractors to price and build the project,” Miles says.

Tell us…
Are you planning a future renovation project and wondering when to engage an architect? Did this advice help? Share your thoughts in the Comments.