Renovating
Ask an Expert: How Do I Hire an Architect?
Demystify the architectural design process with a little help from the professionals
If you’re considering any sort of building work, whether from scratch or as a renovation project, you will no doubt need to hire an architect. Understanding exactly what they do, and how they usually work, can really help you to decide what you are looking for and how to find the right person for your project. Here, two professionals explain what they do and how they work with clients, and share their top tips for hiring and working with architects.
Professional advice from:
Francesco Pierazzi of Francesco Pierazzi Architects
Stephen Fletcher of Stephen Fletcher Architects
Professional advice from:
Francesco Pierazzi of Francesco Pierazzi Architects
Stephen Fletcher of Stephen Fletcher Architects
Why would I need to hire an architect?
If you want to build a house from scratch, or if you want to renovate an existing property, it can be a good idea to hire an architect. Doing this can make sure every requirement is taken into consideration. ‘Hiring an architect means you can have a home designed especially around your specific requirements, which makes the most of the available space, light, outlook and setting, and is a joyful and calming place in which to live,’ says Stephen Fletcher.
If you want to build a house from scratch, or if you want to renovate an existing property, it can be a good idea to hire an architect. Doing this can make sure every requirement is taken into consideration. ‘Hiring an architect means you can have a home designed especially around your specific requirements, which makes the most of the available space, light, outlook and setting, and is a joyful and calming place in which to live,’ says Stephen Fletcher.
How can I find a reputable architect?
There are two aspects to consider here: finding an architect, and then ensuring they are reputable and will do a good job. All architects must be registered with ARB (Architects Registration Board), so that’s the first thing to check. Many architects are also registered with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), though this isn’t mandatory.
When it comes to finding the right person for the job, it pays to do your research. ‘Searching online tends to be the best way. With websites such as Houzz, it’s like looking through a catalogue, where you have the opportunity to see a lot of professionals and what they do,’ says Francesco Pierazzi.
There are two aspects to consider here: finding an architect, and then ensuring they are reputable and will do a good job. All architects must be registered with ARB (Architects Registration Board), so that’s the first thing to check. Many architects are also registered with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), though this isn’t mandatory.
When it comes to finding the right person for the job, it pays to do your research. ‘Searching online tends to be the best way. With websites such as Houzz, it’s like looking through a catalogue, where you have the opportunity to see a lot of professionals and what they do,’ says Francesco Pierazzi.
What should I look for?
When searching online, have a look at any previous projects to get a feel for the style of the architect in question. Once you’ve found a few you’d like to discover more about, it’s always a good idea to meet in person.
‘I always invite my clients to meet me at the property they want to refurbish, develop or extend to get a feel for the space, and also to meet in person,’ says Francesco Pierazzi. ‘Ultimately, it’s going to be a very personal relationship. As an architect, I will be shaping the place where you’re going to live and, potentially, raise your children, so you have to like me. There has to be a sense of openness between us that shows we could work well together.’
Find out more about hiring an architect to redesign your home
When searching online, have a look at any previous projects to get a feel for the style of the architect in question. Once you’ve found a few you’d like to discover more about, it’s always a good idea to meet in person.
‘I always invite my clients to meet me at the property they want to refurbish, develop or extend to get a feel for the space, and also to meet in person,’ says Francesco Pierazzi. ‘Ultimately, it’s going to be a very personal relationship. As an architect, I will be shaping the place where you’re going to live and, potentially, raise your children, so you have to like me. There has to be a sense of openness between us that shows we could work well together.’
Find out more about hiring an architect to redesign your home
Are they used to working with clients not in the design or trade industries?
Absolutely. There aren’t many people out there who understand the design and technical lingo, so it’s an architect’s job to guide you through this process.
‘Some clients are highly visually aware and really know what they want,’ says Stephen Fletcher, ‘but others are less so. This means that, as an architect, it often becomes about trying to understand where the client is coming from. This may mean showing them ideas, or suggesting fixtures and finishes they might like.’
Absolutely. There aren’t many people out there who understand the design and technical lingo, so it’s an architect’s job to guide you through this process.
‘Some clients are highly visually aware and really know what they want,’ says Stephen Fletcher, ‘but others are less so. This means that, as an architect, it often becomes about trying to understand where the client is coming from. This may mean showing them ideas, or suggesting fixtures and finishes they might like.’
Do different architects work in different styles?
In short, yes. As with anyone working in a creative industry, architects often favour certain styles and techniques, from super contemporary right through to highly traditional. So it’s a good idea to check your design preferences align with those of your shortlisted architects at the research stage.
‘It’s absolutely a fair process to approach more than one professional,’ says Francesco Pierazzi. ‘Come and meet me more than once, and if you don’t like the things I do, then perhaps I can recommend someone else who is more suited to your style.’
To get a real feel for the work and style of your architect, consider asking to visit a previous project. ‘I’ve had potential clients who asked to visit previous projects, rather than just look at pictures, to get a proper feel for the space,’ says Francesco. ‘Many former clients will be delighted to show you their homes, too!’
Be inspired by this beautifully contemporary Cornwall home
In short, yes. As with anyone working in a creative industry, architects often favour certain styles and techniques, from super contemporary right through to highly traditional. So it’s a good idea to check your design preferences align with those of your shortlisted architects at the research stage.
‘It’s absolutely a fair process to approach more than one professional,’ says Francesco Pierazzi. ‘Come and meet me more than once, and if you don’t like the things I do, then perhaps I can recommend someone else who is more suited to your style.’
To get a real feel for the work and style of your architect, consider asking to visit a previous project. ‘I’ve had potential clients who asked to visit previous projects, rather than just look at pictures, to get a proper feel for the space,’ says Francesco. ‘Many former clients will be delighted to show you their homes, too!’
Be inspired by this beautifully contemporary Cornwall home
How much do I need to understand?
Once work is underway, the process may become somewhat technical. Rather than wondering away in silence, always feel free to ask for more details or a clearer explanation. ‘It really is about asking. If you’re not sure about something just say so,’ recommends Stephen Fletcher.
Francesco Pierazzi agrees: ‘Questions from the clients are absolutely necessary to make the process fruitful and successful. It doesn’t matter whether it seems like the most trivial question.’
Once work is underway, the process may become somewhat technical. Rather than wondering away in silence, always feel free to ask for more details or a clearer explanation. ‘It really is about asking. If you’re not sure about something just say so,’ recommends Stephen Fletcher.
Francesco Pierazzi agrees: ‘Questions from the clients are absolutely necessary to make the process fruitful and successful. It doesn’t matter whether it seems like the most trivial question.’
What is the process from brief to completion?
The first stages of the process involve a site survey, hand-drawn concept sketches and planning applications. ‘Planning takes a minimum of eight weeks and, once it’s validated, then it can take another couple of weeks or so,’ says Stephen Fletcher.
‘Once planning is in place, the architect moves onto the detailed design work – drawing everything up on the computer, in liaison with a structural engineer,’ continues Stephen. ‘We draw up all plans, internal and external elevations and electrical plans, and then that is sent off to several builders with a schedule for pricing – and that’s the tendering stage.’
Read up more on budgeting for an architect
The first stages of the process involve a site survey, hand-drawn concept sketches and planning applications. ‘Planning takes a minimum of eight weeks and, once it’s validated, then it can take another couple of weeks or so,’ says Stephen Fletcher.
‘Once planning is in place, the architect moves onto the detailed design work – drawing everything up on the computer, in liaison with a structural engineer,’ continues Stephen. ‘We draw up all plans, internal and external elevations and electrical plans, and then that is sent off to several builders with a schedule for pricing – and that’s the tendering stage.’
Read up more on budgeting for an architect
How will the architect work with builders?
At tendering stage, clients will often look at three or four quotes from builders. Once one is chosen, the contract will be put together and the work will start.
‘The architect will visit the site perhaps once a week to meet with the principal contractor,’ says Stephen Fletcher. ‘Under the terms of the contract, clients usually shouldn’t talk to the builders directly – they are meant to go through the architect. But we like our clients to come to the meetings if they can and want to. In reality, with residential work, it’s so personal, and because detailed decisions need to be made, it’s generally better if the client can be present.’
At tendering stage, clients will often look at three or four quotes from builders. Once one is chosen, the contract will be put together and the work will start.
‘The architect will visit the site perhaps once a week to meet with the principal contractor,’ says Stephen Fletcher. ‘Under the terms of the contract, clients usually shouldn’t talk to the builders directly – they are meant to go through the architect. But we like our clients to come to the meetings if they can and want to. In reality, with residential work, it’s so personal, and because detailed decisions need to be made, it’s generally better if the client can be present.’
What are the final stages?
After the building work has been completed, the final process sees the payment certificate being sent to the client, and the practical completion. ‘Some money is held back to deal with any defects that might come up,’ says Stephen Fletcher. ‘Then the builder comes back to repair any last outstanding work and they are given the last bit of money.’
TELL US…
Are you an architect or have you worked with one on a home design project? Share your tips in the Comments below.
After the building work has been completed, the final process sees the payment certificate being sent to the client, and the practical completion. ‘Some money is held back to deal with any defects that might come up,’ says Stephen Fletcher. ‘Then the builder comes back to repair any last outstanding work and they are given the last bit of money.’
TELL US…
Are you an architect or have you worked with one on a home design project? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Simply put, architects design buildings and oversee the construction process. But there’s much more to it than that. ‘We transform spaces,’ says Francesco Pierazzi. ‘We don’t dress them. We don’t paint them. We completely transform them, whether in a new or existing setting, around the needs of the client.’