Architects

Architecture and Design Services

Architects: When most people in the UK think of an architect they imagine a person sat at a drawing board or computer designing some unique and interesting building such as the Tate Modern or the Sydney Opera House. But in reality the vast majority of architects do much more mundane work designing new build houses, commercial premises and home extensions, and also putting in planning applications to local councils for a variety of construction projects.

Architects in the UK also choose or advise on the materials for a construction project, create strategies for adhering to building and safety regulations, and in some cases may even be involved in locating suitable land for a specific building project.

When you are doing a home improvement project in the UK that requires structural work or design features as with an extension or a loft conversion, its possible that you might at some point need to use an architect. Now you may think that this sounds expensive and if possible you might hope to manage without this service, but this could be a false economy.

Architects can spend around 7 years learning their trade and by the time they are finished know pretty much everything there is to know about building techniques, construction and materials. Seeking their advice and design assistance from the outset can save you money in the long run, and although their services are certainly not cheap, you might well claw most of this back during the project.

Many homeowners in the UK, when faced with a home improvement project will first find a builder and then hope that they know a good architect who they can put you in touch with. However, this is not the only way, and often not the best way to do it. It can sometimes be preferable to speak to an architect first, make the most of their design experience, discuss all your requirements, and come away with a complete plan and a list of materials and specifications which the builder can work from.

This makes life easier for the builder or construction team and enables them to give a more accurate quote for the project, as they will have detailed information about the types and quantities of materials needed and they won't have to make rough guesses about what is required for the work. They will also have clear instruction regarding what is needed with suggestions about the best ways to proceed.

A properly trained architect can assist you in lots of ways; from the design and planning of your dream house, assisting in the plans to extend your existing property or perhaps supply professional advice on refurbishments that are required to fix up an older building.

An architect needs to be there with you from the conception of your project when they will be able to assist with plans and designs which are suitable for your budget and will meet with the relevant building standards that are needed. When you have already had your own plans drawn out, an architect is able to study these drawings and shed light on any concerns that they feel might compromise the building as per the most current legislation and regulations.

After your layout and design has been decided upon, your architect will produce a number of accurate and detailed technical plans that can be used by the building contractors to develop the design into your dream property. An architect should liaise with the building crew regularly to make sure that the design is being implemented in the correct manner and also to make certain the budget is being adhered to. From 1st stage planning through to last phase construction an architect will work together with the surveyors, engineers as well as the local council planning office to be certain that your building or renovation progresses as easily as possible.

In the UK the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is the professional organization representing architects. In addition to giving you information and guidance on the procedure and ethical code that all architects should follow to offer you the proper standard of service, this organization also supplies the training program for professional architects. It takes 5 years of full time training and not less than two years hands on experience before a trainee can register as a qualified architect with the Architects Registration Board and apply for membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Click the link to check out the Wikipedia article: Architects.

Architects Fees and Costs: The fees commanded by an architect is traditionally based on an hourly rate, a fixed fee, a rate per unit area of the construction or a percentage of the total construction cost. Or it can often be a mix of these fee breakdowns. Fees for residential constructions can incur charges of between 12% and 20% of the total building costs, while projects involving renovation may possibly incur an even higher percentage charge (commonly between fifteen and twenty percent). Architects fees for projects of an institutional or commercial nature will usually account for a smaller percentage, usually between 4% and 12%.

Here at Architectz we are often asked what the difference is between an architect and an interior designer. For some the answer to this would be very clear, but for others the two disciplines merge and crossover on many occasions. In most cases architects work on the overall design of a structure with regards to the shape, the outer shell, the external walls and the roof, while interior designers focus on the internal finish of a building - the wall finishes, the floor surfaces, and the furnishings. However, you also get interior architectural designers who still have to be fully qualified, but deal mostly with the internal structure of a building, the thermal qualities, the spatial planning and the flow of internal space.

(Tags: Architect UK, Architects UK, Architectural Blueprints UK)

Self-Build and New Build Architects UK

Offering the expertise, skills and knowledge necessary throughout every part of the design and construction process, the services of an architect will be essential for anybody who is aiming to build a new house in the UK, regardless of whether it is self-build or new build. Elements like building regulations, planning permission, construction inspection and contractor selection, will all be expertly managed in order to develop your unique new house in the UK.

They will firstly produce a project brief to outline your precise needs, including build site, spatial requirements, budget and technical specifications. They'll offer you a number of design options in accordance with the project brief, which you will be invited to view in 3D visualisation. If needed, project management services will also be provided by many UK architects, managing every phase of the building process from design and planning to its eventual completion.

The Skills to be Architects

Architects must have good thinking and reasoning skills
Architects need good design skills
Architects need to be thorough and pay attention to detail
Architects need to have a good level of computer literacy
Architects need to have clear verbal communication skills
Architects must have a deep knowledge of building and construction
Architects should be good at analytical thinking
Architects must have a complete understanding of building regulations and codes
Architects should have advanced mathematics skills
Architects should have decent customer service skills

Related Tasks

There is a wide range of work that can be conducted by local UK architects including listed building applications, designs for living in the UK, architect solutions for extensions in the UK, cost-effective architect services UK, cheap architect services, contemporary house design, risk assessments UK, building and site surveying in the UK, landscape architect services in the UK, architects quotations, domestic architecture services, building audits in the UK, architect and design solutions for two story extensions, 3D modelling and artwork, cheap architects, design and project management, architect and design services for kitchen extension, planning applications, building fire strategies, new build projects, feasability studies and reports, architectural drawing UK, architect services, contemporary architect services UK, conservation area consents, housing and urban design, and more.

Architect Enquiries UK

Latest UK architect requirements: Cairo Head recently asked for a price quote for designing and planning a three bedroom bungalow in Cambridge, UK. Rosanna and Lachlan Steer recently requested an estimate for planning and designing a three bedroom house in Mansfield, UK. Kajus Jacques and Elisha Jacques recently enquired about designing and planning a 3 bedroom bungalow in Chelmsford, UK. Mr and Mrs Sharma recently requested an estimate for planning and designing a property extension in Warwick, UK. Mr and Mrs Brennan recently asked for a quotation for designing a cellar conversion in Plymouth, UK. Samir Bruce and Princess Bruce recently enquired about getting a price for planning and designing a 4 bedroom detached house in Carlisle. Ava-Mae Hoult recently enquired about the possibility of designing and planning a basement conversion in Poole. Mr and Mrs Donnelly recently enquired about getting a price for planning and designing a 2 bedroom house in Aberdeen, UK.

An Architect's Regular Duties

Creating 3D models, hand sketches and detailed technical plans through the use of computer aided drafting systems
Managing construction projects
Writing reports, job proposals and contracts and completing planning applications
Visiting sites to check progress and building work
Finding ways around environmental impacts and local council legislation
Advising on or choosing materials
Exploring ways to work within budgets
Producing plans which adhere to building legislation and safety regulations
Sharing ideas and liasing with clients, architectural technologists and technicians, and other architects

Architect Services UK

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More UK Trades

Not surprisingly, when you are doing home repairs and improvements in the UK, UK, you'll likely be in need of all types of different tradesmen and as well as an architect in the UK, you could additionally need metalworkers in the UK, carpenters in the UK, a quantity surveyor in the UK, plasterers in the UK, a structural engineer in the UK, an interior designer in the UK, a building contractor in the UK, electricians in the UK, a boundary surveyor in the UK, a structural surveyor in the UK, bricklayers in the UK, a plumber in the UK, waste removal in the UK, a party wall surveyor in the UK, skip hire in the UK, an architectural photographer in the UK, and other different UK tradesmen.

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