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Architect UK: When most people in the UK think of an architect they visualise a person sat at a drawing board or computer screen, designing some exciting and unique building such as the Sydney Opera House or the Shard. But in reality, the majority of architects carry out much more mundane work designing new build houses, office buildings and loft conversions, and also preparing planning applications to local councils for a wide range of construction and development projects.

Architects in the UK are also involved in recommending the materials for building projects, establish strategies for conforming to building and safety regulations, and in some instances will take on the role of locating the appropriate land for a specific building project.

If you're thinking of doing a property extension, loft conversion or other structural home improvement project in the UK, the chances are that you'll be needing the services of an architect at some stage. Now, you may think that this is going to be costly, and if possible you might seek to manage without this service, however this is a false economy, and should be thought through carefully.

Fully accredited architects know just about everything that there is to know about construction, building techniques and materials, however this is not accomplished without considerable effort and hard work, and they generally spend up to seven years gaining their qualifications. Despite the substantial costs of their services, seeking the design skills and advice of an architect right from the start, can in fact save you cash in the long term. Inadequate design and planning can lead to expensive re-builds and alterations, and there can also be a massive wastage of materials and resources if these aren't estimated and ordered accurately, or the appropriate materials are not used.

Most homeowners in the UK, when organising a large home improvement project, will first locate a builder and trust that they know a decent architect to put you in touch with. However, this isn't the only way, and typically not the most effective way to hire an architect. A more sensible approach is to consult an architect first, take full advantage of their design expertise, discuss all your requirements, and come away from the meeting with detailed plans that the builder can work from, comprising a comprehensive list of specifications and materials.

This makes life easier for the construction company, and makes it easier for them to give an accurate price quote for the job, as they will have access to detailed information about the quantities and types of materials needed and they won't have to speculate about what's needed for the work. They will also have clear instructions and guidance on the correct way to complete the job.

From the design and planning of your dream home or helping with the plans to extend your existing house, to supplying professional advice on alterations that are needed to fix up an older building in the UK, a fully trained architect can help you in many ways.

From the very beginning of the project in the UK, an architect should be there to help you with designs and plans that fit in with your budget, and at the same time comply with the relevant building standards and regulations. If you've got plans which were drawn up for your project previously, you can always ask a local UK architect to take a look at your blueprints and check them for any issues that could compromise the structure, and ensure that it all satisfies the latest legislation and guidelines.

So that your builders can construct or renovate your home in the desired way, a collection of detailed and precise technical building plans will be prepared by the architect, once your design has been agreed. The architect will communicate with the building crew often, to make sure that the design is being followed accurately as well as ensure the the allotted budget is being adhered to. Working along with surveyors, contractors, engineers, and the local planning office, a decent UK architect will ensure your build or remodelling project runs as smoothly as possible from the initial planning right through to the last stages of construction.

In the United Kingdom RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) is the professional organization representing architects. Together with giving you guidance and information on the procedure and code that all architects ought to abide by to offer you the correct level of service, RIBA also offers the training platform for professional architects. To be able to register themselves as an accredited architect with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) and put themselves forward for membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects, trainee architects must undergo 5 years of full-time study and at least 2 years of work experience.

Architects Fees and Costs - The fees charged by an architect is typically based upon a rate per unit area of the construction, a percentage of the total cost of the building works, an hourly rate or a lump sum. Or, maybe a combination of these fee structures could be used. Architect's fees for renovation projects are typically between fifteen and twenty percent of the overall cost, whilst residential projects could run up marginally lower charges of around 12% to 20% of the whole construction cost. Architects fees for commercial projects will probably represent a smaller percentage, usually 4% to 12%.

Architect or Interior Designer? - Every once in a while someone asks the question "in what ways do architects differ from interior designers"? The answer to this question varies depending on exactly who you ask, and for some folks the distinction is crystal clear, whilst for others the two disciplines overlap and merge on a number of levels. For the most part, interior designers concentrate on the internal finish of a building - the wall surfaces, the furnishings and the floor finishes, while architects focus their attention on the overall design with regards to the shape - the outer shell, the roof and the external walls. However, you also get 'interior architectural designers' who still need to be properly qualified, but deal largely with the internal structure of a building, the thermal attributes, the flow of internal space and the spatial planning. They design and plan the internal feel and appearance of buildings in the UK.

A recommendation by friends or family is an excellent place to begin when you're searching for an architect, but do not let this be the sole factor that affects your choice. Word of mouth is accepted as the most reliable kind of endorsement, and close to eighty percent of people in the UK would rate this sort of recommendation above any other. You should compile a list of at least 2 or 3 architects and get a job quote from each of them.

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

Skills and Knowledge Needed by Architects

• Architects should have excellent verbal communication skills
• Architects need to be meticulous and pay close attention to detail
• Architects need to have excellent reasoning and thinking skills
• Architects need a good knowledge of design
• Architects must be good at analytical thinking
• Architects need to have advanced mathematics skills
• Architects should have a deep knowledge of construction and building
• Architects should have decent customer service skills
• Architects must have a complete knowledge of construction codes and laws
• Architects should be able to use a computer and software packages confidently

Related Tasks

There are a wide array of tasks that can be carried out by local UK architects including sustainable design solutions UK, site liason in the UK, designs for living, architect services for planning permission, feasability studies and cost advice in the UK, commercial architects, private commissions for homeowners, commercial design, urban planning UK, local authority applications, building plans and blueprints UK, modern house design UK, RIBA architect services UK, architect solutions for conservatories, house floor plans, commercial architecture services in the UK, fire strategies, design and project management, architect and design solutions for loft conversions, cheap architects in the UK, risk assessments, specialist architect services, landscape architecture services, conservation area consents, building and site surveys, spatial design in the UK, architect services, housing and urban design, cheap architect services, home internal re-designs, and lots more.

Regular Tasks for an Architect

• Visiting sites to check building work and progress
• Sharing ideas and communicating with clients, architectural technologists and technicians, and other architects
• Creating hand drawn sketches, 3D models and in depth technical plans using computer aided drafting systems
• Choosing or advising on materials
• Creating plans which follow building laws and safety regulations
• Overseeing and managing large and small building projects
• Writing and presenting contracts, job proposals and reports and completing planning applications
• Finding innovative ways around local authority legislation and environmental impacts
• Finding ways to cost-effectively work within budgets

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