If you’re considering using an architect to draw up plans for your building project, let Draw Plan Ltd help you make your mind up. Whether you’re planning an extension to your home or you’re completely re-modelling, an architect is always a wise investment, especially when it comes to the architectural drawings. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages! Perhaps you’re not planning a big build? Maybe you just want a few, small additions to your current home so you think you’ll be able to get by without an architect – but even small alterations will likely have their own complexities. An architect is trained to deal with spotting and dealing with complicated situations and will provide detailed plans that are easy for a builder to use.
1. Architects are Qualified Professionals
A professional view will always give you confidence and qualified architects understand exactly what’s required to execute your building project to perfection. Remember, architects have studied for a number of years to gain their qualification, they understand buildings – the very nature of what works, what doesn’t work and even more importantly – what will get approved, if you’re looking for planning permission. They’ll be able to use their extensive knowledge to advise you, bring fresh ideas to the table that you might not have thought of and let you know what’s feasible. This is especially useful if you’re unsure what to do to your building –an architect will have an abundance of experience with structural projects, new-builds, reconfiguring old buildings, extensions and more. Using an architect from the early stages will help you achieve an excellent result.
You might be tempted to use your builder to draw plans but ultimately, builders are not the experts, before you agree to their help, check that they’re qualified to do so. More often than not, they aren’t qualified to produce draft plans. At this point, it is pertinent to mention that the term “Architect” is a protected title. This means it may only be used by a registered Architect – do check the Architects Register because if the Architect you use is not listed and uses the term to describe their qualification, they are not qualified to do your work. https://arb.org.uk/public-information/before-hiring-an-architect/who-can-use-the-title-architect/
2. Architects Make Sure Your Project is Safe and Legal
A building project is a big undertaking and it’s paramount that it’s safe. An architect’s plans will ensure the structure (whether it’s a build-from-scratch, reconfiguration or extension) is safe. As an example, perhaps your project involves an old or historic building? This could be complicated, especially if you’re modernising throughout. An architect will instinctively know what to look for, how to deal with tricky builds and how to make sure your drawings conform to legal requirements. Choosing a quality firm of architects will ensure your build is lawful.
3. Architects Deal with Planning Permission
Planning drawings are extremely important if you’re extending or rebuilding a property. You will likely be applying for planning permission. Architects understand the scope of what’s permissible and what’s achievable, whereas builders don’t have that type of experience so drawings must be crafted by a professional architect. Draw plans communicate the planned work so the planning officer dealing with your application can clearly see how your project is going to look. Draw plans also provide dimensions – essential for gaining planning approval. Subject to approval, the same drawings will be used for the project build. Plans that aren’t submitted by architects don’t have as much success as professionally drawn up plans. That’s because most of the time, home-made plans, builders plans, or plans ordered from an online source are inaccurate or don’t have the level of detail that planning officers require.
4. Architects Could Help You Create Even More Space
Perhaps you want to change the layout of a floor in your house and create more space or improve the flow? You may want to move a bathroom, or kitchen, add a room without building an extension? Of course, you might be thinking about reconfiguring your whole house – maybe there’s no room for an extension or for other reasons, you’re unable to build an extension. An architect can help to make use of any space that you haven’t considered, by reconfiguring your home and re-distributing the space. Sometimes, all it takes is a few alterations to create extra space! It’s well worth paying for a quality architect to come up with ideas to maximise on the space you have, draw up the plans and ultimately, improve your lifestyle.
5. An Architect Could Save You Money
Even if you’re relying on a strict budget, using an architect could help you stay within that budget. You might think that going without an architect for your build will save you money, but the likelihood is that it will end up costing you money. Don’t forget that architects can also advise on ways of saving costs when building or extending and stop you from making costly mistakes! So, an initial outlay for a qualified architect gives you peace of mind that what you want to do to your property is possible, achievable and endorsed by an expert.
To summarise, investing in an architect at the beginning of your building project for professional drawings gives you a higher chance of successful planning application. Additionally, it is likely to save you valuable time, especially if you need to appeal your application, which can be a stressful, costly process. Architects can also advise on ways of saving costs when building or extending and stop you from making costly mistakes, ensuring an outstanding end result. Whatever you decide, do check with your local authority what they require for planning. Most will ask for the architect’s plans. To get in touch with a quality team of architects for a UK house draw, contact Draw Plan Ltd here.
