When you are adding to your current home with an extension, or even building a whole new home, in order to get the design of the home ready for builders to use as a plan, you will need an architect.
There are many architects in the UK and when it comes to choosing one, it is important to find the right one for you – just because someone else likes a particular style of one architect, doesn’t mean that you will. You should also make sure you find an architect like this residential architects London, who specialises in residential properties. So, by all means, ask people for recommendations, however, you also need to consider your personal style and look at the previous buildings that the architect has designed to ensure that you are choosing the right one for you.
Being on the same page as your architect is important. You will need to have a good working relationship and understanding, as an architect can be helpful in other ways. For example, an architect may be able to suggest other ideas that you might not have thought of – these might save you money or be better suited to your style.
Another thing that architects are knowledgeable about are planning laws. Whenever you build, you usually need to obtain planning permission, and an architect will have a good knowledge of the planning process and how it works, which will help you to get your project going.
Planning a kitchen extension with your architect
A kitchen extension is one of the most popular projects an architect is asked to design. Buyers value a large kitchen highly, and as the most used room in many houses, extra space here makes daily life more comfortable while adding value to the property.
Start by deciding what you want to gain and how large the extension should be. An architect and builder can then review your ideas and may suggest more practical alternatives of their own. The most important thing to get right first is the layout, so the new room makes the best possible use of the space.
There are practical steps to check along the way. Some projects need part of the existing structure taken down, and demolition should always be left to professionals because it is dangerous and can cause serious problems if done wrongly. You should also check whether planning permission is required. Many extensions do not need it, but it is important to confirm before work begins.
Questions to settle before your extension begins
Before meeting an architect, it helps to be clear about what the extension is for. Extra bedrooms, more living space and a larger kitchen each call for a different design, and knowing your priorities means the architect can make suggestions that fit the way you want to live.
Think about how the finished extension will look from the outside. Planning permission may be needed, and the new building should sit comfortably alongside the existing house. The roof has a particularly big impact on the overall appearance, so it is worth having roofing work carried out by specialists.
Budget is the other major question. Work out the costs and how you will finance them before any building starts, so you know the timescales and when each payment falls due. Running out of money halfway through leaves you living with a half-finished extension, which is far more stressful than taking time to plan properly at the outset.