House Extension - Anyone used "Architect Your Home"?

[spenny_b]

Happy Friday folks,

I've recently been very fortunate and come into an inheritance that my Father is administering (it was his Mother). Stipulation being that my Brother and I have to use it on property or something else that will be an investment. To be honest, I wouldn't want to use it for anything else.

So, my plan is to use it for extending, or rather, changing my current house. No need to move, v happy where I am.

In a nutshell, looking to pull down the existing conservatory, rebuilding a more usable room with a solid vaulted ceiling/velux windows, maybe having the fully opening patio bi-fold doors opening to the garden, and open-planning this space into the living room. Possibly also extending the garage (attached to side of house) - shame not to, eh?

So....need to get the project off the ground, get local architects in, and have creative discussions.

Doing a quick Google, I found this site --->

http://www.architect-yourhome.com/index.asp

Nice site; they appear to be a brokering agency for architects countrywide - they engage relevant folk based upon location, it seems.

Anyone had any experience of them?

Or...any recommendations in the Canterbury/East Kent area?

TIA

Spenny_B

[JCB123]

They are just a brokers - please, if you have any sole, don't use them.

They, like energy assessment brokers, are drilling prices down....they take a cut and offer it to the architects for less than you'd pay them direct.

You don't get a saving, you just pay someone to find you an architect.

Please go direct. I'd be happy to help if you want.

[spenny_b]

Fair enough, thanks JCB - it does, therefore, sound like a similar situation to my Brothers business. Will avoid.

You're up in Lincolnshire, aren't you?

[Johnniem]

JCB123 said:

They are just a brokers - please, if you have any sole, don't use them.

They, like energy assessment brokers, are drilling prices down....they take a cut and offer it to the architects for less than you'd pay them direct.

You don't get a saving, you just pay someone to find you an architect.

Please go direct. I'd be happy to help if you want.

+ 1 from me. Check out the RIBA website and see if they have a 'find your local Architect' section. Above all explain in full exactly what you want the Architect to design. An incomplete brief is often the death knell for the works and the relationship. Architects are fantastic but they can get carried away. Agree the brief with the A, agree the extent of the budget (there will always be 'unforeseens'!!!) but, most of all, don't go mad and price your property out of the street! When you eventually obtain tenders for the works (from the specification and drawings produced by the architect) make sure the specification requires the contractor to enter into a contract (mad but true...most home owners don't!!)

I could rattle on this soapbox for hours and if you have specific queries please pm me but you will almost certainly save unexpected expense if you specify your requirements down to the last nut and bolt....positions of power points, type of face plate for the power points, types of wall tiles, lighting etc etc. These can be expensive items (in bulk) and most homeowners leave these decisions to last. Remember, you can always provide these foc to the contractor.

I wish you every happiness in the project. Often fun but more often than not traumatic (I do it for a living but in the commercial side!)

[JCB123]

spenny_b said:

Fair enough, thanks JCB - it does, therefore, sound like a similar situation to my Brothers business. Will avoid.

You're up in Lincolnshire, aren't you?

I am so.....examples available....

As above, I agree, get a brief laid down early....but don't be forced to go for an Architect....they can (not all) think that what they design is right for you....

Edited by JCB123 on Friday 4th June 15:43

[spenny_b]

Great, thanks chaps.

Fortunately, I have a pretty good minds-eye as to what I want, more specifically what I don't want.

Definitely looking forward to those conversations with architect(s) where we can throw ideas around, and see what is/isn't possible within the budget/space I have, and the planning/building regs.

JCB - okay, am open to starting points. Do you have a website or collection of images of examples? Happy for you to email me through my profile to save boring the PH collective.

Thanks as always!
S