Architect

To trade as an architect, a person must have a degree in architecture and be registered with the Architects' Registration Council. They may also be a member of a professional organisation such as the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Architects specialise in different areas (industrial, new building work, and so on), so choose one who has experience and an interest in domestic renovations.

What Do They Offer?

An architect can offer different levels of service tailored to your needs and budget. The first stage is a consultation about the feasibility of and options for improving your home. The second involves drawing up plans and obtaining planning permission or building regulations approval. The third is to take complete control, finding builders and overseeing all work and payments.

What Does it Cost?

The initial consultation is often free, but take it seriously and be prepared to discuss your own ideas, sketches, or plans. For drawing up and submitting plans to the council, a flat fee will be based on the amount of time involved. If you would like the architect to handle the entire project, payment is usually calculated as a percentage of the total cost.

Avoiding Possible Pitfalls

• Architects' fees rank alongside plumbers' charges in horror stories about costs running out of control. If you don't want, or can't afford, to employ an architect to handle the whole job, it's important that you both agree their level of involvement from the outset. Ask for a clear explanation of their fees and what service you will receive. If you change your mind as work progresses, check how much extra this will cost.
• The last thing you want to feel is that the architect's ideas have been foisted on you. Don't employ anyone who fails to lend a sympathetic ear to your thoughts. At the initial meeting, explain clearly what you want to achieve - such as extra living space, or another bedroom - how you envisage the scheme, and how much you want to spend. Find out whether your architect usually teams up with a particular builder, so you can ask around about the builder's reputation.