Five reasons to hire an architect for your self-build

You have found the perfect piece of land, and you are now planning your dream self-build. Wait a minute!
While it’s tempting to try and do everything yourself, we have found that doing so can lead to costly mistakes that can prove fatal in the long-term. To get the best out of your project, we recommend that you hire an architect. Our team met recently to discuss five reasons why you should hire an architect before building your dream home.

1. Your self-build architect ….

The brief will help you create designs that meet your needs, style and budget. No more will you settle for a copy-paste house plan. You can collaborate with your architect to make your vision a reality. The self-build architect can be tailored to your specific needs and has experience in a wide range of construction methods and styles. All registered architects with The Architects Registration Board and The Royal Institute of British Architects can prepare scale drawings, and sometimes 3D models of self-built projects. These drawings and models will be provided to you during design development meetings. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want, before construction work begins.

2. Your self-build architect ….

You must ensure compliance with all statutory obligations, such as party wall agreements, building regulations, and planning permission. The experienced and extensive knowledge of your architect will help you navigate the process of obtaining these permits.

3. Your self-build architect ….

The architect can help you choose the right fittings, finishes, and lighting to suit your lifestyle. This will increase your home’s value. The architect can help you manage costs throughout the design and specification phases of the project so that you get the best value for your money.

4. Your self-build architect ….

Assist with the construction process from start to finish. An architect can help you choose the right builder, and coordinate and manage your contract. The contract will ensure that the work is done according to the plans and within a set time and cost. Regular inspections will be made by the architect and certificates will be issued for any completed work. This will ensure that you only pay for what has been done. An architect can also coordinate with engineers and consultants to make sure all parties are on the right page throughout a project.

5. Your self-build architect ….

As the project progresses, there may be various construction problems. Your architect can prepare the necessary change orders when there are deviations to the original plan.

All architects must have professional indemnity insurance. You will be covered if you cause problems in the design process.

Find the right architect

Good research and planning are key to a successful self build. It’s wise that you get your architect involved as soon as possible to assist with this. It is crucial to choose the right architect for your self build. However, it can be difficult to find the right one.