Five benefits of hiring a Chartered Architect for your new project
A Chartered Architect is a member of The Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA, which is recognised throughout the world. There are affiliated organisations, including the Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland, the Royal Society of Architects in Ulster, and the Architects Council of Europe. RIBA also includes the Royal Society of Architects in Wales. When hiring a Chartered Architect, whether an individual or a practice, they are endorsed and promoted by RIBA and as such, clients know that their Chartered Architect has met the stringent and respected requirements for accreditation.
Most design and building projects can be split into five stages, each of which is recognised throughout the industry, and which are used as reference points to describe the progress of the project. Here, we will describe the benefits your Chartered Architect will bring to each of these five stages.
Stage 1: Strategic Definition to Concept Design Development
The first benefit, at Stage 1, is that your architect will gain an overview of the project by visiting the site and discussing the desired outcome. Chartered Architects are qualified by undergoing six years of professional training to understand and learn how to design a beautifully proportioned space that will fulfil all technical, creative and budgetary requirements. After the initial site visit, our architects are able to review and judge, in detail, the available opportunities and potential limitations of the project under discussion. Knowledge of local design guide requirements, local planning policies and comparable and relevant local precedents will allow your architect to produce a realistic design solution that has every chance of meeting planning approval.
Stage 2: Feasibility Studies
The second benefit, at Stage 2, is that our Chartered Architects will provide an easily understandable and transparent breakdown of costs. The budget is the crux of any project, and whether it’s more or less than anticipated can have an effect on the specifications – for example if the total cost is less than expected, a client may decide to upgrade certain finishes or expand some spaces. It’s the architects task to prepare plans and elevations, specifications and schedules to arrive at an initial costing for the client. If necessary, our architects can work with trusted contractors to reduce costs if necessary – but without compromising the design integrity and intent.
Stage 3: Planning Permission and/or Listed Building Consent
The third benefit, at Stage 3, is that our Chartered Architects have the knowledge and qualifications to review relevant and recent local planning applications to provide comparable precedents. For example, if several homes in the immediate area have successfully built a particular style and size of extension, our architects can compare and assess the clients project in the light of the success (or otherwise) of previous applications. Pre-application advice can be sought from the Planning Officers, with the intention of making the application process successful, as well as seamless. Our architect will then go on to prepare the required drawings and documents to apply for the required permission and consent.
Stage 4: Tendering and Technical Design
The fourth benefit, at Stage 4, is that our Chartered Architects will have the experience and knowledge to engage with appropriately qualified contractors and consultants. In many cases they may be professionals they have worked with before, with the intention to create and establish the best project team possible for the task. They will review the tender returns, and aim to achieve competitive prices that will not compromise on the quality of workmanship and materials. They will check that this is all possible within the time frame. Once our architect has established the project team, the work on the detailed technical drawings and specifications will commence.
Stage 5: Construction to Handover and Close Out
The fifth benefit, at Stage 5, is that our Chartered Architects will be scheduling regular site visits to monitor the progress of the project. They will inspect the works that have been done, as well as those that are in progress, to ensure that the design plans and technical drawings are being followed accurately and to the required standard. The architect will regularly meet with key subcontractors to check on progress, answer and queries and resolve any issues that have arisen. Our architects are also qualified to act as the Contract Administrator, where they will instruct the workflow and review payments made. When the project is completed, it is the role of a Chartered Architect to carry out the final inspections and certifications.
