How to get different design ideas for extension

batman1

Hoping to extend sometime either next year or perhaps the following year.
We are at the stage where we would like to see what can be done and a rough guide of expected budgets etc so that we can work towards planning financially etc.

It's a semi-D dormer and despite looking around locally and online, ideas/pictures etc are somewhat limited. It's North facing rear extension on the North coast so we would like to get maximum light with maximum comfort.

We will be getting an architect to do all the professional stuff that we will need, however I am curious as to how the whole process is done from the stage we are at, i.e. the idea!

Do we get different architects to give us their ideas, maybe a rough sketch?
Would each one charge a fee for doing that?

The reason I ask is that we would like to get some differing views and ideas and then choosing our architect based on what we view to be the best for our needs, but if each one is going to be expensive for a basic idea then perhaps we would be better off researching architects based on past work/references and then choose one to do the whole job start to finish.

I can understand that such professionals wouldn't like to give an idea and then for it to be used by another architect in some way.

BryanF

batman1 wrote: »

better off researching architects based on past work/references and then choose one to do the whole job start to finish.

I can understand that such professionals wouldn't like to give an idea and then for it to be used by another architect in some way.

you've answered your own question;)
interview as many as you want, expect to see a portfolio with designs done for similar projects.

but expecting an architect to design your extension on the spot, im not so sure, i see it as a process, good design doesn't always flow on the spot:D

as its a north facing ext on the north coast - go with a high performance spec - complying with new build regs for the extension,and looking at the existing houses thermal fabric & air-tightness.

batman1

When I read my post back I seen that I had most likely answered my own question:-P

I just don't want to end up with an extension that's cold and dark. I recently put a lot of effort into improving the airtightness and insulation in the house with great results on a limited budget and dormers are draughty!

I would be going for high spec as we would like to make the kitchen more open plan and the extension as a kind of living space so I want to get as much info/ideas and plan it well to try and avoid issues during or indeed after.

restive

The best way to do it is to sit down, and do out a plan that meets your requirements. Know exactly what you want before going near an architect or builder. To be honest from my dealings with architects the are overrated. And yes the will charge you for drawing up a first draft.

martinn123

restive wrote: »

The best way to do it is to sit down, and do out a plan that meets your requirements. Know exactly what you want before going near an architect or builder. To be honest from my dealings with architects the are overrated. And yes the will charge you for drawing up a first draft.

Lead Balloons, two for the price of one, in Woodies, this week.

prewtna

restive wrote: »

The best way to do it is to sit down, and do out a plan that meets your requirements. Know exactly what you want before going near an architect or builder. To be honest from my dealings with architects the are overrated. And yes the will charge you for drawing up a first draft.

sweet mother of god! shocking, awful, ill-informed, advice.

if you go to an architect with 'exactly what you want' and an attitude of not letting them do their job, you will get exactly what you want / deserve and will be disappointed. Your architect (if they have any spark of life left in them) will challenge the very core of the ideas you have.

compile a list of requirements rather than an actual layout plan and for gods sake allow the architect to use the creativity that they have spent years refining and developing.

you cannot put a price on good design. bad design (or no design) will leave you unhappy and ultimately be a waste of money.

restive

That' a load of PR horsesh*t that you get from TV designer shows. The reality of dealing with them is very different.


BANNED

restive

That' a load of PR horsesh*t that you get from TV designer shows. The reality of dealing with them is very different.

prewtna

restive wrote: »

That' a load of PR horsesh*t that you get from TV designer shows. The reality of dealing with them is very different.

This could get personal very quickly! However, I stand by my remarks.

Architects can provide good design solutions and quite often will surprise clients with the direction the design can take. Sometimes the design solution is obvious, sometimes its not, in those cases, the client often comments to me (us) along the lines of 'I would never have even thought of doing that'. That's where the architect adds value and I challenge you find another group of professionals who can provide that level of insight on a regular basis.

In fairness, sometimes designs simply don't work, despite the best intentions of all involved. I suspect you have been on on the receiving end of a poor design / experience and I would plead with you not to tarnish the whole profession with the same brush.

Personally (and I know this to be true of all my colleagues) I endeavour to provide good design solutions every day of my working life, so, no the previous comments are not just TV show pr bull****!

Would it be fair to say that all physiotherapists are idiots simply because an individual mis-diagnosed my own hamstring / groin / back issues? I think not.

However, we are off topic here, the original post by Batman has been answered by his own post!!

MayoSailor

having just finished the planning process recently I would recommend:
1: Budget - real "finder in the air" / "an Anglo" of €1,000/sqm
2: Planning constraints - if time is a factor then look for something below exception limits (google them). If not go the planning route.
3: What do you want to do in the room/space
4: Do you have a view in the garden worth 'framing'
5: List what you NEED (window, door)
6: List what you LIKE (cladding, flooring, heating)
7: List what you do not like (PVC windows, neighbors washing-line)
8: Visit a professional (bring a printout of an aerial view of the house and a simple sketch of the inside) - ask the professional for sketches not drawings of an idea / ideas (you want to limit the time they require to give you a deliverable - sketches are quicker than drawings thus less cost).

BryanF

MayoSailor wrote: »

having just finished the planning process recently I would recommend:
1: Budget - real "finder in the air" / "an Anglo" of €1,000/sqm

Ive stopped given rule of thumb figures. would you be so kind as come back and tell us how your sqm/budget price works outs when your project is completed. you might include VAT, whether the builder was insured/paying tax and whether any work was done by you (ie for free), you might show professional fees separately and what your contingency was a whether you used it - lets say that 'completed' is painted & fully furnished.

best of luck on your project

prewtna

BryanF wrote: »

Ive stopped given rule of thumb figures. would you be so kind as come back and tell us how your sqm/budget price works outs when your project is completed. you might include VAT, whether the builder was insured/paying tax and whether any work was done by you (ie for free), you might show professional fees separately and what your contingency was a whether you used it - lets say that 'completed' is painted & fully furnished.

best of luck on your project

the old nugget of how much will the thing cost! Realistically a builder is going to decide how much any project will cost. we can have all the Cost Plans etc we want, but ultimately the market decides and that depends on how much profit the builder wants to make. The builder will say to themselves how much profit should I charge? (on top of the all the fixed elements e.g. price of materials etc.)

this fluctuates depending on the mood of the market. Thankfully the notion of below cost tendering (on private work at least) seems to have died out. It's still rampant in Public work tho - but that's another matter.

MayoSailor

BryanF wrote: »

Ive stopped given rule of thumb figures. would you be so kind as come back and tell us how your sqm/budget price works outs when your project is completed. you might include VAT, whether the builder was insured/paying tax and whether any work was done by you (ie for free), you might show professional fees separately and what your contingency was a whether you used it - lets say that 'completed' is painted & fully furnished.

best of luck on your project

BryanF - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057073700