Do I need an architect for kitchen renovation?

BrokenJetpack

So I have a 3 bed semi in Dublin 9 and I want to renovate the kitchen, which was added on in the 80s and which I updated 20 years ago with new kitchen units. The kitchen is uninsulated and always really cold in the winter, and the floor tiles are slowly cracking as time goes on, there's a leak in in the dining room velux window, along with multiple other issues, so it's time to do something with it.

Regarding size the overall kitchen and dining room is about 21 ft wide and 10 ft deep. In terms of work, I want to pull down the flat ceiling and put in a couple of velux windows, put in a new concrete floor, replace the back wall and window with bigger sliding door, and then add new kitchen units. The separating wall between the kitchen and dining room is very thick for some reason, probaly around 20 cm, but doesn't seem like a load bearing wall. I'd be keen to remove this so I can open up the the space.

Attached are some pics showing how it looks currently. What I'm wondering is should I get an architect to draw up plans for this, and possibly do site visits while the work is taking place, or are some pictures and a basic description enough for a builder?

sonyvision

After having some work done, removing two load bearing walls, insulating and plumbing a lot of down stairs I didn't use any architecture. I got a builder which was recommended and just get stuck in. Let me know if you want some photos. I'm in West Dublin and the job was finished only a few weeks ago.

BrokenJetpack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123223597#Comment_123223597

Hi @sonyvision thanks for the update, would be great to see some pics.

10-10-20

Just get a competent builder. Fella here virtually got a shed when he wanted a kitchen and the builder was shocking-bad. 200k of a job has had 20k of damage and repairs so far, mainly from leaks off the 'prefectly' flat roof.

Some_randomer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123223720#Comment_123223720

Is that not an argument for getting an architect? If the guy had given the builder plans and drawings before he started then he might have got something closer to what he wanted 🤔

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123224673#Comment_123224673

Good point - I'll rephrase that to "Whatever you do at a bare minimum just make sure that you get a competent builder". An architect and engineer (if required) are the best paths to a successful outcome. Sorry if that wasn't clear from the initial response.

BrokenJetpack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123224774#Comment_123224774

No worries at all. You're dead right, it's all about the builder at the end of the day. Finding a good one is the problem though.

BrokenJetpack

So if I wanted to get a design and drawings done for a builder to price the job, would it be better to use an architect or interior designer? I'm guessing an interior designer would be able to do drawings that a builder could understand?

DOCARCH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248217#Comment_123248217

My experince of most interior designers is that they do not do drawings (or specifications).