A-Z of Self Build Guides How To Design A Self Build Home

Date Published:

30/05/2008

If you choose to use an architect to design your new home, the possibilities are limitless. An architect should be able to sit down with you and sharpen up your general ideas into a workable design that will look good, function well and be within your budget as well as economical to run. A good one will be up-to-date with innovative building materials or techniques that may be suitable for your home.

They can also handle the paperwork, such as the preparation of planning applications and building regulations approval for you, and manage the build. You'll need to work closely at the initial stage to draw up the essential design elements you want, and throughout the build to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want.

There's nothing better than personal recommendation when it comes to choosing your architect. Otherwise, sit down for a preliminary meeting and make sure they are someone you can work with happily throughout the build. Check the type of building you have in mind is the sort of work they can handle and ask to see their portfolio. It's vital, too, to speak to any of their other self build clients.

A self build project can be an emotional rollercoaster so make sure you get on with your fellow passengers. If the architect's ideas conflict with your own from the very start of the brief, be prepared to go elsewhere.

All architects must be registered with the Architect's Registration Board. Their website also has details of the complaints procedure and code of conduct details. Many architects are also members of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) or Royal Institution of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). Both websites have plenty of useful information on choosing the right architect, or for more help check out our essential guide to choosing an architect.

What’s the Cost?

Many firms will work to a percentage of the build cost; others will charge on the time expended; others work for a set fee. It's vital that you agree the fee arrangement and the parts of the project that will involve your architect before work begins. A self build project could cost between eight and 12 per cent of the build cost for a complete project management service.

The cost of the architect's services may seem initially expensive, but this should be offset by the individuality of the design, plus the time and money saved on a well-managed site. If your architect is managing your build for you - and we advise it, unless you have prior experience - he or she will co-ordinate the team of builders as well as any specialist consultants such as landscapers, structural engineers, quantity surveyors and interior designers. This should help you make material savings, as the architect will be able to specify and order at a better rate than you.