How to find an Architect near me

When you begin your search to find an architect for your project it helps to use some trusted sources that will produce reliable results. Building a new home or extension requires a considerable investment of time, money and resources, so you’ll want to find a good quality and affordable architect from the many that are available. If you are wondering how to find an architect near you, we offer some suggestions to get you started.

Google

The most obvious place to start is with Google. Search engines are becoming ever more focused on providing search results based on locality and you can find a lot of useful information to help get you started. Many of the companies suggested will also come with star ratings and reviews provided by people who have previously used their services. Finding out about other people’s experiences will give you a first-hand account of whether they are an architect firm that can be trusted to hire.

RIBA website

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is the premier professional body for architects in the UK. If you head over to their website you can use the search function to find the nearest RIBA-qualified architect. RIBA architects are held to a very high standard and follow a strict code of practice, meaning the quality of work they produce is likely to be of a very high standard.

Architects Registration Board

By law, all professional architects must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB), who serve as the statutory body in the UK. You can run a search on their website to find a local architect, which will bring up registered individuals and companies along with their contact details. Similar to RIBA, they ensure architects follow a code of conduct and exist to uphold the highest standards within the industry.

Houzz

Houzz may have originally been an American website but has long established itself in the UK as a source of inspiration for home design, architecture and home improvement. Use the ‘Find Professionals’ tab at the top of the home page and navigate to ‘Architects & Building Designers’ and choose your location to bring up the results. This will bring up contact details about the company as well as reviews, giving you more insight into their suitability for the project.

How do I choose an architect?

After you’ve performed a few searches you will likely have a short list or architects to contact. It’s a good idea to have a maximum of three, which is just the right amount to offer a good comparison without creating too much confusion. Some key questions to ask include:

• Will I need a measured survey? To create accurate floor plans the architect will need measurements of the property. However, as long as you have purchased your home within the past 20 years or so the plans should already exist and may even be online. If a measured survey is suggested, ask what technology will be used to ensure the measurements will be more accurate than the dimensions already stated in the plans.
• How long will the project take? The architect should be able to give you a good idea of how long the project will take to complete. Some initial drafts can be completed in only a few days (depending on the complexity) while planning permission takes anywhere between 8-12 weeks to pass before construction starts. Then the construction stage begins, with the completion time varying depending on the scale of the project, although the architect should have an end date before work begins.
• Is VAT included in the quote? Always check that the quote given to you by the architect for their fees and the estimate for the full project includes VAT. The full details of the project should also be clearly stated so you understand what is going to be delivered, along with examples.
• Do I need planning permission? Planning permission isn’t always needed and the architect should be able to give you a good indication as to whether or not you will need to apply. Ultimately it is the local authority who make the final decision so it’s always helpful if the architect has experience working with them in the past.