Architect VS Designer
A common point of confusion or a common question that arises during the search for an architect for your project is ‘what is the difference between an architect and an architectural / building designer?’ Whilst these roles can present themselves very similarly on first appearances, it is important to understand the differences before making your selection
Quotes for architectural services can vary hugely for the same project brief and whilst the lowest quote could seem appealing, it is important to fully understanding the level of service you are paying for before deciding whether it is the right fit for you and your project. .Anyone can claim to be a ‘building or architectural designer’ and operate as one and ultimately the costs (covered in the next post) can vary depending on who you chose to engage, but the initial costs of your chosen designer will also have implications on the quality of the design, aesthetics, function and performance of your project. Some ‘building’ or ‘architectural designers’ may not have the full breadth of professional training, experience and insurance required, some have exceptional design expertise but little knowledge of the planning system for example. Others may be sole traders who have very little overheads but also no backup in the event of illness. Ultimately, as well as providing a design that is creative and exciting and meets or even exceeds your brief it is necessary that the work produced complies with relevant planning policy and the building regulations. It is therefore important that the professional you are considering appointing is able to demonstrate and give you the confidence they can provide these services to you.
The title ‘architect’ is protected and only businesses or individuals who have had the education, training and experience needed to become an architect and registered with the ARB (the UK only) can use this. 3bd Architects is ARB accredited and in addition, is a RIBA Chartered Practice with professional indemnity insurance. In support of this, we have a team of individuals who can cover each other's projects in cases of illness, leave or other absence. Other architects don’t always include all the services we do, so you should always get an itemised list from them to ensure you’re getting a comparable level of service, i.e. we usually offer electrical layouts, heating/plumbing/ventilation layouts and finishes/fittings schedule as part of our standard service. We also ensure that the spaces we create are functional, for example by providing indicative furniture layouts and storage solutions as opposed to a series of empty spaces. Many traditional architects only offer the general arrangement drawings for the builder and assume an M&E engineer, interior designer and project manager will be appointed to deal with the other parts of the building or project.
An architect's services include helping the builder and owner work through the entire building process, from initial design to local government planning and regulatory processes through construction to final inspection.
Good value for money
The myth behind architects being expensive - traditional architects often use a percentage of the construction cost as their fee. This often results in a much larger fee as it’s not based on the amount of work they need to do. It’s the easiest method of fee calculation and, due to its often inflated size, allows them to be less efficient. Itemising all the drawings, schedules and tasks required and applying the appropriate hourly rates tend to be more competitive as most of the work required is usually repetitive depending on the type and size of the project. We often use the latter, making our fees and services more attractive.
