BHORT

What is the difference between the jobs that a surveyor and an architect would tackle? Which one do I need to draw up plans for a house extension?

Brendan

mattstant

if its for a bog standard extension the difference is price
ie architect=expensive
surveyor=cheap

suryeyor in theory is only really qualified to price and measure
a job.
but in reality this requires so much practical and specialist knowledge about building in the first place that any surveyor worth his name is more than capable of running up simple plans and elevations to suit most standard buliding metods

With architects your paying for design flair and 6 years of university education.

having said that there are some small architectural practices that will meet your requirements and do the surveyors jobs as well

ask around and go on personal recommendation


Matt

markcp

Brendan,

You should really try to find a small local practice who will be able to draw up simple plans for you, as Matt says. When we had an extension built, again it was a personal recommendation and done in the guys spare time.

The main benefit of using an architect is that they should know about any local planning convenants / constraints and may possibly have a relationship with the local planning dept. Also they should knowledgable of current building regulations.

I am a quantity surveyor and Matt is correct, in that we are only really qualified for the financial and contractual side of the work. That said, even with my experience I reckon I could design a small extension easily if I had the facilities.

Hope this helps,

Mark.

fatnutsac

there are building surveyors who would be more than qualified to do some plans and cheaper than an architect.
get hold of someone who advertises in the local rag for plans drawn. that'll be the cheapest way of doing it

mattstant

forgot to say if your not far away i have ful use of a cad system
and spend a fair proportion of my time designing new house types for speculative development
Might be able to help???

CrisPDuk

Take a tip, find an architect who is prepared to live in his own work
The Surveyor ACTUALLY does the job
The architect IS QUALIFIED to do the job

mattstant

to true crispduk
too true
best mate is an architect but i had to set the plot out for his new house cos he didnt know how to.

Robyn

Dont forget a structural engineer. Even for small jobs, may pay off in the long run as the Planners may turn down anything unsound.

Architects are usually good at making things look nice, making sure they dont fall over? well different matter entirely.

mattstant

dont tell me robyn

Your a structural engineer

dont let him any where near your extension brendan he'll treble the cost just to pay for his insurance indemnity

LG John

Us planning boys don't give a toss about how stucturally sound something is. All we need are drawings in plan view and elevations detailing finishes of any proposed development. Building Control are the ones that make sure the thing can stand up, withstand wind fire and rain, etc

It's so much easier to determine an application with good drawings from and architect or similar rather than where the applicant's has got out the scale rule and gone for it himself!