Is an architect best and how to choose one

Robbo · Apr 29, 2008 10:32 pm

i am about to engage the services of an architect prior to purchasing.
We've found what seems to be the house we're after - b/v 1960s - good solid old thing. its a little small but we could live in it happily.
Since making an offer we've found ourselves 'adding' all sorts of things.
i'm afraid of two things:
1) adding things higgledy piggledy with ugly result
2) getting to the 'doing something' stage and finding it can't be done for all sorts of reasons (cost included).

i'm hoping the architect can give a some good directions in what to and what not to do.

i'll let you know how we go.

R

Paula · Apr 29, 2008 10:36 pm

Robbo

i'm afraid of two things:
1) adding things higgledy piggledy with ugly result
2) getting to the 'doing something' stage and finding it can't be done for all sorts of reasons (cost included).

i'm hoping the architect can give a some good directions in what to and what not to do.

i'll let you know how we go.

R

firstly welcome and dont forget the pics :wink:

Secondly in answer to your concerns, make sure you are absolutly clear in regards to what you want from your architect in all aspects.

Good luck.

lenny · May 30, 2008 5:59 pm

So where can one find a listing of Home designers???

Michelle · May 30, 2008 6:05 pm

Internet……

Google them….or this on Homeone.

http://www.homeone.com.au/

Mrs B · May 30, 2008 8:40 pm

Hi every one,

I find conversations about architects fascinating. My conclusion is that everybody seems to have a different experience with architects and a different fee structure. All up we paid one flat fee...under 10k for everything and the rest. He was absolutely fantastic and designed our house exactly the way we asked him to. If some design feature was going to blow the budget he would tell us and would not do any thing that wouldnt be in our best interest financially.

Mrs B

Michelle · May 30, 2008 9:04 pm

Scoop for you Mrs B!!!!!

Mrs B · May 30, 2008 9:11 pm

Hi Michelle,

This was 3rd time lucky though :evil:

Architect 1...did not even ring back even though my number was on his desk.

Draftsman 2...turned up 1 hour late to our meeting, assistant said they wouldnt even look at our plans for another 6 months.

We almost gave up hope after these dismal attempts.

Mrs B

Michelle · May 30, 2008 9:20 pm

Well….you can point the finger at a lot of other trades for doing things like that as well……we can’t just blame the architects. :lol:

Good to hear you got one that did what you wanted!!!!

Yak_Chat · May 31, 2008 10:35 am

You might find this intersting way to go Robbo.

http://www.archicentre.com.au/html/design2.php

Down the bottom click on the renovation and design links in blue.

Steve

grace_slick · May 31, 2008 5:52 pm

In my personal and probably stupid opinion, I would only consult an architect right at the end of my planning process. I would design my own house in minute detail and love every second of it (I've already thought about this should I ever win lotto, heheh!), and then only go to one once my own plans were done, so they could advise whether anything in it was just impossible or bad in any ways. I wouldn't ever go to someone to design my house. I am quite capable of having my own tastes and designing it myself!

The Dynamic Duo · May 31, 2008 9:58 pm

Just found one drawback of using an architect - if a builder quoting on your job knows you are using an architect they will increase the price as they assume you have loads of money.

Simon

Casa2 · May 31, 2008 10:46 pm

grace_slick

In my personal and probably stupid opinion, I would only consult an architect right at the end of my planning process. I would design my own house in minute detail and love every second of it (I've already thought about this should I ever win lotto, heheh!), and then only go to one once my own plans were done, so they could advise whether anything in it was just impossible or bad in any ways. I wouldn't ever go to someone to design my house. I am quite capable of having my own tastes and designing it myself!

This is exactly what I did.

Yak_Chat · Jun 01, 2008 6:28 pm

Quote:

grace_slick wrote:
In my personal and probably stupid opinion, I would only consult an architect right at the end of my planning process. I would design my own house in minute detail and love every second of it (I've already thought about this should I ever win lotto, heheh!), and then only go to one once my own plans were done, so they could advise whether anything in it was just impossible or bad in any ways. I wouldn't ever go to someone to design my house. I am quite capable of having my own tastes and designing it myself!

Casa2 wrote

Quote:

This is exactly what I did.

Don't you both think that this then limits you to some ideas you are not already aware of?

ie you have preconceived ideas re design concepts, layout options etc etc.

Personally my approach would be to have a vision of what I wanted to enjoy from the block of land - ie the views, the breezes, the sunsets etc etc, sketch out what think would work, and then take that to an architect with some guidelines of my breif and me set expectations and needs, ie x number of bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen style etc etc, then work with them as to what we can create.

Steve