If you are thinking of hiring an architect for the first time, and are not sure whether this will bring tangible benefits to your project, you may find the following rule of thumb helpful:

Projects with a budget of less than £15k
If you are planning a straightforward project, say, the conversion of your garage into a bedroom, and you’re not interested in design quality, an architect is unlikely to add value to your project - a good builder should be able to provide you with the service you need.

Projects with a budget of more than £45k
If you’re interested in investing in a bespoke design for any part of your home, you will certainly need an architect.  Even the most innocent looking building project involves the co-ordination of a number of disparate individuals and disciplines - architects are the only professionals trained to guide you through all aspects of the building process (technical, legal, financial and aesthetic).

If you think your project budget is likely to fall between these two figures, you will almost certainly benefit from engaging an architect but you may not need a full service.  We can advise you on the ways in which an architect can add value to your project and how to decide on the level of your architect’s involvement.  So, if you have any questions about the benefits of employing an architect, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.