Builders/ Architect recommendations

[CloudyThatchers]

I'm planning on have a kitchen extension to my property. Always feel nervous with selecting reputable tradesmen.

Can anyone recommend any builders and also architect they have used for similar projects?

[City oz]

Bob the builder 

[City Rocker]

Richard Muxworthy of Bristol Design and Architecture did a really good job for me.

I'm not going to recommend the builders I used for the project though. 

[CloudyThatchers]

49 minutes ago, City Rocker said:

Richard Muxworthy of Bristol Design and Architecture did a really good job for me.

I'm not going to recommend the builders I used for the project though. 

Thanks for sharing. Sorry this may be a bit of a thick question, how does the architect charge? I heard that its a percentage of what the build would cost, but also it may just be a set fee.

[Kid in the Riot]

On 13/09/2020 at 08:16, stoke giiford red said:

I'm planning on have a kitchen extension to my property. Always feel nervous with selecting reputable tradesmen.

Can anyone recommend any builders and also architect they have used for similar projects?

How big is the extension? If it's just a modest sized single storey addition then there's no point in paying an architect where a plan drawer would do. Have you considered whether you need planning permission? If you live in a post 80s built house in Stoke Gifford, for example, then chances are you will even for a small extension. 

If it's a kitchen extension then I would get a specialist kitchen fitter/designer involved, unless you already know exactly what you want. 

Builders is a bit of a minefield. The good ones are generally expensive and always busy. And in fact the same goes for the average ones and not so good ones! Phone around your local firms and see who you get a response from and weigh up the quotes. Ask neighbours/friends for recommendations. 

For the best price, project manage yourself. Get the builders to build the shell, then get your own sparky, plumber etc to finish the inside. 

[BigTone]

3 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

How big is the extension? If it's just a modest sized single storey addition then there's no point in paying an architect where a plan drawer would do. Have you considered whether you need planning permission? If you live in a post 80s built house in Stoke Gifford, for example, then chances are you will even for a small extension. 

If it's a kitchen extension then I would get a specialist kitchen fitter/designer involved, unless you already know exactly what you want. 

Builders is a bit of a minefield. The good ones are generally expensive and always busy. And in fact the same goes for the average ones and not so good ones! Phone around your local firms and see who you get a response from and weigh up the quotes. Ask neighbours/friends for recommendations. 

For the best price, project manage yourself. Get the builders to build the shell, then get your own sparky, plumber etc to finish the inside. 

Agree with this. An Arcitect will charge circa 5 -10% of contract value for a basic package. If they project manage then make that 10-15%. If you pay by the hour then possibly £50-£100 per hour. As you can see it can be a costly exercise and they can tend to get a bit arty farty if their creative juices start to squirt at random.

As a QS (retired but still handsome) myself I would probably follow the route the KITR is suggesting.

Good luck.

[City Rocker]

23 hours ago, stoke giiford red said:

Thanks for sharing. Sorry this may be a bit of a thick question, how does the architect charge? I heard that its a percentage of what the build would cost, but also it may just be a set fee.

So this was about eight years ago now but the firm mentioned above charged a pre-agreed fixed sum for the initial survey, drawing up plans and submission of planning and building regs applications. For a circa £80K build project this fee came to around £2,500.

Their general hourly rate for additional work at that time was £40 and for periodic progress visits to site during the build was £144 per visit.

Like I say, that's eight years ago though. 

[Kid in the Riot]

2 hours ago, City Rocker said:

So this was about eight years ago now but the firm mentioned above charged a pre-agreed fixed sum for the initial survey, drawing up plans and submission of planning and building regs applications. For a circa £80K build project this fee came to around £2,500.

Their general hourly rate for additional work at that time was £40 and for periodic progress visits to site during the build was £144 per visit.

Like I say, that's eight years ago though. 

You'd be looking at similar fees now I'd say.