Cost

  • There are a number of different things that can influence how much it will cost to hire an architect. It will depend on the type of project you have in mind and its scale, as well as how you intend to use the architect. Most architects will charge via one of 3 ways (or a combination of these): hourly, percentage fee, and fixed fee. Generally speaking, for most domestic projects an architect's fees will usually be anywhere between 6-12% of the total construction cost. Check out our blog post here, where we go into some of the details.

  • You can expect to pay a build cost of around £2,500-£3,000 per m² depending on your location, project size, and build specification - (initial build cost estimations are typically based on costs per square metre). At Tereyn Architects we provide our clients with a build cost estimate range within the majority of our fee proposals.

  • As a general rule, an estimate build cost for a self build home is calculated in a similar way to an extension estimate - (per m²) and is typically anywhere between £1,000 - £3,000 per m². In understanding where within this estimate range your project lies depends upon some of these following factors. Timeframes (how long do you expect the project to take in relation to the size of the project), level of quality (or specification) you would like to achieve, and how much of the project are you looking to do yourself.

Architects

  • This should be done at the very beginning. When it comes to designing your development project one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is to employ an architect. Your appointed architect will be able to advise and guide you through every step of the process.

  • This depends on the level of service that you’re looking for, as many architects do work remotely. However, a local architect will be readily available for face to face consultations, they’ll usually have a contact list of local consultants and general connections. A local architect will sometimes be familiar with the Planning Officers at your Local Planning Authority.

  • Yes. However, not all architectural professionals are architects. When it comes to building a home extension one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is to employ a competent architectural professional. By law all architects have to be registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) and you can perform a search on their website to verify that your chosen architect is on their database.

  • The roles of architects and engineers on a building project are different, and their levels of involvement will also differ on any given project. At TEREYN Architects we work in collaboration with trusted engineers that we can recommend to our clients.

  • By law all architects have to be registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) and you can perform a search on their website to verify that your chosen architect is on their database.

Building Regulations

  • Building regulations are statutory approved documents that set the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings. They ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings are met, fuel and power is conserved, and adequate facilities are provided. Approval is required for most building work in the UK. Contact us or click here for more information.

Party Wall Agreement

  • A party wall agreement is needed between yourselves and your neighbours if you plan on carrying out any building work on or near a party wall or boundary.

Build Over Agreement

  • A Build Over Agreement is required from your local Water Authority when building work is within 3 metres of or over the route of an existing public sewer or drain. Approval of the Water Company is needed prior to work commencing that involves new foundations.

Time

  • Depending on the size of the extension it will normally take a minimum of approximately 6 months in order to conduct any surveys, prepare your designs and gain the statutory approvals required (such as Planning Permission and Building Regulations). After which you can start to build.

  • A standard single storey extension can usually take approximately 4 months to build, whilst larger projects will be more. It’s important to note, before you can start your build the architect must prepare the Planning Permission and Building Regulation applications, which will usually take approximately 6 months (depending on the size and complexity of the project).

  • This depends on a lot of variables! Although, as a general rule, most self build homes will take at least 1 year to build. However, it’s important to be aware of the design process and statutory requirements needed before you can start to build, these can take anywhere between 6-12 months. Therefore, from start to finish it could take approximately 1-2 years.

Planning Permission

  • Planning Permission involves asking your Local Council if you’re able to do a particular type of building work. This will be submitted as a Planning Application (done by your architect) and will be granted (sometimes subject to certain conditions) or refused. Contact us for more information.

  • There is no guarantee that your project will be granted. However, architects can advise on the likelihood of gaining approval (based on previous experience, local knowledge and Planning Policy). For any project, an architect should make sure that your extension falls within the parameters of Planning Policy.

  • Generally speaking, an extension to your home is considered to be ‘Permitted Development’ and does not require an application for Planning Permission. However, this is only if certain criteria are met. Contact us for more information.

  • As with extensions, most loft conversions are considered to be ‘Permitted Development’ and do not require an application for Planning Permission. However, this is only if certain criteria are met. Contact us for more information.

  • 3 years. This means that you have to start building your project before the 3 years has elapsed.

  • This largely depends upon the requirements of the client (also called a client brief). However, with regards to extensions it will typically take 2 months to prepare the documents, have a consultation and coordinate any revisions with the client prior to submission.

  • Yes and no. If it pertains to changes such as internal walls, and openings that do not overlook neighbouring properties then the answer is - yes. However, if small changes are needed that do not fall under the above (and do not concern the materiality of the extension) then a ‘Non-Material Amendment’ application can be submitted. If there is a material change that does not considerably alter the original proposals then a Material Amendment application (also known as a ‘Section 73’) can be submitted.

Permitted Development

  • Permitted Development gives homeowners the right to carry out certain types of work without the need to apply for planning permission. (Providing your PD rights have not been removed and development does not fall within a restricted area).

  • This depends on a number of different factors including the type of property you own and the type of extension you’re looking to build. For single storey extensions you can extend as far as 6m from the rear wall of an attached house and 8m on a detached house. However, your extension cannot exceed 4m in height and cannot have an eaves height of more than 3m. For more information on how you can use your Permitted Development rights - get in touch.