Is it illegal to build an extension without an architect involved? No.
However, just because architects aren’t a legal requirement, it doesn’t mean you should skip right by them. By having an architect by your side, you benefit from…
- Better design
- More added home value
- Expert guidance
- Increased planning success
- Plus more!
Intrigued? Here’s our case for getting an architect on your extension team...
Expert guidance throughout
As one of the first professionals you can bring onto a project, architects have the ability to shape your entire home journey.
This can work in your benefit if you’re new to home extensions or conversions. After all, not many people have that much experience managing large scale projects - why would you?
Yet it's a complicated thing to take on. One that has you juggling multiple professionals, complex planning rules, budgets, not to mention actually getting the space to look nice. This is where an architect steps in.
At Resi, we’ve worked on over 1000 projects nationwide. We’ve seen every house type, extension, conversion, have dealt with fussy planning officers, and cooled down angry neighbours. Basically, we’ve been there and seen it all.
And all this experience we pass to our customers. We set homeowners with a time table of events, let them know what prices to expect, and tell them when to start approaching their other professionals. This makes everything much more manageable for any first-time extender.
Better design, better returns
Naturally, you can’t talk about architects without mentioning design. It’s what we do best!
By having an architect prepare your drawings, and shape the space itself, you’re pretty much guaranteed to end up with a better end result.
No matter how artistically inclined, most of us will miss the small details that take an okay extension into a WOW one. That’s because, unlike architects, we haven’t spent 8 years learning how to think of the big picture. Architects consider everything from maximizing space, natural light, to the impact it’ll have on your neighbours. It’s all these elements that create a truly great space.
Don’t forget, great design isn’t just appreciated by your family, it’s something a future buyer will also pay attention to. Extending your home can be a great investment, and by getting the best possible result, you help increase your chances of reaping a profit on your investment when it comes to selling.
So if the cost of an architect is putting you off, consider the money they could be generating for you when estate agents come round!
Planning pros
Planning permission, no doubt you’ve heard of it, no doubt a small part of you is dreading it.
However, planning doesn’t just come in one form. In fact, there are three routes you can go down…
Each one is best suited to different projects, home types, and areas in the UK. So, the first thing an architect can help with is to decide which one is right for you.
The next will be making sure you do it right. Even if you opt against planning permission, you’ll still need some sort of approval from either your local authority or neighbours. And that’s where an architect will come in. They’ll know the ins and outs of each of the schemes you’re using and be able to ensure your application has the best chance of first-time approval - even going to far as liaising with your council for you!
Not only will this save you time and money by avoiding reapplications, but it also means you won’t fall foul of breaking UK planning laws. Consequences of doing so can range from pricey fines, all the way to demolishing your extension.
The Resi difference
If you want an architect to go above and beyond your traditional practice, look no further. Resi has taken all the benefits of your regular architect and taken all that good stuff into overdrive.
Here are all the cherries we’ve put on top of our service…
In-house planning team
Remember when we mentioned architects liaising with your local authority? Well, unfortunately, not all architects offer this service. However, at Resi, we go above and beyond. We have an in-house planning team who’ll help prepare your application and submit it on your behalf. All you have to do is pay the submission fee - easy.
Our Dashboard
Let’s face it unless you’re super organised, big projects can start to feel messy. There’s paperwork everywhere. Contact details you’ve missed placed, and where exactly did you leave those revision notes? That’s why our Dashboard is so handy.
Created by Jules Coleman, one of our founders (and one of Forbes’ Top Women in Tech, Worldwide 2018), our Dashboard lets you manage your project online. From uploading documents to reviewing designs, you can do it all through a few clicks. What’s more, you can reach our team anytime, thanks to our instant messaging feature. This means better communication, along with greater ease!
Connect
Did you know, extending a home can sometimes require up to 10 different professionals?
At Resi, our Connect team can guide you through this process, as well as introduce you to vetted contractors.
We vet contractors by assessing them against a range of criteria amongst which are: whether or not they are Trustmark or FMB affiliated, whether they have the relevant insurances in place; an assessment of their past work; meeting minimum financial standards; and finally, references from both previous customers and trade.
Find out how Resi can help your project by booking in a free consultation with our team.
