Choosing a Designer

Many professionals can take on the role of ‘designer’ for your dwelling, but we strongly recommend that you choose someone who is properly qualified and is a member of a professional body within the construction industry. These organisations have a code of conduct and regulate their members’ training, standards, and insurance, which will help to protect you and your investment.

A properly qualified designer is an investment - they will probably save you money in the long term. A house that is poorly designed, without the relevant research and information, may cause significant and expensive problems during the building process and, potentially, afterwards. You would not allow an unqualified doctor to perform your surgery! Likewise, a new dwelling is a large expense, which could add significant value to your house. To ensure your investment is protected, we recommend that your designer is a member of one of these professional bodies:

RIBA – Royal Insitute of British Architects
CIAT – Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
ARB – Architects Registration Board
RICS – Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Please click on the links above to find out more information about each organisation and to see if your designer is listed as a member.

We would also advise that you have a face to face meeting with a designer before you appoint them, to ensure you get on well with them, that they will listen to your ideas, and answer any questions you have clearly. You should also look at their previous work and ask for references.

Checklist:

• Check your designer is a member of a professional body

• Make sure your designer has up to date Professional Indemnity (P.I.) Insurance

• Your designer must also have up to date Public Liability Insurance

• Find out about your designer’s experience and look at previous work

• Meet with your designer and check you will get on

• Ask your designer when they will be able to design your extension and how long it will take

• Ask your designer what their fees will be and any other costs

At 3HW, we are a team consisting of an RIBA Chartered Architect and a CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologist with a combined over 70 years of experience.