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Financial
Services > Mortgages
> Self-Build
> Building
Professions You Can Expect to Encounter
Architect
An architect is probably the best known member of a building team
and they are generally regarded as "Team Leader". They take responsibility
for the design and overall running of the project. An architect
will be able to interpret your ideas and make sure your new home
is built within budget.
A good place to start your search for an architect is to contact
the Royal Institute
of British Architects (RIBA),
66 Portland Place, London, telephone: 020 7580 5533. They have
a Clients Advisory Service, which has a database of architectural
practices within your area. Other sources of information about
local architects include the Yellow Pages and friends or family
who have had building works carried out. Some architects specialise
in certain fields i.e. they may have a particular interest in
"green building technology". Meet several practices and ask them
to show you their portfolios of previous projects. Visit recent
clients to see if they were pleased with the work done - the architects
should be happy to give you this information.
Many architects will charge you a fee, which is an agreed percentage
of the total construction cost. Another option is to negotiate
a lump sum fee up front, although an architect is only likely
to agree to this if he thinks your scheme is straightforward.
Architects can also be employed on conversion/renovation projects.
Most will charge a percentage of the construction cost, but it
is likely to be higher than a new-build, as conversions tend to
be more complex. With large projects, it is normal to pay an architect's
fees by instalments. This may be monthly or more likely as different
stages of work come to completion.
An architect will provide a detailed set of house plans for detailed
planning permission and building regulation approval. Your architect
can also be employed to tender the project to contractors, supervise
the build and issue completion certificates.
Architectural Draughtsman/Technicians
These are people, who are trained in building construction and
techniques. At one time architects would produce initial rough
sketches and draughtsman would have the job of "finishing them
off". Today, many draughtsman or technicians are in practice for
themselves and carry out the entire process, including design.
They also have a professional body known as the British
Institute of Architectural Technologists, they can be
contacted at 397 City Road, London, telephone: 020 7278 2206.
Quantity Surveyor
This is the person who, measures off the drawings and specification
for labour, materials, plant hire etc. They use the "Standard
Method of Measurement". The Quantity Surveyor will either be employed
by the client to prepare a "Bill of Quantities", from which the
likely costs of the project will be worked, or by the builder
to form the basis of their tender. They charge a fee based on
a percentage of the total project value. You can find out more
details about Quantity Surveyors by contacting the Royal
Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at 12 Great George
Street, Parliament Square, London.
Structural Engineer
The main role of a structural
engineer is to design or calculate the sizes of structural
beams, walls, columns etc. They provide the Local Authority building
inspectors with these calculations and designs in order that they
can check the structural design of the building.
Building Inspector
The role of the Local Authority building inspector is to check
that all the drawings submitted comply with Building Regulations
- this is called "Plan Vetting". The building inspector will also
visit the site at regular intervals to inspect the work to ensure
that it is being carried out in accordance with the approved drawings.
A good building inspector will help the client to achieve the
building they want.
Planning Officers
A planning officer has a very wide job remit. No two villages,
hamlets or towns are the same and each area of the country has
different domestic, commercial and industrial needs. Therefore,
no Act of Parliament for Planning can possibly cover all these
differences. It is because of this that Local Authorities make
what rules and judgements they deem necessary in their particular
area. In practice, they can decide whether or not, your dream
home can be built, as you would like it, on the plot you have
secured.
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