What is the difference between an Architect and an Architectural Technologist?
Definition of an Architectural Technologist : Architectural Technologists provide architectural design services and solutions. They are specialists in the science of architecture, building design and construction and form the link between concept and construction. They negotiate the construction project and manage the process from conception through to completion.
Definition of an architect: Architectural education and training focuses on the integration and synthesis of all aspects of design and construction in response to a client's brief, both for individual buildings, groups of buildings and spaces in between. A person described as an architect must, by law be registered with the Architect's Registration Board.
Will An Architectural Technologist ensure that I obtain planning permission and/or building warrant approval?
An Architectural Technologist can take all necessary and appropriate steps to prepare the relevant plans and applications required by Local Authority Planners and the Building Inspector. However, it is the Local Authority Planning Committee who decide whether planning permission will be granted for any particular project and it is the Local Building Control Authority or Inspector who decides whether building regulations approval will be granted. As Highplans ultimately have no control over these, there can be no guarantee of approval, though this is of course always the goal we are trying to achieve! All reasonable steps will be taken to achieve this goal. It should also be noted that these applications attract charges for which you would be responsible, and there may be further inspection charges under the building regulations. They are separate to the charges from Highplans.
My bank or building society requires Certificates
Sometimes, banks or buildings societies who are providing the funding for your building work require sight of the Interim and Final certificates issued as the work progresses. This generally does not pose any difficulties and a separate fee quote provide this service can be provided.
Will I need to employ other professionals for my building project?
Many building projects call for specialist advice from other professionals working in the construction industry such as a structural engineer. With Highplans they would work together as a team on your project. For example, the Structural Engineer might prepare drawings and undertake calculations for foundations and for load bearing beams, most projects will require the services of Structural Engineeer as Building Control require a structural certificate (SER). An Energy Consultant may be required to ensure that the building complies with acceptable energy efficiency requirements and advise on heating and energy options. Larger projects may require a Quantity Surveyor to be employed to provide cost estimates to check whether a project is viable before involving a builder. Once the building works are underway a Quantity Surveyor can keep a check upon the cost of the work that has been undertaken and keep a check on the cost of any additional work. Usually only employed on larger (non domestic scale) projects a Planning Supervisor/CDM coordinator would have overall responsibility for co-coordinating the health and safety aspects of the design and its integration with the building work. Where Interim certificates are required for the bank the services of a Chartered Surveyor are required.
If I need to involve another professional, how do I go about employing them?
Highplans will advise on when it is required to employ another professional and seek fee quotes for the services on your behalf, as mentioned at the very least a Structural Engineer will almost always be required as Building Control require their certification. It is important to bear in mind that in these circumstances, you will have separate contracts with each of the professionals you decide to employ. Their fees will be separate from and additional to those charged by Highplans. You will be responsible for paying the other professionals' fees and they, in turn, will be responsible to you for the services they provide.
How do I go about employing a builder?
You may already know which builder you wish to employ, but if you do not already have one in mind, you can seek assistance from Highplans in the selection and employment of a builder.
Do I need to employ the builder myself?
Yes. It is important to realize that you will be employing the builder and you will be responsible for paying the builder to carry out and complete the building work. In turn, the builder is responsible for carrying out the work in accordance with Highplans designs, in accordance with good building practice, and within the timescales that you agree.
Will an Architectural Technologist supervise the building works?
Normally, an Architectural Technologist undertakes to visit at appropriate stages to inspect generally the progress and quality of work. However it is generally the Builder's responsibility to supervise their employees and sub-contractors to achieve the appropriate result, if anything is not up to standard during a visit to site it will be highlighted as an issue to the main contractor.
When are fees paid?
You will have separate arrangements with other professionals involved, generally Highplans will ask for 50% of Fees to be paid at Planning Application stage, then 50% at Building Warrant appliaction Stage (the same time you will be paying fees to the Local Authority)
The process from start to finish……….
Not every project or design follows an exact process, but experience has shown that the following is an excellent guide.
Stage 1 -
survey: We will arrange to meet you at the earliest agreeable time to discuss the brief, design feasibilities and usually at this time measure and survey the existing building or land. On assesing the scale and complexity of the work a fee quote will be forwarded to you based on our discussions.
Stage 2 -
sketch plans: The proposals will usually be prepared within 10 working days from the date of survey. Any amendments / adjustments can be made to the plans to suit your needs, this process can involve several more meetings and discussions, etiher online via the live design service or in person. The completed plans are uploaded to our site for your approval.
Stage 3 -
planning application: The plans are submitted on your behalf to the local authority for planning approval. This process can take up to 8 weeks. This is done via an online service and you can track the status of your application online.
Stage 4-
Building Warrant: The plans are submitted on your behalf to the local authority for building warrant. This process usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks. During the period of the applications Highplans will reply to local authority requests for minor alterations, changes and clarifications, it is always expected that building control will come back with several queries, which are usually dealt with quickly and easily.
NOTE - It is possible to apply for both Planning Permission and Building Warrant at the same time or very closely together if the time delay to gain Planning Permission (8 weeks norm) then building warrant (another 8 weeks) is too high. It is however always a risk in that if you have a problem gaining planning permission and the building warrant work has been completed it will cause additional work to be carried out which will attract an additional fee.
stage 5:
tender: You may decide to employ you own contractor, alternatively we can invite a suitable number of competitive tenders from selected local contractors. They will be provided with copies of the necessary details including plans and specifications. The tender prices are communicated directly to you to select the contractor of your choice. You can then employ the successful contractor to complete the building works in accordance with the approved plans.
Definition of an Architectural Technologist : Architectural Technologists provide architectural design services and solutions. They are specialists in the science of architecture, building design and construction and form the link between concept and construction. They negotiate the construction project and manage the process from conception through to completion.
Definition of an architect: Architectural education and training focuses on the integration and synthesis of all aspects of design and construction in response to a client's brief, both for individual buildings, groups of buildings and spaces in between. A person described as an architect must, by law be registered with the Architect's Registration Board.
Will An Architectural Technologist ensure that I obtain planning permission and/or building warrant approval?
An Architectural Technologist can take all necessary and appropriate steps to prepare the relevant plans and applications required by Local Authority Planners and the Building Inspector. However, it is the Local Authority Planning Committee who decide whether planning permission will be granted for any particular project and it is the Local Building Control Authority or Inspector who decides whether building regulations approval will be granted. As Highplans ultimately have no control over these, there can be no guarantee of approval, though this is of course always the goal we are trying to achieve! All reasonable steps will be taken to achieve this goal. It should also be noted that these applications attract charges for which you would be responsible, and there may be further inspection charges under the building regulations. They are separate to the charges from Highplans.
My bank or building society requires Certificates
Sometimes, banks or buildings societies who are providing the funding for your building work require sight of the Interim and Final certificates issued as the work progresses. This generally does not pose any difficulties and a separate fee quote provide this service can be provided.
Will I need to employ other professionals for my building project?
Many building projects call for specialist advice from other professionals working in the construction industry such as a structural engineer. With Highplans they would work together as a team on your project. For example, the Structural Engineer might prepare drawings and undertake calculations for foundations and for load bearing beams, most projects will require the services of Structural Engineeer as Building Control require a structural certificate (SER). An Energy Consultant may be required to ensure that the building complies with acceptable energy efficiency requirements and advise on heating and energy options. Larger projects may require a Quantity Surveyor to be employed to provide cost estimates to check whether a project is viable before involving a builder. Once the building works are underway a Quantity Surveyor can keep a check upon the cost of the work that has been undertaken and keep a check on the cost of any additional work. Usually only employed on larger (non domestic scale) projects a Planning Supervisor/CDM coordinator would have overall responsibility for co-coordinating the health and safety aspects of the design and its integration with the building work. Where Interim certificates are required for the bank the services of a Chartered Surveyor are required.
If I need to involve another professional, how do I go about employing them?
Highplans will advise on when it is required to employ another professional and seek fee quotes for the services on your behalf, as mentioned at the very least a Structural Engineer will almost always be required as Building Control require their certification. It is important to bear in mind that in these circumstances, you will have separate contracts with each of the professionals you decide to employ. Their fees will be separate from and additional to those charged by Highplans. You will be responsible for paying the other professionals' fees and they, in turn, will be responsible to you for the services they provide.
How do I go about employing a builder?
You may already know which builder you wish to employ, but if you do not already have one in mind, you can seek assistance from Highplans in the selection and employment of a builder.
Do I need to employ the builder myself?
Yes. It is important to realize that you will be employing the builder and you will be responsible for paying the builder to carry out and complete the building work. In turn, the builder is responsible for carrying out the work in accordance with Highplans designs, in accordance with good building practice, and within the timescales that you agree.
Will an Architectural Technologist supervise the building works?
Normally, an Architectural Technologist undertakes to visit at appropriate stages to inspect generally the progress and quality of work. However it is generally the Builder's responsibility to supervise their employees and sub-contractors to achieve the appropriate result, if anything is not up to standard during a visit to site it will be highlighted as an issue to the main contractor.
When are fees paid?
You will have separate arrangements with other professionals involved, generally Highplans will ask for 50% of Fees to be paid at Planning Application stage, then 50% at Building Warrant appliaction Stage (the same time you will be paying fees to the Local Authority)
The process from start to finish……….
Not every project or design follows an exact process, but experience has shown that the following is an excellent guide.
Stage 1 -
survey: We will arrange to meet you at the earliest agreeable time to discuss the brief, design feasibilities and usually at this time measure and survey the existing building or land. On assesing the scale and complexity of the work a fee quote will be forwarded to you based on our discussions.
Stage 2 -
sketch plans: The proposals will usually be prepared within 10 working days from the date of survey. Any amendments / adjustments can be made to the plans to suit your needs, this process can involve several more meetings and discussions, etiher online via the live design service or in person. The completed plans are uploaded to our site for your approval.
Stage 3 -
planning application: The plans are submitted on your behalf to the local authority for planning approval. This process can take up to 8 weeks. This is done via an online service and you can track the status of your application online.
Stage 4-
Building Warrant: The plans are submitted on your behalf to the local authority for building warrant. This process usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks. During the period of the applications Highplans will reply to local authority requests for minor alterations, changes and clarifications, it is always expected that building control will come back with several queries, which are usually dealt with quickly and easily.
NOTE - It is possible to apply for both Planning Permission and Building Warrant at the same time or very closely together if the time delay to gain Planning Permission (8 weeks norm) then building warrant (another 8 weeks) is too high. It is however always a risk in that if you have a problem gaining planning permission and the building warrant work has been completed it will cause additional work to be carried out which will attract an additional fee.
stage 5:
tender: You may decide to employ you own contractor, alternatively we can invite a suitable number of competitive tenders from selected local contractors. They will be provided with copies of the necessary details including plans and specifications. The tender prices are communicated directly to you to select the contractor of your choice. You can then employ the successful contractor to complete the building works in accordance with the approved plans.