…So we’re not moving as stamp duty alone would pay for a rear extension.

Plan so far is rear extension to 4 meters (neighbour went out this far 2 years ago) and loft extension.

We have a small 1930’s terrace in leafy London suburb 7m x 5m width/length

Budget is £60000 to include both which any other part of the country is doable unfortunately in London they add rip off tax up to the tune of £20000

Im sure with the right builder this is achievable and undertaking some of the finishing ourselves etc.

Ex girlfriends Father came round yesterday he’s an architect and quoted £1250 for loft and £1250 for extension plans , wasn’t open to any of our ideas (his daughter was open to many ideas but we didn’t discuss that as my wife was also present !) that we had – tried and tested were his words.

Friend of ours is undertaking similar project and using a guy from Manchester (friend in London) who’s not an architect but does drawings and is charging £1200 (no vat) I spoke to him and he comes to London once a week and then during week does plans etc. Is this wise ? Sounds a bit dodge
http://www.lcblueprints.co.uk

What options do I have ? Whats the best way to find an architect ? architect assistant etc ? do they need to be regulated etc ? indemnity insurance ?

Builder we have used in the past won’t give a quote until plans are drawn up and with council which makes sense but gave a very rough idea which was between 60-80,000 for work but not including kitchens units toilets etc/fitting included but we purchase these
Im sure its possible to do this within budget ! I could be wrong !

Any recommendations for architects ?

Ex girlfriends Father came round yesterday he’s an architect and quoted £1250 for loft and £1250 for extension plans , wasn’t open to any of our ideas (

He still hasn’t forgiven you!

If he won’t listen to what the client wants, Bin him!

Depends to me how much you trust your builder and how much you know / can supervise the job. MY experience with architects and structural engineers is very poor. I would have a architectural technician do the basic drawings for planning and basic calculations from a structural engineer if you really have to, then project manage it myself using a trusted builder to make sure details were correct and would research stuff myself but this approach would not work for everyone

Do you really need an architect?

If you know what you want just DIY.

Plans for planning permission don’t need much detail, I’ve done it twice in PPT, basic outline view showing window locations, roof line etc. Really simple. They don’t care what you’re doing inside.

The technical bit is the structural design stuff which you can just get from a Structural Engineer for a few £100 and submit for building control.

Irrelevant of who does the plans, you’ll need engineering information.

And if the Manchester chap can get engineering drawings/calculations cheaper than your ex’s Dad then it’ll be win/win.

But did your ex’s Dad also include dealing with the council is his quote, whereas the Manc guy didn’t?

Manc guy dealt with council

any evening crew add to this ?

sorry for the bump !

There seem to be a few specialist loft conversion/extension contractors around who will do the drawings and get TP and B Reg approvals as part of their package. Might work out cheaper but I don’t actually know.