Here’s What it’s Really Like to Work With an Architect
Three homeowners share their experiences of hiring and working with an architect
Are you wondering whether to work with an architect on your next home project? To help you decide whether this is the right route for you, we’ve asked three separate homeowners to tell us what the process was like for them and what they learned from the experience.
Also in this series: Here’s What it’s Really Like to Work With an Interior Designer
Also in this series: Here’s What it’s Really Like to Work With an Interior Designer
Fiona Ormonde worked with Angus Eitel of fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors on an extension and reconfiguration of her four-bedroom house (not pictured).
“We extended the kitchen to include the dining room and a utility room, making what was the dining room into the sitting room,” she says. “Then we added two en suite bathrooms upstairs and a new family bathroom. So [the work was] reasonably extensive.”
“We extended the kitchen to include the dining room and a utility room, making what was the dining room into the sitting room,” she says. “Then we added two en suite bathrooms upstairs and a new family bathroom. So [the work was] reasonably extensive.”
Kate Sykes was also planning an extension (not pictured) when she contacted Chris Jones of Jones Associates Architects. “Our project was the renovation of an Edwardian house, involving a downstairs extension at the rear and general remodelling and updating of the interior,” she says.
Find an architect in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Find an architect in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
At what stage of the project did you approach the architect?
Fiona knew from the outset that she wanted to work with an architect. “I had no idea how to approach the build, although I knew what I wanted to do with the house,” she says. “Also, I was really worried about how to employ a builder, and I didn’t want to get it wrong.”
Kate and her husband took a little longer to decide. “After living in the house for three years, we approached Chris with some broad ideas about what we’d like to do, but we were still at a very early stage in terms of our thinking,” she says. “We were in contact with Chris on and off for about 12 months before we finally decided to take the plunge.”
Anita and her husband initially approached four architects to get some advice and an idea of costings. This was in March 2018 and they decided to go with Sebastian in June of the same year.
“We agreed to hire Sebastian for the first stage of the contractual process, but we still weren’t sure whether we could afford the total refurbishment and needed time. Sebastian was very patient,” she says. “A little over six months later in January 2019 we agreed to the plan for total refurbishment and six months later, in July 2019, we moved out of our flat and building work finally began, with Sebastian as our project manager.”
Fiona knew from the outset that she wanted to work with an architect. “I had no idea how to approach the build, although I knew what I wanted to do with the house,” she says. “Also, I was really worried about how to employ a builder, and I didn’t want to get it wrong.”
Kate and her husband took a little longer to decide. “After living in the house for three years, we approached Chris with some broad ideas about what we’d like to do, but we were still at a very early stage in terms of our thinking,” she says. “We were in contact with Chris on and off for about 12 months before we finally decided to take the plunge.”
Anita and her husband initially approached four architects to get some advice and an idea of costings. This was in March 2018 and they decided to go with Sebastian in June of the same year.
“We agreed to hire Sebastian for the first stage of the contractual process, but we still weren’t sure whether we could afford the total refurbishment and needed time. Sebastian was very patient,” she says. “A little over six months later in January 2019 we agreed to the plan for total refurbishment and six months later, in July 2019, we moved out of our flat and building work finally began, with Sebastian as our project manager.”
How much involvement did the architect have during your renovation?
All three of our homeowners say their architects were involved with the whole renovation.
“Chris was absolutely pivotal to the project,” Kate says. “We have young children and we both work full time, so we needed someone to take the lead in developing a proposal for the house and providing us with various options. He also acted as the project manager throughout the renovation and was always on hand to discuss issues with us and oversee the work.”
“Angus drew up all our plans, helped us choose our builder and negotiated on our behalf,” Fiona says. “He was also able to speak ‘builder talk’, and having him project manage was brilliant, as it took all the stress off.”
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All three of our homeowners say their architects were involved with the whole renovation.
“Chris was absolutely pivotal to the project,” Kate says. “We have young children and we both work full time, so we needed someone to take the lead in developing a proposal for the house and providing us with various options. He also acted as the project manager throughout the renovation and was always on hand to discuss issues with us and oversee the work.”
“Angus drew up all our plans, helped us choose our builder and negotiated on our behalf,” Fiona says. “He was also able to speak ‘builder talk’, and having him project manage was brilliant, as it took all the stress off.”
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Were you in regular contact?
“Angus came up every couple of weeks and, if he wasn’t here, he was at the end of the phone if we needed to talk to him,” Fiona says.
Kate was also in close contact with her architect. “Chris was always very generous with his time and very responsive to any questions or concerns we had along the way,” she says. “It was great for us to see how the project was progressing as our revitalised house came together.”
“We had regular contact with Sebastian from his first meeting with us,” Anita says. “Once we’d agreed to move forwards with the implementation of the project, our meetings became regular – once every two weeks and sometimes more often – and more intense.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
“Angus came up every couple of weeks and, if he wasn’t here, he was at the end of the phone if we needed to talk to him,” Fiona says.
Kate was also in close contact with her architect. “Chris was always very generous with his time and very responsive to any questions or concerns we had along the way,” she says. “It was great for us to see how the project was progressing as our revitalised house came together.”
“We had regular contact with Sebastian from his first meeting with us,” Anita says. “Once we’d agreed to move forwards with the implementation of the project, our meetings became regular – once every two weeks and sometimes more often – and more intense.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
What were the best ideas they came up with for your project?
Architectural touches, such as bespoke joinery and perfectly placed lighting and glazing, were particularly appreciated by the homeowners. “The whole house feels bright and light, and the flow has also been greatly improved, particularly downstairs,” Kate says.
“The best thing was when Angus came back to us with five different choices of design, then said to use it like a pick and mix and choose the best bits,” Fiona enthuses. “I felt as if he’d really taken time to think about what choices we had and not just regurgitate what I’d suggested in the first place.”
“I think the best ideas Sebastian suggested were the complete turning round of the rooms in the flat, so the kitchen and living room were relocated to the back, with access to the garden, while the bedroom was moved to the front,” Anita says. “We also liked the ways he found to make the flat feel more airy and spacious, with great views of our small garden.”
Architectural touches, such as bespoke joinery and perfectly placed lighting and glazing, were particularly appreciated by the homeowners. “The whole house feels bright and light, and the flow has also been greatly improved, particularly downstairs,” Kate says.
“The best thing was when Angus came back to us with five different choices of design, then said to use it like a pick and mix and choose the best bits,” Fiona enthuses. “I felt as if he’d really taken time to think about what choices we had and not just regurgitate what I’d suggested in the first place.”
“I think the best ideas Sebastian suggested were the complete turning round of the rooms in the flat, so the kitchen and living room were relocated to the back, with access to the garden, while the bedroom was moved to the front,” Anita says. “We also liked the ways he found to make the flat feel more airy and spacious, with great views of our small garden.”
What would you do differently next time?
“If I hired an architect again, I think I’d take more care to make sure I understood the way the schedule of works was organised,” Anita says. “For someone not familiar with the classifications of works, such as joinery, fittings, walls and ceilings, it has been difficult to sort out how the costings are worked out.
“I had no conception of the complexity that renovating our flat would involve and the breadth of knowledge an architect and building supervisor needs,” she continues, “from dealing with damp, to rotten supports, right down to the variety of hinges possible for different cupboards, not to mention the specialised vocabulary that was completely new to me, such as architraves and stud partitions.”
“If I hired an architect again, I think I’d take more care to make sure I understood the way the schedule of works was organised,” Anita says. “For someone not familiar with the classifications of works, such as joinery, fittings, walls and ceilings, it has been difficult to sort out how the costings are worked out.
“I had no conception of the complexity that renovating our flat would involve and the breadth of knowledge an architect and building supervisor needs,” she continues, “from dealing with damp, to rotten supports, right down to the variety of hinges possible for different cupboards, not to mention the specialised vocabulary that was completely new to me, such as architraves and stud partitions.”
Would you recommend using an architect to other homeowners?
“Yes,” Kate says. “Having an architect made the whole project possible for us. An architect brings an expertise in developing the look and feel of the whole house.”
“I would definitely recommend using an architect for a big refurbishment of a flat or house to my friends,” Anita agrees. “Even employing one for the first stages of the project was useful for us, since we had no previous experience of renovating a city property, where use of space was a priority.”
“Having Angus took a lot of stress out of the process,” Fiona says. “I’d thoroughly recommend having an architect.”
“Yes,” Kate says. “Having an architect made the whole project possible for us. An architect brings an expertise in developing the look and feel of the whole house.”
“I would definitely recommend using an architect for a big refurbishment of a flat or house to my friends,” Anita agrees. “Even employing one for the first stages of the project was useful for us, since we had no previous experience of renovating a city property, where use of space was a priority.”
“Having Angus took a lot of stress out of the process,” Fiona says. “I’d thoroughly recommend having an architect.”
What was the most surprising thing about working with an architect?
Fiona was amazed at how involved her architect was in the project. “I wasn’t expecting him to help me find a builder, and that was the thing that worried me the most,” she says.
“Paradoxically, I think the biggest surprise was how few surprises there were,” Kate says. “The project was planned in great detail beforehand. We didn’t have to agonise over what to do at any stage and, if a problem was identified, Chris generally presented us with a possible solution.”
Fiona was amazed at how involved her architect was in the project. “I wasn’t expecting him to help me find a builder, and that was the thing that worried me the most,” she says.
“Paradoxically, I think the biggest surprise was how few surprises there were,” Kate says. “The project was planned in great detail beforehand. We didn’t have to agonise over what to do at any stage and, if a problem was identified, Chris generally presented us with a possible solution.”
How did the architect help with budgeting and timing?
“Chris kept a very keen eye on costs, which was reassuring for us,” Kate says. “Also, as we feel the house now completely meets our needs, there’s no sense that we’ll have to do any substantial work in the future.”
“Angus moved the project along and helped when we needed to make decisions about the kitchen and bathrooms and various builder-related things,” Fiona says. “I definitely think it would have taken much longer if we hadn’t had him.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to use an architect for your renovation project? Was it helpful to hear the experiences of other homeowners? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“Chris kept a very keen eye on costs, which was reassuring for us,” Kate says. “Also, as we feel the house now completely meets our needs, there’s no sense that we’ll have to do any substantial work in the future.”
“Angus moved the project along and helped when we needed to make decisions about the kitchen and bathrooms and various builder-related things,” Fiona says. “I definitely think it would have taken much longer if we hadn’t had him.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to use an architect for your renovation project? Was it helpful to hear the experiences of other homeowners? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Anita Whittle and her husband hired Sebastian Camisuli of Martins Camisuli Architects to help refurbish their two-bedroom flat (not pictured). They’d previously moved back to London from West Africa to care for their grandson and, after five years of living in the flat, they realised major repairs were needed.
“Many of the radiators weren’t working, the flat needed rewiring, and the kitchen and bathroom were outmoded and needed upgrading,” Anita explains. “Perhaps the worst problem was the damp in our bedroom and built-in wardrobes, which had led to peeling wallpaper and mould on our clothes.”