Turn your dream into a home

An architect listens first, then translates your dreams into reality

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) will tell you that when you

hire an architect you get ‘freedom from worry and value for money’.

And both of these mean a far less stressful self-build experience.

Using a building consultant or designer to draw up plans might be suggested as a way to save on costs, but hiring a chartered architect means you are tapping into the services of a professional who has studied for seven years, by far the longest training period within the building industry. Only when qualified can they be listed with the Architects Registration Board and apply to the profession’s chartered bodies to use the initials RIAS or FRIAS, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects.

You and your architect should decide in advance whether expenses will be included within the agreed fee or charged separately. Calculating the cost architects’ fees are part of the overall cost of any project and usually calculated in three ways. Percentage is based on the total construction costs in the building contract including site works. Agreement is needed on the services provided, nature of the work and an approximate construction budget. Lump sum fees work best when the project can be clearly defined from the start and there are no surprises for either side. Time charged is the flip-side of that coin and best where the amount of work cannot ‘reasonably’ be seen. An agreed upper limit is needed and fees are often staged.

REMEMBER you need to reach an agreement with your architect whether expenses will be included within the agreed fee or charged separately.

Members must carry professional indemnity insurance and uphold the reputation of the profession.

An architect brings to your project:

• Seven years of studying - the longest training period in the building industry • A member of a professional chartered

body - RIAS or FRIAS, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects. • Members must carry professional

indemnity insurance and uphold the reputation of the profession. • A professional who can steer you

through planning and building legislation. A good architect listens to what you need the property to do for you and your family and how you want it to look. It is their professional experience that will make sure you get the best out of what you have; creating as much home as possible from a plot, materials and construction costs. This will save you money in the long term.