Architects in Essex: what to ask before you appoint one

Choosing an architect is one of the biggest decisions on any building project.

If you are searching for architects in Essex, you will find plenty of choice. This guide explains how to check an architect is genuine, what happens at each stage of a project, how fees usually work, and what to ask at your first meeting.

It is written for homeowners, landlords, business owners and facilities managers who are new to the process, and every point applies whichever architect you end up choosing.

The word “architect” is protected by law in the UK. Under the Architects Act 1997, only people on the Architects Register can use it in business, and anyone can search the register for free on the Architects Registration Board (ARB) website. It takes a minute, and it is worth doing even when someone has been recommended to you.

Terms such as “architectural designer” or “architectural consultant” are not protected in the same way. Many people who use them do good work, but there is no regulator behind the title. You will also see the terms “chartered architect” and “RIBA Chartered Practice”. They mean different things, as the table below shows.

Term	What it means	Is it a legal requirement?
Registered architect	Someone on the Architects Register, which is run by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). They have completed the required training and experience, follow the ARB's code of conduct, and the ARB can investigate complaints about them.	Yes. Only registered people can use the title “architect” in business.
Chartered architect	A registered architect who is also a chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Chartered members follow the RIBA's code of professional conduct and keep up their continuing professional development.	No. It is voluntary, and not every registered architect is a RIBA member.
RIBA Chartered Practice	A firm rather than a person. The RIBA accredits practices that meet its standards on things like insurance, quality management, health and safety and training, and that have a chartered architect as a director or partner. Practices confirm each year that they still meet them.	No. It is voluntary.

In short, registration is the legal minimum. “Chartered” adds a voluntary professional standard for the individual, and “Chartered Practice” does the same for the firm. They are extra reassurance, not a replacement for checking the register. Ayshford Sansome is a chartered architects practice, accredited as a RIBA Chartered Practice.

Understand the stages of a project

Most architects in the UK structure their work around the RIBA Plan of Work, which divides a project into eight stages numbered 0 to 7. You do not need to learn them, but knowing the shape of a project makes fee proposals much easier to compare.

Stage	Name	What usually happens
0	Strategic Definition	You decide whether a building project is the right answer, and set your goals, budget and timescale.
1	Preparation and Briefing	Your goals become a written brief. Surveys and feasibility checks begin.
2	Concept Design	The first design ideas are shared and you choose a direction.
3	Spatial Coordination	The design is developed and coordinated with engineers and other specialists. A planning application is usually prepared and submitted.
4	Technical Design	Detailed drawings and specifications are produced for Building Regulations and for contractors to price.
5	Manufacturing and Construction	The building work happens on site. Your architect can help oversee it if they are appointed for this stage.
6	Handover	The finished building is handed over, defects are put right and you receive the information you need to run it.
7	Use	The building is in use and feedback is gathered on how it performs.

Not every project uses every stage, and an architect may be appointed for only some of them. Always ask which stages your fee covers and what you will need to arrange yourself, such as a project manager, a cost consultant or someone to run the build.

How architects' fees work

Architects charge in a few different ways, and none is automatically better. What matters is that you understand which one you are being offered.

• Fixed fee: a set sum for a defined scope, often split by stage. It is easy to budget for, though changes to the scope may be charged separately.

• Percentage of construction cost: the fee is a share of the build cost. It is common on larger projects, but the fee moves as the cost moves.

• Time charge: hourly or daily rates for the time spent. It is flexible, which suits early or uncertain stages, but harder to budget for unless there is an estimate or a cap.

  
  

Many appointments combine these, for example a fixed fee for early design and a capped time charge for later stages.

Ask for the fee in writing, broken down by stage, and check what is not included. Planning application fees, surveys, structural and services engineers, party wall matters and Building Control charges are often separate from the architect's fee. Try not to choose on price alone: a low fee that leaves out a stage can cost more in the end. We are happy to explain how we structure our fees at your first meeting.

Questions to ask at your first meeting

1. What scope of professional indemnity cover do you offer? Have you got any extra accreditations?

2. Have you worked on projects like mine, and can I see examples or speak to a past client?

3. Who will I deal with day to day, and who will design and develop my project?

4. Which stages does your fee cover, and what is not included?

5. How is your fee structured, and what happens if the scope changes?

6. Are you familiar with my local planning authority?

7. What do you need from me, and by when?

8. How long will each stage take, and what could slow things down?

9. What happens after planning approval? Can you provide Building Regulations drawings and help with choosing a contractor and administering the building contract?

Before your first meeting, you may want to ask if they charge for the initial consultation.

Look beyond the answers

The answers matter, but so does how they are given. A good architect asks how you will use the building, and about your budget and timescale, before talking about design or fees. They explain things in plain English, put scope and fees in writing, and are honest about what they do not yet know. They may even come up with a creative solution and save you time and money on your project.

Talk to Ayshford Sansome Architects

Ayshford Sansome Architects is a chartered architects practice, accredited as a RIBA Chartered Practice, based in Wickford, and the practice has been in business since 1911. Our architects are registered with the Architects Registration Board. Our work includes planning applications and Building Regulations, Principal Designer and contract administration, architecture and interior design, BIM and 3D visualisation, and Passivhaus design.

You can read about our services, our Passivhaus design and our projects and clients on our website. If you are planning a project in Essex, call us on 01268 562 266 or email enquiries@ayshford.com and we will be glad to talk it through.