Do I need to hire a qualified designer?

One Answer

1. Chris Bates (Build It Editor) says:

   4th January 2021 at 11:53 am

   Technically, anybody can design a house – you don’t have to hold any formal qualifications to be allowed to put in planning applications and Building Regulations applications, and some self builders do successfully realise self-designed projects.
   I think the key question here is whether this competent person can achieve the right design for the plot and homeowners, and whether doing so will really save money in the long run.
   For instance, if you’re after a relatively simply square-box design that would be bread-and-butter for a general contractor to deliver with standard details, then it’s possible you may not need an architect or professional designer. But if you want something more bespoke, are you confident a non-qualified person can get the detailing right?
   Similarly, what value do you put in a professional designer’s ability to make suggestions you might not have thought of yourself?
   When it comes to the technical design, you will almost certainly need to involve a professional in the form of a structural engineer… unless you are extremely well-versed in how the loads of a building transfer from roof down to foundations, and getting maximum value for money out of your chosen structural system.
   Personally, I think the value a professional designer can bring to a project is well worth the money… and their output (particularly detailed drawings) can help to cut down on problems later in the build, when your contractors ask you how you want a particular detail to be built and suddenly it’s going to be twice the price.
   This article should be well worth a look for you: https://www.self-build.co.uk/who-should-design-my-house/

   Log in to Reply