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Choosing Your Designer

Many professionals can take on the role of designer for your extension, but we strongly recommend that you choose someone who is properly qualified and is a member of a professional body within the construction industry. These organisations have a code of conduct and regulate their members’ training, standards and insurance which will help to protect you and your investment.

A properly qualified designer is an investment as they will probably save you money in the long-term. Any building that is poorly designed, without the relevant research and information may cause significant and expensive problems during the building process and, potentially, afterwards. You would not allow an unqualified doctor to perform your surgery! Likewise, building a house in your garden is a large expense which could add significant value to your land and to ensure your investment is protected, we recommend that your designer is a member of one of these professional bodies:
RIBA – Royal Institute of British Architects
CIAT – Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
ARB – Architects Registration Board
RICS – Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Please click on the links above to find out more information about each organisation and to see if your designer is listed as a member.
We would also advise that you have a face to face meeting with a designer before you appoint them to make sure you get on well with them, that they will listen to your ideas and answer any questions you have clearly. Also, you should look at their previous work and ask for references.

Checklist:
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  • Check your designer is a member of a professional body
  • Make sure your designer has up to date Professional Indemnity (P.I.) Insurance
  • Your designer must also have up to date Public Liability Insurance
  • Find out about your designer’s experience and look at previous work
  • Meet with your designer and check you will get on
  • Ask your designer when they will be able to design the house in your garden and how long it will take
  • Ask your designer what their fees will be and any other costs

At 3HW we currently are a team consisting of an RIBA Chartered Architect and a CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologist with over 70 years of experience between us.
3HW Architecture and Design Limited | Registered England 8239121 | Registered Address Alpha House 40 Coinagehall Street Helston Cornwall TR13 8EQ Website Disclaimer