Draftsman or Architect for Home extension

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Draftsman or Architect for Home extension

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

#192188 1-Mar-2016 11:36

Hey guys

I am looking at doing a house extension/building a small sunroom from our living area. My sister is keen to get an architect or draftsman involved asap and get some drawings to submit to the council.

Can anyone recommend someone good or decent that we could get in touch with?

Thanks

LazyDr

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 31

#1502063 1-Mar-2016 11:54

We're looking at doing something similar, alongside other renovations. We're going through renovation business, and when they visited in December last year to quote on everything, we were told it would be at least February before an architect would be able to visit due to heavy workload (implying it wasn't specific to this company, just architects in general being busy). February is over and we're still waiting..

Just thought you might be interested to know there could be quite a delay. We're in Hamilton, not sure if the demand is more or less where you're based obviously

Jase2985

13730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1502138 1-Mar-2016 13:54

where are you?

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#1502140 1-Mar-2016 14:01

If design isn't an issue, and it is bog standard, then go for a draftman. Or if you know the company you are using for building, some have inhouse drafts people.

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

#1502169 1-Mar-2016 15:22

Sorry - based in Auckland.

No, we dont have a company that we are using for the renovation. Actually - any that you'd recommend? We have the contact of a couple of builders that came and had a look through but I am not sure of their reliability.

Disrespective

1934 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 146

#1502633 2-Mar-2016 09:05

For a little job like a sun room you could easily use either a draughtsman or an architect but the architect will almost certainly cost more. They will almost certainly give you a better finished result though, so keep that in mind. Either way. some thoughts are below.

- If you aren't sure what the sun room should look like then you could find an architect who's style matches what you think you want, then give them a call and see if they're interested.

- If you know what the sun room should look like, or you just want it to look like a picture you have found, then find a draughty that has the time to do it and you should be away and laughing if they seem good.

- First impressions are pretty accurate with this sort of thing. If you meet them and they don't mesh well with you, then i'd walk away, you need to be able to trust them.

- It shouldn't take more than a month or so (depending on how busy they are) to get the drawings done once you have a signed contract with the person/company. There will be a bit of time involved with preparing a suitable concept and that can vary wildly. It will then take another month to get the drawings through the council and tendered to builders who should be able to start work within a month after that. Constructing the sun room (bearing in mind I have no idea how big you want it to be) shouldn't be more than another month or so.

- Google seems to be the yellow pages of choice for most of the clients we get walking in off the street or cold calling.

Source - Am an architect

BinaryLimited

796 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#1502662 2-Mar-2016 09:09

Try buildersCrack.Co. nz, get 3 quotes with references

Binary Limited - Safe. Secure. Simple. ™
www.binarylimited.co.nz

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

sep11guy

660 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 36
Inactive user

#1502663 2-Mar-2016 09:10

Just my 2c, before you chose ur builder do a good number of reference checks.

there are a lot of 1 man bands and there are a lot of eg like shoddy work , tradesman fleeing away with cash ( i have a bad exp myself )

so just take the time to do your research well.

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

#1502708 2-Mar-2016 09:46

BinaryLimited: Try buildersCrack.Co. nz, get 3 quotes with references

Had a try of this - got a couple of small jobs done from different guys but it wasnt that great, they did a half decent job.. so we better off getting recommendations from tried and tested sources.

BinaryLimited

796 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#1502714 2-Mar-2016 09:57

Krishant007:
BinaryLimited: Try buildersCrack.Co. nz, get 3 quotes with references

Had a try of this - got a couple of small jobs done from different guys but it wasnt that great, they did a half decent job.. so we better off getting recommendations from tried and tested sources.

Totally agree! It's a difficult situation because my standards might be different to your standards.
Watched grand designs new Zealand? Some good architects there, can't remember the company names tho.

Binary Limited - Safe. Secure. Simple. ™
www.binarylimited.co.nz

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 21

#1508163 8-Mar-2016 15:19

I can put you in touch with a recent Architecture graduate who's usually looking for work.
He'd be able to suss all the drawings, but handling the council etc. would remain in your ball court.

Disrespective

1934 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 146

#1508314 8-Mar-2016 16:59

Just to be aware, as a graduate architect your contact can't actually submit drawings to the council unless they have an LBP in design (or are a fully registered architect). There are ways to have them do the drawings only and then hand over the responsibility but OP might not want this liability.