House Renovation - any advice / recommendations? Post Reply

[nhda]

Hi all,

I've seen a few similar threads but didn't think it hurt to ask for recommendations again. We're going to be doing a big house refurb in Lambeth - side return, loft, bathrooms, kitchens etc.

I think our preference is to have separate architect / builder vs an in all one company (had a bad experience before with a flat conversion), but all recommendations are gratefully received. And if you've had recent experience and are happy to share more details please let me know and I'll PM you.

Thanks all,

[belld]

You have opened the flood gates now.
Here is the first Architects practice response.
Happy to meet and help you understand all aspects of the process, from a 'use an Architect - be in control' perspective. You can likewise take advantage of the Design + Build route and meet those suppliers.

www.atelierdb.com

We have just recently finished a spankingly nice project in Lambeth:
http://www.atelierdb.com/architect-lond ... ad-balham/

Good luck whichever route you take.
David

[monical86]

Hello! Of course, you can arrange an architect and the building company separately but when we decided on side extension we chose one company that arranged everything for us and we were really happy with the results. They were extremely helpful and gave us plenty of ideas, we were always well informed and up-to-date about the project, the builders were professional and always showed up on time.

Their website:
http://www.lifestylebyasq.co.uk/

Regards,
Monica

[clareHip]

Beautiful kitchens & bathrooms at Linear London ( 5 Zennor Road, SW12 0PS ) with very helpful ( & patient!) designers. www.linearlondon.com

[AmyAtArtisans]

Hi there,

In response to your post, I'd be delighted to have a further chat if you are interested in our services and indeed, show you a number of our existing properties from our portfolio that we are currently working on.

We are a building contractors that specialises in the highest quality, boasting an unequivocal eye to detail no matter what size the job -big or small. We have a hand-picked team and pride ourselves on offering the best possible finished product on time and within budget. Feel free to have a look around our site diary, at our website www.artisansoflondon.com to check out our previous work and portfolio.

If you would like to discuss your job further, please feel free to get in touch at amy@artisansoflondon.com

Kind regards,
Amy

[Camille]

I have to agree with a previous poster about you openning the floodgates to all sorts of "advice" primarily I suspect from self interested parties so good luck.

My husband and I have lived through three refurbisments in Lambeth/Wandsworth.

For the first we innocently used one of the local one stop shop outfits, well known on NVN, which proved to very unsatisfactory to put it mildly as the in house architect was clearly being driven by the construction team and offered no creativity and zero options. Furthermore, when the inevitable changes to specs were required as the project progressed, we were massively over charged (we sadly learnt this post completion).

Our second project was far easier and didn't require an architect but did require lots of steel and structural works. We used Clapham Builders for the works whom we found on NVN and they put us in contact with a local structural engineer and the project took time but was to a far higher standard of finish and at very reasonable cost.

Last year we again used the same engineer and Clapham Builders to reconfigure a large terrace in Lambeth. Richard at Clapham Builders put us in touch with a local architect (sadly moved to Italy with her husband recently) who was exceptional. The process worked brilliantly and it felt all parties including ourselves, worked as a team to achieve our vision. Richard and Greg at Clapham Builders are on 07852 991867 and can't recommend them enough.

In summary from ours and several friends experience, keep the architect/engineer and construction companies seperate and in an ideal case find experts in each field who, whilst autonomous, are aware and trust each other but who all clearly know who the client is!

Good luck and enjoy your new home.

[magnificentseven]

NEVER EVER USE A ALL-IN-ONE COMPANY - they cut corners in order to make a profit right from the start, and as we have exact experience (more later when I will name them). We HAD to approve a design before they would do building regs and engineers drawings, and now the engineers insist on beams everywhere we dont want them - even right through what was mean to be a fully glazed side return roof. Let alone the fact that the engineers solution is not very bright. Go to an architect, discuss with an engineer and then go and get builders quotes - you wont regret it. I cannot repeat this strongly enough.

[belld]

some interesting posts.
there are good and bad in all walks of life.
Certainly putting all design and build eggs in one basket could be viewed in a number of differing ways.
Another item that should be checked : make sure your Architect is actually an Architect. A lot of D&B companies refer to their Architect - who is in actual fact simply a draughtsman, in some instances. You can really find out if your Architect is an Architect by checking their details at the Architects Registration Board.
Using names such as Architectural Designer is a means to overcome misuse of title. this doesn't of course mean they are no good at what they do - but clients are often blissfully unaware of just how much better a service they could have had - in terms of design quality, delivery, and cost control by using their own RIBA qualified Architect.
Finally - an Architect will inherently be more expensive than an Architectural Designer - but only marginally - and any cost uplift is more than compensated or even saved during the build delivery and final quality.
Happy Monday!

[magnificentseven]

Absolutely right - check architects registration at http://www.arb.org.uk/

or check at RIBA Royal Institute of Architects (architecture.com)
http://www.architecture.com/FindAnArchi ... AHome.aspx

[monical86]

Good point! When we started our project, the company which we worked with (Lifestyle Design and Build), gave us the choice, we could have hired our own architect and hand them in the ready project but they also offered us the full service with the architect included. All in all, everything went smoothly and I don't regret the decision.

Have a lovely week!
Monica

[nhda]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies - all very much appreciated!

[Tigermum]

Hi nhda,

Feel for you with all the posts, can be daunting where to start. We have always recommended Bart: 07872 338775 at Pristine Finish for side returns, bathroom and kitchens. We're still happy with his work and he can coordinate architects and interior designers if need be. Best of luck x

[Tigermum]

Hi nhda,

Just asked a friend, they suggested Philip Masterman (philip@mastermanarchitects.com :07932073595), their company should be able to lend a hand or point you in the right direction in regards to the architectural aspects. Hope this helps x

[Alexandra2015]

Hi there. My husband owns lots of properties in Wandsworth which re rents out and he has been adding lofts, kitchen extensions and undertaking total house refurbishments over the past three years using an excellent team of builders. Each job has come in well under all the other quotes that he received and each extension came in on budget, finished on time and he has been thrilled with the standard of their work.They really are unbeatable on price and have never let us down. He has since asked them to work several of our friends houses, they needed major kitchen extensions, side extensions and lofts and they have all be extremely happy with the work. If you would like I could put you in touch with my husband, I know they will quote for free.

[Digicast AV]

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