Choose the Design team
Once you have set your budget, found your ideal plot and created your brief, it is time to invest in getting the right team to help realise your dream home. There are several consultants that would be involved at various points of your project.
The core team would include your Architect, Structural engineer, Quantity surveyor, Services engineer and quite frequently an Interior designer. In most cases, the architect is appointed first to absorb and appraise your brief in line with your budget and advise on the need of other consultants, their likely fees and when they will be required.
Depending on your brief or project, other consultants could include a Civil Engineer, Energy consultant, Landscape designer, Lighting designer, Audio Visual specialist, Fire safety adviser, acoustic consultant, Pool consultant, conservation specialist, planning consultant and client representative, however in some cases these could be handled by the core design team.
Find designers who show an interest in your ideas and that you can get along with as you would be working with them for a considerable length of time.
You can find qualified designers for each of the professions by searching the relevant governing body. In the UK these are RIBA, ARB, RICS, ICE, IStructE, IMechE, CEng, CIBSE
Designed by Mike Rupp
Appoint your team based on their capability, competence and quality rather than the lowest fee.
Ensure all quotes are written, includes the Scope of services, Timeline, Payment terms, Payment schedule, adequate level of Professional Indemnity insurance, Complaints and Termination procedures.
Ensure the entire team agree to a Responsibility Matrix and appoint the Lead Designer.
The Lead Designer will often be the architect, but this needs to be clearly stated and agreed. The lead designer will direct and coordinate the other consultants and will be the main point of communication between you and the design team.
To comply with CDM Regulations, you’d also need to appoint the Principal Designer. Again, this would often be the architect at the design stage. The point of the CDM regulations is to ensure Health and safety issues are properly considered at every stage
Maintain frequent and open communication with the entire team