How to Find the Right Architect in Essex — What to Look For

Mar 3

When you're searching high and low to find an architect near you in Essex, what exactly do you need to be looking out for? We have put together a quick guide, covering a few of the main things to look out for as you find a great Essex architect for your project.

Registration

Before you begin contacting any potential Essex architect for your project, it's important to make sure they are properly licensed and registered. We advise visiting the architect's website and checking out what kind of certifications and licences they carry. If you want to double-check this, you can visit the website of the registering authority.

For example, the Local Authority Building Council provides accreditation for architects. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers do, too, among plenty of others. Look out for these logos on the architect's website.

Experience and Reputation

You certainly want to work with someone who has long experience in the field. This way, you can be confident they are going to provide a great service on your project.

Architects may publish client testimonials on their website and may also offer details of recently completed projects. Sites like Trustpilot and Yelp can also give you a handy resource of reviews direct from customers. If you know someone personally who has worked with a particular architect in Essex, you might want to ask them about their experience directly.

Geographical Location

Local Google searches have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and the search engine is generally rather good at bringing up results close to your location. But it's not infallible — just because you search "find an architect near me" doesn't necessarily mean the architect you find is able to cover your area.

So double-check that the search result really is an architect in Essex. Bear in mind they will need to visit your property or your project site, and you may need to visit their office. So ensure that everything is within relatively easy reach.

Range of Services

Different architects offer different services, and that's why it's important you partner with an architect who can offer all of the services you need.

For instance, you might need an architect to help you with planning permission and regulatory compliance — two of the key consultation services offered by architects. On the other hand, you might need drawings and plans for loft conversions and home extensions. Check which services each architect candidate provides.

Rates

While price is definitely important, there's a reason we've included it at the end of this list — simply because costs can be a little more complex than first meets the eye.

Firstly, architect services tend to be a little more expensive down here in the southeast, so fees for an architect in Essex will be above the national average in most cases. Just because your Essex architect is charging more than your sister paid on a similar project in Newcastle doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a bad price.

Secondly, higher-end architects will charge higher fees to reflect their service. As long as the first two points on our list — the registration and the reputation — are ticked off, you can be sure you are working with a reliable architect. You can trust they are giving you an honest price.

Still, you need to work with an architect whose rates match your budget.

Find the Essex Architect You Need for Your Project

Here at Humphreys & Sons, we have a long history of providing expert architect services to clients in Essex. We invite you to speak with our team directly to find out more and to get started.

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