Is an Architectural Designer Cheaper Than an Architect?

Short answer - No, not necessarily

If you are planning an extension, renovation or new home, you may assume that using an architectural designer instead of an Architect will save money.

But is an architectural designer actually cheaper than an Architect?

Not necessarily.

Fees for residential architectural services vary considerably between individuals and practices. An architectural designer may charge less than an Architect, but they may also charge a very similar fee. The important question is **who you are appointing, what qualifications and experience they have, and exactly what is included within their fee.**

At Rosenkelly Architectural Design, we regularly encounter architectural designers and other residential design practices operating at similar fee levels to our own. For homeowners, this raises an important question: if the price is comparable, what are you actually getting for your money?

What Is the Difference Between an Architect and an Architectural Designer?

In the UK, Architect is a legally protected title.

A person cannot simply decide to call themselves an Architect. To use the title in business or professional practice, they must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

Becoming an Architect normally involves many years of academic study and professional experience, followed by the professional qualification required for registration.

The term architectural designer is different.

Architectural designer is not a protected professional title in the UK. There is no equivalent statutory register that somebody must join before describing themselves as an architectural designer.

Put simply, anyone can call themselves an architectural designer in the UK.

That does not mean architectural designers are necessarily inexperienced or incapable. Some have extensive technical knowledge, many years of experience and excellent portfolios.

It does mean, however, that the title itself tells a homeowner very little about the person's qualifications.

How Do I Check Whether Someone Is Really an Architect?

This is straightforward.

Check the ARB Register.

The Architects Registration Board maintains the official Register of Architects in the UK. If somebody is presenting themselves as an Architect, homeowners can search the register to verify that they are registered.

Membership of other organisations, experience within an architectural practice, an architecture degree or a job title containing words such as "architectural" should not be confused with registration as an Architect.

If you want to establish whether the person you are considering appointing is actually an Architect, the definitive check is whether they appear on the ARB Register.

Are Architectural Designers Cheaper Than Architects?

Sometimes. But certainly not always.

There is no universal price for either an Architect or an architectural designer.

Fees depend on numerous factors, including:

* the complexity and scale of the project;

* the experience of the individual or practice;

* the level of service being provided;

* whether measured surveys are included;

* the number of design options or revisions;

* whether planning applications are prepared and submitted;

* whether Building Regulations drawings are included;

* coordination with structural engineers and other consultants; and

* whether the professional remains involved during tender and construction.

This is why comparing two quotations based solely on the figure at the bottom of the page can be misleading.

One quotation might cover little more than drawings for a planning application. Another might include design development, consultant coordination, planning correspondence and substantially more professional input.

**Compare the service as well as the price.**

Why Doesn't an Architect Necessarily Cost More?

There is a common perception that appointing an Architect automatically means paying a premium.

That isn't necessarily the case, particularly in residential architecture.

Practice size, overheads, location, workload and the way services are delivered can all influence professional fees. A small architectural practice can operate very differently from a large multidisciplinary firm.

At Rosenkelly Architectural Design, our focus is private residential architecture. Projects are personally led by Benjamin R Kirby RIBA ARB, a registered Architect and RIBA Chartered Architect, while the practice remains structured around providing a personal service to homeowners.

Our fees are therefore not automatically higher simply because an Architect is providing the service.

In fact, we frequently see quotations from architectural designers operating within the same residential market at broadly comparable prices.

If the Fees Are Similar, Which Should You Choose?

Price matters. For most homeowners, there is a finite project budget and professional fees need to represent good value.

But if an Architect and architectural designer are quoting similar amounts, it makes sense to look beyond price.

Ask:

1. Who will actually design my project?

2. What qualifications do they hold?

3. Are they registered with the ARB?

4. What experience do they have with projects like mine?

5. What exactly is included within the quotation?

6. Who will deal with the planning authority?

7. Will they coordinate with my structural engineer and other consultants?

8. Can they produce the technical information required for Building Regulations?

9. Can they remain involved when the project reaches construction?

The answers are more useful than the professional title on its own.

What Should I Compare When Getting Architectural Quotes?

If you are obtaining several quotations for a residential project, try to ensure you are comparing like with like.

A useful comparison should consider:

Professional status

• Establish who will be responsible for the project and check their professional credentials.

• If they describe themselves as an Architect, verify their registration on the ARB Register.

Scope of service

• Look carefully at what happens after you appoint them.

• Does the fee cover initial design only, or does it continue through planning and technical design?

Experience

• Look for relevant residential projects rather than simply the number of years somebody has worked within the construction industry.

  
  

Communication

• Find out who your day-to-day contact will be and whether that person will remain involved throughout the project.

  
  

Technical capability

• If you intend to progress beyond planning permission, establish whether the practice can provide the necessary Building Regulations and construction information.

The actual fee

• Only once you understand the points above can you make a meaningful comparison of price.

Should I Use an Architect for a House Extension?

Yes, an Architect can bring considerably more to a project than preparing drawings for a planning application.

A residential project involves balancing your brief, budget, the existing building, planning constraints, construction requirements, appearance, daylight, materials and the practicalities of actually building the design.

The value of good architectural input is therefore not simply measured by the number of drawings produced.

It is reflected in the quality of the decisions made throughout the project.

Architect vs Architectural Designer: The Bottom Line

Do not assume an architectural designer will be cheaper than an Architect.

Get quotations.

Compare the services.

Look at previous projects.

Understand who will actually be working on your home.

And check professional credentials.

If the quotations are similar, ask yourself what you are receiving for that money.

At Rosenkelly Architectural Design, every project is personally led by a registered Architect and our residential fees can be comparable with those charged by architectural designers operating in the same market.

For homeowners who assumed that appointing an Architect would automatically be considerably more expensive, it may therefore be worth asking the question before ruling one out.

The difference in price may be considerably smaller than you think.

And if somebody tells you they are an Architect, don't simply take the title at face value.

Check the ARB Register.