Do I need the architect to submit to planning?

[NRS]

Hello, I have paid our architect for plans of our internal works (no planning needed) and extension (planning needed). He has offered to prepare and submit a planning application and prepare and submit a building regulations application. There is a cost of a few hundred pounds associated with those submissions. Question is: Do I need to pay the architect this service or can I do it myself online? What is the benefit of paying the architect to do it? Thanks

 

[thomp1983]

You can do it all yourself if you like, I did my own drawings for planning.

The bit where it may be worth it is if your submitting a full plans building regs application as, that will require quite a few drawings of how stuff is to be built some of which if you've never done it before can be difficult sorting out what's what, if your building off a building notice then that's not such an issue but if your not doing the building yourself then you may have an issue getting accurate quotes without definite plans to show a builder

 

[NRS]

Thanks, I already have the architects plans.

I am now wondering why they would charge to submit them to planning when this seems like a job I can do myself. Unless I am missing something.

I have the same question for submission to building regs. Perhaps he will do additional drawings at that stage that I do not already have? I have a structural engineer though who will calculate the steels etc.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It sounds like you just have some internal plans? You need a few other drawings to submit a planning application.

 

[NRS]

yes, that makes sense. I have internal plans. Thanks!

 

[thomp1983]

Go onto the planning portal and see if you can find similar applications to what your building and see what documents are there and compare them to what you already have

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You won't find them on the planning portal, you'll need to look on your local authority's website, if you trawl through the recent few weeks or so applications then you will likely find a domestic extensions which will give you an idea of what you'll need to submit but in essence you'll need existing & proposed plans (they needn't be full plans just the outline of the whole house will do showing part of the affected rooms in more detail), a site plan, a location plan, existing & proposed relevant elevations, possibly some other stuff depending on the local authority including a soakaway location, possibly a bat survey. If you make an account on the planning portal (which you must do in order to submit a planning application these days) and then start a new application it will tell exactly what your local authority will need in order to validate the application, you can then fill everything in online and it will save your application as a draft application until you have completed all the forms etc and uploaded the relevant drawings. I think a location plan is generated automatically on the PP now for domestic extensions.

Will the application sail through because there's nothing controversial and it ticks all the planning policy's or is it something that may not and may require some negotiation/amended drawings along the way? You can appoint someone to act as your agent and do all of this stuff on your behalf, if they're any good that is ....

 

[johnny2007]

In my experience is better to obtain the plans from the architect making sure he knows that they're needed for planning/BC.
Then submit them yourself.
Many times I've had architects "forgetting" to submit despite having cashed their fees and delaying the work.
Besides, the onus to submit relevant forms for permission and building control is on the landlord.

 

[mrrusty]

With the building safety act now in force, things seem to be changing. Even small house extensions now need a principal designer. It is worth reading this AI generated summary

Do I need a principal designer for a house extension?
AI Overview
Yes, you need a Principal Designer for a house extension if it involves more than one contractor, which is common in these projects. If you don't appoint one, the role defaults to the designer in charge of the design phase, or the principal contractor if there's no designer.
Key points to know
More than one contractor: The main trigger for needing a Principal Designer is when there is more than one contractor (or subcontractor) on the job.
Client's responsibility: It is the client's legal duty to appoint a Principal Designer in writing for projects with multiple contractors.
Default roles: If you do not appoint a Principal Designer, the legal duty falls to the designer who is in control of the design phase. If there is no designer, it falls to the principal contractor.
For domestic clients: While domestic clients have different duties under the regulations, they must still appoint a Principal Designer or a Principal Contractor for projects with multiple contractors.
What they do: A Principal Designer is responsible for managing the health and safety aspects of the design and ensuring it complies with the latest building standards.
What to do
If you have multiple contractors working on your extension (e.g., a builder and an electrician), you must appoint a Principal Designer.
If you have an architect or architectural designer working on your project, they are the most logical person to appoint as the Principal Designer.
Ensure the person or company you appoint has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for the role, which should be proportionate to the project's complexity.

I have already seen posts where people are having trouble getting sign off, because building control need the principal designer to sign off, but don't accept the DIY homeowner as a competent person. I haven't personally encountered this yet, but it is worth being very aware of the potential pitfalls. If you have no ongoing relationship with the architect, and have multiple contractors on site, and you yourself are not deemed competent to sign as principal designer, who signs it off in that role?

I would be very interested to hear any recent first hand experience from the professional builders on here

 

[stevie888]

Let the guy do the submission (you'll have to pay the fees either way). If you have paid him to produce BR drawings it is implicit that any revisions required by BC will be sorted by the architect. I have known architects have the brass b###s to request extra payment for their own errors!!

Are you going LA (my recommendation every time) or private?

 

[camerart]

Hello, I have paid our architect for plans of our internal works (no planning needed) and extension (planning needed). He has offered to prepare and submit a Hi
planning application and prepare and submit a building regulations application. There is a cost of a few hundred pounds associated with those submissions. Question is: Do I need to pay the architect this service or can I do it myself online? What is the benefit of paying the architect to do it? Thanks

Hi N,
I'm a complete amateur, so take this with a pinch of salt!
I would submit the plans, and BC, will tell you if you need anything. In my experience, their first visit irons out most of the sticking points.
Be prepared!
You've go nothing to loose.
C

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I'm not quite sure about that, if you employ a crappy designer then for sure you have nothing to lose, if you employ a good one though then their input can be invaluable and could save you ££££s far outweighing their outlay.

 

[^woody^]

Applications for planning permission have to be correct, and have to meet certain national and local criteria in terms of what is submitted and what information is presented and how.

If the application does not meet the criteria, it won't be valid and won't be accepted.

It's not just a case of sending in plans and filling a form in.

Yes you can do this yourself if you know what to do.

 

[camerart]

I'm not quite sure about that, if you employ a crappy designer then for sure you have nothing to lose, if you employ a good one though then their input can be invaluable and could save you ££££s far outweighing their outlay.

Hi F,
I recently used planning permission, and wanted to use my idea, instead of the convention, I chatted to an architect (no cost), told the building inspector, and they let me use my idea.
As long as the job is done within the guidlines, and sensible, also depending on good honest communication, inspectors can be human.
C

 

[noseall]

Thanks, I already have the architects plans.

I am now wondering why they would charge to submit them to planning when this seems like a job I can do myself. Unless I am missing something.

Let the architect do it.

There is likely to be a back and forth, so let the info' go direct to the architect rather than it going to you then the architect. When I did my own extension, I let him do all that. I was too busy and too forgetful to be able to mess about with the back and forth.